AChicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Friday, October 08, 1971 - Page 53
Third Game a Draw in Chess Semifinal
Buenos Aires, Oct. 7 (AP) — The third game between chess grand champions Bobby Fischer of the United States and Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union ended in a draw last night.
The draw, on the 34th move, was declared because of a repetition of moves, after Fischer repeated his position three times and Petrosian allowed it.
Petrosian, 42, had a better final position but evidently decided to play it safe. Earlier, the 28-year-old Fischer seemed to have an attack but Petrosian defended very well and a mismove by Fischer gave him an inferior game. He undoubtedly was satisfied with the draw.
Won First Game
Fischer won the first game and Petrosian the second in their 12-game series to determine who will meet world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union next spring.
A win counts one point and a draw a half point. Six and a half points are needed to claim the tournament.
This game was considered vital to Fischer for psychological reasons. He had won an incredible 20 straight games in tournament chess leading up to this challenge series when Petrosian broke the streak last Tuesday. Petrosian won that game in 32 moves; Fischer was the victor last Thursday in 40 moves.
No Comment
Fischer refused to comment on his losing game when he was approached by newsmen as he was entering the posh San Martin Theatre in downtown Buenos Aires. Police guarded the entrance to keep enthusiastic chess fans from Fischer and Petrosian.
The theatre was jammed again and more than 500 persons who arrived too late to buy tickets milled around the lobby, following the play on big demonstration boards.
The first moves were an exchange variation of the French defense, with the black's intention to simplify, leading to a draw.
An Unexpected Move
On the 11th move, Fischer was expected to play PxP. Instead, he gave up a pawn and planned to sacrifice a rook for a bishop. Had Petrosian accepted, Fischer would have had a very dangerous attack, but Petrosian castled to play a safer line and the game entered the interesting stage.
For several moves Petrosian had the opportunity to take Fischer's rook for his bishop. This would have given Fischer attacking chances and Petrosian was playing defensively.
Petrosian avoided Fischer's attacking threat. The Soviet grand master was a pawn ahead but it was weak and the game was about even.
Later Fischer regained the pawn and materially was exactly even.
