Chapter Five
Fischer on Accumulating Advantages

This chapter, more than any other in the book, highlights Fischer’s domination over his rivals. Chess players are organisms which survive in their natural habitats. Like Morphy and Capablanca before him, Fischer was at least one generation ahead of his rivals in strategic understanding. By 1970, Fischer’s opponents – even world-class players – were made to look like bumbling amateurs in clear strategic situations.

In the following two diagrams, Fischer, with White in both games, effortlessly drove both Petrosian, the high priest of the manoeuvring game, and Spassky the reigning world champion and unrivalled master of the initiative, to near-zugzwang. In both games the defenders attempted to purchase peace through appeasement, via strategic concessions, which of course, proved to be no more than short-term alleviation and failed to cure the underlying illness festering beneath the surface. Both games are classic examples of a bishop’s domination over a knight.

Game 39
W.Addison-R.Fischer
USA Championship, New York 1963
Ruy Lopez

1 e4 e5!?

Fischer experimented from time to time with 1 ... e5, the most famous of which is his loss to Spassky in the King’s Gambit, a 19th Century dual fought in the 20th Century.

2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 b5 5 Bb3 Na5!?

 

Question: This move looks crazy. Can Black afford the loss of time?

 

Answer: This is an actual, rarely-played line called the Norwegian variation of the Ruy Lopez. Black hunts down the bishop-pair, at an obvious cost of time. Even today, heavyweights like Morozevich and Mamedyarov try it out occasionally – although pretty much only in blitz games, so I suspect the line is rather shady for Black.

6 d4

 

Question: Can Black survive a bishop sacrifice on f7?

 

Answer: 6 Bxf7+?! is met with 6 ... Kxf7 7 Nxe5+ Ke7!. Black scores 56% from this position. For example, 8 Qf3 Nf6 9 Nc3 Qe8 10 d4 Bb7 11 Bf4 Kd8! (Black’s king finds a measure of safety on the queenside) 12 0-0-0 Be7 13 Ng4 Nxg4 14 Qxg4 Qg6 15 Qxg6 hxg6 16 f3. Queens have come off the board and White is the one fighting to survive, since his two pawns don’t fully compensate the missing piece, B.Spassky-M.Taimanov, Leningrad 1954.

White’s optimal move is 6 0-0, leading to:

a) 6 ... d6 7 d4 f6 8 Be3 Ne7 9 Nbd2 Nxb3 10 axb3 Ng6 11 c4 Bd7 12 Qc2 Be7, A.Giri-M.Narciso Dublan, Spanish Team Championship 2014. White looks slightly more comfortable after 13 b4 with a queenside expansion.

b) 6 ... Nxb3 7 axb3 d6 8 d4 f6 9 Nh4 (or 9 c4 Bb7 10 Nc3 Ne7 11 Qe2 c6 12 Rd1 Qc7 13 Be3 Ng6 14 Rac1 b4 15 Na4 c5?! 16 dxc5 dxc5 17 Qd3 Rb8 18 Nb6! when the knight can’t be touched, due to the mating threat on d7; now Black should try 18 ... Bxe4 which is met with 19 Nd5! Bxd5 20 cxd5 Bd6 21 Nd2 0-0 22 Ne4 when White regains the sacrificed pawn with a clear advantage, rather than 18 ... Be7?! 19 Nd5 and Fischer’s monster d5-knight gave him a strategically won game in R.Fischer-S.Johannessen, Havana Olympiad 1966) 9 ... Ne7 10 Nc3 Be6 11 Be3 g5 12 Qf3! Bg7 (12 ... gxh4 13 Qxf6 regains the piece favourably) 13 dxe5 dxe5 14 Nf5 Bxf5 15 exf5 0-0 was R.Fischer-R.Walker, USA 1957. Fischer has a strategically won game after 16 Bc5! Rf7 17 Bxe7 Rxe7 18 Rfd1 Qe8 19 Ne4.

6 ... exd4 7 Qxd4!

Threatening Bxf7+!, followed by Qd5+ and Qxa8. Instead, 7 Nxd4 gives Black equality after 7 ... Bb7 8 Nf5 g6 9 Ng3 Nxb3 10 axb3, P.Zigzidsuren-S.Johannessen, Skopje 1972.

7 ... Ne7!

Covering the d5-square. Fischer almost never fell for cheapos, even as a child.

8 c3?!

A complete waste of time, since Black isn’t going to allow White’s light-squared bishop to slide away. Better was 8 0-0 Nxb3 9 axb3 Bb7 10 Bg5 Nc6 11 Qd2 Be7 12 Nc3 Ne5! 13 Nxe5 Bxg5 14 f4 Bf6 15 Nd5 d6 16 Ng4!? (16 Nxf6+ Qxf6 17 Ng4 Qg6 18 h3 f6 is fine for Black) 16 ... Bxb2 17 Rad1 (now c3 is a dangerous threat) 17 ... h5 18 Nge3 c6 19 Nb4 a5 20 c3, as in A.Sokolov-N.Nikcevic, Budva 1996. The position remains unbalanced with even chances after 20 ... Ba3 21 Nd3 0-0 22 Nc2 Bc5+ 23 Nxc5 dxc5 24 Qe2 Qb6 25 Qxh5 Rad8.

8 ... Nxb3 9 axb3 Bb7 10 Bf4?!

Inaccurate. White has two superior choices:

a) 10 b4, Euwe’s suggestion, clamps down on Black’s future ... c5, which can be met with 10 ... Nc6 11 Qd1 Bd6 with even chances.

b) GM Nigel Davies suggests 10 0-0, which is also superior to Addison’s choice. After 10 ... d5!? 11 exd5 Qxd5 (11 ... Nxd5? loses time to 12 Re1+) 12 Qxd5 Bxd5 13 Bf4 Bxf3 14 gxf3 Kd7! 15 Rd1+ Kc6 16 b4 Ng6 17 Be3 Kb7 18 Nd2 (18 Rd7?? walks into 18 ... Ne5) 18 ... Rd8 Black doesn’t stand worse in the ending.

10 ... d5!

Good strategic judgement. Fischer sees that White is unable to exploit his development lead, so he takes the opportunity to free his position and open the game for his bishops.

11 e5?!

He had to agree to the concession: 11 exd5 Nxd5 and here we see that White should have castled, rather than play his bishop to f4, since he no longer has the Re1+ option. This is still better than what Addison played in the game.

Every one of our wants exacts a price. Soon White’s initiative is no more, almost as if it never existed in the first place.

 

Exercise (combination alert): With his last move, White exceeded a natural boundary. How did Fischer take over the initiative and solve all his developmental problems?

 

Answer: Discovered attack/queen trap. Fischer seizes control over his weakest square, c5, by means of a clever tactic.

11 ... c5!

Manners are not necessary when you wield power over a person. When it comes to trickery and deceit, the c-pawn is fully qualified to give lessons on the subject.

12 Qd3

The c5-pawn is poisoned: 12 Qxc5?? (in the middle ages, many people believed that epidemics arose from the fact that they didn’t burn enough witches) 12 ... Nf5, which traps queen in mid-board. When we get hoodwinked and fall for a cheapo, our deep faith in the supposition that logic equals good and illogic equals its opposite, is cruelly abused.

12 ... Ng6

13 Bg3

 

Question: Isn’t the bishop misplaced on g3,

since its activity is hampered by the e5-pawn?

 

Answer: White’s bishop sits on g3 as immobile as a Sphinx, yet this concession is necessary, since White’s e5- outpost requires assistance. The trouble is 13 Bg5? Be7 14 Bxe7 Qxe7 and here:

a) 15 0-0 and Black gets away with the brazen 15 ... Nxe5! with a clean extra pawn.

b) 15 Qe2?? is met with 15 ... Nf4 16 Qf1 d4! when White is crushed.

c) 15 Qe3 allows 15 ... d4! 16 cxd4 Bxf3! 17 Qxf3 0-0 18 0-0 cxd4 and e5 falls.

13 ... Be7 14 Nbd2 Nf8!

Fischer re-routes the knight to its optimal square, e6, which also leaves him open options for a future kingside pawn storm.

15 0-0 Ne6 16 Rad1

 

Black stands clearly better, due to his mobile queenside majority and bishop-pair.

16 ... g5!

An opportunist only takes action when he senses weakness. You can still reason and negotiate with a cold-blooded enemy. Not so with a hot-blooded foe, intent on your destruction. This energetic thrust is possible since the centre remains relatively stable. Fischer plans ... h5 next, unsatisfied with a safe edge after 16 ... 0-0.

17 h3

White operates with only fragile authority on the kingside. The g3-bishop needs air, since ... h5 and ... h4 are in the air.

17 ... h5 18 Rfe1 Qb6 19 Nf1 d4!

Now the light-squared bishop gains tremendous activity.

20 N3d2

20 cxd4 is met with the undermining 20 ... g4 21 Nh4 cxd4 with advantage to Black.

20 ... g4

A shade inaccurate, since it allows White to clog kingside lines. More promising is the line 20 ... h4! 21 Bh2 g4 22 hxg4 h3 with a nasty attack to follow.

21 h4

White desperately attempts to clog kingside attacking lines. Later on though, the h4-pawn proves to be a weakness.

21 hxg4? is met with 21 ... h4! 22 Bh2 h3 with a winning attack.

21 ... Qc6

Threatening mate on g2.

22 Qe4!?

Addison agrees to a grim ending, with the reasoning that the swap inoculates him from Black’s mating attempts. 22 Ne4 allows Black a deeply entrenched d-pawn after 22 ... c4! 23 Qb1 d3, but this still feels like a much better chance for White than he got in the ending.

22 ... 0-0-0 23 Qxc6+ Bxc6 24 c4

An attempt to stiffen the pawn structure to keep Black’s bishops at bay.

24 ... Kd7!

Endgame principle: Centralize and activate your king as quickly as possible.

25 Ra1 Ra8 26 Ne4

 

Exercise (planning): Fischer came up with a

winning plan for Black. How would you continue?

 

Answer: 26 ... Bxe4!

Correct timing. Fischer chops on e4 before White has time to play Nfd2.

 

Question: Why did Fischer give back the bishop-pair?

 

Answer: When no obvious solution presents itself, we begin to turn to more unorthodox suggestions. This is another example of Fischer’s willingness to trade one advantage for another. In this case he hands back the bishop-pair:

1. To increase his light-square bind.

2. Fischer eliminates White’s only active piece and throws White’s forces out of sync.

3. Most importantly, White’s h4-pawn is doomed to the manoeuvre ... Ng7 and ... Nf5.

27 Rxe4 Ng7!

Now h4 will fall once the knight reaches f5.

28 Nd2 Nf5 29 Rf4?

When resources are too scant to work with, a viable plan feels impossible to concoct. Addison prays for a counterplay pattern to emerge, yet nothing arises. The rook is totally misplaced on f4. His best bet was to go with the desperado 29 e6+! fxe6 30 Rae1 Nxg3 31 fxg3 Rh6 32 b4! with some hope of survival, although Black should still convert after 32 ... Rb8.

29 ... Ke6 30 Ne4 bxc4!

New targets arise: White’s b- and c-pawns.

31 bxc4 Rhb8 32 Ra2 Rb4!

Fischer’s pieces bite and pester, like ticks on a dog. White is forced completely on the defensive.

33 Nd2 Nxh4

This knight’s bulging criminal file strains at its bindings back at police headquarters.

34 Bxh4 Bxh4

Threat: ... Bg5.

35 Re4 Bg5

Giving White’s knight an elbow to the ribs. There goes the defender of c4. White’s position is faced with a long list of outraged, injured parties, all clamouring for redress of past injustices.

36 f4 gxf3 37 Nxf3 Be3+ 38 Kh2 Rxc4 0-1

White’s world is a roar of screams and confusion, and the dead outnumber the living in his camp. To play on would be akin to the homeowner who dismisses the bank’s foreclosure notice, citing the excellent job he did mowing the lawn and on the upkeep of his flower beds.

Game 40
R.Fischer-J.Durao
Havana Olympiad 1966
King’s Indian Attack

1 e4 e6 2 d3

Sorry. I just can’t help but put yet another King’s Indian Attack in the book, since Fischer played the line to perfection.

2 ... c5 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 g3 g6 5 Bg2 Bg7 6 0-0 Nge7 7 c3 0-0

As mentioned before, I think it’s in Black’s self-interest to make d4 as difficult as possible for White, with 7 ... e5.

8 d4 d6?!

 

 

Question: Why doesn’t Black swap on d4?

 

Answer: Black wants to delay the swap to deny White’s knight the c3-square. By doing so, he allows Fischer a slightly favourable structural shift, which removes most of Black’s counterplay.

Black has a reasonable option in 8 ... d5 9 e5 (9 exd5 Nxd5 10 dxc5 Qa5 is okay for Black, since if White throws in b4, it weakens his queenside: for example, 11 b4!? Qc7 12 Nd4 and Black has 12 ... Ndxb4! with at least an equal position) 9 ... Qb6 10 Na3 cxd4 11 cxd4 f6, V.Bologan-V.Ivanchuk, Moscow (rapid) 1996. The position is balanced after 12 Re1.

9 dxc5!

This move takes a lot of the life out of Black’s game.

9 ... dxc5 10 Qe2

Planning to seize space with e5 next.

10 ... b6

 

Question: If White’s plan is e5, then why

can’t Black circumvent it with 10 ... e5 himself?

 

Answer: Black would be playing an Exchange King’s Indian position down two moves. One move was lost playing ... e6 and then ... e5, while the other is simply because this is a reversed KID, with Black playing what is normally a white position.

11 e5

 

Three things are accomplished with this move:

1. White seizes dangerous kingside space.

2. White clears e4 for a knight.

3. White stakes out potential future control over d6.

When the defending side faces an unchallengeable pawn wedge like the one on e5, it’s similar to when a dear relative offers you a hideously ugly, unreturnable gift, which to your shame, must now prominently be displayed in your living room, for all the world to see.

