The Vancouver Sun Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Monday, May 17, 1971 - Page 7
Fischer Scores Victory in Opening Chess Game by Bill Rayner
Bobby Fischer of the U.S. took the lead in his world chess championship quarter-final match today when Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union resigned without further play.
The game was adjourned Sunday night with Taimanov in a lost position. He sealed his 41st move, but resigned today before the continuation was to begin.
Fischer now leads the match, 1-0.
Playing black, Fischer had essayed the King's Indian defense against Taimanov's queen pawn opening. A new wrinkle on the 11th move, plus Taimanov's passive play in the opening, allowed Fischer to control the game.
Taimanov tried an adventure on the queen side but came out of it a pawn down. He then sacrificed a rook for a bishop and attempted pressure on the king side.
After a briskly-played opening, the game slowed down while the players explored the complicated position created by Taimanov's 30th move.
After some delicate maneuvering, Fischer started exchanging pieces and soon both queens were gone. Taimanov by then had regained the pawn and started collecting more.
However, at adjournment, Fischer had the heavier artillery plus two connected pawns in the center and a rook on the eighth rank. A mating attack by white was in the offing when Taimanov sealed.
Taimanov started the game at precisely 4:01 p.m. and started Fischer's clock running. Five minutes later, Fischer strolled up to the stage of the Student Union Building movie theater at the University of B.C., where the 10-game match is being played.
He pondered several seconds, then made his first move.
Neither player was in time trouble as they neared their 40th move, although Fischer's pressure caused Taimanov to think several minutes over his 41st move.
The game was played before an orderly crowd of more than 200.
Fischer glanced toward the audience several times during the game but displayed no irritation. It was his demand for the game to be played in a private room, contested by the Russians, that delayed the opening game three days.
Second game is scheduled for Tuesday at 4 p.m.
First player to score 5½ points wins the match (one point for a win, ½ point for a draw). He will then advance into the semi-finals of the challengers' round.
Ultimate winner of the challengers' round will meet world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union for the title in 1972.
In other weekend action, East Germany's Wolfgang Uhlmann defeated Denmark's Bent Larsen on the 46th move, tying their quarter-final at 1-1.
Victor Korchnoi and Yefim Geller, both of the Soviet Union, drew in 36 moves, while Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union and West German's Robert Huebner drew in 27 moves.
Korchnoi leads Geller 1½-1½, while Petrosian and Huebner are tied at 1-1.
