AStar-Phoenix Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Saturday, July 10, 1971 - Page 13
Chess by Harry Mather
Robert Fischer of the United States gained an impressive lead in his section of the world chess semifinals by defeating Bent Larsen of Denmark in the first and second games of a 10-game match now being played at Denver. In Moscow, Soviet grandmasters Petrosian and Korchnoi have draw their first three games for an even 1½-1½ score.
Fischer, playing the white pieces in the first game on Tuesday, gained an early advantage in the center, withstood Larsen's counter play, and established a passed pawn to force his opponent's resignation after 41 moves to take an early 1-0 lead in the match. Thursday's win with the black pieces increased this to 2-0 for the American and leaves Larsen facing a two point deficit and the black pieces for Sunday's game. It is certainly not a bright outlook for the Danish grandmaster.
The semi-finals being staged in Denver and Moscow will select two winners who will then play a final match later in the fall. Winner of this final will then challenge world champion Boris Spassky to a 24-game match for world title next year.