 

Question: Why unchallengeable?

 

Answer: Because if Black ever plays ... f6, after exf6, the strategic cost is too high for Black, with an e6 isolani and fresh holes on e4 and e5.

11 ... a5?!

It’s easy to goad an enemy into an action he already desires. Fischer’s KIA opponents just loved to create holes like this. I would have tried the more modest 11 ... Qc7 12 Re1 Bb7, as in S.Lagrotteria-H.Hoffmann, Lugano 1989, although White still looks better after 13 Na3 a6 14 Nc4 Rad8 15 a4.

12 Re1

This move may be inaccurate since it allows ... Ba6 unchallenged. Fischer still enjoys a nagging edge after 12 Na3! Ba6 13 Nb5 a4 14 c4.

12 ... Ba6 13 Qe4 Ra7

Black doesn’t look worse after 13 ... Bd3! 14 Qh4 Nf5 15 Qxd8 which is similar to the game’s continuation.

14 Nbd2 Bd3 15 Qh4 Nd5 16 Qxd8

“Silence! Enough of your inane trivialities and meaningless banter,” rages White’s queen to her sister, who only waved and said “Hi” to her.

16 ... Rxd8 17 a4

The ending is not even, despite Houdini’s ‘0.00’ misassessment. White controls more space, with chances of occupying holes on b5 and c4. Also, Black has no constructive plan.

17 ... Rad7 18 Bf1!

Fischer methodically swaps away the defender of Black’s light squares.

18 ... Bxf1

Of course 18 ... c4?? doesn’t get the job done, since it simply drops a pawn to 19 Nxc4.

19 Kxf1 Nde7

If 19 ... g5 White would simply decline the bait with 20 h3. If Black then insists with 20 ... h5?, he drops material after 21 Nc4 g4 22 hxg4 hxg4 23 Nh2 when the g-pawn falls.

20 Nc4

Tying Black down to defence of b6.

20 ... Nc8!?

Black proceeds with the tiptoeing caution of a man entering his house late at night, fearful of awakening others who sleep. Self-preservation is a powerful motivator, which prompts us into actions we otherwise would deem unimaginable. Black feels this contortion is necessary, soon or later. I would play the more aggressive defence 20 ... Nd5.

21 Bg5! N6e7

The other option, 21 ... Re8 eventually loses control over the d-file.

22 Nfd2!

White’s f3-knight gets a promotion to the e4-square.

22 ... h6 23 Bxe7!

The bishop has learned to do unto others, before they do unto him. White’s knights soon dominate.

23 ... Rxe7 24 Ra3!

Fischer assembles forces on the queenside, giving further notice to Black that b6 is a permanent liability.

24 ... Rc7 25 Rb3 Rc6 26 Ne4

Just take a look at this diagram and compare it to the last one, on move 17. Fischer’s pieces are all optimally placed, while Black’s cringe in defensive submission.

26 ... Bf8 27 Ke2 Be7 28 f4

Fischer methodically gains kingside space.

28 ... Kf8?!

28 ... h5 should have been tossed in to rein in White’s growing kingside expansion.

29 g4!

Now we see why Black should have played ... h5 last move. The h6-pawn represents yet another liability for Black, when White lifts a rook to h3.

29 ... Ke8 30 Rf1!

Black must worry about f5 breaks, as well as Rf3 and Rh3.

30 ... Rd5 31 Rf3 Rd8?

Durao allows his attention to wander. Black’s pieces act in concert, but it is an out of tune concert. A familiar sight: another of Fischer’s opponents driven to moving back and forth. Durao shouldn’t feel bad though, since players like Petrosian and Spassky were pushed into the same state.

31 ... Kf8 was necessary to prevent White’s coming combination.

32 Rh3 Bf8

 

When you have an enemy fortress surrounded, you have two attack plans:

1. Starve them out with a siege, which requires time.

2. Storm the barricades, which risks losses of life from your side.

In this instance Fischer went with number two.

 

Exercise (combination alert): Black incorrectly imputes inconsequentiality to

a threat which should have been taken seriously. There is no question that

White dominates, yet it feels as if Black’s defensive barrier remains

impenetrably thick. This illusion is shattered if you find Fischer’s combination.

 

Answer: Annihilation of defensive barrier/mating net.

33 Nxa5! Rc7

33 ... bxa5?? shockingly walks into mate after 34 Nf6+ Ke7 35 Rb7+ Rc7 36 Rxc7+ Rd7 37 Rxd7 mate.

34 Nc4 Ra7

Black sees to it that the combination has no sequel. 34 ... Rc6 runs into 35 a5!. To be an able chess player, we must sometimes also be a skilled blackmailer. Here Black loses the b-pawn, since 35 ... bxa5 walks into the now familiar mating pattern after 36 Nf6+ Ke7 37 Rb7+. This rook signed so many death warrants this week, that he ran out of stationery.

35 Nxb6 Nxb6 36 Rxb6 Rda8

You guessed it. 36 ... Rxa4?? allows the same mate after 37 Nf6+ Ke7 38 Rb7+.

37 Nf6+

White’s threats come from everywhere and nowhere, simultaneously.

37 ... Kd8 38 Rc6! Rc7

Sigh. Must I demonstrate this pattern ad nauseam? 38 ... Rxa4 39 Rd3+ Ke7 (these days the black king’s general demeanour is one of a bloated corpse, found floating face down in a pond) 40 Rd7 mate.

39 Rd3+ Kc8 40 Rxc7+ Kxc7 41 Rd7+ Kc6 42 Rxf7

Of course Black should resign here.

42 ... c4 43 Nd7!

Simplification.

43 ... Bc5

43 ... Ra7?? hangs a piece to 44 Nb8+ Kb6 45 Rxf8.

44 Nxc5 Kxc5 45 Rc7+ Kd5

 

Exercise (combination alert): Black’s king is cast out to a terrible place where

there is wailing and the gnashing of teeth. Find Fischer’s elegant finish.

 

Answer: Mating net.

46 b4! 1-0

Powerful rivals often hire shady criminal types to do their dirty work. 46 ... cxb3 is met with 47 Kd3!. White’s king deftly blocks his brother’s attempts to exit. The black king’s course of evasion comes to an end, since there is no good defence to the coming c4+. Black must hand over a rook to avoid mate. Is it just me, or does the KIA in Fischer’s hands look like a forced win for White, to you as well?

Game 41
R.Byrne-R.Fischer
Sousse Interzonal 1967
Sicilian Najdorf

When I first played over this game in my youth, I was so enamoured with Fischer’s play, that I began to play the Najdorf, with consistent results. Consistent, in that I nearly always got mated. It takes a special type of player to navigate the Najdorf, and I realized after enduring some horrible beatings that I was not that special player.

 

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Bc4

Of all the nerve!

 

Question: Is Byrne attempting to play psychological

games by playing Fischer’s own system against him?

 

Answer: Possibly so, but it seems an unwise policy to play a line the opponent knows better than anyone else in the world. If you own a loaded gun in the house, it’s best that you keep it well out of reach of your precocious toddler. Any player of Fischer’s day who dared challenge Bobby in the Fischer/Sozin, risked handing the baby the gun.

6 ... e6 7 Bb3 b5

This move is currently Black’s most popular choice in the position. Black rushes to fianchetto to apply pressure on the e4-pawn. Of course it comes with some cost, since it weakens e6, which is now vulnerable to sacrifices, and also does nothing to further kingside development.

8 f4!?

Today, this line isn’t played as often by White, since the risk to the e4-pawn is enhanced. As mentioned previously, White’s safest choice is 8 0-0 Be7 9 Qf3 Qc7 10 Qg3 0-0 11 Bh6 Ne8 12 Rad1. Kasparov has scored well from this position, perhaps because he is Kasparov, and not because White has any particular advantage at this point.

8 ... Bb7 9 f5?!

Fischer convincingly demonstrated the correct method of how to deal with this move.

Instead, after 9 0-0 Be7 10 e5 dxe5 11 fxe5 Bc5 12 Be3 Bxd4 13 Bxd4 Nc6 14 Rf4?! (White may have enough for the pawn after 14 Bc5 Nxe5 15 Qxd8+ Rxd8 16 a4 Rd2 17 Rf2 Rxf2 18 Kxf2 bxa4 19 Rxa4 Kd7) 14 ... Qc7! White’s d4-bishop and f4-rook dangle uncomfortably and he is the one fighting for equality, C.Hanley-R.Palliser, British Rapidplay Championship, Halifax 2006.

9 ... e5 10 Nde2

White’s e-pawn is in deep trouble after 10 Nf3 Be7 11 Bg5 Nbd7 12 0-0 0-0 13 Bxf6 Nxf6 14 Qd3 Rc8 15 Bd5? (White should head for a slightly inferior ending with 15 Nd2 Qb6+ 16 Kh1 Qd4 17 Nf3 Qxd3 18 cxd3) 15 ... b4! 16 Bxb7 Qb6+ 17 Kh1 Qxb7 18 Nd5 Nxd5 19 exd5 Rc5 20 Rad1 Rfc8 21 Rd2 Qb5! 22 Qxb5 Rxb5. White is tied down to his d5-pawn, and also a2 and c2 are chronically weak, P.Limbourg-J.Koscielski, Dortmund 1998.

10 ... Nbd7 11 Bg5 Be7 12 Ng3 Rc8 13 0-0?

An absence of evidence doesn’t necessarily indicate the absence of the crime. This natural move lands White into terrible trouble. He should settle for 13 Qf3 b4 14 Bxf6 Nxf6 15 Nd5, V.Varavin-A.Areshchenko, Sudak 2002. Even here Black already stands better after 15 ... Bxd5 16 exd5 0-0 17 0-0 Qb6+ 18 Kh1 Qd4! 19 Rab1.

13 ... h5!!

It’s a jarring realization when our fundamental assumptions about a position are overthrown by a new move. This move, a completely alien concept at the time, essentially refutes Byrne’s opening play.

 

Question: Why is this such a great move? Black basically can’t castle safely.

 

Answer: He has no need to castle. White’s g3-knight is about to be undermined with ... h4, after which e4 falls.

14 h4

Sometimes a judge must enforce a law he doesn’t believe in.

 

Question: If White has to play such a radically weakening move,

he is in deep trouble. Are there alternatives which save him?

 

Answer: Houdini approves of this move, which if forced, means that White is busted:

a) 14 Bxf6 is of no help: 14 ... Nxf6 15 Qf3 Qb6+ 16 Kh1 Rxc3! 17 Qxc3 h4 18 Ne2 h3 and White’s king won’t survive.

b) 14 Bh4 b4! 15 Na4 (not 15 Nd5?? Nxd5 16 Bxd5 Bxh4! and Black wins a piece since the b7-bishop isn’t hanging after 17 Bxb7 Qb6+) 15 ... Nxe4 16 Bxe7 Qxe7 with a healthy extra pawn for Black. White is unable to regain it with 17 Nxh5?? since he gets crushed after 17 ... Qg5.

14 ... b4

The undermining of e4 is completed.

15 Bxf6

This not only drops h4, but gives Black an unopposed dark-squared bishop which later rules. Also hopeless is 15 Nd5 Nxd5 16 exd5 Bxg5 17 hxg5 Qxg5 with a healthy extra pawn plus positional advantage.

15 ... Bxf6 16 Nd5 Bxh4 17 Nxh5

Byrne remains even materially, but not in position:

1. Black has the bishop-pair.

2. Black rules the dark squares.

3. Black owns an open h-file.

4. Numbers two and three on the list mean that White’s king is in grave danger.

17 ... Qg5

Black threatens both ... Qxh5, and also ... Bxd5 followed by ... Qe3+.

18 f6!

The only move. Byrne struggles to overcome the gloom by desperately seeking counterplay against Black’s king, based on this f6-pawn wedge.

18 ... g6!

The most ambitious move. Black also has:

a) 18 ... Rxh5! 19 Rf5 (19 fxg7 Rh7 wins) 19 ... Bf2+! 20 Kxf2 Qh4+ 21 Kg1 Qh2+ 22 Kf2 Rxf5+ 23 exf5 Nxf6 with a winning position.

b) 18 ... Qxh5?? allows White to draw after 19 fxg7. Black’s rook is overloaded, covering his queen, and also the g8-promotion square: 19 ... Bf2+! 20 Kxf2 Qh4+ 21 g3 Qh2+ 22 Kf3 Qh5+ 23 g4 Qh3+ 24 Kf2 Qh4+ with perpetual check.

19 Ng7+

This knight is essentially trapped, once f6 falls, but as we all understand, revenge is a more powerful motivator than pain.

19 ... Kd8!

The propulsive effect of the f6-pawn hasn’t bothered Black’s king an iota. To Najdorf players such chaotic positions approximate paradise. In this case the complications heavily favour Black, who has a winning position, just so long as he keeps his head clear in the chaos.

19 ... Kf8?? allows a discovered attack on d6 with 20 Nf4! (what an intoxicating feeling when we lose power, and then later regain it) 20 ... Kg8 21 Qxd6 Qxf6 22 Bxf7+! Qxf7 23 Nxg6 Bf6 24 Nxh8 Qxg7 25 Ng6! which isn’t so clear. Now if 25 ... Bxe4 26 Qe6+ Kh7 27 Qh3+ Kg8 28 Qe6+ Kh7 (28 ... Qf7?? isn’t possible due to 29 Ne7+! Kf8 30 Qxf7+ Kxf7 31 Nxc8) 29 Qh3+ with a draw, since 29 ... Kxg6 looks dangerous for Black after 30 Qg4+ Kh6 31 Qxe4.

