Svetozar Gligoric - Selected Chess Masterpieces (David McKay 1970)-5.3MB

June 19, 2018 | Author: Tikz Krub | Category: Traditional Games, Board Games Competitions, Game Theory, Chess Competitions, Chess Theory
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THE CHESS CAREER OF SVETOZAR GLIGORICH1945 1946 1946 1947 1947 1948 1949 1949 1950 1951 1951 1951 1951 1955 1956 1957 1957 1957 1958 1958 1959 1960 1960 1961 1961 1962 1963 1965 1966 1967 1968 Yugoslav Championship Ljubljana Yugoslav Championship Warsaw Yugoslav Championship Yugoslav Championship match against Gideon Stalberg Yugoslav Championship Mar del Plata Yugoslav Championship Bad Pyrmont (Zonal tournament) Staunton Memorial-London Hastings Yugoslav Championship Yugoslav Championship Dublin (Zonal tournament) Yugoslav Championship Dallas Yugoslav Championship Portoroz (Interzonal tournament) Yugoslav Championship Hastings Madrid Hastings Sarajevo Belgrade Eschende Copenhagen Tel Aviv Dundee Manila · 2nd place 1st place 2nd place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st-2nd place 6)f-5� 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 2nd place 1st place 2nd-3rd place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st-2nd· place 2nd place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st place 1st place 1st-2nd place Gligorich became an International Master in 1948, and an Inter­ national Grandmaster in 1951. $5.95 Selected Chess Masterpieces by Svetozar Gligorich Selected Chess Masterpieces is a col­ lection of nearly fifty of Gligorich's most outstanding chess games, selected by the Grandmaster himself. All origi­ nally appeared in Chess Review as "the game of the month." I. A. Horo­ witz has added an introduction. Svetozar Gligorich, a Yugoslav, has been for the past twenty years or more one of the best chessplayers in the world. He took second place in the Yugoslav Championship in 1945, be­ came an International Master in 1948, and an International Grandmaster in 1951. He still competes successfully from Manila to Dundee. . (continued on back flap) (continued from front flap) Selected Chess Masterpieces i s Gligorich's first book to appear origi­ nally in English. Jacket design by Betty Binns DAVID McKAY COMPANY, INC. New York Selected Chess Masterpieces SELECTED CHESS MASTERPIECES by SVETOZAR GLIGORICH INTRODUCTION BY I. A. HOROWITZ DAVID McKAY COMPANY, INC. New York SELECTED CHESS MASTERPIECES COPYRIGHT @ 1970 BY I. A. JIOROWITZ All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or parts thereof, in any form, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. LffiRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER: 71-120335 MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA I NTRO D U C I N G SVETOZAR G L I GO R I C H b y I . A . Horowitz For some years now, readers of Chess Review have been enter­ tained and instructed by a regular feature called "Game of the Month." These sparkling games have been presented by Svetozar Gligorich, a Yugoslav who has been for the past twenty years and more one of the best chess players in the world. Gligorich was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, February 2, 1923. His chess career in broad outline mirrors the history of Eastern Europe in our time: he learned to play chess as a boy, in spite of the handicap of dire poverty, and, just as he was about to achieve a degree of material success, all was shattered by the outbreak of the Second World War. The study of chess variations then took second place in young Gligorich's life until the defeat of the Axis Powers; when the grimmer struggle was over, and he returned to chess, he found himself in the shadow of the Soviet Union's thoroughgoing domination of that field of endeavor-an aq.a'logous position to that of his country in the political sphere. Stories of how fledgling grandmasters first learned the moves of the game have always held a certain interest, if not to their fellow players, then to the public at large. With Gligorich, the story is commonplace