AThe Austin American, Austin, Texas Thursday, August 10, 1972 - Page 47
Overnight Analysis Failed To Give Fischer Answers
By Isaac Kashdan, International Grandmaster
Los Angeles (AP) — Evidently Bobby Fischer found no forceful continuation in the overnight analysis of his adjourned 12th game with world chess champion Boris Spassky, and a peaceful ending was soon reached.
The draw in 55 moves was in accordance with the conclusion reached by the experts when the game was adjourned Tuesday. However, it was expected that Fischer would make more of a battle for the full point.
On his sealed 41st move Fischer might have played B-24. The immediate threat would have been BxRP, and if PxB then QxKt. If Spassky replied with K-R2 to protect the pawn, then Fischer could advance P-Kt4 with attacking chances on the king's side.
Instead, Fischer exchanged his bishop for the black knight. This weakened Spassky's pawns to some extent, but led to opposite colored bishops. Fischer's remaining bishop had little mobility, and his winning chances had vanished.
The finish came after a little combination by Spassky that forced the exchange of queens and rooks. Spassky gained a pawn, but with the forces reduced, the draw was the only reasonable conclusion.