20 Rf3

Byrne covers the e3-square from ... Qe3+ tricks.

20 ... Bg3!

Power, not salvation, is the bishop’s goal. Now h-file infiltration is in the air and White must watch out for ... Rh1+ tricks, as well as the simple ... Qh4.

21 Qd3 Bh2+ 22 Kf1 Nc5 23 Rh3!?

When we are unable to overpower the opponent’s will, the next best thing is to attempt to deceive him. This is the type of position where rationality recedes, and we begin to believe in magic and miracles through divine intervention. When all lines lose, I suppose one line is as good as the other. Bluff is an essential part of detective work. I know this from watching myriad who-done-it movies, where the chief inspector (who actually has no idea who the murderer is) assembles all the suspects in a room and declares that he plans to reveal the murderer’s identity. Of course then the true murderer takes the bait and lights go out while the murderer exits the room.

After 23 Qe3 Bf4 (now ... Rh1+ is a big worry for White) 24 Qg1 Bc1! White’s game collapses: e4 hangs and there is no remedy to the simple threat of ... Bxb2, followed by ... Bd4.

23 ... Rh4!?

Various meanings can be assigned to this decision. This move may seem like an unnecessary embellishment, since taking the queen wins. I don’t know if Fischer got bluffed or if he just preferred this path, which is also completely winning. In the end it’s just a matter of preference.

23 ... Nxd3! also wins. Accepting the queen is a self-actuating mechanism, where one step logically leads to the next. After 24 Rxh8+ Kd7 25 Ba4+ Bc6 26 Nb6+ Kc7 27 Rxc8+ Kb7 28 Bxc6+ Kxb6 White’s threats have come to an end.

24 Qf3

Now Fischer initiates a wholesale simplification process which leaves him completely in control.

24 ... Nxb3 25 axb3 Rxh3

More efficient is 25 ... Bxd5! (threat: ... Rf4) 26 Rxh4 Qxh4 27 exd5 Rxc2 when White can resign.

26 Qxh3 Bxd5 27 exd5 Qxf6+

At long last, the obnoxious visiting relative who refused to take the hints at his expected departure date, is finally induced to leave.

28 Ke1

 

Exercise (calculation): Find one strong move and you induce White’s resignation.

 

Answer: Consolidation/mating attack.

28 ... Qf4! 0-1

All the questions and shadows which previously plagued Black are chased away with a single move. Fischer’s attack arrives first in every variation:

a) 29 Rxa6 walks into mate after 29 ... Qc1+ 30 Ke2 Rxc2+ 31 Kd3 Qd2+ 32 Ke4 Qd4+ 33 Kf3 Qf4 mate.

b) 29 Qf3 Bg3+ 30 Kf1 Qh4 31 Qxf7 (31 Rxa6 Qh1+ 32 Ke2 Rxc2+ 33 Kd3 Rf2! 34 Qg4 Qf1+ forces mate) 31 ... Qh1+ 32 Ke2 Qxg2+ 33 Ke3 Bf4+ 34 Kd3 Qxc2 mate.

Game 42
M.Matulovic-R.Fischer
Vinkovci 1968
Sicilian Najdorf

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 g3

This system is too quiet to stress Black. Matulovic probably wanted a safe, controlled position – maybe not the best choice against the man who may have been the strongest strategist of all time.

6 ... e5

More ambitious than 6 ... e6.

7 Nde2 Be7 8 Bg5

A recent example: 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 Nbd7 10 a4 b6 11 Nd5 Nxd5 12 Qxd5 Rb8 13 Nc3 Nf6 14 Qd3, M.Carlsen-A.Naiditsch, Baden-Baden 2015. The game feels balanced after 14 ... h6.

8 ... Nbd7 9 Bh3!?

Matulovic had played this move before.

9 ... b5!

Planning a quick fianchetto to fight for d5. Right on cue, Fischer is armed with an improvement over the previously played 9 ... Nb6?! (it appears artificial to place the knight in front of the b-pawn) 10 Bxc8 Rxc8 11 Bxf6 Bxf6 12 a4 Rc5 13 0-0 0-0 14 Qd3 a5 15 Rfd1, M.Matulovic-S.Tatai, Reggio Emilia 1967. White controls b5, d5 and pressures d6, maintaining a safe strategic edge after 15 ... Be7 16 Nc1.

10 a4?

The bane of all mad scientists is that his creature is always altered from that which he originally designed. This move strikes me as an expression of disregard for the opponent’s intent.

 

Question: What don’t you like about White’s last move?

 

Answer: The trouble is White’s soon-to-be backward c2-pawn is weaker than Black’s d6-pawn.

10 Nd5, without the inclusion of a4 and ... b4, is about even after 10 ... Nxd5 11 Qxd5 Rb8 12 Bxe7 Kxe7! 13 Bxd7 Bxd7 14 Qd2 Bc6 (14 ... b4 15 a3 a5 16 axb4 axb4 17 Qg5+ Kf8 18 Qxd8+ Rxd8 19 Kd2 is okay for White) 15 Nc3.

10 ... b4 11 Nd5 Nxd5 12 Qxd5 Rb8

Covering his rook and preparing ... Bb7. Note that White’s knight is denied access to c3, since Black’s b-pawn now covers the square.

13 Bxe7

That was Black’s bad bishop which Fischer just unloaded.

13 ... Kxe7!

A key requirement to actuate Black’s coming plan. Threat: ... Nf6 and ... Bxh3. The players operate on completely opposite rationales. Fischer plays for pressure down the c-file and on e4, while Matulovic bases his hopes on exploitation of the d5-square and the backward d6-pawn, neither of which he accomplishes. Watch how Fischer from this point completely has it his way, while Matulovic gets zero traction on his d5/d6 hopes.

 

Question: Why did Fischer give up castling rights?

 

Answer: His last move allows his king to participate in the defence of d6. Fischer correctly judged that his king is completely safe, since White’s passive forces are in no position to generate threats.

14 Qd2

The queen must leave d5 by any door of her choosing. After 14 Bxd7 Qxd7 15 0-0 Bb7 16 Qd3 Qc6 17 f3 d5! White’s pieces are misplaced and Black already looks clearly better. However, I still think this is superior to the path White took in the game.

14 ... Nf6 15 Bg2

When no sorcerous scheme is available, what else can we do but follow the mundane course? This looks like a sign that matters have gone awry. Matulovic backs down, hoping to retain some influence on the light squares. If 15 Bxc8 Qxc8 16 f3 Rd8 and Black is ready to take over the initiative with ... d5 next.

15 ... Bb7 16 Qd3 Qb6 17 0-0?!

Overlooking Fischer’s next move. White should toss in 17 a5.

17 ... a5!

Now ... Ba6 and ... Bxe2 are in the air, when White is in grave danger of landing into a bad bishop position.

18 Rfd1 Ba6 19 Qd2 Rhc8

Pressure mounts on c2.

20 h3 h5

Fischer, quick to intercept even a shadow of white counterplay, alertly suppresses g4.

21 b3

White’s game sinks into atrophy and I don’t see improvements: for example, 21 Rac1 Rc4 22 b3 Rxe4! and now if 23 Bxe4 Nxe4 24 Qe1 Kf8 25 h4 Qc6 when ... Bb7 is coming as Black’s threats seem to stretch endlessly in all directions. After 26 f3 Bxe2 27 Qxe2 Nxg3 28 Qf2 Nf5 29 Rd3 d5 30 c3 d4 31 c4 Re8 Black dominates.

21 ... Bxe2!

Fischer forces a classic good knight versus bad bishop situation.

22 Qxe2 Rc3

Threat: ... Rxg3. White’s dark squares leak badly, with no remedy in sight.

23 Rd3 Rbc8 24 Rxc3 Rxc3

Renewing the threat to g3.

25 Kh2 Qc5 26 Ra2

It must have been painful for a grandmaster to be obliged to make such a wretched concession. White’s game progressed to a state of near-complete paralysis. Now I quite reasonably ask: Aren’t Najdorf Sicilians supposed to be complicated? Fischer, through strategic magic, makes it look so simple.

 

Question: Why did White play his rook to the incredibly awkward a2-square?

 

Answer: White’s last move is unfortunately forced, since 26 Rc1? is met with 26 ... Rxb3.

26 ... g6 27 Bf1 Qd4

Complete strategic domination. White’s cohesion disintegrates, moment by moment, while Fischer’s pieces all bulge with muscle as if they were a family of village blacksmiths.

28 f3

White is unable to save himself after 28 Bg2 h4 29 g4 Nd7 30 Qe1 Nc5 31 Kh1 Ne6 32 Kh2 Nf4 33 Bf1 Rf3 34 Kg1 Nxh3+ 35 Bxh3 Rxh3 36 Kg2 Rc3 with an extra pawn and overwhelming piece placement as well.

 

 

Exercise (planning): The final faint vestiges of White’s resistance vanished,

and looking for counterplay in White’s position is similar to searching for

a rubber ball you tossed into the ocean a week ago, in the exact spot it fell.

By now Matulovic must have pondered the vagaries of fate which brought

him to this unwanted place. White’s last move was a blunder in an

already losing position. How did Fischer force the win of a pawn?

 

Answer: Step 1: Chase away White’s queen.

28 ... Re3!

Answer no.2: Even more accurate is to toss in 28 ... h4! 29 g4 and only then play 29 ... Re3! 30 Qf2 Nxe4! when White is slaughtered.

29 Qg2

29 Qf2 is met with 29 ... h4 30 g4 Nxe4! 31 Qxh4+ (31 fxe4?? hangs the queen to 31 ... Rxh3+) 31 ... g5 32 Qh6 Re2+! 33 Bxe2 Qf2+ 34 Kh1 Ng3 mate.

Now comes Step 2: Attack f3 twice, winning the pawn.

29 ... Qd1

The queen approaches f3 with an almost apologetic manner.

30 Bc4

30 Bd3 h4 31 g4 Nh7 is also utterly hopeless for White.

 

30 ... Qxf3

On the chess board, theft is so much more satisfying than a fair transaction.

 

Question: Why win just a pawn? Isn’t the a2-rook trapped in the corner?

 

Answer: The rook is trapped. Fischer’s choice is clearer. He probably didn’t want to allow his opponent unnecessary counterplay after 30 ... Qb1 31 Qf2 Rc3 32 Qa7+ Nd7 33 Bb5 Qxa2 34 Qxd7+, although according to Houdini it’s still a fairly straightforward win for Black after 34 ... Kf8 35 Qxd6+ Kg8 36 Bd3 Rxc2+! 37 Bxc2 Qxc2+ 38 Kh1 Qxb3 when the b-pawn’s advance will be decisive.

31 Qxf3

“Parting is a joy when you can’t stand the person you are with,” remarks White’s queen. There is no choice but to swap down to an absolutely hopeless ending, since treaties don’t work out well for the side negotiating from a position of weakness.

31 ... Rxf3 32 Kg2 Re3

Step 3: Pick off White’s helpless e-pawn.

33 Bd3 Nxe4

A new regime expunges all records of the past, fallen one.

34 Bxe4 Rxe4 35 Kf2 d5 36 Ra1 d4 37 Rd1 Re3

 

Now ... h4 is in the air. That which was once a garden is now a ghetto, mainly due to Fischer’s deceptively powerful play after White’s strategic blunder on his 10th move. I’m pretty confident a 1600-rated player would win this comfortably against the world champion, so I’m not sure why Matulovic didn’t resign here (or earlier).

38 h4 Rc3 39 Rd2 Ke6 40 Kg2 f5 0-1

Another Capa game. That was just too easy!

Game 43
A.Saidy-R.Fischer
New York 1969
English Opening

I’m deeply envious of the fact that my buddy, IM Dr. Tony Saidy, knew and played Fischer, while I only get to write about him.

 

1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 g3 f5 4 Bg2 Nf6 5 e3 Bc5!?

The hues of Black’s ambition are far more vivid than White’s.

 

Question: Why do you object to Black’s last move?

 

Answer: It virtually begs White for the tempo-gaining Nge2 and d4. Objectively, 5 ... g6 and 5 ... d6 are superior choices.

6 d3

Tony Saidy is not what I would describe as a cautious player, but maybe the generalities don’t apply when playing Bobby Fischer. It makes more sense to push for d4 in one go, with 6 Nge2! 0-0 (6 ... d6 7 d4 Bb6 8 b4! places Black in grave difficulties, since the b4 pawn can’t be touched, due to Qa4+ and d5) 7 d4 exd4 8 exd4 Bb6 9 0-0 d6 10 a3 a5 11 Bg5 Ne7, B.Gelfand-Fabrice, Neuilly (simul) 2002. Black looks like he is in trouble after 12 Re1 h6 13 Bxf6 Rxf6 14 Nf4 c6 15 d5! when 15 ... g5? is met with 16 dxc6! bxc6 17 Ncd5!, with a winning position for White.

6 ... f4?!

“Fruit, not money, grows on trees,” my cruel father would lecture, when I begged for an advance on my 50 cents per week allowance. Here we see Fischer disregard my father’s advice with a shady sacrifice, which is easier to undertake than to explain.

 

Question: What is wrong with Fischer’s move,

which is thematic in Grand Prix Attack positions?

 

Answer: It’s thematic as White, not Black, a move down, where it is surely a fishy version, where Black shouldn’t generate enough compensation. A Chinese proverb warns: He who seeks vengeance must dig two graves: One for his enemy and one for himself.

Is there an assumption of scorn in such a move? Tony Saidy was a GM-strength IM in his prime in 1969, yet Fischer plays a dubious gambit which is better suited for a non-professional simul opponent. Fischer directs his activity toward a short-term goal (playing for mate), at the risk of not reaching his long-term goal (winning the game).

This gambit is okay when played as White, but with Black? I’m deeply sceptical of full compensation. 6 ... 0-0 is more cautious and objectively better.

