My 60 Memorable Games E-Book

Bobby Fischer

• Herausgeber: Batsford
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 427

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

'Still seen as the classic games collection' – English Chess Federation 'It is a work of genius' – The Compulsive Reader One of the most important chess books ever written, reissued in celebration of a chess genius, Bobby Fischer. The American takes the reader through 60 of his games, describing his thoughts, the intricacies behind his and his opponent's strategies, the tactical justification of moves and the psychological battle in each one. You'll find beautifully simple positional play by out-of-this-world combinations that are just breathtaking. Fischer played nearly all of these games as a grandmaster so they are at the very highest level, but his lucid commentary makes every move and idea both accessible and understandable, meaning that every player will learn huge amounts from this book. It is an essential for each chess enthusiast, competitor and professional alike. The controversial alterations that were made to Bobby Fischer's words in the last edition have been omitted in this book, so only the author's own words are expressed, giving a true insight into one of the most gifted, troubled and controversial minds of the 20th century.

Leseprobe

This edition first published in the United Kingdom in 2008 by

B T Batsford Old West London Magistrates’ Court 10 Southcombe Street London W14 0RA

An imprint of Anova Books Company Ltd

Volume copyright © B T Batsford 2008 Text copyright © Bobby Fischer 1969, 1972, 1995, 2008

First published in the United Kingdom by Faber and Faber, 1969 Revised edition published by Batsford, 1995

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

First eBook publication 2012 eBook ISBN: 978 1 8499 4104 4

Also available in paperback Paperback ISBN: 978 1 9063 8830 0

Reproduction by Spectrum Colour Ltd, Ipswich

This book can be ordered direct from the publisher at the website:www.anovabooks.com

Or try your local bookshop

Contents

(B and W refer to Black and White)

Preface

Opponent

1. Sherwin [B] New Jersey Open 1957

Too little, too late

2. Larsen [B] Portoroz 1958

Slaying the dragon

3. Petrosian [w] Portoroz 1958

Bear Hug

4. Pilnik [w] Mar del Plata 1959

Tact and tactics

5. Rossetto [B] Mar del Plata 1959

The unpleasant obligation

6. Shocron [B] Mar del Plata 1959

A small oversight

7. Olafsson [w] Zurich 1959

Pride goeth

8. Keres [B] Zurich 1959

Meat and potatoes

9. Walther [w] Zurich 1959

Betwixt the cup and the lip

10. Unzicker [B] Zurich 1959

Milking the Cow

11. Benko [B] Candidates’ 1959

Unheard melodies

12. Gligorich [w] Candidates’ 1959

Castling into it

13. Gligorich [B] Candidates’ 1959

Something new

14. Keres [w] Candidates’ 1959

Too many cooks

15. Smyslov [w] Candidates’ 1959

A whopper

16. Petrosian [B] Candidates’ 1959

Four Queens

17. Tal [B] Candidates’ 1959

A very near miss

18. Spassky [w] Mar del Plata 1960

Old wine in a new bottle

19. Gudmundsson [w] Reykjavik 1960

A long voyage home

20. Euwe [B] Leipzig Olympic 1960

Theoretical scuffle

21. Letelier [w] Leipzig Olympic 1960

A Queen for the King

22. Szabo [w] Leipzig Olympic 1960

Bad judgment

23. Tal [B] Leipzig Olympic 1960

No holds barred

24. Darga [B] West Berlin 1960

Asking for trouble

25. Lombardy [w] USA Championship 1960-1

When the Maroczy didn’t bind

26. Reshevsky [B] 2nd match game 1961

Time will tell

27. Reshevsky [w] 5th match game 1961

Sheer pyrotechnics

28. Reshevsky [w] 11th match game 1961

A peccable draw

29. Geller [B] Bled 1961

Hoist with his own petard

30. Gligorich [w] Bled 1961

A lyrical performance

31. Petrosian [B] Bled 1961

The sincerest form of flattery

32. Tal [B] Bled 1961

The moral victor

33. Trifunovich [B] Bled 1961

The drawing master

34. Bertok [w] Stockholm 1962

Hanging pawns unhung

35. Bolbochan [B] Stockholm 1962

A brilliant cadenza

36. Korchnoi [B] Stockholm 1962

Gaston and Alphonse

37. Keres [w] Curaçao 1962

Only a draw

38. Keres [B] Curaçao 1962

Detective story

39. Botvinnik [w] Varna Olympic 1962

The confrontation

40. Najdorf [B] Varna Olympic 1962

The Najdorf Variation

41. Robatsch [B] Varna Olympic 1962

A bright cameo

42. Unzicker [w] Varna Olympic 1962

Playing by ear

43. Reshevsky [B] USA Championship 1962-3

The missing link

44. Fine [B] Skittles Game 1963

Shock treatment

45. Bisguier [B] New York State Open 1963

Ghosts

46. Benko [B] USA Championship 1963-4

Romp

47. Bisguier [B] USA Championship 1963-4

The Indian sign?

48. R.Byrne [w] USA Championship 1963-4

The brilliancy prize

49. Steinmeyer [B] USA Championship 1963-4

A complex trap.

