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Express and News San Antonio, Texas Sunday, November 12, 1961
Fischer Triumphs
Bobby Fischer of the United States scored his greatest victory in the Masters' Tournament at Bled. Yugoslavia, in placing second to Mikhail Tahl of Russia.
Tahl totaled 14½-4½. Fischer 13½-5½. However, Fischer had the distinction of (1) beating Tahl and (2) not losing a game.
Tied for third place with 12½-6½ were Gligoric, Keres, and Petrosian, while sixth and seventh places went to Geller and Trifunovic with 10½-8½. Parma placed eighth with 10-9 and Bisguier and Matanovic shared ninth and tenth with 9½-9½.
Darga, Donner and Najdorf each accumulated nine points, and Olafsson scored 8½. In the lower third were Ivkov and Portisch with eight. Pachman with seven, and the also rans were: Bertok, Germek and Udovic.
It is a real pleasure to learn that an American can divide the Russian camp. In past tournaments, whether the U.S.S.R., fielded three, four, five, or six players, those players would finish at the top of the heap. If Tahl had not played, Fischer would probably have won.
World Champion
Fischer aspires to the championship of the world. He studies hard and plays hard and fears the reputation of no one. There are only two players that stand in his way: Botvinnik and Tahl.
Botvinnik's age spells his defeat within 10 years. But with Fischer and Tahl age is not a factor, both stars are in ascension, both are ever-improving their play. However, Fischer plays in many, many tournaments and is gaining experience. His mental storehouse bulges. Lookout Tahl!
