April 08, 1972 Montreal Gazette The Game of Kings by D.M. LeDain

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The Game of Kings Sat, Apr 8, 1972 – 52 · The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Off Again, On Again, Off Again
More trouble has developed in the Spassky-Fischer world championship arrangements. Belgrade, where the first 12 games were to be played, starting June 22, has backed out. Full details are lacking, but it appears that Fischer has made some financial demands that the Belgrade sponsor cannot accept. Fischer is reported to have dispensed with the services of his advisor, E.B. Edmondson, USACF official, in any further financial negotiations. To get a picture of what when on during the period immediately after the deadline of January 31 the following details are gleaned from the Swiss “Chess Express”.
As the Russians would not agree with Dr. Euwe's decision to split the match between Belgrade and Reykjavik, they insisted that the matter be put in the hands of the FIDE Bureau. The Bureau replied that only the president had the constitutional authority to decide, when the principals were unable to agree among themselves. Nevertheless, Dr. Euwe went to Moscow for a conference. The Russian protest concerned climatic conditions in Belgrade in summer, and the fact that previous matches had all been held in one city. They suggested switching the Yugoslav site to Bled in northern Slovenia (which had bid $100,000). Dr. Euwe refused any chance from the original decision, but another meeting was arranged for March 18-19 at Amsterdam. This brought together Edmondson, USA, Geller, USSR, and organizing delegates from Belgrade and Reykjavik, under the chairmanship of Deputy President of FIDE, Rabell-Mendez (Puerto Rico). Talks lasted fourteen hours and Dr. Euwe's original decision was maintained.
In spite of all this Belgrade still wants the match, but only in the fall, and provided firm guarantees can be given by all concerned.

April 08, 1972 Chess Master Times Colonist by George Koltanowski

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Chess Master Sat, Apr 8, 1972 – 47 · Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Tall Man in a Hot Spot
Neither Bobby Fischer nor the U.S.S.R. is noted for giving things away at the bargaining table. As a consequence, a man of strength and diplomacy was needed to iron out the details of the forthcoming World Championship match between Fischer and Russia's Boris Spassky. The man whose position in the world of chess made him the automatic choice was Dr. Max Euwe, a former World Champion (1935-1937) himself and one of the best-liked and most admired figures in chessdom. Dr. Euwe, a Dutchman, is a near giant literally as well as figuratively. He is nearly 6 feet tall and likes to tell the following story:
“I went to a movie once in London and sat down near the front. All at once, a voice said loudly: ‘Will you sit down!’ I assumed he meant me, so I got up from the chair intending to find a seat in the hack of the hall when the same voice boomed out rather angrily: ‘Blimey, if he isn't standing on top of his seat now!’”

April 23, 1972 Chess by Larry Evans The Chicago Tribune

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Will Bobby Whip Boris? Sun, Apr 23, 1972 – 368 · Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) · Newspapers.com

Will Bobby Whip Boris?
Chess in America is riding to popularity on the broad shoulders and tempestuous personality of Bobby Fischer. A legend at 29, he is the highest rated player in history.
Chess in Russia has always been the national pastime and no foreigner even has had a crack at the title since 1948. But come June, Boris Spassky must defend his crown in a 24-game match lasting 2 months.
Indeed, London bookmakers favor Bobby 6-to-5. Yet the champion has an edge: in the event of a 12-12 deadlock he retains his title. At stake is not only an awesome purse of $150,000 (? to the winner) but Soviet chess supremacy.
“I now feel a sense of mission to win the championship.” says Bobby. “Spassky's good, but I think I'm the best around. I don't say that to brag. I think it's true. I love the game — and I hate the Russians because they've almost ruined it. They only risk the title when they have to, every 3 years.”
Boris, 35, candidly admits be wouldn't he surprised if he lost, despite a phenomenal past record of 3 wins, 2 draws and no losses against his cocky challenger. Perhaps he is counting on Bobby to become reckless, as in their last encounter at the Siegen chess olympiad in 1970. After frittering away an opening advantage, the American ace made a desperate stab to win at any price—spurning easy draws.

July 26, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Jul 26, 1931 – 54 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, July 26, 1931, Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 235...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Thursday, January 28, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 235 by B. Harley, London, England. Shared first prize (with last Sunday's problem,) in last half yearly tourney of the Times and Mirror, Bristol, England. White mates in two.
FEN 2b1rb1n/1p2Ppp1/1p2kpn1/4P2R/2P1N2p/BB3P1K/4N3/3R4 w - - 0 1
Key: P-B4/f4
P-B5 dis. ch. defeated by KxP dis. ch.!

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, July 26, 1931, Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 236...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Thursday, January 28, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 236 by Percy Bowater, Pasadena, California. First publication. White mates in three.
FEN 8/1R6/8/4kPp1/4PpB1/7K/2p2N2/1N4B1 w - - 0 1
Key: 1. B-B3 threat; N-N4
Bf3 threat; Ng4

July 19, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Jul 19, 1931 – 68 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, July 19, 1931, Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 234...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Thursday, January 28, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 234 by A. Mari, Genoa, Italy. This shared first prize in the last half-yearly tourney of the Times and Mirror, Bristol, England. White mates in two.
FEN 3r2q1/1PNkpn1R/P2N1Pp1/1K6/1Q4r1/7B/7B/8 w - - 0 1
Key: Q-Q2/Qd2

July 12, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Jul 12, 1931 – 69 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, July 12, 1931, Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 233...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Thursday, January 28, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 233 by A.C. Challenger, London, England. British Chess Magazine, June, 1931. White mates in two.
FEN 3q3b/Q2p4/n2R4/3N4/B1k2N1p/5P2/1Ppp3K/2nb4 w - - 0 1
Key: N-Q3/Nd3

July 05, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Jul 5, 1931 – 57 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, July 05, 1931, Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 232...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Thursday, January 28, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 232 by H.S. Pike, Long Beach. First publication. White mates in two.
FEN 2N3K1/b1B5/2n1Pp2/2pk1Pn1/3p3p/1N1P1p1P/2P2Q2/4RB2 w - - 0 1
Key: R-K3/Re3
1. P-K7 defeated by N-K4.