50. Celle [B] Exhibition Tour 1964

Tour de force

51. Smyslov [B] Havana (Capablanca Memorial) 1965

Squeeze play

52. Rossolimo [B] USA Championship 1965-6

Peekabooo strategy

53. Portisch [w] Santa Monica 1966

Black magic

54. Najdorf [B] Santa Monica 1966

Najdorf’s night off from the Najdorf

55. Bednarsky [B] Havana Olympic 1966

The price of incaution

56. Gligorich [B] Havana Olympic 1966

The Fischer continuation

57. Larsen [w] Monaco 1967

Change of pace

58. Geller [B] Skopje 1967

Flawed masterpiece

59. Kholmov [w] Skopje 1967

The erring Bishop

60. Stein [B] Sousse 1967

When champions meet

Bobby Fischer’s Tournament and Match Record

Index to Openings

List of Opponents

Author’s Preface

The 60 games annotated in this volume were all played during 1957 through ’67 and, with the exception of nos. 44 and 50, under strict tournament conditions. The notes frequently include references to additional games, occasionally presenting them in full. An interested reader will find 34 of my earlier efforts in Bobby Fischer’s Games of Chess (Simon and Schuster, 1959).

All of the 60 here offered contain, for me, something memorable and exciting – even the 3 losses. I have tried to be both candid and precise in my elucidations in the hope that they would offer insights into chess that will lead to fuller understanding and better play.

Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to Larry Evans, friend and colleague, for his invaluable aid in the preparation of the text as well as for his lucid introductions.

ROBERT J. FISCHERNew York City

On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long. The creative combination lays bare the presumption of a lie; the merciless fact, culminating in a checkmate, contradicts the hypocrite.

— EMANUEL LASKER

1 Fischer - Sherwin [ U.S.A. ]

NEW JERSEY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 1957

SICILIAN DEFENSE

Too little, too late

Although Sherwin makes no serious errors in the opening, he misses several equalizing opportunities. Demonstrating the technical virtuosity that is to become his hallmark, Fischer, with astonishing maturity, gradually strengthens his grip by accumulating small advantages: the better center and the two Bishops. Sherwin, meanwhile, attempts to consolidate his position – only to see his 14-year-old opponent shatter it with a thunderbolt (18 xh7). It brings to mind Alekhine’s combinations, which also seemed to spring from nowhere. Sherwin, lashing back, refuses to fall. However, his defense finally disintegrates under a series of acute blows to his wobbly King.

1

e4

c5

2

f3

e6

3

d3

…

This used to be my favorite. I thought it led to a favorable variation of the King’s Indian reversed, particularly after Black has committed himself with …e6.

3

…

c6

4

g3

f6

Fischer-Ivkov, Santa Monica 1966 continued 4…d5 5bd2 d6 6g2 ge7 7 0-0 0-0 8 h4! with chances for initiative.

5

g2

e7

6

0-0

0-0

More usual is 6…d5; but Black has purposely delayed placing his center Pawns. Has he a new idea in mind?

7

bd2

…

After 7 e5 d5 8bd2 f6 9 exf6 xf6 10e1 gives White an edge.

7

…

b8

Sherwin slid the Rook here with his pinky, as if to emphasize the cunning of this mysterious move. 7…d5 8e1 b5 9 e5 d7 10f1 b4 11 h4 a5 12f4 a4 13 a3! Fischer-Mjagmasuren, Sousse Interzonal 1967, leads to double-edged play where Black’s chances on the Q-side countervail White’s K-side attack – but White usually comes first.

8

e1

d6

9

c3

b6

Not bad. But I had expected 9…b5 10 d4 cxd4! (if 10…b4 11 e5! bxc3? [11…dxe5 12 dxe5 d7 13 c4 holds the advantage] 12 exf6 cxd2 13xd2! wins a piece) 11 cxd4 d5 with equality.

10

d4

c7?

This leads to trouble. Black should strive for counterplay by opening the c-file: 10…cxd4 11 cxd4 d5 12 e5 d7, etc.

11

e5!

d5

Worse is 11…d7 12 exd6 xd6 13e4 cxd4 14xd6 xd6 15f4 e5 16xe5! dxe5 17 cxd4 winning a Pawn. The best try is 11…dxe5 12 dxe5 d7 13e2 b7 14 h4 with a bind, but Black’s game may be tenable.

12

exd6

xd6

13

e4!

c4

An unpleasant choice, since it releases the pressure in the center and gives White a free hand to start operations on the K-side. However, other moves lose material:

A] 13…e7 14 c4 f6 15f4, etc.

B] 13…cxd4 14xd6 xd6 15 c4! f6 16f4 and again the lineup on this diagonal is unfortunate.

14

xd6

xd6

15

g5!

ce7?

A bad mistake. Black’s game is still tenable after 15…h6 16e4 d8.

16

c2!

g6

On 16…f5? 17e2 picks off a Pawn. Had Sherwin seen what was coming, however, he might have chosen 16…g6 17e4 c7 18h6 d8, though 19d2 prepares to exploit his weakened dark squares.

17

h4

f6

Apparently everything’s defended now. Unappetizing is 17…d8 (17…h6 18 h5 hxg5 19 hxg6 f6? 20e2-h5) 18xh7! xh7 19 h5 f5 20 hxg6+ xg6 21e5! with a bind.

18

xh7!

…

Throwing a monkey wrench into Black’s carefully contrived setup! As usual, tactics flow from a positionally superior game.

18

…

xh7

Not 18…xh7? 19f4.

19

h5

h4!

The best fighting chance. Not 19…e7 20f4 wins a clear exchange.

20

f4

d8

21

gxh4

…

21xb8? xg2 22xg2 b7+ 23 f3 xb8.

21

…

b7!

22

h6!

…

He’s hoping for 22xb7 xb7 and, suddenly, the initiative passes to Black despite his material deficit.

22

…

xh4

Once again, time-pressure had Sherwin burying his thumbs in his ears. Instead of trying to mix it up, Black should keep his King sheltered as long as possible with 22…g6 23 h5! g5 (if 23…gxh5 24e2), but 24e5 stays a Pawn ahead with two Bishops. It might still be a fight, though.

23

hxg7

xg7?

