| 1971 | Taimanov candidates quarter final match held in Vancouver Taimanov had been Soviet champion in 1949 and 1956 and had played in the World Championship candidates tournament in 1953. With a great deal of experience and a recent string of great results, it was expected that he would be a tough opponent for Fischer. Fischer beat him 6-0. Games (match game order)
Taimanov,M - Fischer,R 0-1
Fischer,R - Taimanov,M 1-0
Taimanov,M - Fischer,R 0-1
Fischer,R - Taimanov,M 1-0
Taimanov,M - Fischer,R 0-1
Fischer,R - Taimanov,M 1-0
| 
Won (+6) |
| Petrosian candidates final match  Games (match order) Fischer,R - Petrosian,T 1-0
Petrosian,T - Fischer,R 1-0
Fischer,R - Petrosian,T ½-½
Petrosian,T - Fischer,R ½-½
Fischer,R - Petrosian,T ½-½
Petrosian,T - Fischer,R 0-1
Fischer,R - Petrosian,T 1-0
Petrosian,T - Fischer,R 0-1
Fischer,R - Petrosian,T 1-0
Implications Fischer became the last challenger.
The World championship match against Spassky was scheduled to begin in Reykjavic on 2nd July 1972. Fischer was still arguing with organisers from a distance, and a postponement was granted. The English financier Slater sent Fischer a telegram offering to supplement the prize fund by £50,000 adding "If you aren't afraid of Spassky then I have removed the element of money" | 
Won (+5=3-1) |