April 05, 1972 The Signal, Chess by George Koltanowski, Santa Clarita, California

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Chess Wed, Apr 5, 1972 – 4 · The Signal (Santa Clarita, California) · Newspapers.com

News on the World Championships
Final details on the coming World Championship match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky have been worked out recently in Amsterdam.
The opening game will begin in Belgrade, Yugoslavia on June 22, with the following rounds of the twelve-game series scheduled there at three games per week. The match will then be adjourned and continued on Sunday, August 6 in Reykjavik, Iceland for the remainder of the games. The players will earn one full point for a win, and one-half point for a draw. The match will go to the first player winning 12½ points.
Fischer has already created some controversy by demanding a greater share of the profits of the match, which promises a total of $138,000 to the participants. Approximately two-thirds of this amount will go to the winner, the remainder to the loser.

The Hallmark of Spassky
Every prominent chess player has one game that demonstrates perfectly his hallmark. The hallmark of World Champion Boris Spassky is to be found in the game he played against Grandmaster Lev Polugaevsky, which was judged the most spectacular encounter of the 25th USSR Championship, played in Riga, in 1958. Spassky was only a challenger for the world crown at the time.

Boris Spassky vs Lev Polugaevsky
USSR Championship (1958), Riga URS, rd 2, Jan
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation (B94) 1-0
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1111454

April 04, 1972 Chess Ottawa Journal by D.M. LeDain

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Chess Tue, Apr 4, 1972 – Page 13 · The Ottawa Journal (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Settled At Last
Although the Russians protested FIDE president Dr. Max Euwe's decision to allot the world championship match between champion Boris Spassky, USSR, and challenger Bobby Fischer, U.S.A., to Belgrade, Yugoslavia (games 1-12) and Reykjavik, Iceland (games 13-24), they have had to finally accept the conditions.
Their original protest was based on the climatic conditions in Belgrade in summer, and the fact that previous championship matches under FIDE control had all been held in one city. They demanded a meeting of the FIDE Bureau in Moscow at the beginning of March. The Bureau pointed out that they did not have the constitutional power to make a decision, and that President Euwe alone had that right, when no agreement could be reached between the principals. Dr. Euwe, on his tour in the Far East (Japan, East Asia and Australia) stopped off at Moscow for discussions with Russian officials. They suggested switching the games to Bled, a holiday resort in North of Slovenia (which had bid $100,000 for the match), but Dr. Euwe stuck to his original decision. It was then decided to hold final talks at Amsterdam, March 18-19. Ed Edmondson, U.S.A. director, came over to represent Fischer's interests and Russia sent Ewfim Geller, senior GM. Others present were Rabell-Mendez (Puerto Rico) Deputy FIDE President, and delegates from the organizers in Belgrade and Reykjavik. Talks lasted for 14 hours. Iceland had earlier expressed some doubts of the value to them of the last 12 games, with the prospect of fewer than that being played. The Yugoslavs pointed out that it was in Reykjavik that the match would be decided and the champion crowned.
So the best of 24 games match will start at Belgrade on Thursday, June 22, with other sessions (4-9 p.m.) on Sundays and Tuesdays. Any unfinished games will be completed in between. The match will be moved to Reykjavik on Aug. 6, with play on the same days of the week (5-10 p.m.) To win, Fischer must score 12½ points, and in case of a 12-12 tie Spassky will retain his title. Lothar Schmid, German master, will referee. He handled that chore in the Fischer-Petrosian match at Buenos Aires.

June 28, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Jun 28, 1931 – 69 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, June 28, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 230...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 24, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 230 by Brian Harley, England. De Scheide, December, 1926. White mates in two.
FEN 1n2R3/8/p5R1/r2k4/2q2pp1/pN1p4/B1n1NQ2/6K1 w - - 0 1
Key: Q-R7/Qa7

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, June 28, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 231...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 24, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 231 by Ashley Ludin, Los Angeles. First publication. White mates in three.
FEN 5R2/6K1/4N2p/4nPpP/B2PN2P/3pr2b/1b1Pk3/3RB2Q w - - 0 1
Key: R-K8/Re8

June 21, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Jun 21, 1931 – 66 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, June 21, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 229...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 24, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 229 by C.W. Forman, Sierra Madre. L.A. Express, April 1922.
FEN 1R3b2/1Bp4r/p3p3/Pk4q1/1PNK4/pR1N4/4Q2n/1n3r2 w - - 0 1
Key: N(Q3)-N2/Ndb2

June 14, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Jun 14, 1931 – 70 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, June 14, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 228...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 24, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 228 by J.F. Tracy, Ontario, Cal. Minneapolis Journal, 1893.
FEN K1B5/6bQ/7n/3k2P1/3P4/1n2P3/2R4B/8 w - - 0 1
Key: B-N8/Bb8

In the recent Los Angeles-San Francisco match at San Luis Obispo, Willis Lamb, Jr. of Los Angeles, a student at the University of California at Berkely, played for the northern team. He won a piece from his opponent, the State champion, and then, after weathering a vicious attack, offered a draw which was quickly accepted, although the spectators figured Lamb should have continued for a win.