7 exf4

White’s defence is constructed of durable material and I don’t believe Black should achieve full compensation.

7 ... 0-0

7 ... d6 looks more accurate to recapture on e5 with a pawn.

8 Nge2

8 fxe5! may refute Fischer’s overly optimistic opening sacrifice: 8 ... Qe8 9 Nf3 d6 was J.Andrade Ocana-A.Santos, Odivelas 2000. I don’t see sufficient compensation for the pawn after 10 0-0 dxe5 11 Be3 Bxe3 (or 11 ... Bb6 12 c5 Ba5 13 Rb1 Kh8 14 a3 Bxc3 15 bxc3 when Black has nothing for the pawn) 12 fxe3 e4 13 dxe4 Bg4 14 Qb3 Bxf3 15 Rxf3 Ne5 16 Rf5. White is up two pawns, admittedly doubled but still standing, and Black lacks compensation.

8 ... Qe8 9 0-0 d6 10 Na4

Saidy logically chases down Black’s powerful bishop. I have grave doubts about Black’s alleged compensation after 10 fxe5! dxe5 11 Be3 Bxe3 12 fxe3.

10 ... Bd4!

Both sides are skilled hagglers who attempt to secure the best possible deal.

11 Nxd4 exd4!

Leaving the a4-knight in limbo.

12 h3 h5!

Suppressing g4 and worrying White about potential ... h4 ideas.

13 a3 a5 14 b3 Qg6!

Target: d3.

15 Nb2 Bf5

16 Qc2

After this move White gets tied up, covering d3. He was better off handing back the pawn with 16 Re1 Rae8 17 Bd2! Bxd3 18 Nxd3 Qxd3 19 Bd5+ Kh7 20 Bxc6 bxc6 21 Bxa5 Rxe1+ 22 Bxe1 Qxd1 (or 22 ... Qe4 23 a4 h4 24 a5 hxg3 25 fxg3 c5 26 a6 and Black’s kingside attack will fail due to the distraction of White’s surging a-pawn) 23 Rxd1 c5 with some chances to convert for White, although Houdini assess this position close to even.

16 ... Nd7!

Intending ... Nc5, hammering away at d3.

17 Re1

Tony is intent on hanging on to d3. Perhaps he should just admit his position has soured and return it with 17 Bd2 Nc5 18 Qd1 Nxd3 19 Nxd3 Bxd3 20 Re1 when White may not stand worse, due to his bishop-pair. Houdini gives White an edge here.

17 ... Nc5 18 Bf1 Ra6!

A once vague notion assumes a recognizable shape. Fischer simultaneously hammers away at d3 and now a new target on b3, preparing ... Rb6 next.

19 Bd2

He needs to untangle with something like 19 Qd1! Rb6 20 Na4! Nxa4 21 bxa4 Nd8 22 Be2! Re8 23 Kh2 Bd7 24 Bd2 Qf5 25 Bxh5 Qxh3+ 26 Kg1 Rxe1+ 27 Bxe1 Bc6 28 Bf3. White remains up a pawn and stands better.

19 ... Rb6

Fischer’s pressure – like a slow dripping tap in another room – wears on the defender’s nerves.

20 Bxa5?!

When we sense the correct plan, and then botch its execution, it’s the same as keeping the piggy-bank but discarding the cash contents. It’s understandable that White plays with a sense of urgency, but now he stands worse. He still achieves a playable game with 20 Qd1! Nxb3 21 Na4! Nxa1 22 Nxb6 cxb6 23 Bg2 Bxd3 24 Bd5+ Kh7 25 Qxa1 Re8 26 Kh2 Be4 27 Qb2, with a dynamically balanced position.

20 ... Rxb3 21 Bd2

 

Exercise (planning/combination alert): Everything looks the same,

yet something has altered. How would you proceed as Black?

 

21 ... Ra8

Fischer plays for strategic pressure on the queenside, when he had so much more going after White’s relatively unprotected king.

Answer: Mating attack. 21 ... h4! and now the white king’s life hangs by a frayed thread, since virtually all his army has been lured to the queenside. After 22 g4 Fischer has a stunning continuation with 22 ... Ne5!! (menacing the d3, f3 and g4 points) 23 Bg2 (White is unable to accept, since opening the f-file is fatal after 23 fxe5?? Bxg4 24 hxg4 Qxg4+ 25 Kh1 Rxf2 and he is mated after 26 Re2 Qf3+ 27 Kg1 Qg3+ 28 Kh1 Qh2 mate) 23 ... Bxd3 24 Nxd3 Nexd3 25 Rab1 Nxf4! (discovered attack) 26 Qxg6 Nxg6 27 Rxb3 Nxb3, which leaves Black up a pawn with a strategically won game.

22 a4 Ra6

Planning ... Rab6.

23 a5 Kh7 24 Red1?

Correct was 24 Ra2!, and if 24 ... b6 25 Na4! Bxd3 26 Qd1 Bxf1 27 Rxf1 Rd3 28 axb6 Nxa4 29 bxc7! Ne7 30 Rxa4 Rxa4 31 Qxa4 and Black had nothing better than to force perpetual check with 31 ... Rxg3+ 32 fxg3 Qxg3+.

 

Exercise (combination alert): The cusp of transaction

has arrived. White’s last move hung material. How?

 

Answer: Pin.

24 ... b6!

Fischer regains his sacrificed pawn, while maintaining all his strategic plusses.

25 Be1

Covering d3.

25 ... bxa5

Black has a strategically won game:

1. White is tied down to passivity, covering d3.

2. Black now owns a passed a-pawn.

3. Black enjoys an overwhelming activity superiority, with an entrenched c5-knight and ... Nb4 in the air.

4. White’s king doesn’t appear all that safe.

26 Na4

 

Exercise (combination alert): With his last move, White

attempts to undermine the b3-rook. How should Black respond?

 

Answer: Exchange sacrifice/knight fork. Fischer destroys c3, the base of White’s position.

26 ... Rxd3! 27 Bxd3

Alternatively, 27 Nxc5 Rxd1 28 Qxd1 dxc5 with a healthy extra pawn and superior piece placement for Black.

27 ... Bxd3 28 Qa2

There was nothing better:

a) 28 Qd2 walks into the fork 28 ... Nb3! 29 Qxd3 Qxd3 30 Rxd3 Nxa1 with a winning position for Black.

b) 28 Qb2 walks into 28 ... Nxa4 29 Rxa4 Bc2, regaining the exchange with a pawn-up and winning position for Black.

28 ... Nb4! 29 Qa3

29 Bxb4?? axb4 30 Qd2 Nb3! wins, or if 29 Qb2 Nxa4 30 Rxa4 Bc2. We already saw this familiar theme in the above note. Black wins.

29 ... Nc2

And there is the knight fork.

30 Qb2 Nxa1 31 Rxa1 Nxa4 32 Rxa4 Qe4!

Deadly centralization. No slight, either real or imagined, is too trivial to not warrant a profuse apology to Black’s queen. Just look at those porous light squares in White’s camp. As in Fischer’s Benoni against Spassky from the last chapter, here the opposite-coloured bishops play into Black’s hands, with the principle: Opposite-coloured bishops favour the attacker.

33 Bxa5

33 Qd2 Rb6 34 Ra1 Bxc4, intending ... Bd5, is decisive.

 

Exercise (combination alert): In time pressure we furiously weigh and discard options in a split second. White’s last loses, as do all other options. Black to play and win.

 

Answer: Attraction/double attack.

33 ... Rxa5!

The solution fits as snuggly as the final piece in a crossword puzzle.

34 Rxa5 Qe1+

Black picks up the a5-rook, remaining a full piece ahead.

35 Kh2 Qxa5 36 Qxd4 0-1

Game 44
R.Fischer-M.Filip
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal 1970
Reti Opening

1 b3

Fischer’s use of 1 b3 as White and Alekhine’s Defence as Black may have been influenced by Larsen, who specialised in both lines.

1 ... d5 2 Bb2 Nf6 3 Nf3 e6 4 g3

Turning the game into a Reti Opening. After 4 e3 c5 5 c4 Nc6 6 cxd5 exd5 (6 ... Nxd5 isn’t as good, since Black has trouble developing his f8-bishop) 7 Bb5 Bd6 8 0-0 0-0 9 d4 cxd4 10 Nxd4 Bd7 the players reached an isolani position with approximately level chances, V.Korchnoi-B.Larsen, Brussels 1987.

4 ... Be7 5 Bg2 0-0 6 0-0 c5 7 c4

White also reaches similar positions after the move order 7 e3 Nc6 8 c4.

7 ... Nc6

 

Question: Why can’t Black shut White’s b2-bishop down with 7 ... d4?

 

Answer: It blocks the bishop, but leaves Black’s d-pawn under some pressure after 8 e3 Nc6 9 exd4 cxd4 10 Re1 with a reversed Benoni-like position, where White’s inferior posting of his b2-bishop is compensated by the fact that he is two moves up on a normal Benoni: One move simply because he has the white pieces, and the other move, because Black’s e-pawn will require two moves to reach e5.

8 cxd5

Now the game may transpose to a Queen’s Gambit Declined, Tarrasch variation. 8 e3 keeps the game in Reti lines.

8 ... Nxd5

8 ... exd5 9 d4 reaches a QGD Tarrasch position which is a slightly passive version for White. Black achieves equality after 9 ... Ne4! 10 dxc5 Bxc5 11 Nc3 Nxc3 12 Bxc3 d4 13 Bb2 Re8 when his pressure on e2 easily compensates White’s pressure against the d4 isolani, M.Tal-V.Korchnoi, Titograd 1984.

9 Nc3 Bf6

Fischer’s opening experiment was too mild to yield an advantage and Black should be happy with the outcome.

10 Qc1

Fischer breaks the pin with an admittedly awkward placement for his queen, but c2 allows Black an annoying ... Nb4 harassment.

10 ... b6!?

A Zen koan for you: When a person stands in a doorway, with one foot on each side of the threshold, is he going out or coming in? The answer: It depends on the person’s intention. It’s not easy to play a position without catering to our stylistic prejudices. Black, feeling that life has no gusto without risk, takes the dynamic route, when the boring line may have been the better practical choice.

10 ... Nxc3! offers White nothing after 11 dxc3 (Fischer may have gone for 11 Bxc3 e5 12 d3, since he felt comfortable in Maroczy bind positions as Black) 11 ... b6 12 Nd2 Bb7 13 Ne4 Be7 14 Rd1 Qc7 15 c4 Rfd8 with a snooze-fest of a position. White got nothing out of the opening, B.Gelfand-Z.Almasi, Monaco (blindfold) 2001.

11 Nxd5 exd5

After 11 ... Bxb2 12 Qxb2 Black can no longer take the safe route with 12 ... Qxd5?! 13 d4! Bb7 14 Ne5 Qd6 15 dxc5 bxc5, with a clear structural advantage and development lead for White.

12 d4!

Now the game gets more interesting, with a potential isolani or hanging pawns position to follow.

12 ... Ba6 13 Re1 Nxd4

Filip opts for an isolani position. He can also go for 13 ... c4 14 Ne5 Rc8 15 bxc4 Bxc4 16 Qd2 b5, as in J.Gonzalez Zamora-A.Naiditsch, Turin Olympiad 2006. The game remains unbalanced and probably even after 17 Nxc4 bxc4 18 Bc3.

14 Bxd4!

 

Question: Why did Fischer hand over the bishop-pair?

 

Answer: Fischer’s imbalancing choice is the only way for White to play for a win. 14 Nxd4 virtually leads to a forced draw after 14 ... cxd4 15 Qd2 Re8 16 Bf3 d3! 17 exd3 Bxb2 18 Rxe8+ Qxe8 19 Re1 Qd7 20 Qxb2 Bxd3 21 Rd1 Qf5 22 Qd4 Qxf3 23 Rxd3 Qe2 24 Qxd5 Re8.

14 ... cxd4 15 Qa3! Bb7

15 ... Bb5 allows 16 Qb4 Ba6 17 Nxd4 and White regained the pawn with an edge.

16 Rad1 Be7 17 Qa4 Qe8! 18 Qxd4!

The players reach an accommodation and we have an isolani position, which Houdini rates at even, but I don’t. I feel like White holds a tiny yet nagging strategic edge.

 

Question: Why? The isolani looks reasonably well protected.

 

Answer: For now Black’s d5-pawn looks safe enough, yet I sense a dynamic lack in Black’s position, due to the absence of knights. A knight on e4 would give Black excellent play, yet here, Black’s bishops are unimpressive and he can only go into a holding pattern and await events.

 

Question: Why didn’t Fischer swap queens on his last move?

 

Answer: In general, the side who plays against the isolani wants to take queens off board. This is an exception to the rule. If 18 Qxe8?! Rfxe8 19 Nxd4 Bb4 20 Rf1 Rac8 21 Rc1 Ba3 22 Rxc8 Rxc8 23 Nb5 Bf8 24 Nxa7 Rc2 and Black stands no worse.

18 ... Rc8 19 Qf4

Clearing d4 for his knight.

19 ... Bf6

19 ... Rc2 is simply met with 20 Rd2 (20 Nd4!? Rxa2 21 Ra1 Rxa1 22 Rxa1 a5 23 Qc7 Bc5 24 Qxb7 Bxd4 25 Rd1 Bc5 26 e3 Qa8 27 Qxa8 Rxa8 28 Bxd5 Ra7 29 Bc4 g6 is drawish).

20 Nd4 Be5 21 Qe3 g6 22 Nb5!?

Suddenly d5 and a7 are under attack. Safer is 22 Rd2 Bd6 23 Qxe8 Rfxe8 24 Red1 Bc5 25 e3 Bb4 26 Rc2 with a position where only White can win.

22 ... Qxb5!?