Suicidal. The last hope would have been 23…d8 24g3 h6, though 25e2 is hard to meet (if 25…b5 26 a4 a6 27 axb5 axb5 28a8).

24

e4!

…

Threatening 25e5+.

24

…

h5

25

e3!

…

Now the Rook joins the King hunt – and it’s murder. The immediate threat is 26h3 g6 27g3.

25

…

f5

26

h3

e8

26…g6? 27g3.

27

e5+

…

White can pick off a couple of exchanges with 27h6+ g8 28xf8 xf8 29xb7, etc. But by now I felt there was more in the offing.

27

…

f6

27…g8? 28g3+ f7 29g7 mate.

28

d2!

f7

29

g5

e7

On 29…e7 30h7+ is devastating.

30

xf6

xf6

31

h7+

e8

32

xf6

xh7

On 32…xf6 33xb7 nets a whole Rook.

33

c6+

Black resigns

If 33…d7 34xe6+.

2 Fischer - Larsen [ Denmark ]

PORTOROZ 1958

SICILIAN DEFENSE

Slaying the dragon

Although the Sicilian, as a whole, is still the best fighting defense at Black’s disposal, much of the steam has been taken out of the time-honored Dragon Variation. This is one of the key games which helped to batter its reputation.

In a laudable attempt to create complications, Larsen deviates from the book on move 15. That proves to be disastrous, since his counterattack never gets started. Mechanically, routinely, Fischer pries open the h-file, sacrificing first a Pawn and then the exchange. There is an aura of the inevitable about the outcome. Here the notes are as instructive and lucid as the text, which is an object lesson in how to mount an assault against the fianchettoed King.

1

e4

c5

2

f3

d6

3

d4

cxd4

4

xd4

f6

5

c3

g6

Larsen was one of the diehards who refused to abandon the Dragon until recently. White’s attack almost plays itself … weak players even beat Grandmasters with it. I once thumbed through several issues of Shakhmatny Bulletin, when the Yugoslav Attack was making its debut, and found the ratio was something like nine wins out of ten in White’s favor. Will Black succeed in reinforcing the variation? Time will tell.

6

e3

g7

6…g4? still loses to 7b5+.

7

f3

0-0

8

d2

c6

9

c4

…

This refinement supersedes the old 0-0-0. The idea is to prevent …d5.

9

…

xd4

Just how Black can attempt to thread his way to equality is not clear. Interesting is Donald Byrne’s 9…a5. The strongest reply is 10 g4 and if 10…e5 11e2 d5? 12 g5! wins a Pawn.

10

xd4

e6

11

b3

a5

12

0-0-0

b5

After 12…xb3 13 cxb3! Black cannot make any attacking headway against this particular Pawn configuration. White is lost in the King and Pawn ending, it’s true, but Black usually gets mated long before then. As Tarrasch put it: “Before the endgame the gods have placed the middle game.”

13

b1

b4

14

d5

…

Weaker is 14e2 xb3 15 cxb3 fd8.

14

…

xd5

Bad judgment is 14…xd5? 15xg7 xg7 16 exd5 d7 17de1 with a crushing bind. (Suetin-Korchnoi, USSR Championship prelims 1953.)

15

xd5

…

Stronger is 15 exd5! b5 16he1 a5 17e2! (Tal-Larsen, Zurich 1959) where White abandons the attack and plays for pressure along the e-file instead.

15

…

ac8?

The losing move. After the game Larsen explained he was playing for a win, and therefore rejected the forced draw with 15…xd5 16xg7 c3+ 17 bxc3 (17xc3 bxc3 18xc3 xc3 19 bxc3 fc8 renders White’s extra Pawn useless.) 17…ab8! 18 cxb4 xb4+! 19xb4 xb4+ 20b2 fb8, etc. After 15…xd5, however, I intended simply 16 exd5 xd5 17xb4, keeping the game alive.

16

b3!

…

He won’t get a second chance to snap off the Bishop! Now I felt the game was in the bag if I didn’t botch it. I’d won dozens of skittles games in analogous positions and had it down to a science: pry open the h-file, sac, sac … mate!

16

…

c7

This loss of time is unfortunately necessary if Black is ever to advance his a-Pawn. 16…b5? is refuted by 17xa7.

17

h4

b5

There’s no satisfactory way to impede White’s attack. If 17…h5 18 g4! hxg4 (18…fc8 19dg1 hxg4 20 h5! gxh5 21 fxg4 xe4 22f4 e5 23xe4 exd4 24 gxh5 h8 25 h6 f6 26g7! wins) 19 h5! gxh5 (on 19…xh5 20xg7 xg7 21 fxg4 f6 22h6+ mates) 20 fxg4 xe4 (on 20…hxg4 21dg1 e5 22e3 d8 23h6; or 20…xg4 21dg1 xd4 22xg4+! hxg4 23h6 leads to mate) 21e3 f6 (21…xd4 22xe4 g7 23xh5) 22 gxh5 e5 23 h6 wins.

Now Black is threatening to get some counterplay with …a5-a4.

18

h5!

…

There’s no need to lose a tempo with the old-fashioned g4.

18

…

fc8

On 18…gxh5 19 g4! hxg4 20 fxg4! xe4 21h2 g5 22xg7 xg7 23d5 c5 24h6+ g8 25xg5+ xg5 26xh7 mate.

19

hxg6

hxg6

20

g4

…

Not the impatient 20xf6? xf6 21h6 e6! (threatening …e5) and Black holds everything.