L.A. Times Game No. 242

Willis E. Lamb (white) vs. Harry Borochow (black)
Two Knights Defense

Descriptive 1. P-K4 N-QB3 2. N-KB3 P-K4 3. B-B4 N-B3 4. N-N5 P-Q4 5. PxP N-QR4 6. P-Q3 P-KR3 7. N-KB3 P-K5 8. Q-K2 NxB 9. PxN B-QB4 10. KN-Q2 O-O 11. N-N3 B-KN5 12. Q-B B-N3 13. P-KR3 B-KR4 14. P-N4 B-N3 15. P-B5 P-K6 16. BxP NxQP 17. PxB R-K 18. Q-K2 Q-R5 19. K-Q P-KB4 20. N-B3 QR-Q 21. K-B P-B5 22. NxN RxN 23. Q-B4 B-K5 24. R-Q PxB 25. RxR BxR 26. QxBch K-R 27. PxKP Q-K8ch 28. Q-Q QxPch 29. N-Q2 QxNP

Algebraic 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 e5 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. d3 h6 7. Nf3 e4 8. Qe2 Nxc4 9. dxc4 Bc5 10. Nfd2 0-0 11. Nb3 Bg4 12. Qf1 Bb6(a) 13. h3 Bh5 14. g4 Bg6 15. c5 e3 16. Bxe3 Nxd5 17. cxb6 Re8 18. Qe2 Qh4 19. Kd1 f5 20. Nc3 Rd8 21. Kc1 f4 22. Nxd5(b) Rxd5 23. Qc4 Be4 24. Rd1 fxe3 25. Rxd5 Bxd5 26. Qxd5+ Kh8 27. fxe3 Qe1+ 28. Qd1 Qxe3+ 29. Nd2 Qxb6 1/2-1/2 agreed(c)

Notes by Willis Lamb, Jr.
(a) B-N5ch is book.
(b) Perhaps PxQBP was better.
(c) So far as I could see, the only way to avoid loss was 30. P-QR4 Q-B7; 31. N-B3 R-K6; 32. R-R3. As I was short on time I overlooked that R-R3 protected the knight.

June 07, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Jun 7, 1931 – 75 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

L.A. Times Problem No. 227 by G. Hume, Nottingham, England. Northern Whig, March, 1923. White mates in two.
FEN 1KnR2b1/2R1P2P/ppP2N2/4nQPq/BBk4r/2Ppp2r/7b/5N2 w - - 0 1
Key: N-Q7?

April 02, 1972 El Paso Times Chats on Chess by George Koltanowski

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Chats On Chess Sun, Apr 2, 1972 – 88 · El Paso Times (El Paso, Texas) · Newspapers.com

April 02, 1972 Asbury Press The Chessboard by Harry Conover

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The Chessboard Sun, Apr 2, 1972 – Page 35 · Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) · Newspapers.com

April 02, 1972 Bangor Daily News Chess by George Cunningham & Gerry Dullea

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Chess Sun, Apr 2, 1972 – 15 · The Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) · Newspapers.com

It is anybody's guess where and when the World Championship match between Boris Spassky and Robert Fischer will actually take place. According to the decision of FIDE President Euwe, this match would begin in Belgrade, Yugoslavia on June 22nd and terminate in Reykjavik, Iceland after the completion of the first 12 games. Since then, Fischer has picked up a fuss about the winner only receiving 72 per cent of the $138,000 purse. The Belgrade sponsors are either withdrawing or threatening to withdraw. Read the Bangor Daily News daily to keep up with the maneuvers. The present article was written assuming the original plans would be carried out -- and they may be!
Most experts favor Fischer because of his spectacular results in last year's matches against Taimanov, Larsen and Petrosian. These victories give Bobby a 2,825 rating, nearly 100 points better than any other rating in history. (World Champions Lasker, Capablanca, and Botvinnik reached about 2,730 at their peaks).
Fischer's rating is 135 points above Spassky's 2,690 giving the American a 68 per cent of winning the match -- if the ratings are truly accurate and if both players perform to these ratings. On these probabilities, we predict a Fischer victory of approximately 12½ to 6½
Many people are surprised that such a prestigious event should be held even partially in Iceland, which has a population of only 210,000 and an area only slightly larger than Maine's (39,738 square miles to 33,215). Worse, only about a seventh of this land is productive, turnips, and hay; products not exactly unknown in Maine.
But Icelanders are intensely interested in chess, and they bid $125,000 plus expenses to have the whole match in Reykjavik…

April 02, 1972 Los Angeles Times Chess by Isaac Kashdan

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Chess by Isaac Kashdan Sun, Apr 2, 1972 – 116 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

Fischer, Spassky Dates, Referee Set
Final details for the coming world championship match between titleholder Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and his American challenger Bobby Fischer were apparently worked out at a meeting in Amsterdam.
The opening game of the match will be in Belgrade on Thursday, June 22. The schedule calls for 12 games to be completed there, at the rate of three each week, on Thursdays, Sundays and Tuesdays.
The remainder of the match, which may go to a maximum of 24 games, will be in Reykjavik, Iceland, starting there on Sunday, Aug. 6.
The long interval is to allow for possible delays in Belgrade. Each player is allowed three postponements in the case of injury or illness attested by a physician.
The length of the Iceland portion cannot he determined in advance. The match will be won by the player who first scores 12½ points. Should the result be a tie at 12 points, then Spassky will retain the championship.
The total purse, by far the largest for any chess event in history, is $138,500. It will be divided 62½% to the winner and 37½% to the loser.
Another possible cause of controversy was resolved when Lothar Schmidt of West Germany was approved as the match referee. Schmidt had the same role in the encounter in Argentina last year between Fischer and former world champion Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union.
With everything set, Fischer injected another problem last week when he sent telegrams to the sponsors in both countries, requesting that if either should have a profit after all costs are paid, the amount should be given to the players.
Both groups replied that they would make no changes in the financial arrangements which had already been agreed to, and that since they were taking considerable risks, they were entitled to any profit that might ensue.

April 01, 1972 Chess Master Times Colonist by George Koltanowski

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Chess Master Sat, Apr 1, 1972 – 29 · Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

May 31, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, May 31, 1931 – 68 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, May 31, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 225...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 17, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 225 by C. Puppo, Uruguay Ajedrez, December 1915. White mates in two.
FEN 2BB4/8/2N3pp/6Pb/3p1k2/3P4/5K2/8 w - - 0 1
Key: N-K7/Ne7

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, May 31, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 226...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 17, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 226 by Sam Loyd. White mates in three.
FEN 8/PP3k2/5P2/5K2/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1
Key: P-R8/a8
K-B; 2. P(Q)ch. If K-K; 2. K-K6. If K-N; 2. K-N6.