enough, but also important, because it reveals something about the kind of talent he brought to chess-if not the brilliant intuitive grasp of a Capablanca or a Fischer, then the high intelligence and persistence re­ flected so often in his play. When he was about twelve years old, there was a boarder in his mother's house who kept a chess set on the table in his room. Young Gligorich took great interest in this set, studying it from various angles, but, reluctant to ask any questions of its owner, concluded only that the mysterious game played with its odtlly shaped pieces must be very complicated indeed. Finally, he did inquire, and was told, as many thousands of young boys have been told before and since, that chess is an alluring but very difficult game, and that he would be better off tending to his studies than wasting his time learning to play it. He per­ sisted, however, eventually persuading the man who owned the set to teach him the moves, and then a few elementary pointers on strategy and tactics. True to the formula of this kind of story, the boy required only a few days to grasp the game sufficiently to beat his teacher. This is not, however, the story of a prodigy. Gligorich's rise to chess mastery was slow but very steady, despite the obtacles posed by his mother's disapproval (she too thought he ought to be more attentive to his schoolwork) and the poverty that prevented him from buying even the cheapest chess set. He himself made the first set he ever owned, carving it with a razor blade out of pieces of cork, and used it to play over the chess columns of the Belgrade daily newspaper. (This little anec­ dote has interesting parallels with the story of Paul Keres, who, only a few years before, had copied out in longhand the few chess books he was able to borrow in his native Parnau, Estonia.) Gl�gorich played in his first chess tournament at the age of thir­ teen, in 1935-the championship of his junior high school-and finished second. He followed up this small success with a coup far more sub­ stantial: first place in the junior championship of Belgrade, and he reaped the first of many rewards-his picture in the same Belgrade daily news­ paper he had so often canvassed for its chess column. The picture proved useful when he needed to win the approval of his mother for the next big step in his career: his journey to the Sixteenth Yugoslav Amateur Tourna­ ment in Zagreb, which he won, ahead of forty-four other competitors, to become a Yugoslav national master at the age of eighteen. 'Vhen the war broke out in this same year-1939-all chess activity for Gligorich naturally stopped. As soon as he was old enough, he en­ listed in his country's fight for its national existence; in 1943 he joined the Yugoslav partisan anrly, and he was discharged at the end of the war with two medals andthe rank of captain. In 1945, Gligorich, newly married, returned to civilian life as a journalist; his articles, in his native Serbo-Croatian, have appeared in all of the prominent daily and weekly newspapers and magazines in Yugo­ slavia. He has, in fact, achieved �onsiderable recognition in this field; he is noted for his distinguished prose style, and an anthology of his best pieces has appeared under the title Victories and Defeats. He is presently employed by Radio Belgrade. It was as a chess player, however, that Gligorich was destined to become famous all over the world. In 1947 he achieved his first spectac­ ular success: a fine victory in the Warsaw tournament that was expected to provide an easy time for the two Soviet stars Smyslov and Boleslavsky. Gli�orich has been competing on even terms with the best of the Soviet and world players ever since; the list of his successes is so long that re­ counting them all would be tedious; a mere listing of only the highlights of his career distinguishes him as one of the most talented chess players of modern times. Gligorich's play is marked by two qualities also revealed in his annotations to the games in this book: logic