AThe Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, May 09, 1971 - Page 50
Fischer-Taimanov Match Starts Thursday in Canada
Will Bobby Fischer of New York and California bring the chess championship of the world to the United States at long last? Critics disagree on his chances.
One thing is certain, however. Fischer can take a giant step in that direction by winning the world championship quarter-finals match with the Soviet Union's Mark Taimanov. The two will open this titanic struggle Thursday in Vancouver, Canada. The games will continue through June 7.
What does Fischer himself think of his chances?
“I believe it will now be the first time that both finalists in the candidates matches are not from the Soviet Union,” he said in an interview. “I don't think that Taimanov in our group can defeat both me and Larsen. (Bent Larsen, the Danish grandmaster.) I hope it will be either me or Larsen who plays for the title against (Boris) Spassky, but it is difficult to make predictions. In short matches surprises are possible.”
Caution seems to have replaced cockiness in Fischer's outlook. Although he was the absolute winner of the interzonal at Palma, he added: “I am not in the best shape. I feel I am not sufficiently played in; I need more tournaments. Candidates matches require thorough preparation. I have so far played matches only with Cardoso (1956) and Reshevsky (1961).”
Such modesty is hardly in the Fischer image. Still, the guess here is that when the chips are down, he will do very well for himself.