May 24, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, May 24, 1931 – 68 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, May 24, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 224...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 17, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 224 by J. Francey, Ireland. First prize, “The Sports Referee,” Brisbane, Australia, half-yearly tourney, 1930. White mates in two.
FEN 8/B6Q/K2Rp1r1/1P2nNPP/4k1NR/5nP1/4B1P1/8 w - - 0 1
Key: R-Q5/Rd5

May 17, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, May 17, 1931 – 62 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, May 17, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 223...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 17, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 223 by W.A. Beers, Rochester, Minnesota. Dedicated to J.C. Cook, chess editor, Providence, Rhode Island, News-Tribune, 1930. White mates in two.
FEN 3R4/4ppp1/4Pkp1/3p1r2/3K3P/3B4/8/B4Q2 w - - 0 1
Key: B-N/Bb1

May 10, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, May 10, 1931 – 74 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, May 10, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 222...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 17, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 222 by J. Juchli, Solving Tourney, Zurich, June 1895. White mates in two.
FEN 4Q3/2RpR2N/pP1pbP2/P2k4/4pnp1/2P1p1Bp/4P2K/8 w - - 0 1
Key: Q-QN8/Qb8

May 03, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, May 3, 1931 – 74 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

The Los Angeles Times, Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, May 03, 1931 Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 221...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, January 17, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 221 by G. Hume, Nottingham, England. Good Companions, August, 1924. White mates in two.
FEN q1R2B2/p2kp1pR/QpNN2KP/PP3P2/5B1p/7B/7P/8 w - - 0 1
Key: K-R5/Kh5

March 31, 1972 Deseret News Chess by Harold Lundstrom

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Let's Play Chess Fri, Mar 31, 1972 – 13 · Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah) · Newspapers.com Let's Play Chess Fri, Mar 31, 1972 – 13 · Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah) · Newspapers.com

USSR Chess Monopoly To End?
Though an American chess player, Paul Morphy, was hailed as the world's best chess player 114 years ago, Robert J. (Bobby) Fischer may become the first player officially to bring the world title to the United States.
Chess, of course and unfortunately for other chess buffs, has never been as popular in the United States as it is in Russia where the government rewards the world champion, Boris Spassky with a handsome salary and a spacious Moscow apartment.
If Fischer wins, he will be the first non-Russian to hold the world title since World War II. Even the pre-war champion, who retained the title from 1927 with only one two-year lapse (Dr. Max Euwe of Holland), as a Russian emigre, Dr. Alexander Alekhine.
When international chess matches were in their infancy, Paul Morphy of New Orleans defeated all opponents here and abroad to be acclaimed the world champion of the game in 1858. He held his title four years, then retired from competition.
The first recorded international tournament may have been a match between Italian and Spanish players in 1566, but chess itself dates from antiquity. India generally is credited with creating “chaturanga,” or “four arms,” the game that evolved into today's chess.
In the Indian version, the king and his counselor took the field flanked by elephants, calvary, and chariots. The fourth arm of the army, the foot soldiers, were ranged in front.
Victorious Persian armies took the game home with them. Checkmate, signaling the end of the game, comes from the Persian “shah mat,” meaning “the king is dead.”
Moslem conquerors learned the game in the 7th Century and it traveled with them to Spain. Because the Koran forbade images they substituted abstract pieces for the carved figures previously used.
Pieces whose V-cut tops were supposed to suggest elephant tusks looked like bishops' miters to European eyes, and became the “bishops.” The war chariots were turned into boasts in Russia and towers in Europe.
The counselor was a messenger, a wise man, or a court jester before it became a queen. A rule changed allowing a pawn advanced to an opponent rear rank to be promoted to queen, alarmed purists in the Middle Ages.
Chess players in China were more pragmatic. In the Chinese game a captured pawn is dead, as is true everywhere. But a captured general goes back into play — now working for the other side.
Chess frequently has involved high stakes and tempers, and was described by a 17th Century writer as “a testy cholericke game and very offensive to him that looseth the mate.”

March 29, 1972 The Signal, Chess by George Koltanowski, Santa Clarita, California

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Chess Wed, Mar 29, 1972 – 4 · The Signal (Santa Clarita, California) · Newspapers.com

The Tale Of Two Sites
As of this writing, the sites for the World Championship chess match between Boris Spassky of the USSR and Bobby Fischer of the U.S. would appear to be Belgrade, Yugoslavia and Reykjavik, Iceland. If we seem cautious in mentioning this, it is because we understand that Bobby is unhappy with this two-site compromise. And when Bobby is unhappy, things can change in the chess world.
Why two sites to begin with? Simple. Both Fischer and Spassky were asked to give their preferences from among the 20 or so cities that had bid for the honor. The trouble is that Fischer's choices were not Spassky's — and Spassky's were not Fischer's. Fischer was very strong for Belgrade for two reasons. One was that Bobby is something of a hero in Yugoslavia. The other was that Belgrade had been top bidder with $152,000 in prize money.
Spassky, on the other hand, had no special desire to play in a country where his opponent was an idol.

One place Boris Spassky played last year was Toronto at the Canadian National Exhibition, which drew no fewer than 224 players. Winners were Pal Benko and Robert Byrne of the U.S., Spassky placing third. He drew one game with Sam Day of Canada, who did very well. Here's another game from the same tournament.