20

…

a5

Now Black needs just one more move to get his counterattack moving. But for the want of a nail the battle was lost…

21

g5

h5

Vasiukov suggests 21…e8 as a possible defense (not 21…a4? 22 gxf6 axb3 23 fxg7! bxc2+ 24xc2! e5 25h2 wins); but White crashes through with 22xg7 xg7 (22…xg7? 23h2) 23h6! e6 (if 23…a4 24h2 h5 25xg6+) 24h2 h5 25xe6! fxe6 (25…xg5 26xg6+! xg6 27xc8, threatening g1) 26xg6+ g7 27h1, etc.

22

xh5!

…

Fine wrote: “In such positions, combinations are as natural as a baby’s smile.”

22

…

gxh5

No better is 22…xd4 23xd4 gxh5 24 g6 e5 (if 24…e6 25xd6) 25 gxf7+ h7 (if 25…f8 26xe5 dxe5 27g1 e6 28xe6 e7 29xc8 xc8 30g5 wins) 26d3! (intending f4) should be decisive.

23

g6

e5

On 23…e6 24 gxf7+ xf7 (if 24…xf7 25xe6) 25xg7 xg7 26g1+ h7 27g2 e5 28g6+ h8 29g5 g7 30xh5+ g8 31xe6+ f8 32f5+ e7 33f7+ wins.

24

gxf7+

f8

25

e3

d5!

A desperate bid for freedom. On 25…a4 (if 25…d8 26h6) 26xd6+ e7 27d8+! xd8 28xd8+ e8 29c5+ mates.

26

exd5!

…

Not 26xd5 xc2!

26

…

xf7

On 26…a4 27 d6! axb3 28 dxc7 wins.

27

d6

f6

On 27…d7 White can either regain the exchange with 28e6 or try for more with 28h6. And on 27…xf3 28 d7, threatening d6 mate.

28

g5

b7

On 28…d7 29d5! f7 (if 29…f7 30e7+!) 30xf6 wins material.

29

xf6

xf6

30

d7

d8

31

d6+

…

A mistake! 31h6+! forces mate in three.

31

…

Black resigns

3 Petrosian [ U.S.S.R. ] - Fischer

PORTOROZ 1958

KING’s INDIAN DEFENSE

Bear hug

In what appear to be perfectly equal positions, Petrosian consistently finds seemingly innocuous moves which gradually overwhelm his opponent. He accomplishes his objective simply by exchanging pieces and maneuvering for victory without taking unnecessary risks. This essentially defensive technique has the virtue, when it doesn’t utterly succeed, of producing a draw. Fischer, by contrast, generally chooses the sharpest course, however precipitous it may become. Occasionally he overreaches himself, but it makes for interesting chess.

In this game, replete with errors on both sides, Petrosian succeeds in pinning his opponent for a time to a static endgame. But Fischer manages to burst his bonds, only to blunder on the very next move (51…d6). Petrosian, however, by blundering in his turn, restores the balance. The ensuing Rook and Pawn ending produces a thrilling draw.

1

c4

f6

2

c3

g6

3

g3

g7

4

g2

0-0

5

f3

d6

6

0-0

c6

7

d3

…

On 7 d4 I intended 7…e5. Petrosian is striving for an English Opening formation, a slow system for which he is temperamentally suited.

7

…

h5

8

d4

…

Reckoning he can afford this loss of time in view of Black’s misplaced KN. On 8b1 f5! 9c2 a5 10 a3 f4 (Petrosian-Vasiukov, Moscow 1956) Black obtains an excellent aggressive setup. I was as impressed by that game as Petrosian must have been, since he got crushed.

8

…

e5

9

d5

…

9 dxe5 dxe5 10xd8 xd8 11d5 d7 12h3 f5 13 g4 f6! If 14 gxf5 (14xf6+ xf6 15 gxf5 gxf5 16xf5?? g7+ wins) 14…xd5 15 cxd5 xd5.

9

…

e7

10

e4

…

This is the right time to get in 10…c5! Petrosian-Boleslavsky, USSR Championship prelims 1957, continued: 11e1 h8 12d3 f5 13b1 f6=.

10

…

f5

11

exf5

gxf5

Tempting but unsound is 11…xf5 12 g4 d4 13 gxh5 g4 14xd4! xd1 15e6, etc. And on 11…xf5 12g5 d7 13e6! xe6 14 dxe6 xe6 15xb7 ab8 16g2 xc4 17d5! White comes out on top.

12

xe5!

xg3

A “desperado” combination: this Knight (which is doomed anyway) sells its life as dearly as possible.

13

hxg3

…

Simple and good. I had expected 13 fxg3, but Petrosian eschews the K-side attack and plays for control of the center squares instead. His judgment turns out to be right.

13

…

xe5?

13…dxe5, keeping a fluid Pawn center, offers more play. I was unduly worried about White’s passed d-Pawn after 14 c5.

14

f4!

g7

15

e3

d7

16

d4

…

Forcing the trade of Black’s most active piece. White soon obtains a firm grip on the position.

16

…

g6

17

e1?

…

A careless transposition. Now by 17…xd4+ 18xd4 h5! followed by …h4, Black could exchange his isolated h-Pawn for White’s g-Pawn and the game would be dead equal. Correct was 17f3.

17

…

f7?

18

f3!

…

Black doesn’t get a second chance.

18

…

f8

19

f2

e8

20

xe8

xe8

21

xg7

xg7

22

d4

b6

23

h1

…

White has effortlessly achieved a plus and now he wants to improve his position before embarking on a committal course. 23 b4!, threatening c5, is much sharper, and poses more immediate problems.

23

…

a5

My first free breath!

24

d1

f8

25

e3

…

Petrosian keeps building without getting sidetracked – even by good moves. I was more afraid of 25h5! tying me up completely. Then the Rook can’t move because of xg6 followed by a check on h8.

25

…

f7!

26

b3

g7

The exchange of Queens eases the cramp. White can’t afford to retreat and cede this important diagonal.

