The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, October 15, 1961
Well, Mikhail Tal, who was described as Leonard Barden as “very much an ex-champion at Oberhausen,” looked like very much a champion in winning the big one at Bled, Yugoslavia. Tal won 11, lost 1, and drew 7. His only loss was to runner-up Bobby Fischer who scored 8 wins and 11 draws, the only undefeated player. Paul Keres, Svetozar Gligoric, and Tigran Petrosian tied for third at 12½-6½. Geller and Trifunovic tied for sixth, 10½-8½.
Although, the redoubtable third-place trio pressed all the way, Tal and Fischer shared the top together or separately for the long haul. Fischer took an early lead because of his victory over Tal but later Tal moved into a tie for first that was broken in the 17th round when Tal won his game with Ludek Pachman as Fischer was being held to a draw by Keres.
In the 19th round Tal, still a half-point ahead, toppled Miguel Najdorf while Fischer once again drew, this time with Boris Ivkov. The story of Bobby's failure to win first prize at Bled can be summed up in his high percentage of draws against the low half of the tournament table. However Bobby was rough on Russians. He defeated Tal, Geller, and Petrosian; only Keres held him to a draw. This is hard lines on the party line.