March 28, 1972 Chess Ottawa Journal by D.M. LeDain

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Chess Tue, Mar 28, 1972 – Page 45 · The Ottawa Journal (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) · Newspapers.com

What Are The Odds?
In the coming match for the world championship between champion Boris Spassky and challenger Bobby Fischer, a psychological factor is the fact that in their five previous tourney games, Spassky has won three and drawn the other two. Can Fischer overcome this hazard? He believes he can and points out that Capablanca had a similar advantage over Alekhine in their 1927 match, but the latter won the title. Spassky comments, “I shall win from Fischer, but three years later, in the next championship cycle I think he will be invincible.”
The following game is the last time they met in the Olympiad at Siegen, Germany, 18 months ago. Comments, abbreviated from those by Spassky in “Soviet Union Today”:

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 d5
4. cxd5 Nxd5
5. e4 Nxc3
6. bxc3 Bg7
7. Bc4 c5
8. Ne2 Nc6
9. Be3 O-O
10. O-O Qc7
11. Rc1 Rd8
12. h3 b6
13. f4 e6
14. Qe1 Na5
15. Bd3 f5(a)
16. g4 fxe4
17. Bxe4 Bb7
18. Ng3 Nc4
19. Bxb7 Qxb7
20. Bf2 Qc6
21. Qe2 cxd4
22. cxd4 b5
23. Ne4(b) Bxd4(c)
24. Ng5 Bxf2+
25. Rxf2 Rd6(d)
26. Re1 Qb6
27. Ne4(e) Rd4
28. Nf6+ Kh8
29. Qxe6 Rd6(f)
30. Qe4 Rf8
31. g5 Rd2
32. Rf1 Qc7
33. Rxd2 Nxd2
34. Qd4 Rd8
35. Nd5+ Kg8
36. Rf2 Nc4
37. Re2 Rd6
38. Re8+ Kf7
39. Rf8+ 1-0

(a) The idea of this defence consists in this move. White has formed a mighty P center, while Black blocks it, restricting the range of the opposing Bs.
(b) Thanks to my routine play Fischer has succeeded in getting good prospects: White's QP and BP are weak, in any case, White is practically compelled to sacrifice a Pawn.
(c) Fischer took the P without thinking twice. Why? Because he simply loves extra Pawns, I have noticed this little weakness of his long ago. But as a matter of fact Black has a stronger move by 23. … R-KB1, so as to reply to 24. N-N5 with 24. … QR-K1, and it 25. B-K3 P-KR3; 26. N-B3 Q-K5 with superiority. Evidently 24. N-B5 is better, but also after 24. … QR-K1 Black has excellent chances. Now, however, White obtains a strong counter-attack.
(d) I think 25. … R-K1 is stronger.
(e) Compelled to cede a P, all my efforts were bent towards evening out the situation. I did not view my position as lost and, I believe, could have drawn even if Black had played his best, but unfortunately for Fischer, a situation arose wherein it was extraordinarily difficult to figure out the consequences of one or another variation. Fischer requires clarity and precision. His is an exclusively “pure” style of play, so that he feels insecure in situations that do not submit to a concrete analysis. That's what happened this time too.
(f) Possibly Fischer had gone in for this position having in mind 29. … R-Q8, but now he saw, of course, that after 30. Q-B7, RxRch; 31. K-N2 Q-B3ch; 32. K-N3 R-K6ch; 33. K-R4 RxPch; 34. KxR Q-R8ch; 35. R-R2 and White's K is free from checks, whereas his Black counterpart cannot escape the lethal danger.

Boris Spassky vs Robert James Fischer
Siegen Olympiad Final-A (1970), Siegen FRG, rd 6, Sep-20
Gruenfeld Defense: Exchange. Classical Variation (D86) 1-0
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044698

March 26, 1972 Fort Lauderdale News Chess by Ben Miller

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Chess Sun, Mar 26, 1972 – Page 53 · Fort Lauderdale News (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) · Newspapers.com

March 26, 1972 Boston Globe Chess by Harold Dondis

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Chess Sun, Mar 26, 1972 – 160 · The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) · Newspapers.com

March 26, 1972 Chess, Sunday Gazette-Mail by Edward M. Foy

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Chess Sun, Mar 26, 1972 – Page 37 · Sunday Gazette-Mail (Charleston, West Virginia) · Newspapers.com

The firm stand of FIDE president, Dr. Max Euwe, concerning the Fischer-Spassky world championship chess match has been vindicated. Both Spassky and Fischer have accepted the joint Belgrade-Reykjavik sites — the first 12 games to be played in Yugoslavia and the remaining contests in Iceland. The match is to start around June 25.
[…]
Dr. Reuben Fine has been “prodded” into writing another chess book. (The Final Candidates Match, Buenos Aires, 1972, Fischer vs. Petrosian. The Hostel Chess Association, Jackson, Wyoming. Paperback, $2.95) Although no longer active as a chess player or a chess writer, Dr. Fine achieved a high position in both fields before turning to psychiatry. The notes and comments to the nine games of the match make this little book a worth-while addition to one's chess library.
Dr. Fine referred to the seventh game as “The Jewel of Buenos Aires”. However, we especially liked this comment after Petrosian's 33rd move in game six: “It seems as though Petrosian here was again temporizing for an adjournment … and relying on his seconds … to come up with necessary analysis while he slept … Fischer's second, Larry Evans … went home, complaining that he had nothing to do.

March 25, 1972 Montreal Gazette The Game of Kings by D.M. LeDain

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The Game of Kings Sat, Mar 25, 1972 – 53 · The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Party Line
Shortly after Fischer had defeated Petrosian in their match at Buenos Aires, Svetozar Gligoric, the Yugoslav grandmaster and journalist arranged a three-way telephonic conference by Radio Belgrade in Buenos Aires, and Spassky in Moscow. A question and answer period on their views concerning their forthcoming match for the world title. It later appeared in the Yugoslav daily “Politika”, and in abbreviated form in the Swiss magazine “Chess Express”, from which we quote:
Asked about a start, both suggested June. Spassky for personal reasons, and Fischer because he wants ample time to prepare. As to the place?
Spassky: I prefer a country with a climate resembling my native town of Leningrad. For this reason a city in the northern regions would be desirable.
Fischer: For me money is most important. Climate only ranges second. (Offers were not then known).
Spassky: Is Fischer prepared to play in Europe, especially when he has played his matches hitherto in North and South America?
Fischer: Only when the highest offer comes from Europe.
Spassky: Would you play in Yugoslavia?
Fischer: Agreed, when the highest offer is made there.
Gligoric: If the match takes place in Belgrade, the venue would be the Syndicate Hall where the match Soviet Union against the Rest of the World was played. In which way should the decision be taken on the place for the match.
Fischer; Spassky and I should decide on the place. Perhaps I shall come to Amsterdam personally.
Spassky: If Fischer travels to Amsterdam, I would if possible come the same day to confer with Dr. Euwe and Fischer.
Gligoric: Will all 24 games be played? What do you think of the strength of your opponent? Who will act as chief arbiter? Who will be your second?
Spassky: At the moment I would prefer to postpone answering your question. In April or May I shall answer all questions in detail. I am strongly impressed with Fischer's play. I would like to have a say in the naming of the chief arbiter. For me it would be grandmaster Boleslavsky.
Fischer: I do not think that all 24 games will be necessary. But who knows. I shall prepare myself in the best possible way. I feel a great responsibility, because the public expects a lot from me. Spassky's turnout in Gothenburg was mediocre, and in Moscow he only finished 6/7th. What is there to think of that? In my opinion the arbiter should neither be a Russian nor an American and should not come from the country where the match is held. As to the second I have not decided anything yet.