and thoroughness. Of the first it may be said that Gligorich is one of the neatest of the great players, in the sense that his best ideas are executed with wonderful economv, with the strategic issues clearly and brilliantly defined. This is why, �s an annotator, he is such a good teacher; the games that follow all exhibit clear-cut strategic ideas characteristic of the highest positional standards of modern chess. His thoroughness is particularly exemplified by his careful prep­ aration of opening variations; he has long been known as one of the fore­ most opening theoreticians in the world. This is plainly reflected in the elaborate notes to the opening stages of the games in this book, but it is important to recognize that he concentrates not merely on the more or less ephemeral fashions in tournament praxis, but on the ideas underlying the openings themselves. Gligorich, as befits a chess-playing journalist, is also a noted writer on the game: he is the author of a book on the World Championship Candidates Tournament at Bled in 1959, in which he competed, a book on the Sicilian Defense recognized as the most important study of that difficult opening, as well a.s many others in the six languages he speaks. This is the first of his books to appear originally in English, a collection of games, selected and annotated by him, the first of which appeared in Chess Review in the February 1966 issue. THE CHESS CAR E E R OF SV ETOZAR G L I GO R I CH 1945 1946 1946 1947 1947 1948 1949 1949 1950 1951 1951 1951 1951 1955 1956 1957 1957 1957 1958 1958 1959 1960 1960 1961 1961 1962 1963 1965 1966 1967 1968 Yugoslav Championship Ljubljana Yugoslav Championship Warsaw Yugoslav Cha�pionship Yugoslav Championship Match against Gideon Stalberg 2nd place 1st place 2nd place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st-2nd place Yugoslav Championship Mar del Plata Yugoslav Championship Bad Pyrmont (Zonal tournament) Staunton Memorial-London Hastings Yugoslav Championship Yugoslav Championship Dublin (Zonal tournament) Yugoslav Championship Dallas Yugoslav Championship Portoroz (Interzonal tournament) Yugoslav Championship Hastings Madrid Hastings Sarajevo Belgrade Eschende Copenhagen Tel Aviv Dnndee Manila 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 2nd place 1st place 2nd-3rd place 1st glace 1st-2nd place 1st-2nd place 2nd place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st place 1st place 1st-2nd place m�5J� Gligorich became an InternatioPal Master in 1948, and an Inter­ national Grandmaster in 1951. CO NTE NTS 1. Variation in Agony 2. Are the Times Changed? 3. Spassky-the Challenger Angry Generation 4. Gligorich-M�tanovich, Yugoslav Cham­ pionship, 1965 Korchnoy-Petrosyan, Moscow-Lenin­ grad Match, 1965 Gheorghiu-Spassky, Hastings, 1965-6 Korchnoy-Stein, USSR Championship, 1965 5. 6. 7. 8. Botvinnik-As Usual Turning Point One of the Ex-World Champions Sicilian Fireworks Again Botvinnik-Tolush, Moscow, 1965 Petrosyan-Spassky, World Champion­ ship Match, 1966 Smyslov-Uhlmann, Mar-del-Plata, 1966 Parma-Bogdanovich, Titovo-Uzice, 1966 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. A Very Precious Win A Particular Rivalry A Danger Zone Fischer in His Prime It Should Have Happened Before Best Second Board! Attacking Instinct Not First-But May Be Best Sensation in Monaco One of Six? The Art of Feeling Young Victor-By Name Up-To-Date vVays of Winning "A Crushing Position!" Wind from the Other Side What's the Use? Man of the Year "White Spot" Spectacle! Reshevsky Is Back! Polu g ayevsky's Noteb ooks Spassky-Fischer, Santa Monica, 1966 Larsen-Fischer, Santa Monica, 1966 Gligorich-Tringov, The Hague, 1966 Fischer-Portisch, Chess Olympics, Havana, 1966 Tahl-Botvinnik, USSR Team Champion­ ship, 1966 Panno-Brinck-Claussen, Chess Olympics, Havana, 1966 Spassky-Ghitescu, Beverwijk, 1967 Geller-Stein, USSR Championship, 1967 Fischer-Geller, Monte Carlo, 1967 Minich-Portisch, Halle, 1967 Najdorf-Geller, Moscow, 1967 Korchnoy-Ivkov, Budva, 1967 Taimanov-Larsen, Havana, 