27

xg7+

xg7

28

a3

f8

29

e2

…

White constantly finds ways to improve his position. Not 29 b4 axb4 30 axb4 a8 and Black seizes the open file.

29

…

e7

30

d3

h6

31

h5

e8

32

h2

…

Avoiding a little trap: 32xf5+? (or 32xf5? h8!) 32…xf5 33xf5 h8! followed by …g6 winning the exchange.

32

…

d7

33

h1

h8

34

c2!

…

Headed for an even stronger post on d4. I was amazed during the game. Each time Petrosian achieved a good position, he managed to maneuver into a better one.

34

…

f6

35

d4

g7

36

e2

…

Feigning an invasion with h5 and e1 and e6. White has two wings to operate on: Black must be flexed to react appropriately, and this requires alertness.

36

…

g8?

Panicking and giving him the opportunity he’s been waiting for to sneak b4 in at a moment when Black can’t counter with …axb4 and …a8. Petrosian likes to play cat-and-mouse, hoping that his opponents will go wrong in the absence of a direct threat. The amazing thing is – they usually do! Witness a case in point. I should just have ignored his “threat” with, say, 36…a8 37h5 c8 38e1 f6 and if 39e6 c6.

37

b4!

f6

38

d3!

…

38 bxa5 e4+ 39g2 bxa5 40b1 c5 holds.

38

…

axb4

38…e4+? 39xe4 fxe4 40 bxa5 bxa5 (if 40…a8 41 axb6 cxb6 42b1) 41b1 followed by b7 wins easily. White also invades after 38…g6 39 bxa5 bxa5 40b1.

39

axb4

g6

40

a1!

…

White has finally achieved his ideal setup, but Black’s game is still tenable.

40

…

g4+

41

e2

e8+

42

d2

f6

43

a6

…

43a7 c8 transposes to the game.

43

…

b8

44

a7

c8

45

c5!

…

This Pawn sac caught me completely by surprise. It’s the only line that gives Black any trouble.

45

…

bxc5

Not 45…xd5? 46 c6.

46

bxc5

dxc5

47

f3!

f7!

47…xd5 loses to 48e5+.

48

e5+

e7

49

xd7

xd7

50

xf5

f8!

51

g4

…

51xd7 xd7 52e3 (if 52a6 g8) 52…d6 53a6+ xd5 54xh6 e8+ 55f3 c4 should draw.

51

…

d6?

Should be the losing move! Correct is 51…f6! 52e6 xd5! 53xd5 xf4 (53…d8 also draws) winning the last Pawn and forcing a draw.

52

xd7!

xd7

53

e3

e8+

On 53…c4 54a6 wins. The idea is to force his King to the K-side, away from the passed c-Pawn.

54

f3

…

Not 54d3 g8.

54

…

d6

55

a6+

xd5

56

xh6

c4

57

h1?

…

As Petrosian points out in the Russian bulletins of the tournament, White can win with the following line: “57h7! c6 58d7+ c5 59d1 c3 60 g5 c4 61 g6 c2 62c1 c3 63 f5 g8 64f4 d2 65xc2+ xc2 66g5 c5 67 f6 c4 68 f7 xg6+ 69xg6 c3 70 f8=.” White is a tempo ahead of the game, where Black’s Pawn succeeds in reaching c2, instead of c3 (as here).

What if Black tries to improve? For example, after 57h7 c5 58d7+ e6 59d1 b8. Now there are two main lines:

A] 60 g5? c3 61g4 (if 61c1 f5 62xc3 c4! 63xc4 b3+ with a draw by blockade although two Pawns down) 61…b4! 62e1+ f7 63f5 c2 64c1 c4 65 g6+ g7 66g5 c3 draws.

B] 60 f5+! e5 61e1+ d4 (after 61…f6 62f4 c3 63 g5+ g7 64 g6 c2 65g5 b1 66 f6+ wins) 62 g5 c3 63 f6 c2 64c1! (64 f7? b1! draws) 64…e5 65g4! snuffs out Black’s resistance.

57

…

c3

58

g5

c5

59

d1+

…

It’s tough right down the line. After 59 g6 g8 60 f5 e5! 61g4 f6 62c1 c4! 63xc3 c8! White can make no headway. Or on 59g4 e2! 60 g6 e4! 61g5 g2+ 62f6 xf4, etc., as the Russian bulletins also point out.

59

…

c4

60

g6

c2

61

c1

…

On 61g1 d8! the threat of …d1 forces 62c1 (not 62 g7? g8! followed by …xg7 and wins).

61

…

d3

62

f5

g8!

63

f4

d2

64

xc2+

xc2

65

g5

c4

66

f6

c3

67

f7

Drawn

I offered the draw, not realizing it was bad etiquette. It was Petrosian’s place to extend the offer after 67…xg6+ (if Black wants to get melodramatic 67…c8 68 g7 b1 69 f8=xf8 70 gxf8= c2 reaches the same position); 68xg6 b1 69 f8= c2 with a book draw.

4 Pilnik [ Argentina ] - Fischer

MAR DEL PLATA 1959

SICILIAN DEFENSE

Tact and tactics

The presence in Argentina of Pilnik, Najdorf, and Eliskases, who chose to remain there after participating in the Buenos Aires chess Olympic of 1939, created a chess renaissance, as attested by the annual event at Mar del Plata which, though not lavish with prizes, offers an exotic vacation and attracts the world’s best. Fischer tied for 3-4 with Ivkov, a mere half point behind Pachman and Najdorf in a strong field of fifteen.