March 24, 1972 Chess The Province by Al Horowitz

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Chess Fri, Mar 24, 1972 – 48 · The Province (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com Chess Fri, Mar 24, 1972 – 48 · The Province (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

[Caption]: Korchnoi . . . an erratic chess star.
When we say a chess player is in good form, we obviously mean something more than that he is momentarily successful. We mean that his games — those he wins, of course, but even those he loses — demonstrate that he is playing up to the full measure of his talents.
We can further infer that he is in a happy frame of mind: chess is a game that demands from those who would succeed at the highest level, not only a highly developed technical skill, but also the ability to apply that skill without let-up. Any one of a number of circumstances can distract a player from the problems on the chessboard, and cause him to be temporarily off form.
There are a number of top chess players who are steady. They have off-days, of course, but for the most part their results, and the quality of their play, varies little from game to game and from tournament to tournament. Most players, however, can expect that their play will at some times be much better than at others, and that their results will vary from event to event in ways not explicable by reference to the caliber of the opposition.
Then there are the players who are notoriously erratic. Grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi of the Soviet Union is one of the erratic stars. There are times when he appears invincible, winning strong tournaments by astonishing margins, and there are times when it seems that he can not even write his name correctly on the score sheet.
In the Alekhine Memorial tournament in Moscow late last year, Korchnoi made an even score. That is no disgrace for most players in a tournament of that strength, but for him it was a cruel disappointment.
He came right back to tie for first place with Anatoly Karpov of the Soviet Union in the Hastings Christmas Congress played shortly after the Alekhine event.
Was Korchnoi in good form at Hastings? Certainly he was more successful than at Moscow, but, if one is to judge from his own notes to his victory over Karpov, he did not think so.
In the diagramed position, for example, he played 23. Q-KB1, a move he awards a question mark, recommending instead 23. P-QR4, followed by P-QN3 B-Q3 and K-B2. Karpov, Korchnoi relates, should have replied 23. … QR-B1; 24. NxR QxN, saving a tempo on the line in the game.
Korchnoi also criticizes his next move, 24. NxR/R, and Karpov's 24. … BxN (after 24. … RxN, Karpov would have been able to get his queen-bishop back into play much more easily.)
It is hard to criticize Korchnoi as stringently as he criticizes himself. He also played some pretty moves in this game. Note 37. N-N2, for example, when on 37. … NxN; 38. B-K6ch followed by 39. Q-R5 would have won for White. If Korchnoi was not in his best form at Hastings, he was at least much closer to it than at Moscow.
Another player in bad form in Moscow was the world champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. He played Korchnoi on one of the latter's good days. Spassky's form is now a matter of special interest. Bobby Fischer of the United States, his challenger for the world title, is probably now the most consistent player of all.

Chess Fri, Mar 24, 1972 – 48 · The Province (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

★

March 24, 1972 Deseret News Chess by Harold Lundstrom

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Let's Play Chess Fri, Mar 24, 1972 – 17 · Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah) · Newspapers.com

March 22, 1972 Indianapolis News, Chess Master by George Koltanowski

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Chess Master Wed, Mar 22, 1972 – 53 · The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, Indiana) · Newspapers.com

Bobby And All Those Russians!
The International Union of Chess Reporters has given pause to those who might think that Bobby Fischer has single-handedly changed the picture of world chess. True, for the second time the reporters named Bobby the top player of 1971. But after that, of the next nine, eight were Russians--Petrosian, Korchnoi, Smyslov, Hort (of Czechoslovakia), Spassky, Sawon, Tal, Polugajevsky and Stein. (Imagine the World Champion, Spassky, rating only sixth! Yet his 1971 record was no better than that.)

April 26, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Apr 26, 1931 – 80 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, April 26, 1931 The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 220...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Tuesday, January 12, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 220 by J. Juchli. Solving Tourney, Basle, June 1898. White mates in two.
FEN 8/p7/Rn2PNNB/1p1p1kP1/bK3P2/1p2p3/1P2P2p/5R1Q w - - 0 1
Key: R-R/Ra1
The only move (almost off the board) to permit the threat Q-QN mate. A famous example of the clearance theme. 1. N-B8 defeated by N-B5 or Q2; 2. QxPch. N interposes.

April 19, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Apr 19, 1931 – 76 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, April 19, 1931 The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 219...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Tuesday, January 12, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 219 by L. Gugel, First prize, Zadatchi I Etoudy, 1930. White mates in two.
FEN 4R3/7q/4pb2/1PPknn1R/Q2P2B1/1P3P2/2N5/1K6 w - - 0 1
Key: Q-R/Qa1

April 12, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Apr 12, 1931 – 76 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, April 12, 1931 The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 218...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Tuesday, January 12, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 218 by A.F. Mackenzie. From Chess Lyrics. White mates in two.
FEN B7/3K2Q1/6P1/7p/6Nr/4R3/4P1b1/R5qk w - - 0 1
Key: Q-R8/Qh8

April 05, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Apr 5, 1931 – 74 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, April 05, 1931 The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 217...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Tuesday, January 12, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 217 by A.J. Fink, San Francisco. First prize, Pittsburgh Times-Gazette, 1914. The favorite composition of the former California champion. White mates in two.
FEN 3K4/1Np4p/pPP1R1nr/q2k4/p1R4p/1b3p1B/2N3n1/B2rbQ2 w - - 0 1
Key: R-K2/Re2

World's Champion Alekhine once played correspondence chess. Here's one of his games played by mail in Russia, 1908. Shows how in his youth he oculdn't resist temptations to venture into combinations that offered brilliancies.

