ANew York Times, New York, New York, Friday, October 15, 1971 - Page 71
Fischer, Petrosian Draw in 5th Game; Tied at 2½ Each
Buenos Aires, Oct. 14 — Bobby Fischer of the United States and Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union drew after 38 moves of the fifth game of their match here today.
The draw, the third in a row, left the score still tied at 2½ points each.
Petrosian, a former world champion, varied by using the Petroff Defense after Fischer's almost inevitable 1. P-K4. The opening is rarely seen in modern grandmaster practice, though well suited to Petrosian's defensive style.
Fischer played more forcefully in the opening, building up a strong center with mobility for his pieces.
Instead of directly challenging the center, Petrosian advanced his queen-side pawns with the objective of opening lines for his men in the area.
Tactical complications started with Fischer's 18th move. He offered a pawn, which Petrosian could have gained by 19. … P-Q4. Fischer would have got compensation by advancing his queen and rook on the queen side.
Petrosian avoided this possibility, playing to equalize in the center. By doing so he allowed Fischer to establish a passed pawn.
On his 24th move Fischer should have exchanged pawns rather than advancing his knight pawn. The pawn appeared strong, but Petrosian quickly surrounded it. Fischer had to let it go, taking another pawn as compensation.
In the process, queens and a pair of rooks were exchanged and the game was equalized. Petrosian offered a draw on his 34th move. Fischer refused, but four moves later, seeing no winning prospects, he offered a draw in turn, which Petrosian accepted.
The sixth game will be played Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Teatro San Martin. The player who first scores 6½ points will play a title match next year with the world champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