This hands back the bishop-pair. 22 ... Rc5 looks better, when White has no better than to return with 23 Nd4. We tend to get swindled when we feel comfortable and safe, and not when we are nervous and alert. If 23 Nxa7?? Black wins with 23 ... d4! 24 Rxd4 Bxd4 25 Qxe8 Rxe8 26 Bxb7 Bc3 27 Rd1 Re7.

23 Qxe5 Rfe8 24 Qb2 Rc5 25 h4

Fischer hopes to provoke ... h5, by worrying Black about he further push of his h-pawn.

25 ... Rec8 26 Rd2 Rc3?!

This plan isn’t going to earn the rook the widespread acclaim he imagines will follow. Black’s rook shouldn’t leave coverage of the d5-pawn. Filip plays with the philosophy: Why bother with the effort to retain something which must soon be relinquished? So he is determined not to be tied down to the d5 isolani, willing to sacrifice it for activity. The trouble is, Filip regards a precious object as clutter. The d5-pawn falls yet his expected activity surge never arrives.

Correct was 26 ... Qc6 27 Qd4 Rc2 28 Red1 (28 Rxc2!? Qxc2 29 Bxd5 Bxd5 30 Qxd5 Qxa2 31 h5 Qa5! 32 Qxa5 bxa5 is a likely draw) 28 ... Rxd2 29 Rxd2 Qc5 30 Qf4 Qc7 31 Qxc7 Rxc7 32 g4 when Black should be okay.

27 Red1 Qc5 28 b4!?

28 Bxd5 is possible: 28 ... Bxd5 (not 28 ... Rxg3+?? 29 Kf1 and White wins material) 29 Rxd5 Rc1 30 Rd8+ Rxd8 31 Rxc1 Qd6 when White is up a pawn. Conversion won’t be so easy, since Black remains active and his position weakness free.

28 ... Qe7 29 e3

The d5 isolani is doomed and Fischer is in no hurry to grab it right away.

29 ... h5 30 a3 Kh7 31 Bxd5

At long last, d5 falls.

31 ... Bxd5 32 Rxd5 Qe4

Now ... Rc2 is in the air.

33 Rd8!

And now Black is threatened with mate on h8 if his c3 rook ever moves.

33 ... Qf3 34 Kh2!

Now Black’s expectations of counterplay require adjustment. Fischer’s coming attack is designed for efficiency, more than grandeur. He surreptitiously removes his king from the back rank, so that he can now move his d1-rook into the attack, without fear of ... Rc1+ and mate on h1.

From this point on, Fischer plays near-perfect chess. In simplified, clear positions, he had a knack of resolving problems and taming chaos into pure mathematics, which other GMs of his day couldn’t match in accuracy. How did he manage this feat? Fischer was somehow in touch with his almost infallible intuition, which for the rest of us is lodged deeply in some remote region of our subconscious mind, and only pops up, from time to time.

34 ... R8c4?

With this move, Filip disowns opportunity. As a kid I watched Batman and the boy-wonder Robin, and observed that the guest criminal inexplicably left deliberate clues (especially the Riddler, who just couldn’t help himself), as if he or she almost wanted to get caught. In the same way in this game, Filip always goes for the aggressive/reckless option over the safer one, almost goading Fischer to beat him.

Black may yet survive the line 34 ... b5! 35 R1d7 Rxd8 36 Rxd8 Qc6 37 Rb8 Qf3 when it isn’t easy for White to make progress. If 38 Rxb5 Rb3! 39 Qc2 Rxa3 and White’s conversion won’t be so easy.

35 R1d7!

Going after the a7-pawn, as well as adding heat to f7. Now fear begins to register in the black king’s normally emotionless eyes.

35 ... g5?!

Black puts up better resistance with 35 ... Rc8 36 b5 Rxd8 37 Rxd8 Qf5 38 e4! Qc5 39 Rd7 Qxa3 40 Qd2! Rf3 41 Qd4 (threat: Rd8) 41 ... Qc5 (41 ... Qc3?? 42 Rxf7+ Kh6 43 Qd5 Rxf7 44 Qxf7 is a hopeless ending for Black) 42 Qxc5 bxc5 43 Kg2 Rb3 44 Rxf7+ Kh6 (or 44 ... Kg8 45 Rxa7 Rxb5 46 Rc7 with a won ending for White) 45 Rxa7 Rxb5 46 Rc7, which is another completely won ending for White.

After the text, Black is virtually paralyzed, mainly since his c3-rook remains stuck in eternal stasis.

 

Exercise (combination alert): Black’s last move was a

symptom of desperation. Continue White’s attack.

 

Answer: Attraction. Black’s king is lured to g6, after which g5 falls.

36 Rf8! Kg6

The king attempts to leave the party as early as good manners allow. 36 ... Kg7 allows 37 Rfxf7+ Qxf7 38 Rxf7+ Kxf7 39 hxg5 Kg6 40 e4 Kxg5 41 Qd2+ Kf6 42 Qd6+ Kg7 43 Qe7+ Kg6 44 f4 when White’s queen and two passed pawns are enough to win without much trouble.

37 Rg8+ Kh7 38 Rxg5 Rc8 39 Rdd5

Black faces a fiscal reality as h5 falls. The comp found the clever trick 39 Qb1+! Rc2 40 Rd2 Qe4 41 Qd1!. “Are you here to kill me?” asks Black’s king. “Yes,” replies White’s queen, who has no secrets between her and her brother. Black must hand over his queen to protect against the h5 mate threat.

39 ... Kh6

 

 

Exercise (combination alert): How did Fischer finish the game?

 

Answer: Removal of a key defender/mating net.

40 Rdf5! 1-0

Black’s queen is chased away from defence of h5. After 40 ... Qb7 41 Qe2 mate on h5 can’t be averted.

Game 45
R.Fischer-T.Petrosian
7th matchgame, Buenos Aires 1971
Sicilian Taimanov

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4

Fischer generally reserved the Kings Indian Attack for lower-rated opposition.

3 ... cxd4 4 Nxd4 a6 5 Bd3

Also played are the lines 5 Nc3 and 5 c4.

5 ... Nc6 6 Nxc6

 

Question: Doesn’t this swap strengthen Black’s centre?

 

Answer: It’s a trade-off. The swap does fortify Black’s centre, and it also gains White time since he has no need to protect or retreat his d4-knight.

6 ... bxc6 7 0-0 d5 8 c4!

 

Principle: Create confrontation when leading in development. Fischer’s move greatly improves upon 8 Nd2 which Spassky tried twice in his world championship match with Petrosian, with the players winning one game each: 8 ... Nf6 9 Qe2 (after the later 9 b3 Bb4 10 Bb2 a5 11 c3 Be7 12 c4 0-0 13 Qc2 h6 14 a3 Ba6 Petrosian equalized, B.Spassky-T.Petrosian, World Championship (Game 17), Moscow 1969) 9 ... Be7 10 b3 0-0 11 Bb2 a5 12 f4 g6 13 Rad1 Nd7 14 c4 a4 15 f5!? exf5 16 exf5 Bf6 (Petrosian wisely neutralizes White’s most dangerous attacker) 17 Bxf6 Nxf6 18 Qf2. The position is dead even according to Houdini, B.Spassky-T.Petrosian, World Championship (Game 1), Moscow 1969.

8 ... Nf6

 

Question: Should Black close the position as quickly as possible with 8 ... d4?

 

Answer: White gets an easy-to-play attacking position after 9 e5 c5 10 Nd2 Ne7 11 Ne4 Nc6?!, as in R.Wade-R.Hübner, Castlebar 1969. Black’s position looks quite difficult after (11 ... Ng6 12 f4 minimizes White’s advantage) 12 Bf4 Rb8 13 Qf3! (threat: Nd6+ and Qxc6+) 13 ... Qd7 14 b3 when White has a nasty kingside build-up and Black’s king will never feel secure.

9 cxd5 cxd5 10 exd5

Fischer opens the game every chance he gets, relying on his development lead.

10 ... exd5!?

Risky. Petrosian willingly accepts an isolani. Today 10 ... Nxd5 is considered Black’s best shot at equality: for example, 11 Be4 Rb8 12 Bxd5 Qxd5 13 Qxd5 exd5 14 Rd1 Be6 15 Nc3 Rd8 was R.Flis-K.Rogalski, Lodz 2007, when White only holds an edge after 16 Be3.

11 Nc3 Be7 12 Qa4+!

 

A new move and a potential improvement over 12 Be3 which Petrosian probably expected. After 12 ... 0-0 13 Bd4 Qd6 14 h3 Be6 15 Re1 even here White holds a nagging edge, B.Parma-A.Suetin, Havana 1969.

12 ... Qd7?!

When your opponent follows an irrational motive, then strangely enough, he becomes more dangerous, simply due to his unpredictability. Cunning and resolve mitigate some, but not all, strategically sagging situations. Petrosian responds with a startling move, which at first just seems like a beginner’s blunder. The idea is brilliant if accepted, but fails when declined. Petrosian’s move would be a double exclam, if not for Fischer’s amazing (non)response.

 

Question: Doesn’t this hang an exchange to Bb5?

 

Answer: It’s a deliberate sacrifice on Black’s part, as we will see later in the notes below.

13 Re1!!

Botvinnik praised this move, adding that Smyslov and Karpov would also have unearthed it (I would also add Capa’s name to the list). Silence can be more menacing than overt threats. This stunning non-response to Black’s challenge is White’s best move, since he gets a clearly advantageous, risk-free ending.

 

Question: Why would Fischer avoid picking off the exchange with 13 Bb5?

 

Answer: Who among us is able to resist such dangled bait? Fischer wisely avoided the offer since Black’s counterplay flares up after 13 ... axb5. Even a semi-sound plan can still acquire the outer gloss of legitimacy from complications and practical chances. Following 14 Qxa8 0-0 White can try:

a) 15 Rd1 d4 16 Qa5 Ng4! with serious threats. If 17 Nxb5 (17 Qxb5?? Qc7 18 Rxd4 Qxh2+ 19 Kf1 Qh1+ 20 Ke2 Qxg2 21 Nd1 Bb7 and White’s king won’t survive) 17 ... Nxf2!! 18 Kxf2 Bb7 (White’s king is all alone) 19 Kg1 Qg4 20 Qd2 Bxg2! 21 Qxg2 Qxd1+ 22 Qf1 Qg4+ 23 Kh1 Qe4+ 24 Qg2 Qe1+ and the game ends in perpetual check..

b) 15 Qa5 d4 16 Nxb5 Bb7 with the intention of ... Bxg2 and ... Qg4+, with perpetual check. After 17 f3 Bc6 18 Na3 Ra8 19 Qd2 Nd5 20 Qf2 (20 Qxd4 is met with 20 ... Rxa3! followed by ... Bf6) 20 ... d3 21 Rd1 Bxa3 22 bxa3 Nc3 23 Rd2 Re8 24 Bb2 Ne2+ 25 Kh1 Qf5 the normally avaricious Houdini only gives White a small plus here, since Black’s d-pawn ties White down badly.

13 ... Qxa4

Forced since 13 ... 0-0?? hangs a piece to 14 Qxd7 Bxd7 15 Rxe7.

14 Nxa4 Be6 15 Be3

Fischer seizes control over c5.

15 ... 0-0

15 ... Nd7 prevents Fischer’s coming move, but opens new problems after 16 f4 0-0 17 Bd4 (17 f5 fails to win a piece after 17 ... Ne5) 17 ... Bf6 18 Bxf6 Nxf6 19 Nc5 Bc8 20 b4 when Black is tied down to passivity, similar to the position he reached in the game.

16 Bc5!

Fischer methodically swaps away Black’s good bishop, sticking him with the light-squared lemon on e6.

16 ... Rfe8 17 Bxe7 Rxe7 18 b4!

 

Fischer makes good use of his queenside pawn majority with a dual purpose move:

1. White fixes a6 as a target. If Black plays ... a5, then b5 gives White a protected passed pawn.

2. White creates an outpost on c5 for his knight.

18 ... Kf8

Petrosian inches his king closer to the centre to offer a helping hand to his e7-rook to play ... Bc8 next.

19 Nc5 Bc8 20 f3

Cutting off all ideas of ... Ne4 and preparing to activate his own king.

20 ... Rea7!?

Black’s rooks spend a lot more time parked, than on the road. We can almost count the ribs on Black’s counterplay-starved position, and his position arrives at a point where resuscitation is unlikely. Can a move be any more Petrosianiac than this one? Caution can be both hindrance and asset. The trick is to know when to apply it and when to discard it. We have all heard the saying: The best defence is a good offence. Well, in this case Petrosian makes an argument for: The best defence is to just keep on defending!

Petrosian takes umbrage at the white knight’s intrusion, intending to challenge it with ... Nd7 next, or play ... Bd7, preparing ... Bb5. His last move can either be interpreted as coolness under fire, or blasé unconcern about White’s growing initiative. So Petrosian goes into rope-a-dope mode, remaining completely passive, while covering his weaknesses.

Kasparov suggests the immediate 20 ... Nd7. White retains pressure after 21 Rec1! Re3 22 Kf2 d4 23 Be4 Nxc5 24 Rxc5 Rb8 25 a3 when Black’s a6- and d4-pawns remain a serious source of concern.

21 Re5!

Fischer ties Black’s knight down to defence of d7, which in turn prevents ... Nd7.

21 ... Bd7

22 Nxd7+!!

“Pious dolt! You dare challenge my authority?” asks the knight. We enter an alternative universe, where magic gains ascendancy over rational thought. Here it is again: Fischer’s willingness to negotiate and trade one advantage for another, which nearly always disoriented his opponents.

 

Question: Wait a minute. Earlier you described Black’s bishop

as “the light-squared lemon”. Now you praise Fischer’s decision

to swap away his powerful knight for the bishop. An explanation?