L.A. Times Game No. 234
Vienna Game
White-Wjakhireff vs. Black-Alekhine

Descriptive 1. P-K4 P-K4 2. N-QB3 N-KB3 3. B-B4 N-B3 4. P-Q3 B-N5 5. KN-K2 P-Q4 6. PxP NxP 7. BxN QxB 8. O-O Q-Q! 9. N-N3 O-O 10. P-B4 P-B4 11. QN-K2 Q-R5 12. K-R B-Q3! 13. P-Q4 P-K5 14. P-B4 R-B3 15. P-B5 R-R3 16. P-KR3 B-B 17. Q-N3ch K-R 18. Q-B3 N-K2! 19. B-K3 B-K3 20. B-B2 Q-B3 21. P-R3 B-Q4 22. B-K3 N-N3 23. P-N4 N-R5 24. K-N N-B6ch! 25. K-B2 Q-R5! 26. P-N5 R-N3 27. KR-B B-K2! 28. K-B RxN 29. NxR QxN 30. B-B2 Q-R7 31. PxN PxP 32. R-B2 R-K! 33. B-K3 Q-R8ch 34. ?-?? B-R5! 35. R-KR2 Q-N7ch! 36. RxQ PxR mate

Algebraic 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nc6 4. d3 Bb4 5. Ne2 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Bxd5 Qxd5 8. 0-0 Qd8! 9. Ng3 0-0 10. f4 f5 11. Nge2 Qh4 12. Kh1 Bd6! 13. d4 e4 14. c4 Rf6 15. c5 Rh6 16. h3 Bf8 17. Qb3+ Kh8 18. Qc3 Ne7! 19. Be3 Be6 20. Bf2 Qf6 21. a3 Bd5 22. Be3 Ng6 23. b4 Nh4 24. Kg1 Nf3+! 25. Kf2 Qh4! 26. b5 Rg6 27. Rc1 Be7! 28. Kf1 Rxg3 29. Nxg3 Qxg3 30. Bf2 Qh2 31. gxf3 exf3 32. Rc2 Re8! 33. Be3 Qh1+

Game was ommitted, but including in the following week's edition.

March 19, 1972 Boston Globe Chess by Harold Dondis

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Chess Sun, Mar 19, 1972 – 170 · The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) · Newspapers.com

Confusion over THE Match by Harold Dondis
Confusion exists over the Fischer-Spassky match. For some time, the rumors flew thick that Boris Spassky would decline to play in Belgrade, the reason being the warm climate.
It also was reported that Spassky [(Dondis must refer to Soviet delegation excuse for seeking censorship)] was not happy about the idolatry with which Yugoslav youngsters hold Fischer.
However, Euwe made it clear that refusal to play in Belgrade would result in forfeiture of the crown and the Soviets apparently capitulated after Euwe flew to Moscow.
Spassky, reportedly suffering from hives, wants a two-month extension. Furthermore, Iceland and Yugoslavia have not agreed on terms of the joint match, so the Soviets may issue another protest.

March 19, 1972 Courier Journal The King's Men by Merrill Dowden

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The King's Men Sun, Mar 19, 1972 – Page 11 · The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) · Newspapers.com

The King's Men: Will Spassky Balk on Venue? He Must Play or Forfeit Title by Merrill Dowden
There's a rumor abroad—and at this stage it's only a rumor—that the much-heralded world-championship chess match between the present title-holder, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, and the American challenger, grandmaster Bobby Fischer, might not take place after all.
Here's what has happened:
Dr. Max Euwe, a former world champion himself and now president of the International Chess Federation, has warned Spassky that if he refuses to accept the venue set for his match with Fischer, he must forfeit his title.
Spassky and the United States challenger failed earlier to agree on a match site and Euwe ruled that the 24 games must be divided equally between Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Fischer's choice, and Reykjavik, Iceland, favored by Spassky. The Russian has protested the decision.
It would be nice to have an American world chess champion, by forfeit or otherwise. But what a disappointment for chess players and fans around the world if the confrontation between these two giants of the checkered squares failed to materialize. It would be much more satisfying, of course, to see the young American defeat his Soviet antagonist across the board.
Most observers feel that the chance that the match won't take place is very small indeed. Spassky has intense pride and unbounded faith in his playing skill, as all great players must have. So the guess here is that the match will indeed be held at the two designated sites, with the games getting under way no later than June 30, and Fischer emerging the winner in a close, hard battle of wits.
Here's a Bobby Fischer game typical of his brilliance in positional play. Before playing, study the diagram. Black's position is already beyond salvation, but he moves 19… Q-K1. Fischer (White0, now gets Black's resignation in three. How?

March 19, 1972 Los Angeles Times Chess by Isaac Kashdan

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Chess by Isaac Kashdan Sun, Mar 19, 1972 – 118 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

Fischer's Accuracy
Last year Bobby Fischer rolled up the most fantastic winning streak in chess history, 20 straight victories against grandmaster opposition.
Many attempts were made to explain the feat. Clearly Fischer was one of the greatest players of this or any age. But had he added a new dimension to chess? Was he truly the super player?
Examination of the games shows no brilliancies, no devastating king side attacks, no combinations in the style of Tal or Alekhine. The wins were achieved mainly by errors on the part of the opponents or by the accumulation of small advantages which proved sufficient in Fischer's hands. The key word to describe Fischer's play is accuracy. He made no serious mistake at any time during the stretch. He was never in time trouble, and almost always had more time left on his clock at the end of the session. Fischer won a number of games that almost anyone else would have considered as drawn. Slight theoretical advantages were a good as a queen ahead, with the forceful and exact play of the American genius.
A typical example was the fourth game of the match played last year between Fischer and Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union. With an early advantage in the center, Fischer planted a knight on Q5 which Taimanov had to take with a bishop.
Fischer was then content to exchange pieces and simplify to the position in the following diagram, which occurred after 45. K-Q3.

