ANew York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, July 22, 1971 - Page 30
Larsen's Choice Is Fischer's Gain — Dane Had a Sure Draw, But Tried in Vain to Win
Denver, July 21 — Bobby Fischer (correction: of New York residency), with only one more hurdle between him and a match challenging the world chess champion, racked up his second straight shutout of a grandmaster last night after his opponent turned down a sure draw.
The opponent, Bent Larsen of Denmark, could have forced the draw in the sixth game of his match with Fischer through a perpetual check.
Fischer needed only the draw's half point to win the match. Larsen therefore tried to win—and lost for the sixth consecutive time.
Fischer's previous grandmaster victim of a 6-0 shutout was Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union, in the quarter-finals of the current series.
That match represented the first shutout of a grandmaster in chess history.
After Fischer's 29th move in last night's game, Larsen could have forced the draw by playing 30. NxP, giving up his knight. Fischer's best reply would have been 30. ... BxN, and Larsen could have continued with 31. ... RxR followed by 31. ... BxR; 32. Q-N5ch. Larsen could then have continued checking indefinitely, resulting in the draw.
This would have broken Fischer's fantastic string of victories in match play, which had already reached 11, though Larsen would still have lost the match.
'Bad Boy' of Chess -- Fischer has startled the chess world not only by his recent string of victories, but also by his change of attitude.
For years he has been known as the bad boy of chess, the erratic, demanding genius who could not be depended on to complete an engagement. He has refused to play on what appeared to be frivolous grounds, and has stormed out of tournaments on more than one occasion.
All this has apparently changed. For the last year Fischer has played in every event that was important to him. Though as demanding as ever that playing conditions meet his specifications, he has compromised where necessary.
The essential difference seems to be that Fischer, now 28 years old, really wants the world championship and has determined to go through the long cycle specified by the International Chess Federation.
He will play the winner of the match now being played in the Soviet Union between Viktor Korchnoi and Tigran Petrosian, who so far have played eight consecutive draws. The winner of the finals will play the present titleholder, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
For years Fischer has asserted that he is the best player in the world, that the Russians are afraid of him, and that they keep putting obstacles in his path.
He said that he was ready to play a match with the world's champion at any time, but that it was nonsensical to go through the three year cycle of events to earn the right to such a match.
Now he is playing the games as they come, and in devastating style.
Bent Larsen vs Robert James Fischer
Fischer - Larsen Candidates Semifinal (1971), Denver, CO USA, rd 6, Jul-20
Bird Opening: Sicilian Bird (A02) 0-1
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044712
move #29 ... bd7