After a lackluster opening by both sides, and a middle game that, with the exception of 26…bxa3 can scarcely be described as more than routine, Fischer pilots the game into an even ending. Both he and Pilnik then proceed to complicate; but the latter is drawn into making a false lead, which Fischer exploits by obtaining a passed center Pawn. From this point on, although Pilnik does all that can be done to stave off the inevitable, Fischer is not gulled into making a single wrong step.

1

e4

c5

2

f3

d6

3

d4

cxd4

4

xd4

f6

5

c3

a6

6

e2

…

For 6 h3 see games 35, 40, 43. For 6c4 see games 17, 55, 58.

6

…

e5

7

b3

e7

For 7…e6 see game 42.

8

0-0

…

Another try is 8g5 0-0! (8…bd7? 9 a4! gives a powerful bind) 9d2 xe4! 10xe7 xc3 11xd8 xd1 12e7 e8 13c4 xb2! 14b6 xe7 15xa8 a4 16 0-0-0 (Fischer-Ghitescu, Leipzig 1960) 16…d7! with the better game.

8

…

0-0

9

e3

e6

10

f3

…

A sharper alternative is 10 a4 c7 11 a5 bd7 12d5 xd5 13 exd5 f5 14 c4 g6 15h1 ac8 16d2 d8 17ac1 h6 18 f4 exf4 19xf4 g5=. (Smyslov-Gligorich, Havana 1962.)

10

…

c7

Premature is 10…d5 11 exd5 xd5 12xd5 xd5 13xd5 xd5 14fd1 with a slight edge in the ending.

11

e1

…

Once popular, this whole system is now known to give White nothing. It hinders neither Black’s development nor his Q-side expansion.

11

…

bd7

12

d1

…

On 12 a4, …d5 is strong.

12

…

b5

13

d2

…

13 a3 is met by 13…b6 14xb6! xb6+ =.

13

…

b6

More direct is 13…b4 14d5 xd5 15 exd5 f5 16f2 a5 with good play against White’s backward c-Pawn.

14

f2?

…

Careless. 14xb6 is necessary.

14

…

ab8?

I figured if he didn’t take it off last move he wouldn’t take it now; so I wanted to build a little more and keep the option of moving the Knight to a4 as well as c4. But Black should pounce on the chance to play 14…c4! 15xc4 bxc4 16b6 (if 16a1 ab8 17b1 b7 is strong; or 16c1 ab8 17a4 c3! 18 bxc3? c6 19b6 d8) 16…c8 17a5 d7! and White’s in trouble. E.g., 18d5 (or if 18e3 d8 19d5 xd5 20xd5 f6 winning at least the exchange) 18…xd5 19xd5 (if 19 exd5 xb6 20xb6 d8 21b4 b8 22a3 xa5 23xa5 xb2) 19…b8 winning at least a Pawn.

15

xb6!

…

Pilnik hastens to make amends for his omission. Not 15a5? d5! wins material. (STAHLBERG)

15

…

xb6

16

d5

xd5

17

exd5

d7

18

f4

f6

I didn’t want to weaken my e6 square with 18…f5 19 c3 f6 20 fxe5 dxe5 (if 20…xe5 21d4) 21c5=.

19

c3

bb8

20

fxe5

xe5

On 20…dxe5 21 d6 gives White active play. Black’s advantage of the Bishop pair is neutralized by the weakness of his c6, which White can later occupy with his Knight.

21

d4

g6

22

a3

…

More to the point was 22f3 b4 23 cxb4 xb4 24c6=.

22

…

a5

23

h1

…

23f3 should again be played. White starts drifting.

23

…

b4

24

cxb4

…

On 24 axb4 axb4 25 c4 b3! holds the initiative.

24

…

axb4

25

c2

…

On 25f3 bxa3 26 bxa3 a8 presents its problems.

25

…

b6

26

c6

…

This is the position White was playing for. A draw now looks secure.

26

…

bxa3!

27

xb6

…

27 bxa3 is also adequate. But not 27xb8? xf2 28xf2 a2 29f1 (if 29c1 xb2) 29…f5 30cc1 xb8 wins.

27

…

xb6

28

bxa3

a8

29

xe5?

…

This gives Black a strong passed e-Pawn. Correct is 29a2 b2 30xb2 xb2 31b5! xa3 (otherwise a4) 32e7+ f8 33xg6+ with a draw in view. On 33…hxg6 34xd7 produces opposite colored Bishops. Or on 33…e8 34e1+! (34xd7+ xd7 35xf7+? d8 wins a piece) 34…d8 35xd7 fxg6 (if 35…xd7 36f8+ any 37xh7) =.

29

…

dxe5

30

c3

…

30c7 gets nowhere after 30…d6; and the sacrifice 31b5?! is refuted by 31…xb5 32fxf7 c8! Or on 30a2 (30a1? xa3) 30…a5 31c4 (if 31d1 a4) 31…c5 and the d-Pawn falls.

30

…

b2!

31

c7

…

Desperately striving for counterplay. On 31c4 (to prevent …a2) 31…g7 32 d6 f5 33d5 a6 again wins the d-Pawn. Or 31f3 f5 32c7 b5 33e1 e4 squelches White’s play.

31

…

f5

32

g4

…

A wild hope. Hopeless is 32c4 c2! 33 d6 xc4! 34xc4 d3 35fc1 xc4 36xc4 xa3 37g1 g7! Black soon picks off the d-Pawn and wins easily.

32

…

e4+

33

f3

d3

34

d6

…

Or 34e1 e4! 35g2 (if 35xe4 e8 wins) 35…d8 36c5 g7! 37g1 (if 37 g5 h6 38 h4 hxg5 39 hxg5 h8+ 40g1 h4! wins) 37…f5 38 gxf5 gxf5 and the two passed center Pawns should win (if 39 d6 f6!).