1967 Tahl-Bogdanovich, Budva, 1967 Fischer-Sofrevsky, Skopje, 1967 Fischer-Stein, Sousse, 1967 Larsen-Ivkov, Palma de Mallorca, 1967 Gligorich-Matulovich, Palma de Mallorca, 1967 Donner-Portisch, Beverwijk, 1968 Reshevsky-Geller, Sousse, 1967 Nikitin-Polugayevsky, USSR Championship, 1967 36. The King Is More Important Larsen's Decisive Moment Second Youth of the Older Generation Beware the Devil! Fischer Abroad Belated Reward All Over Again 37. Recovering Prestige Wade-Uhlmann, Skopje, 1968 Matulovich-Fischer, Vinkovci, 1968 Gligorich-Damjanovich, Pula, 1968 Bobotsov-Petrosyan, Chess Olympics, Lugano, 1968 Petrosyan-Larsen, Palma de Mallorca, 38. Korchnoy as a Prophet? Korchnoy-Spassky, Palma de Mallorca, 39. The End of One More Variation Fashion So Many Years of Exploration The Search for Weapons Tarrasch Rediscovered Geller-Portisch, Wijk am Zee, 1969 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. Spassky-Geller, Match, Sochi, 1968 Larsen-Portisch, Match, Porech, 1968 Keres-Schmidt, Bamberg, 1968 1968 1968 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. Rare Delight of the Spectators Portisch's Constancy Geller-Ree, Wijk am Zee, 1969 Taimanov-Tatai, Venice, 1969 }l!nosevich-Korchnoy, Sarajevo, 1969 Petrosyan-Spassky, vVorld Championship Match, 1966 Unzicker-Planinc, Ljubljana, 1969 Portisch-Haag, Budapest, 1969 Selected Chess Masterpieces 1. VAR IAT I O N I N AGONY THE AUTHOR is not noted for lack of modesty and wishes to apologize for using his own game in starting off in this department. As a new man in this magazine, however, he has no better way of introducing him­ self to the readers. In addition, as he is an active tournament player, it would be a false attitude to avoid publishing one of his games from time to time especially if it is one of general interest. Such is the game discussed here. It is from the latest Yugoslav Championship. Indeed, if the author were to yield to human weakness, he would write about his good, fighting victory against his main rival, Ivkov, in that tournament. The game with Matanovich, however, has somewhat more to annotate, a long history of one variation-a very im­ portant one. The opening is the Nimzo-Indian. The weapon belongs to Black and has been a favorite continuation of many leading masters for years, whenever Black has wished to avert the risk of a loss. In an important competition, who could reject such a sound device? Smyslov, Najdorf, Olafsson, Unzicker and, as American readers well know, Fischer have played the variation frequently. For some unknown reason, the author never d id. Unknown­ for, out of some ten important games, he has with White managed to score but one win. The solid Black position without weak points always has proved sufficient to restrain the aggressiveness of active White pieces. As one of many such examples, Najdorf-Gligorich in the Piatigorsky Tournament of 1 963 may be mentioned. As of the end of 1965, we find the Yugoslav grandmasters Parma and Matanovich among the most ardent defenders of the Nimzo-Indian. Both merit mention together ; for, after Panna's victory in the Junior World Championship with Matanovich as his guide and second, they have continued as very close friends and a kind of tandem in chess. They analyze together, prepare together and play the same variati'ons. Playing Parma first in the Yugoslav Championship, the author encountered a new problem in a known position and had to be satisfied with a draw. He knew then that, with Pa:nna and Matanovich living in the same hotel room, he would have the same problem when he met Matanovich a few rounds later. So he prepared accordingly. Titograd 1 965 5 N I MZO-I N D I A N DEF E N S E A . Matanovich S . G l i gorich Black White 1 P-Q4 N-KB3 2 P-QB4 P-K3 3 N-QB3 4 P-K3 Bishops . 0-0 • The Saemisch Variation: 6 P--QR3, BxNt 7 PxB, gives Black more counter B-N5 chances if he uses the blockading system of Capabla.nca, and later Reshevsky, on 5 B-Q3 Two . P-QB4 The temptation to get the advantage of the . 