New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, September 09, 1959
Fischer In Peril At Adjournment
U.S. Chess Ruler Is in Weak Position Against Petrosian After 41 Moves in Bled
The United States chess champion, Bobby Fischer, ran into tough competition last night in the second round of the world championship challengers' tournament in Bled, according to Yugoslav sources.
Paired with the Soviet Union's Tigran Petrosian, Fischer played to an adjournment, as he had done Monday night against Paul Keres of Latvia.
But against Keres the 16-year-old Brooklyn student had had the upper hand in his unfinished ending. Against Petrosian he was in difficulty when play ceased after forty-one moves.
The young American conducted the white pieces. His development against a Caro-Kann defense was not too satisfactory, but he did satisfactorily for thirty-two moves.
But he consumed almost all of his allotted time, and in his endeavor to escape forfeiture Fischer went astray. He sealed his move in a position regarded by experts to be favorable to Petrosian.
Only one of the four scheduled games reached a decision, the winner being Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union, who defeated Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia in a King's Indian defense lasting forty-two moves.
Paul Benko of New York had the preferable position with Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland, who opened with a Ruy Lopez. Forty-one moves had been recorded when play stopped.
Keres was at his best on the black side of a King's Indian defense with Vassily Smyslov of Moscow, a former world champion, and had a most promising position when intermission was taken after forty-one moves.
Adjourned games will be played off today and the third round is scheduled for tomorrow.