34

…

d8

35

e1

xd6

Najdorf chided me after the game for “missing” 35…e4 36xe4! b1! 37xb1 xe4+ 38g1 xb1 and wins.

36

xe5

…

Falling into the trap. 36e7 holds out longer, but 36…f6 37d5 e4 38xe4 xe4+ 397xe4 ff2 wins.

36

…

f6!

37

e3

…

Forced. On 37g2 b1+ is decisive.

37

…

xf3!

38

xf3

e4

39

cxf7

f2

40

f8+

g7

White resigns

After 418f7+ h6 wins. Or 418f4 d5 (41…xf3+ 42g1 g2+ 43f1 c6 44c4 b5! also wins) cooks White’s goose.

5 Fischer - Rossetto [ Argentina ]

MAR DEL PLATA 1959

SICILIAN DEFENSE

The unpleasant obligation

This game exemplifies most dramatically the German expression zugzwang.

Unable to achieve any workable advantage from the opening or mid-game, Fischer embarks on an equally unpromising ending. He manages, however, after 19d5, to acquire a Bishop against a Knight. Subsequently he employs an unusual Rook maneuver along the third rank (24a3) in order to make spatial inroads. Rossetto unwittingly co-operates and soon is faced by a rare predicament: although material is equal, any move he makes must disturb the precarious balance and hasten his own disaster. That is zugzwang – and, appropriately, Rossetto resigns.

1

e4

c5

2

f3

e6

3

d4

cxd4

4

xd4

a6

5

c4

c7

Stronger is 5…f6 6c3 b4 which theory gives as equal for Black.

6

c3

f6

7

d3?

…

Misplacing the Bishop. Right is 7 a3! and if 7…c6 8e3, etc. (if 8…e5 9e2! xc4? 10xc4 xc4 11c1 wins).

7 a3!, by preventing …b4 once and for all, forces Black to adopt a kind of Scheveningen formation that keeps him desperately cramped. A Spielmann-Tartakover game proceeded: 7…e7 8e2 0-0 9 0-0 d6 10e3 bd7 11c1 b6 12 b4! b7 13 f3 ac8 14e1 b8 15f2 “with a beautiful position for White.” (From More Chess Questions Answered.)

7

…

c6

8

e3

xd4?

Instead of trying to simplify, Black should select the aggressive 8…e5! 9c1 (not 9 0-0 eg4! or if 9e2 xc4 10xc4 xc4 11c1 b4 12 0-0 d6; and if 13b3? xe4! 14 a3 xc3, etc.) 9…fg4! with advantage.

9

xd4

c5

10

c2

d6

11

0-0

d7

12

a4

…

Forcing a series of exchanges which give White a microscopic edge, at best.

12

…

xd4

13

xd4

d8

14

fd1

0-0

15

ac1

…

On 15xd6 xd6 16xd6 xa4 17xd8 xd8 18xa4 xe4=.

15

…

a5

15…b5? 16 cxb5 axb5 17c3 (not 17 e5? dxe5 18xh7+ xh7) and Black’s b-Pawn is weak. 15…c6 is solid but cramped.

16

b6

xb6

Unsound is 16…e5 17xd6 g4 18 g3 h5 19 h4.

17

xb6

c6

18

f3

d7!

Black had relied on this move to get him out of trouble. Now 19xd7 (or 19a4 e5 20b3 g5! holds the balance) 19…xd7 20d2 fd8 21cd1 f8 is dead equal.

19

d5!

…

An unexpected reply which throws Black, unjustifiably, into a state of confusion.

19

…

xd5

Caught by surprise. Rossetto fails to find the most accurate reply: 19…e5! (also tenable is 19…exd5 20 exd5 e5 21 dxc6 bxc6 22 b3 c5 23e4 fe8) 20e7+ (if 20e3 g5!) 20…h8 21xc6 bxc6 22a4 g5! followed by …g7-f6-e7=.

20

exd5

e5

Safer is 20…e5 21e4 b6 (not 21…f5? 22 dxe6!).

21

b4

…

Playing for the big breakthrough on c5.

21

…

g6

On 21…a5 22 a3 axb4 23 axb4 a8 24f5! holds the advantage.

22

a4

b6

On 22…b6 23b3 followed by c5.

23

d3

f5?

Oblivious to the danger! The best defense is 23…a5 24 a3 (Black should hold after 24xd7 xd7 25 bxa5 bxa5 26 c5 dxc5 27xc5 a4)24…f5 and it’s hard for White to make progress. Black should never allow c5 without first forcing White to make the concession of exchanging the Bishop for the Knight.

24

a3!

…

The threat is simply 25xd7. The veiled and seemingly insignificant attack on Black’s a-Pawn is the means of forcing him to drop the protection of his c5 square.

24

…

b8

Forced. On 24…f6 25c6 wins a Pawn. The only other try is 24…a5 25 bxa5 bxa5 26c6! c5 (on 26…b8 27b5! or 26…b6 27b1! xc4? 28c3 d2 29b2 traps the Knight) 27xa5 and White should win.

25

c5!

bxc5

On 25…b5 26b3 f7 27 c6 c7 28a5! f7 29 a4 bxa4 30xa4 e7 31c4 picks off the a-Pawn.

26

bxc5

dxc5

27

xc5

g7

On 27…d7 (if 27…c8 28ac3 keeps the bind) 28c7 f6 29b3 h8 30xa6 xd5 31xd5 xd5 32aa7 wins. Black’s game collapses once the heavy guns penetrate.

28

b3

f7

29

d6!

d7

The Pawn is obviously immune. So Black attempts to revive his Knight.

30

c7

f8

Also hopeless is 30…f6 31bb7 xc7 32 dxc7 c8 33b3 e8 34b8 d6 35xc8 xc8 36e6, etc.

