AThe Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, October 10, 1971 - Page 53
Petrosian Calls Bobby Fischer 'Disappointing'
Belgrade, Yugoslavia (AP) — Tigran Petrosian, the Soviet former world chess champion, was reported yesterday to be disappointed in the playing ability of U.S. chess champion Bobby Fischer.
Fischer and Petrosian are meeting in Buenos Aires in a 12-game series for the right to play Russia's Boris Spassky for the world championship. They stand at one win apiece, with one draw match.
“I had been expecting more from Bobby,” Petrosian was quoted as saying.
“He had clamorously announced big accomplishments. He forgot that in chess not everything is rosy,” he told the correspondent of the Belgrade daily Broba.
“Fischer had claimed he had a theory. But—at least so far—he has not demonstrated it. To win the title of the world champion one should display greater knowledge,” Petrosian said.
If Fischer wins in Buenos Airs, Petrosian said the odds would be five to one in favor of Spassky in the world championship final.
The Soviet grandmaster noted, “Fischer came to Buenos Aires expecting to win 7-0. His first defeat, as a result, threw him off balance. Self-assurance in chess may prove to be very expensive.”