 

Answer: Mea tiny little culpa! Black’s bishop may be bad, yet he needs it to defend his weak pawns. Fischer now demonstrates the superiority of his remaining bishop over Black’s knight.

Also strong was the straightforward line 22 a4! g6 23 Kf2 (intending Ke3 and Kd4) 23 ... Bc6 24 Re2 Bb7 25 Ke3 d4+! 26 Kd2! (26 Kxd4 Rd8+ 27 Kc3 a5! is tricky; White can’t play 28 b5? Bxf3! 29 gxf3 Rc7 as Black regains the piece and also his pawn, with an approximately even position) 26 ... Nd5 27 Be4 Rd8 28 Rc1 Ba8 29 Bxd5 Bxd5 30 Kd3. White has excellent conversion chances here, since d4 remains weak and White basically owns an extra piece – his king. I still think, though, Fischer’s version is simpler and easier to convert than this one.

22 ... Rxd7 23 Rc1

White seized both open files with his rooks. Now Rc6 is a big concern, which prompts Petrosian’s next concession.

23 ... Rd6

Covering the sixth rank ...

After 23 ... g6 24 Kf2 Houdini gives the inhuman move 24 ... Ng8!? 25 Rc5! (25 Rc6 Ne7, and if 26 Rxa6 Rxa6 27 Bxa6 Nc6 regains the pawn, although even here Black struggles) 25 ... Ne7 26 a3 when Black remains completely tied down to defence of a6 and d5.

24 Rc7

At cost of the seventh! Now White threatens Ree7.

24 ... Nd7 25 Re2 g6 26 Kf2

Fischer begins the process of centralization of his king.

26 ... h5

Black is very close to zugzwang:

a) 26 ... Rb8 27 a3 Rbb6 28 f4 Rbc6 (28 ... h6 29 g3 h5 30 Kf3 Rb8 31 Ke3 is similar to the game’s continuation, where Black won’t save himself) 29 Rxc6 Rxc6 30 Ke3 Rc3 31 Ra2 Ke7 32 Kd4 Rc1 33 Kxd5 is hopeless.

b) 26 ... Nb6, Botvinnik’s suggestion, is met with 27 Ree7 Rf6 28 g4! h6 29 h4. There is no good defence to the coming g5 and Kg3. If 29 ... Re8 30 Rxe8+ Kxe8 31 Bxa6 and White’s two queenside passers should win without too much difficulty.

27 f4 h4?!

Polugaevsky suggested the activity-at-any-cost plan 27 ... Nb6!, which may be Black’s final prayer to save himself: 28 g3 (or 28 Ree7 Rf6 29 g3 Rd8! 30 Re5 with nagging pressure for White, yet no clear win in sight, but not here 30 Bxa6? Nd7! when Black wins material, since White’s bishop and e7-rook hang simultaneously) 28 ... Rc8 29 Rxc8+ Nxc8 30 Rc2 Na7 31 a4 Nc6 32 Bxa6 Nxb4 33 Rc8+ Ke7 34 Bb5. White’s passed a-pawn means that Black will be hard pressed to hold the game, although this may be his best shot at saving the game.

28 Kf3 f5

Once again we see a world champion reduced to strategic penury. Black’s forces grope about like blind worms, seeking the sunlight which they can never see. This move weakened his second rank. Petrosian undoubtedly feared Kg4 and Kxh4.

29 Ke3!

Strategic threat: Kd4, which prompts Black’s next move.

29 ... d4+

This move fatally allows White’s bishop to assume control over the a2-g8 diagonal. Allowing White’s king to d4 was also hopeless.

30 Kd2 Nb6?

Preventing Bc4, yet inviting White’s rooks to seize the seventh rank. 30 ... Kf7 31 Bc4+ Kf6 32 a4 also leaves Black terribly tangled, but it was the only path to further resistance.

31 Ree7! Nd5

Triple attacking d7, f7 and f4. Fischer worked out the finish accurately.

32 Rf7+ Ke8 33 Rb7 Nxf4

 

Exercise (planning): The black king’s shivering isn’t

attributable to the cold weather. How did Fischer end the game?

 

Answer: Mating net. White simply needs to add one more attacker, and Black’s king is finished.

34 Bc4! 1-0

White’s attackers begin to assume sinuously menacing shapes. 34 ... Nxg2 (34 ... Ne6 35 Rbe7+ Kd8 36 Bxe6 is curtains for Black as well) 35 Rg7 Rf6 36 Rg8+ Rf8 37 Bf7+ (“Take note Your Grace: That which you did to others in the past, others do to you in the present,” intones the bishop, as he delivers his homily) 37 ... Kd8 38 Rxf8 is mate.

Game 46
T.Petrosian-R.Fischer
8th matchgame, Buenos Aires 1971
Semi-Tarrasch Defence

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6

I think avoiding King’s Indian was a wise choice against Petrosian, who was a monster in closed positions, and especially deadly against KID.

3 Nf3 d5 4 Nc3 c5 5 e3

5 cxd5 Nxd5 is the main line Semi-Tarrasch, while 5 ... exd5 leads to QGD Tarrasch lines.

5 ... Nc6 6 a3

 

Question: What is the point of White’s last move?

 

Answer: White intends dxc5, followed by b4, with a kind of reversed Queen’s Gambit Accepted. In my opinion White gets a better shot at an edge with 6 cxd5.

6 ... Ne4!

I think this is Black’s strongest response, since after the coming ... Nxc3; bxc3, it renders White’s a3 a wasted tempo.

7 Qc2

This is commonly played, but I don’t think the queen is particularly well placed on c2, since a distant ... Rc8 makes White’s queen uncomfortable on the c-file.

Instead, 7 Bd3 Nxc3 8 bxc3 dxc4 (this is fine, now that White spent a tempo moving his bishop to d3) 9 Bxc4 Be7 10 0-0 0-0 11 Qe2 Bd7!? was V.Hort-V.Korchnoi, Leningrad 1967. Now if 12 e4 Na5 13 Bd3 Ba4! (annoyingly cutting off Rd1) 14 Bf4 Rc8 with dynamically balanced chances.

7 ... Nxc3 8 bxc3 Be7 9 Bb2 0-0 10 Bd3

Gaining a tempo and inducing a slight weakening of Black’s king.

10 ... h6 11 0-0 Na5

Fischer wants to induce cxd5.

12 Nd2

12 cxd5 exd5 13 Ne5 b6 14 Qe2 Bd6 15 f4! f6 16 e4!? was the more recent M.Mchedlishvili-M.Feygin, Belgian League 2006. Black gets a reasonable position by declining the offer with 16 ... cxd4 17 exd5 Nb3 18 Rae1 Nc5, with a messy and probably equal position.

12 ... dxc4 13 Nxc4 Nxc4

Swaps reduce White’s kingside attacking potential.

14 Bxc4 b6 15 e4

White must be careful after 15 Rad1 Bb7:

a) 16 dxc5?! fails to win and pawn, and only manages to weaken White’s structure after 16 ... Qc7.

b) 16 e4?! cxd4 17 cxd4 Rc8 was P.Benko-B.Ivkov, Wijk aan Zee 1972. Black can now seize the advantage after 18 Qe2 Rxc4! 19 Qxc4 Bxe4. For the exchange Black gets a pawn, the bishop-pair and light-square control. This, coupled with the fact that White’s remaining bishop is bad, gives Black the edge.

c) Correct is 16 d5 Bxd5! 17 Bxd5 (Black stands better after 17 e4?! Bxc4 18 Rxd8 Rfxd8) 17 ... exd5 18 c4 d4 19 exd4 cxd4 20 Rxd4 Qc8 with an even position.

15 ... Bb7 16 Qe2

Petrosian must waste a tempo to remove his queen from the c-file, since ... Rc8 follows.

16 ... Rc8

So it becomes a battle between central control and queenside majority. Chances are even.

 

Question: Why even? Doesn’t a central majority count for more?

 

Answer: Not if the attacking chances are reduced. In this position Black managed to swap two pairs of pieces, greatly decreasing White’s attacking chances. If given a choice, I would actually take Black, since a queenside pawn majority tends to be more favourable in simplified situations.

17 Bb3?!

This move allows Black to generate activity with his majority. I would go for 17 d5 exd5 18 Rad1 Qc7 19 exd5 Bf6 20 Rfe1 Rfd8 21 a4 when chances remain balanced.

17 ... b5!

When we are allowed such a move, the intoxicating first breath of freedom is one of a person long incarcerated, granted a pardon. Fischer seizes upon his chance to roll his majority forward.

18 f4!?

The larger an empire, the more difficult it is to defend its borders. This move loosens White’s centre. Petrosian probably envisioned a kingside attack which never materialized. Other options were:

a) 18 a4 c4 19 Bc2 b4 20 cxb4 Bxb4 21 Rad1 a5 when ... c3 is coming and I already prefer Black’s chances.

b) 18 Qxb5? Bxe4 just leaves White with weak pawns, for no compensation.

18 ... Qb6 19 Kh1

19 f5?! is met with 19 ... c4 20 Bc2 e5 with unpleasant central pressure for Black.

19 ... cxd4

Principle: Meet a wing attack with a central counter. The option is to maintain central tension with 19 ... a5.

20 cxd4 b4

Now ... Ba6 is in the air.

21 axb4

Of course 21 a4?? allows 21 ... Ba6.

21 ... Bxb4 22 d5

Petrosian unleashes his bishops against Black’s king.

22 ... Bc3!

Fischer immediately eliminates White’s most dangerous piece.

23 Bxc3 Rxc3 24 Bc2?

Petrosian’s desire to play it safe is offset by the stigma of passive play. He seeks to enforce a pattern of uncooperative data, in an attempt to put Fischer on the defensive, beginning a war where he lacks an army, weapons or time. So an ordinary position turns not so ordinary in the turn of a single move. I don’t know if this is a move based on a sense of misplaced urgency, or is simply an overly ambitious pawn sacrifice. If someone is trying to kill you, then you have three choices of action:

1. Rely on the police for protection.

2. Disappear by leaving town.

3. Kill your enemy, before he kills you.

It feels to me like Petrosian opted for number three on the list. However, we note incompatible and conflicting factors in Petrosian’s assumptions. He paid an exorbitant sum for an attack which will never materialize.

White should try 24 Ba2 (if our wants are simple, then life tends to oblige us) 24 ... exd5 25 Bxd5 Bxd5 26 exd5 Rd8 27 Qa6 Rxd5 28 Qxa7 Qxa7 29 Rxa7 with a near-certain draw. After 29 ... Rd2 30 Raa1 Rcc2 31 Rg1 White may be tied down, but the simplicity of the position is almost guaranteed to ensure him of a draw.

24 ... exd5 25 e5

 

Question: This looks rather dangerous for Black. For the pawn, White

got dangerously mobile e- and f-pawns, ready to surge forward and

threaten Black’s king. What is your objection to Petrosian’s pawn sacrifice?

 

Answer: The centre is too open for White’s attack to succeed. Black has his own passed d-pawn which when pushed, distracts White from his attacking aims.

25 ... Re3

Also tempting is 25 ... d4 26 Bd3 a5 27 f5 Qc6! (threat: ... Rxd3) 28 Rg1 a4 29 f6 g6 when White’s attack will fail with a cringing g1-rook, in constant defence of g2.

26 Qd2 d4

Fischer unleashes his own bishop, now taking aim at g2. A quick glance tells us the result of Petrosian’s pawn sacrifice’s end result is not what was previously advertised.

27 Rab1

27 Rfb1 is met with 27 ... Qc6 when White is unable to play 28 Rxa7?? (or 28 Rc1?? d3! 29 Bb3 Qb6 30 Rg1 Re2 31 Qd1 Be4 when Black rules the board), because of 28 ... d3! 29 Raxb7 Re2 and wins.

27 ... Qa6?!

It’s not often that one catches the devil dozing. A waste of time. Stronger was 27 ... Qc6! 28 Rg1 Rd8.

28 Rf2?!

White’s position is threatening to turn into a parody of the attack he once imagined was his. He has no compensation except an empty wallet and mounting bills:

a) 28 Qxd4?! Qe2 29 Rg1 Ba8 30 Bb3 Qf2 31 Bd5 Bxd5 32 Qxd5 Qxf4 33 Rge1 Qb4! 34 Rf1 Qc3 when the e-pawn falls and Black should win the game.

b) 28 Rfd1! (White’s toughest defence) 28 ... Qc6 29 Rb4 Rc8 30 Rb2 g6 31 Bb1 Qd7 32 Bd3 and White remains tied down, but still alive.

28 ... Rd8 29 Kg1 Be4!
Fischer removes White’s most dangerous piece.

30 Bxe4 Rxe4

Not only is White down a pawn, but he is tied down to Black’s d-pawn, and his f4 point remains weak.

31 h3 d3

Principle: Passed pawns must be pushed. The deeply passed d-pawn continues to mock White’s hopes.

32 Rb3 Qc4!

Fischer methodically centralizes.

33 Rb2

 

Exercise (planning): How did Fischer force a serious concession?

 

Answer: Attack f4, which forces White to play g3, which in turn fatally weakens Petrosian’s king.

33 ... Rdd4!

It all looks so simple, yet it rarely works out that way in our games.

34 g3

Now White’s king is terribly exposed.

34 ... Rd5

I would start pushing the a-pawn with 34 ... a5! as 35 Qxa5?? is impossible, due to 35 ... Re2 36 Rd2 Qc1+ 37 Kg2 Qe1 38 Rfxe2 dxe2. Black wins after 39 Qa8+ Kh7 40 Rxd4 Qf1+ 41 Kh2 e1Q.

35 Kh2 Rb5

Attempting to eliminate White’s only active piece.

36 Ra2

36 Rxb5 Qxb5 would be a trivially easy win for Black.

36 ... Rb1!