31

bb7

xc7

32

dxc7

c8

33

b3!

…

Completely immobilizing Black. He is reduced to Pawn moves.

33

…

a5

34

a4

h6

35

h3

g5

36

g4

fxg4

37

hxg4

Black resigns

Zugzwang! Black has run out of satisfactory Pawn moves. On 37…f6 38b8 wins a piece. On 37…g6 38e6 wins. Or on any Rook move, say 37…e8, 38 c8=+.

6 Fischer - Shocron [ Argentina ]

MAR DEL PLATA 1959

RUY LOPEZ

A small oversight

Fischer’s opening repertoire has been less extensive than most practicing Grandmasters’, yet his contributions to theory have been numerous. 20 g5!? is one of his innovations. However, it is not responsible for Shocron’s defeat. Neither is Shocron’s response; in retrospect, his system of defense seems surprisingly adequate. Nevertheless, after defending sensibly, Shocron outfoxes himself. Thinking he has seen one move further than his adversary, he provokes a combination. But his vision is one move short. In consequence, though otherwise it had withstood all of Fischer’s assaults, his game crumbles.

1

e4

e5

2

f3

c6

3

b5

a6

4

a4

f6

5

0-0

e7

6

e1

b5

7

b3

d6

8

c3

0-0

9

h3

…

For an immediate 9 d4!? see game 36.

9

…

a5

10

c2

c5

11

d4

c7

For Keres’ 11…d7 see game 38.

12

bd2

d7

Some alternatives are 12…h8, …e8, …d8, …c6, …b7, …d7, …cxd4. I don’t think there’s any easy way for Black to achieve complete equality – but who knows?

13

f1

fe8

14

e3

g6

The Yugoslav System, popularized by Gligorich and Matanovich. The idea is to strengthen the position, and transfer the Bishop to f8 while awaiting further developments. Black will undertake specific counteraction only after White commits himself.

15

dxe5

…

This positional approach bares the hole on d5, so that White may gain access to it with his Knight. Alternate plans ensue after 15d2 f8 and now:

A] The quiet 16c1 g7? (after 16…c6 17 d5! a5 [on 17…d8 18 c4! robs Black of his normal counterplay with …c4, Olafsson-Ivkov, Buenos Aires 1960, and now White can leisurely build up a strong attack with h2, g4, g1 and later the stock sac f5] 18 b4 b7 19 a4 with a slight advantage) 17 b4 c6 18d5! xd5 19 exd5 e7 20 dxc5 xd5 (if 20…dxc5 21e3 d6 22xc5 xd5 23b3!) 21b3 f6 (if 21…c6 22g5!) 22 cxd6 xd6 23g5! f8 24e3 xd1 25exd1 h6 26e4! xe4 27xd7 ac8 28 c4 g5 29xg5 hxg5 30 c5 Black resigns. (Fischer-Rinaldo, US Open 1957.)

B] The sharp 16 b4 cxb4 17 cxb4 c4 18xc4 bxc4 19c1 exd4 20xd4 d5 (not 20…c3 21b3 xe4 22xe4! xe4 23f3 c6 24xc3 wins) 21 exd5 xe1+? (better is 21…d6) 22xe1 d6. (Fischer-Matanovich, Bled 1961.) And now, as Keres pointed out, White can retain his extra Pawn with 23f3! Not 23…xd5? 24c3! wins a piece. Or 23…xd5 24e4.

15

…

dxe5

16

h2

…

When examined microscopically, Black has his problems. The hole on d5 might be described as “gaping”.

16

…

ad8

17

f3

e6

On 17…h5? 18d5! xd5 19 exd5 Black’s K-side is weakened.

18

hg4

xg4

19

hxg4

…

Black has a new burden: neutralizing the potential attack along the open h-file.

19

…

c6

20

g5!?

…

The old line 20g3 f6 (better is 20…f6) 21 g5! is good for White. (Boleslavsky-Tal, USSR 1957.) I’d always thought my line was an improvement (the idea is to clear g4 for the Knight before Black can force an exchange with …c4) but a closer look at this game shows that Black may have resources.

20

…

c4

20…xg5 puts White’s concept to the crucial test. After 21d5! xc1 (21…xd5 22xg5 wins the exchange) 22f6+ h8! (if 22…f8 23axc1 e7 24xh7+ g8 25cd1! a8 [25…xd1 26f6+ g7 27xd1 b7 28 g4! followed by g5 with a strong attack] 26f6+ g7 27d5 xd5 28xd5 White’s better) 23axc1 (23xe8 g5 24f6 c4! Black has good play for the exchange) 23…f8 (not 23…e7 24g3 threatening either xe5 or h4) 24g3 c7! 25g5 g7 and now White can force a draw with 26h5+, etc., or try for more with either 26 f4 or e3.

21

g4

xg4

Black can’t allow f6+. As a consequence, White obtains the Bishop pair and attacking prospects along the open h-file.

22

xg4

b6!

To prevent a4 and, as will be seen, to swing the Knight to f8 in order to defend the vulnerable h7 Pawn. For Unzicker’s 22…f6 see game 10.

23

g3

c4!

The right timing. He’s careful to see that a4 is restrained. Wrong, for example, is 23…d7 24 a4 b4 25 cxb4 cxb4 26b3! and this Bishop comes crashing back into the game via the open diagonal.

24

g2

d7

25

h1

f8

Phase one is over. Having seen his K-side threats neatly parried, White is compelled to start some action on the opposite wing.

26

b4

.…

26 b3 leads to trouble after 26…b4! 27 cxb4 c3 28 a3? e6 29h3 h5 30 gxh6 e.p. d4! and wins. On 26 a4 b4! 27 cxb4