Robert James Fischer vs Mark Taimanov
Fischer - Taimanov Candidates Quarterfinal (1971),
Vancouver CAN, rd 4, May-25
Sicilian Defense: Paulsen. Bastrikov Variation (B47) 1-0
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044361
45. Kd3

White has two pluses. First, he has the better king and pawn ending. In fact he is threatening to win by 46. BxN, KxB; 47. K-B4. The main difference is the spare pawn moves. If then 47. … K-B2; 48. K-Q5 K-Q2; 49. P-B4 and the white king will penetrate via K6 or QB6.
The second advantage for White is the bishop for knight, especially with pawns on different color on both sides of the board. It is Black's move, and he seems to have ample defensive resources, but watch how Fischer works his way through.
The game continued: 45. … N-K2; 46. B-K8, K-Q4; 47. B-B7ch K-Q3; 48. K-B4 K-B3; 49. B-K8ch K-N2; 50. K-N5 N-B1. Threatening mate in one, but Fischer is of course prepared. If 50. … K-R2; 51. B-B7 K-N2; 52. B-N3; would be the position that occurs later in the game. 51. B-B6ch K-B2; 52. B-Q5 N-K2; 53. B-B7 K-N2; 54. B-N3, K-R2; 55. B-Q1 K-N2; 56. B-B3ch, K-B2.
Fischer is about to accomplish his major objective, to get his king behind the black pawns, one way or the other. If 56. … K-R2; 57. P-B4 N-N1; 58. K-B6 N-B3; 59. K-Q6 N-K5ch; 60. K-K6 NxNP; 61. K-B6, and White will win on the king side. Taimanov allows the white king to enter on the rook file, which does not seem serious.
57. K-R6 N-N1; 58. B-Q5 N-K2; 59. B-B4 K-B3; 60. B-B7 K-B2; 61. B-K8 K-Q1. This is the critical position. How does WHite make progress? If 62. B-B7, K-B2, and the pawns are held on both sides, White can keep gaining tempos, but there is no additional weakness to hit.
What comes now is part of Fischer's plan. He does not even consider it brilliant. He gives up the bishop for three pawns, and wins “simply.” 62. BxP! NxB; 63. KxP K-Q2; 64. KxBP N-K2; 65. P-QN4 PxP; 66. PxP N-B1; 67. P-R5 N-Q3; If 67. … K-B2, Black will stop the queen side pawns, but 68. K-Q5 will win. The black king and knight cannot cover the whole area.
The final moves were: 68. P-N5 N-K5ch; 69. K-N6 K-B1; 70. K-B6, K-N1; 71. P-N6. Here Taimanov resigned. His knight can no longer get back to defeat, and one of the pawns will soon queen.

March 18, 1972 Montreal Gazette The Game of Kings by D.M. LeDain

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The Game of Kings Sat, Mar 18, 1972 – 50 · The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) · Newspapers.com

March 17, 1972 The Signal, Chess by George Koltanowski, Santa Clarita, California

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Chess Fri, Mar 17, 1972 – 4 · The Signal (Santa Clarita, California) · Newspapers.com

The Coming World Championship
The match for the World Chess Championship, the classic match between the East and the West is set for June of this year. It will pit current champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union against the phenomenal prodigy Bobby Fischer of the United States. After much debate from both sides, it was decided that the match will be played in two parts, the first in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and the second in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Final world of the details of this title match is scheduled to be released Tuesday by FIDE, the international chess organization. Full details will be carried in this column.
Two Champions Look at Bobby
Present World Champion Boris Spassky: “His weak points are a secret.”
Past World Champion Tigran Petrosian: “Fischer is very solid, very hard, and very aggressive.”
For Lack Of A Glance, Farewell to $600
Petrosian's evaluation above was made after his disastrous defeat at Fischer's hands in Buenos Aires. Fischer's wins on his way to the summit have been so overwhelming that he seems like an inexorable force that simply cannot be stopped, for Petrosian is no pushover.…
My, How Chess Has Risen!
In the California Legislature recently, Assemblyman Leo J. Ryan, of South San Francisco, solemnly introduced and obtained the passage of an Assembly resolution congratulation Bobby Fischer on his victory over Petrosian and wishing him good fortune in his forth-coming battle for the world title. It's hard to imagine such an action taking place as recently as even a year ago.

March 13, 1972 Guardian Chess by Leonard Barden

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Chess Mon, Mar 13, 1972 – 17 · The Guardian (London, Greater London, England) · Newspapers.com

March 29, 1931 Los Angeles Times Chess by Clif Sherwood

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Chess by Clif Sherwood Sun, Mar 29, 1931 – 75 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, March 29, 1931 The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 215...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Friday, January 8, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 215 by S. Mlotkowski, Camden, N.J., Brooklyn Eager, March, 1930. White mates in two.
FEN 6RK/1N2nkBn/1bp1rpp1/2pr4/5N2/1B6/8/Q7 w - - 0 1
Key: Q-K/Qe1

Chess by Clif Sherwood Sunday, March 29, 1931 The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California L.A. Times Problem No. 216...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Friday, January 8, 2021

L.A. Times Problem No. 216 by A.C. Challenger, London, England. Best Three-er, Daily News, 1924.
FEN 8/1N6/K2B1P2/1p3B2/3k1p2/P6p/2Rp1P1b/3r2n1 w - - 0 1
Key: N-R5/Na5
If R-K8; 2. RxPch; If K-Q4; 2. R-B5ch; If P-B6; 2. R-B5. Some overlooked the variation B-N6 forcing 2. R-B3! Some of our best solvers sent in 1. R-B5, overlooking R-K8; 2. N-R5 R-K5! The Black pawn at h3 is to stop N-R6 threatening NxP protecting d3.