6 N-83 by N�K2 also in­ curs great danger of a dra\\';sh pos11tion. the Kingside. 6 . . . . P-Q4 7 0-0 This position has come up hundreds of times. Now the moves follows. most precis e order of N-K5 14 B-N4, R-K1 1 5 N-K5, NxN 16 PxN, Q-B2 1 7 P-B3, N-B4 (Smyslov­ O'Kelly, Havana 1965) ; but, by accurate play, Black ought to be able to maintain the balance in the endgame. After the text, removing the possi­ bility of . . . BPxP, Black's King Bishop is endangered of entrapment. So Black exchanges. 10 . 1 1 PxP . . • BxN This interpolation is necessary; White loses the Queen Pawn. 7 . . . . else, QPxP 7 . . . QN-Q2 8 P-QR3, BPxP 9 QNxP� is less favorable for Black. 8 BxP QN-Q2 The more natural developmen t by N-QB3 is currently less popular. Black aims to keep open a diagonal for his Queen Bishop from QN2, thus making the pressure of his other Bishop on the White Queen Knight more effective. 9 Q-K2 9 B-Q3 is frequen tly played. The ob-­ ject is to remove the Bishop from the potentially exposed file and to control K4. But the move also loses time. 9 • • • • P-QN3 10 P-Q5! This vital move is the most direct way to obtain a majority of forces in the center and Kingside. If While postpones this central break for a moment with 10 R-Q1, PxP 1 1 PxP, B-N2 and then 12 P-Q5, Black has the opportunity, aflter 12 . . . BxN 1 3 PxP, BxN ! to simplify and have good prospects of a draw In the endgame : e.g., Portisch-Donner, Ham­ burg 1965. Another possibility is simple develop­ ment of the plece·s : 1 0 R--Q1, PxP 1 1 P.xP, B-N2 12 B-Q2, BxQN 1 3 BxB ! [ 13 PxB, Q-B2 allows Black a good game]. 11 B-R4 This move surprised White when play ­ ed by Parma a few days earlier. It was, however, the last word which Parma and Matanovich ( who prepared it espe­ cially for the championship) had to say on that variation. For the Pawn sacrifice ceased�after some study-to seem such a promis· i ng plan of active play. Examination of the move. 11 . . . N-K4, las1 t ed a rather long time. In Zagreb 1965, Portisch outplayed Matanovich by 12 PxPt, K-R1 13 PxB, B-N5 14 P-K4, Q-K2 '! 1 5 R-K1 ! BxN 1 6 PxB, NxB 1 7 QxN, R x P 1 8 B-N5 ! P-KR3 19 B-R!, P-KN 4 20 B-N3. QR-KB1 21 QR-Ql, N-K1 22 P-K5 ! RxP 23 P-K6, K-N1 2-1 R-Q7, Q-B3 2 5 B-K5, Q-N3 26 P-KH. R/1-B2 27 R-QS, Q-QB3 28 Q-K4, Re­ signs. In the same Zagreb Tournament, Parma later prepared a better line ugainst the author: 14 . . . N-R4 ! {in­ stead of 1 4 . . . Q-K2 ?) 15 B-Q5, Q-B3 ( n ote this position in the next para­ graph ) 16 Q-K3 [ not 16 BxR ? NxNt 1 7 PxN, BxP 1 8 Q-K3, P-KR3 ! a s White's King remains without cover]. NxNt 17 PxN, BxP 1 8 Q-N5, QR-B1 ! and, after 1 9 R-K1, QxQBP 20 B-KB4, NxB 21 QxN, Q-B3 22 Q-N3, B-R4 23 P-K5, Q-B4 24 B-B4, P-QN4 ! 25 P-K6, PxB 26 R-K5, Q-B3 27 P-K7, BxP, the win­ ning of the Exchange did not mean much. So everything seemed all right for Black, until Kraidman of Israel met Ma.tanovich i n Nathanaya a few weeks later. Matanovich produced his moves rapidly ; and Kraidman, thinking he had fallen into a trap, out of desperation, tried 16 B-N5! ( compare with 16 Q-K3 i n paragraph above). That move loses a piece; but, after 16 . . . QxB 17 NxQ, BxQ 18 P-KB4 ! i t was Black who had to save the game, though a Rook up ! Mata:ijovich managed to sa1vage a draw after 18 . . . N-N3 ! and a long defense. But no one has cared to repeat that performance with Black since . 12 PxN The try "a Ia Tahl" 12 PxPt, K-R1 13 P-K4 does not work well after 13 . . . P�QN4! 14 BxP, RxP 15 P-K5, R-K2 ! 12 . . . . QxP Parma had seen this pos.ition in the Soviet praxis . he wins a piece by 15 N-N5 ! and 16 P-B3 [not 15 �Q5, B-N2 16 B-N5, Q-Kl 17 BxB, NxB ! ]. On 13 . . . Q-B2 14 P-K4, B-N2 15 P-K5, QR-K1 1 6 B-B4, N-R4, White wins by 17 P-K6 ! ! Even the tactical chance of 1"1 . . . NxB 18 PxPt, QxP 1 9 BxQt, KxB with the Queen sacrifice does not work because of interpolation, 20 N-K5t ! 14 P-K R3 The immediate 14 P-K4 fails against 1 4 . . . B-N2 15 P-K5, BxN. 14 . . . . Q-R4 After 14 . . . Q-K5, the Pawn goes on also by dint of 1 5 B-Q3. 