AThe Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Wednesday, October 06, 1971 - Page 26
Fischer's Chess Win Streak Ends
Buenos Aires—The most incredible winning streak in chess history came to an end in the Teatro General San Martin here last night when Tigran Petrosian defeated Bobby Fischer in the second game of their match.
Fischer had previously swept two matches against Bent Larsen and Mark Taimanov, both 6-0, and had won his 13th straight match game in the opener against Petrosian here Thursday night.
The prize at stake is $7,500 and the chance to meet Boris Spassky, the present world champion, for the title.
It was risky play that brought about Fischer's downfall. His 13th move posted his bishop on a square where it quickly became vulnerable to attack by Petrosian's knight. When the knight was exchanged for the bishop, Fischer was saddled with a hopelessly weak doubled pawn.
The pawn had to be rescued, but advancing it permitted Petrosian to open lines against the king, which would not be sheltered by safely castling on either wing.
The powerful pawn sacrifice on the 20th move left no doubt about the outcome of the game, but Fischer fought back hard, sallying in with his queen, and trying to unsettle his opponent by tactical threats of his king's pawn.
But Petrosian came up with a smashing exchange sacrifice on the 24th move, which gave Fischer who was struggling with divided rooks and a homeless king, no further chance to recover.