Invading White’s first rank and now ... Ree1 is threatened.

37 g4

In order to make room for his king on g3. 37 Rxa7?? Re2 38 Rxe2 dxe2 is a game-ender: 39 Ra8+ Kh7 40 Qd8 Rh1+! mates in two moves.

 

Exercise (planning): Continue making progress for Black.

 

Answer: Simplification.

37 ... Re2!

For the umpteenth time in the book, Fischer willingly switches one advantage for another. This time he hands over his precious passed d-pawn to generate a mating attack against White’s now fatally exposed king.

38 Rxe2 dxe2 39 Qxe2 Qxf4+ 40 Kg2 Qd4

40 ... Rb3 41 Qe1 Re3 42 Qf2 Qe4+ 43 Kh2 Re1 is also terminal for White.

41 Qf2 Qd5+ 42 Kg3 Qxe5+ 0-1

The queen’s judicious inquiries reveal her brother’s hiding place in the closet.

 

Question: I realize that Black is up two pawns in this position, but if I had Fischer’s side, I wouldn’t know exactly how to convert. What is Black’s winning theme?

 

Answer: White has bigger issues than just being two pawns down. His king is exposed to a mating attack after a line like 43 Kg2 Qd5+ 44 Kg3 Rb3+ 45 Kh2 Qd3 46 Qg2 Qd6+ 47 Kg1 Rb1+ 48 Kf2 Qc5+ 49 Ke2 Qe5+ 50 Kd2 (or 50 Kf2 Qe1+ 51 Kf3 Rb3+ 52 Kf4 g5+ 53 Kf5 Qe6 mate) 50 ... Qe1+ and White’s king is mated after 51 Kc2 Rc1+ 52 Kd3 Rc3+ 53 Kd4 Qe3+ 54 Kd5 Qc5+ 55 Ke4 Re3+ 56 Kf4 (“Hello? Anybody out there? Now would be an excellent time for assistance,” yells the king to his embarrassed defenders, who continue to stare at the ceiling and whistle through their teeth) 56 ... Qe5 mate.

Of course such comp-generated lines make our heads ache. In real life we just keep delivering checks to White’s king until a mating pattern makes itself evident.

Game 47
R.Fischer-B.Spassky
World Championship (Game 6), Reykjavik 1972
Queen’s Gambit Declined

1 c4

A shocker for Spassky, whose pre-match preparations most certainly revolved around 1 e4 lines. Fischer had only played 1 c4 once before, against Polugaevsky in 1970.

1 ... e6 2 Nf3 d5 3 d4 Nf6 4 Nc3 Be7 5 Bg5 0-0 6 e3 h6 7 Bh4 b6

The ultra-solid Tartakower Defence of the Queen’s Gambit Declined. According to my database, Spassky, who was at the time the leading authority on this line, reached this position 18 times previously, against very powerful opposition, with only a single loss to Portisch.

8 cxd5

White’s main line at the time the game was played. Today, this line is considered somewhat defanged and more common are 8 Rc1, 8 Be2 and 8 Qc2.

8 ... Nxd5

8 ... exd5 9 Bd3 Bb7 10 0-0 is also playable for Black, although it’s supposed to give White an edge. Especially tempting is the attacking plan Ne5 and f4, with kind of a super-reversed Stonewall Dutch formation.

9 Bxe7 Qxe7 10 Nxd5 exd5 11 Rc1

White’s rook logically slides over to the open c-file to add pressure to Black’s future hanging pawns. Deviations tend to achieve nothing: for example, 11 Qb3!? Be6 12 Rc1 Rc8 13 Bd3 c5 14 Qa3 Kf8 15 dxc5 bxc5 16 Bb5 Nd7 17 Bxd7 Bxd7 18 0-0 a5 19 Rfd1 Be6 20 Rc3 a4 when Black’s forces are harmoniously placed and he achieved equality at a minimum, H.Nakamura-M.Carlsen, Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011.

 

11 ... Be6

 

Question: Why post the bishop on e6, rather than b7?

 

Answer: The bishop is better placed on e6, rather than fianchettoed, since it allows Black to place a rook on b8, pressuring White down the b-file. 11 ... Bb7 12 Qa4 c5 13 Qa3 Rc8 was T.Petrosian-B.Spassky, Santa Monica 1966. White looks pleasantly better after 14 Be2 Nd7 15 0-0 Kf8 16 dxc5 bxc5 17 Rfd1 and in this position Black’s bishop would be better off on e6.

12 Qa4 c5 13 Qa3

White’s pin on the c5-pawn is only temporary.

13 ... Rc8 14 Bb5

Furman’s idea.

 

Question: Why play to a square where Black can chase the bishop away with ... a6?

 

Answer: First, ... a6 doesn’t yet threaten anything, since the a-pawn is pinned. Secondly, White encourages ... a6 to loosen Black’s queenside pawns. 14 Be2 allows Black to equalize with the unpinning trick 14 ... Qb7!.

14 ... a6

A year later, Geller sprung Averbakh’s suggestion 14 ... Qb7! which completely revives Black’s position and remains the main line today. This move, according to Kasparov, “practically speaking, put the 8 cxd5 variation out of use”. After 15 dxc5 bxc5 16 Rxc5?! (this is a sacrifice best left declined; wiser is 16 Be2 a5) 16 ... Rxc5 17 Qxc5 Na6! 18 Bxa6 (or 18 Qc6 Qxc6 19 Bxc6 Rb8 20 0-0 Rxb2 and Black has all the chances, due to his super-active rook, J.Gonzales-B.Villamayor, Manila 2008) 18 ... Qxa6 (White’s obvious problem is that he is unable to castle) 19 Qa3 Qc4 20 Kd2 Qg4 21 Rg1 d4! (opening attacking lanes while activating his bishop) 22 Nxd4 Qh4! White was unable to save his exposed king in J.Timman-E.Geller, Hilversum 1973.

15 dxc5 bxc5

The players reach a classical hanging pawns situation, where White’s pressure on the pawns is offset by Black’s greater central control and open b-file.

16 0-0 Ra7

A slight improvement was found after the match with 16 ... Qb7! 17 Ba4 Qb6. Black equalized, U.Avner-I.Radashkovich, Netanya 1973.

17 Be2 Nd7

Earlier 17 ... a5 18 Rc3 Nd7 19 Rfc1 had been seen in S.Furman-E.Geller, Moscow 1970. At this stage Black looks fine after 19 ... Qd8 20 Nd4 Qb6 21 Rb3 Qd8 22 Nxe6 fxe6 23 Rb5 Qf6.

18 Nd4!

With two ideas:

1. He can consider the swap Nxe6, followed by e4.

2. White’s knight can operate on the queenside with Nb3.

18 ... Qf8!?

Spassky’s concerns are perhaps misplaced. To my mind, breaking the pin isn’t as important as controlling e4:

a) 18 ... Kf8?! 19 Nxe6+ fxe6 20 e4! is similar to the game’s continuation, where White enjoys some pressure on Black’s central pawns.

b) 18 ... Nf6! interposes obstacles between White and his wishes, covering the e4-square. Black seems fine after 19 Nxe6 fxe6. I don’t believe White has anything here.

19 Nxe6 fxe6 20 e4!

 

Long held assumptions begin to unravel. Now Black’s 18th move decision becomes uncomfortably pertinent to his present woes. This move ensures White a lasting edge for two reasons:

1. Black must continue to defend his wobbly central pawns.

2. White’s bishop grows in power as the position opens, while the black knight’s influence decreases.

20 ... d4?

The echo of Black’s counterplay begins to fade. This move makes matters worse, since it allows White a dangerously mobile kingside pawn majority and also creates an occupiable hole on c4.

 

Question: But if not pushing to d4, then what? I don’t see viable options for Black.

 

Answer: Black has two superior options:

a) Maybe he should consider the radical and ugly looking 20 ... dxe4!? 21 Qe3 Qf5, as suggested by the ChessBase annotations.

 

Question: Is this really okay for Black? Just look at his pawns!

 

Answer: Black’s suddenly increased activity compensates somewhat, but not completely for his damaged pawns. It’s certainly better than Spassky’s choice, which left him without counterplay.

b) Even better, though, is 20 ... Nf6! when Black looks okay after 21 exd5 exd5 22 b3 Qd6. Houdini assesses at ‘+=‘, since the bishop is superior to Black’s knight in the open position. It feels to me like a manageable ‘+=‘, and I don’t believe Black should lose the game.

21 f4 Qe7

Black is unable to get away with 21 ... e5 22 fxe5! Qe7 23 Qb3+ Kh7 24 Rf7 Qg5 (24 ... Qxe5?? 25 Bg4 Rd8 26 Rcf1 Rc7 27 Qh3 Nb6 28 R1f5! Qd6 29 e5 Qc6 30 R5f6! Qb7 31 Qxh6+! Kg8 32 Qxg7 mate) 25 Rcf1 Rac7 26 e6 Ne5 27 R7f5 Qd2 28 Bxa6 when the e5 and c8 points hang simultaneously.

22 e5!

Fischer seizes central and kingside space, while locking down e6 as a target.

22 ... Rb8?!

For a future to exist, Black must first endure and survive his present ordeal. This side issue is not relevant to the task at hand. 22 ... Nb6 was essential to keep White’s bishop out of the c4 post. White still holds a clear advantage after 23 Qd3! (intending Qe4, Bd3 and taking aim at h7; 23 f5 was suggested during the match, but Black has the adequate response 23 ... c4! 24 Qxe7 Rxe7 25 fxe6 d3 26 Bg4 Rd8 when his deeply entrenched passed d-pawn offers him full compensation for White’s extra pawn) 23 ... Nd5 24 Qe4 Qe8 25 Bd3 g6 26 Qxg6+ Qxg6 27 Bxg6 Ne3 28 Rf2 Rb7 29 Bd3 Rb6 30 Rd2 a5. White is up a pawn, yet may experience technical issues converting, since Black’s forces remains active, with a pesky knight posted on e3.

23 Bc4

Bearing down on e6 and threatening f5.

23 ... Kh8

Spassky may have originally intended 23 ... Nb6?, but then realized that his move is met with 24 Qb3! picking off e6.

24 Qh3!

The queen’s prying eyes fall upon e6. White’s once intended queenside initiative dissolved and then magically reconstituted on the other side of the board.

 

24 ... Nf8

Clearly, the knight is a reluctant participant. Going passive in this position looks fatal. Note how Fischer cleverly lured Black’s knight to the defence, away from its intended goal of ... Nb6 and ... Nd5.

 

Question: Did Spassky have better defensive chances

by chopping on b2 and avoiding passivity for his knight?

 

Answer: Maybe just marginally so. This path doesn’t escape a lost position after 24 ... Rxb2 25 Bxe6 Rab7 26 Bd5 R7b6 27 Qd3 R6b4 28 Qf5! (threat: Be4) 28 ... Rb8 (intending to meet Be4 with ... Nf8) 29 Bb3 Nf8 30 Rf2! (eliminating Black’s only active piece) 30 ... Rxf2 31 Kxf2. White has a winning position for the following reasons:

1. His bishop dominates Black’s knight (a familiar theme in Fischer’s games).

2. White’s kingside majority is mobile and ready to surge, while Black’s c- and d-pawns remain fixed.

3. Black is chronically weak on the light squares.

4. Numbers 2 and 3 on the list mean that Black’s king will find no peace in the coming moves.

25 b3

Shutting down Black’s queenside play, while protecting his b-pawn.

25 ... a5 26 f5!

Fischer makes clear the severity of Black’s situation, prying open the f-file for his rooks, which creates a passed e-pawn and also increases the scope of his bishop.

26 ... exf5

26 ... Qg5 puts up greater resistance, yet fails to save Black after 27 fxe6 Ng6 28 Qf5 Nxe5 29 Qxg5 hxg5 30 Bd5 Nd3 31 Rf3! Nf4 (31 ... Nxc1?? walks into 32 Rh3+ Kg8 33 e7) 32 Bc4 Re7 33 Re1 Rb6 34 Re5 Nxe6 35 Rh3+ Kg8 36 Rxc5, with a won ending for White.

27 Rxf5

Threat: Rf7 and Rxa7.

27 ... Nh7!

Setting up a cheapo.

28 Rcf1

Which Fischer avoids. We note a continuing surreptitious transfer of funds over to the kingside, but not 28 Rf7?? Ng5 and Black wins material.

28 ... Qd8 29 Qg3 Re7 30 h4

Fischer squeezes with the comprehensive embrace of an obese great aunt to an unwilling six-year-old. Now Black’s knight has been deprived of safe squares, except the one it is on.

30 ... Rbb7

Covering against Rf7 ideas.

31 e6 Rbc7

31 ... Nf6?? is met with 32 Rxf6 gxf6 33 Rxf6 Rh7 34 Qe5 Rbg7 35 Rf3. Black is in zugzwang and mate in four moves can’t be avoided: for example, 35 ... Qe7 36 Rf7 Qe8 37 e7 h5 38 Rf8+ Qxf8 39 exf8Q mate. Correct. I still haven’t figured out how to underpromote in ChessBase 13!

32 Qe5! Qe8 33 a4 Qd8

 

 

Exercise (combination alert): Fischer has an immediate win. How?

 

34 R1f2

“Fischer prefers uncompromising suffocation,” writes Kasparov.

Answer: Fischer could have ended the game sooner with 34 Rf7! Rxf7 (34 ... Qg8 35 Qxc7! Rxc7 36 Rxc7 is totally hopeless for Black) 35 exf7 Nf8 36 Qe8 Rd7 37 Re1 Kh7 38 Qxd8 Rxd8 39 Re8 when White wins.

34 ... Qe8 35 R2f3 Qd8

The queen marks time at a party she doesn’t want to attend. She realizes she must make conversation, yet doesn’t care about what is being said. What a surreal sight to see Spassky – one of the most ferocious players of all time with the initiative – once again reduced to moving back and forth.

 

Exercise (planning): Rough approximations aren’t good enough

in positions like this, which demand precision and detail. White

has two winning plans in the position. Find one of them.

 

Answer: Plan 1: Transfer the bishop and queen on to the b1-h7 diagonal, which is fatal for Black’s king.

36 Bd3!

Also crushing is Plan 2: Transfer rooks to the h- and g-files. 36 Rh5! threatens Rxh6, which is even more accurate than Fischer’s plan: 36 ... Kg8 37 Rg3! (renewing the threat, as well as Rxg7+!, followed by e7+) 37 ... Kf8 (now White can take h6 all the same) 38 Rxh6! and White forces a quick mate.

36 ... Qe8 37 Qe4!

Threat: Rf8+.

37 ... Nf6

37 ... Qg8 is met with the killing overload shot 38 Rf8! Nxf8 39 Rxf8 and game over.

38 Rxf6!

Annihilation of defensive barrier. Fischer taps his vast kingside economic potential. Now Black’s king broadcasts a plea for help which goes unanswered.

38 ... gxf6 39 Rxf6 Kg8 40 Bc4 Kh8

 

Exercise (combination alert): White’s pieces lay in wait, like paparazzi

outside a celebrity rehab clinic. Find one strong move and Black resigns.

 

Answer: Double attack. h6 and f8 are simultaneously threatened.

41 Qf4! 1-0

White’s main threat is Rf8+, and if 41 ... Rc8 (41 ... Kg8 42 Rxh6 Rc6 43 Qg5+ Rg7 44 e7+ is a similar finish) 42 Rxh6+ Kg8 43 Qg4+ Rg7 44 e7+ Qf7 45 Qxc8 mate. With this win Fischer took a one-game lead, which in reality was two games, since he forfeited that second game, due to the dispute about the cameras in the playing area.

Game 48
R.Fischer-B.Spassky
1st matchgame, Sveti Stefan 1992
Ruy Lopez

This was the first game in Fischer’s return to chess. There was speculation that he had lost his strength, and in fact, later games showed he was no longer the player he was 20 years previously. But you would never know it from looking at this game, where we see him at his strategic best.

 

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0 Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 c3 0-0 9 h3 Nb8

If this position rings a faint chime, it is because we have been here before. Spassky remains faithful to his Breyer variation of the Ruy Lopez.

10 d4 Nbd7 11 Nbd2 Bb7 12 Bc2 Re8 13 Nf1 Bf8 14 Ng3

White’s main line. Fischer apparently kept up with theory and discarded the old line 14 b4, as seen in their game from Chapter Three.

14 ... g6 15 Bg5

In order to provoke ... h6. More commonly seen are 15 a4 and 15 b3.

15 ... h6 16 Bd2

The more natural 16 Be3?! is met with the central counter 16 ... exd4! 17 Bxd4 c5. Now White must hand over his powerful dark-squared bishop to save his e-pawn: 18 Bxf6 Qxf6 and Black already stands better due to his bishop-pair and dark square control.

16 ... Bg7 17 a4 c5!?

Congested living conditions tend to breed contagions.

 

Question: Can Black take play ... exd4, followed by ... c5, with a Benoni-style position?

 

Answer: This is a possible route, although Kasparov gave it a ‘?!’ mark. Spassky prefers the safer route of a closed centre, rather than the unbalancing 17 ... exd4!? 18 cxd4 c5 19 Bf4! (after 19 d5 Black’s queenside pawn majority is offset by White’s kingside majority and potential attacking chances; your style probably dictates which side you prefer) 19 ... cxd4 (not 19 ... Qe7? 20 Qd2 Kh7 21 dxc5 dxc5 22 Bd6 Qd8 23 e5 when Black is busted) 20 Bxd6 Nb6 21 e5 Nfd7 22 axb5 Nc4! 23 bxa6 Rxa6 24 Rxa6 Bxa6 25 Ba4 d3! and Black is okay, according to the comps.

Instead, Korchnoi tried 17 ... Nb6 on Karpov, hoping to resolve the queenside pawn tension: 18 axb5 axb5 19 b3 Nfd7 (I would consider the Benonizing 19 ... exd4 20 cxd4 c5 21 Rxa8 Qxa8 22 d5 Qa3 23 Qb1 Ra8 24 Bf4 Bf8 when Black doesn’t look worse to me) 20 Bd3 b4! (Korchnoi undermines d4) 21 Rxa8 Bxa8 22 dxe5 Nxe5 23 Nxe5 dxe5 24 Qc2 bxc3 25 Bxc3 Qd6 with an even game, A.Karpov-V.Korchnoi, 1st matchgame, Leningrad 1971.

18 d5 c4 19 b4!

A new move and a good one. It gives Spassky a choice of leaving things alone, when White denies Black’s knight use of c5, or, capturing b3 en passant, after which the queenside opens in White’s favour.

19 ... Nh7?!

Spassky’s move leaves him somewhat counterplay-starved.

 

Question: Why didn’t Spassky capture b3 en passant?

 

Answer: I think he would have been better off with that plan. Ideally, Black would like to open the queenside to distract White from a kingside build-up. Spassky undoubtedly feared a weak b5-pawn after 19 ... cxb3 20 Bxb3 Nc5. Here GM Razuvaev suggested 21 c4 (after 21 axb5 axb5 22 Bc2 I think that Black is okay; he can reroute his pieces with ... Qc7, ... Reb8, ... Bc8 and ... Bd7), and Kasparov gave the line 21 ... bxa4 22 Bxa4 Rf8 23 Bc2 when White doesn’t stand much better than in the game continuation. At least in this version Black gets some counterplay through his c5-knight outpost.

20 Be3 h5!?

 

Question: I don’t see the rationale behind this potentially weakening

move, besides the fact that it looks active. Why did Spassky risk his king?

 

Answer: Qd2 was coming, which would force it anyway. If Black tries 20 ... Nhf6 21 Qd2 Kh7 22 Ra3! which is similar to the game, he is without counterplay and must await White’s intent.

21 Qd2 Rf8 22 Ra3!

Fischer prepares to seize control over the a-file by doubling rooks.

22 ... Ndf6 23 Rea1 Qd7

 

Exercise (planning): How did Fischer make progress?

 

Answer: Triple on the a-file, making room for White’s queen on a1.

24 R1a2! Rfc8

Black has nothing to do, since his last little chance to achieve an ... f5 break.

25 Qc1! Bf8 26 Qa1 Qe8

 

 

Exercise (planning): Fischer found a deadly strategic idea which goes to

the essence of the position. Come up with a winning plan for White.

 

Answer: 27 Nf1!!

For a while now we experienced premonitory glimpses of the disaster to come for Black. Fischer’s idea:

Step 1: Play N1d2 and Nb1.

Step 2: Trade on b5.

Step 3: Swap away all the major pieces.

Step 4: Play Na3, after which Black’s b5-pawn falls.

Answer no.2: 27 Nd2!! with exactly the same intention, also works.

27 ... Be7

 

Question: If the b5-pawn is a problem, then can we liquidate with 27 ... a5?

 

Answer: The idea fails tactically to 28 bxa5 Rxa5 29 axb5 Rxa3 30 Rxa3 Qxb5 31 Ba4! (forcing Black’s queen to a tactically unfavourable square) 31 ... Qa5 32 Bd7 and the discovered attack wins.

28 N1d2 Kg7 29 Nb1

 

 

Exercise (critical decision): Black is slowly getting strangled on the queenside.

In the position only one plan offers him hope. What would you play here?

 

Answer: Piece sacrifice, which follows the principle: Meet a wing attack with a central counter.

29 ... Nxe4!

Yin finally steps aside for some much needed yang. Spassky clings to his final hope, the way a terminally ill patient clasps a religious relic, thought to have healing powers. He correctly realizes that now is not the time for loitering indecision, and finds the only plan to stay in the game, mixing it up with a piece sacrifice for two central pawns.

If Black continues to defend passively then follows 29 ... Rcb8 30 Nfd2 Bf8 31 axb5 axb5 (31 ... Qxb5?? 32 Ba4 traps the queen) 32 Rxa8 Bxa8 33 Ra7 Bb7 34 Qa5 Bc8 35 Bb6 Bd7 36 Bc7 Rc8 37 Na3 h4 38 Qa6 and d6 falls.

30 Bxe4 f5?!

With our moves, we endeavour to lie to our opponents in every game. But where is the benefit in lying to ourselves? It looks logical to begin a King’s Indian-style attack with this move, but Fischer later convincingly demonstrates that the move endangers Black’s king far more than White’s.

Spassky should try 30 ... Nf6! with some, but not full compensation for the piece, in the form of two healthy central pawns, when his position is simultaneously reassuring and a source of worry.

31 Bc2 Bxd5 32 axb5 axb5 33 Ra7! Kf6?!

A circular logic perpetually chases its own conclusion. Spassky’s king is impervious to hints that his reign may be cut short. He should factor in king-safety, simplify, and hope for the best with 33 ... Rxa7 34 Rxa7 Ra8.

34 Nbd2 Rxa7 35 Rxa7 Ra8

 

Exercise (planning): We sense a strong animus between the camps

and violence clearly lurks nearby. When we follow an incorrect plan,

its falseness takes time to accumulate, until it manifests on the board as

a problem. Spassky had previously been playing under the assumption

that he is the one attacking. How did Fischer refute this viewpoint?

 

Answer: Rip open the kingside with the g4 break. It takes superb strategic judgement to see that Black’s king, not White’s is the one in danger.

36 g4!

This move loosens the pawn front around Black’s king, weakening f5.

36 ... hxg4 37 hxg4 Rxa7

37 ... fxg4 is met with 38 Nh2, with a winning attack.

38 Qxa7 f4

 

Question: If White’s attack is as strong as you claim,

then why didn’t Spassky remove the queens with 38 ... Qa8?

 

Answer: Black is lost in the ending after 39 Qxa8 Bxa8 40 gxf5 gxf5 41 Nh4! e4 42 Nf1 Ke6 43 Ng6 Bf6 44 Nf4+ Kd7 45 Ne2, and Black’s pawns are firmly blocked on d4 and f4.

39 Bxf4!

Kasparov gives this shot a ‘?!’ mark, while I think it’s a powerful move. Fischer’s move returns the material to clear d4 for his queen and launch a decisive assault upon Black’s king. Kasparov preferred 39 Bb6! which is also very strong. If 39 ... Qc8, going after g4, White responds with 40 Ne4+ Bxe4 41 Bxe4 Qxg4+ 42 Kf1 with domination of the light squares and a distinctly uncomfortable black king.

39 ... exf4 40 Nh4!

White’s knight and bishop, thirsty for new kingdoms, greedily eye g6.

40 ... Bf7

Likewise, after 40 ... Nf8 41 Qd4+ Ke6 42 Nxg6! Nxg6 43 Bf5+ Kf7 44 Qxd5+ Kg7 45 Ne4 White dominates.

41 Qd4+ Ke6 42 Nf5!

Fischer finds an elegant way to include this knight into the attack. The simple 42 Ne4 is also powerful. If 42 ... d5 43 Nf3! and now Black is unable to get away with 43 ... dxe4 44 Qe5+ Kd7 45 Qxb5+ Kc7 46 Qa5+ Kc8 47 Qa8+ Kc7 48 Qa7+ Kc8 49 Ba4! Qd8 50 Ne5, with no escape for Black’s king.

42 ... Bf8

Otherwise:

a) 42 ... gxf5?? 43 Bxf5 mate. The bishop sees the devil in everyone but himself.

b) 42 ... Qd8 43 Qxf4 Ng5 44 Nd4+ Kd7 (threat: ... Nh3+ and ... Nxf4) 45 Qe3 Qb8 46 N2f3! Nxf3+ 47 Qxf3 Ke8 48 Be4 when both Bc6+ and Bd5 are in the air and Black is completely busted.

43 Qxf4 Kd7

43 ... gxf5 44 Bxf5+ Ke7 45 Bxh7 regains the sacrificed piece with a winning position.

44 Nd4

 

The material count may be even, but the game isn’t. Black is unable to survive White’s attacking chances, as well as his weak b5-pawn.

44 ... Qe1+?!

When an assassin strikes, the death blow is quick and efficient. The bumbling queen fits neither of the qualifications, and instead, just manages to place herself out of the action. 44 ... Bg7 45 Nxb5 Qe1+ 46 Nf1 Qe7 was Black’s last chance to continue to resist.

45 Kg2 Bd5+ 46 Be4

We see the same pattern, where Fischer immediately swaps off his opponent’s active piece.

46 ... Bxe4+ 47 Nxe4

Black’s queen is cut off from the defence of his king, who has no chance against White’s two knights and queen. Her indignation reminds us of Mr. Darcy’s rude rebuff of Elizabeth Bennet at the ball (I’m sorry for this reference, but my wife forced me to watch Pride and Prejudice at least 30 times).

47 ... Be7 48 Nxb5 Nf8

Or 48 ... d5 49 Qc7+ Ke6 50 Qc6+ Ke5 51 Ng3 Nf8 52 Nd4 Qxc3 53 Nde2! and f4 is a mating threat which can only be relieved by handing over Black’s queen.

49 Nbxd6

White attackers scavenge pawns like mice in a kitchen cupboard.

49 ... Ne6

 

 

Exercise (combination alert): When we are winning, we must

will-away that congratulatory feeling of lazy self-satisfaction.

One more strong move is required to force Black’s resignation.

 

Answer: Discovered attack/mating net.

50 Qe5! 1-0

Threat: Nc5+, followed by Qxe1, and 50 ... Qd1 51 Qb5+ Kc7 52 Qb7+ Kd8 53 Qc8 is mate.