15 P-K4 16 P-K5 8-N2 8xN I t is now or never. A move later, after the Pawn is protected by the Queen Bishop, White can recapture with his Queen. Strategically, Black is lost, and his best chance is to try to exploit a weakening of the White Kingside . 17 Px8 8-84 ! Q R- K 1 18 18 P-B4 does not advance the develop. ment, and Black can obtain vital posts for his Knight and Queen. . . . . 1 9 8-R2 18 QxRP White disregards his Pawn minus as he has complete control of the center and also possesses the mighty Two Bishops, though one must add especially the white-bound Bishop. White liked this position at first sight. As soon as the King Pawn advances, Black's King Bishop becomes inactive and Black's Kingside without sufficient defense. So simple logic says. But the matter is not so simple a,s it seems . In the previous game vs. Parma, White played 13 P-K4, B-N2 14 P-K5, KR-K1 15 N-N5 ; but, after 15 . . B-Q4 ! he had nothing out of it. K-R1 19 19 . . . N-R4 2 0 Q-K4, P-N3 2 1 Q-N4, QxQ 22 PxQ, N-N2 23 R-Q7 is also favorable for White. Now White em. ploys another opportunity to enter into the Pawn-minus but winning endgame. 1 3 R-Q1 The key move ! White takes the cen­ tral squares on the Queen file under control with a gain of tempo. 13 . . . . Q-N5 It is a very important fact that, though Black may choose a "better" place for his Queen, he has no means to prevent the advance of the King Pawn. On 13 . . . Q-K2 14 P-K4 ! White wins the Exchange on 1 4 . . . QxP 15 QxQ, NxQ 1 6 B-Q5. And, on 1 4 . . . NxP, 20 Q-81 Else, the Knight i s QxQt lost. Now, how. ever, Black's only active piece has dis- appeared from the board and the seventh rank is open for penetration by Wh11 t e's Rooks. 21 KxQ N-N 1 After 21 . . . N-R4, the Knight can­ not guard its K2 where White's King Pawn may arrive. 22 R-Q7 P-84 On 22 . . . P-B3 23 P-K6, Black can­ not prevent the decisive 24 B-Q6. Now he can, by 23 . . . P-B5. 23 P-84 24 R/1-Q1 25 R/1-Q6 26 . . . • N-K2 N-83 bring his King into play. 29 8- K N3 White plays consistently for the at­ tack rather than leave this piece out of play. He does not care for regaining material as Black has some sort of chances after 29 P-K6, K-N2 30 P-K7, KxB etc. 29 . . . . 30 8-84§ K-N2 K-R3 The same sequel follows 30 . . . K-Rl . 31 8-R4 Res i g n s R-K2 With both White Rooks entered into the enemy's camp, centralization of Black's Knight on Q5 is futile. So Black tries to simplify a little by exchange a pair of Rooks. 26 8-QS 27 RxR RxR N-N S Black seeks to win a tem po for the defense. On 27 . . . N-Q5, White wins immediately by 28 P-K6. 28 8-87 P-N3 The advance of White's passed Pawn is a deadly threat . So Black tries to T h e final pos-ition demons'trates full triumph of White's strategy. the ARE TH E T I M E S C H A N G E D ? 2. NLY a year ago, a lon·g reign was still being predicted for the new World Champion Tigran Petrosyan. In his cautious approach to chess competitions, he was, perhaps, not so impressive ; but he was very impressive in his unparalleled ability to foresee danger on the chess­ hoard and to avoid any risk of losing. After his match with Botvinnik, Petrosyan seemed to be virtually invincible if he wanted to be. Even Botvinnik, in spite of his iron will and energy, was exhausted by the durability of his younger rival. For Petrosyan was able, each time he needed to ensure his safety, to drain off the possibilities on the hoard and to make Botvinnik's ambitions look futile. It would be very wrong, however, to regard Petrosyan merely as a player with a passive style. No one could become Champion with­ out being able to win many, many games. Petrosyan's aggressiveness takes the form of positional masterpieces in which he creates weak points in the opponent's camp with extreme patience and exploits them with the utmost skill and determination. Q Nonetheless, some additJi.onal explana. tion is necessary as to the rarity of Petrosyan's defeats. He is not beaJten, because he sees so much. It is odd, but exactly like his styl�stic opposite, Tahl, Petrosyan notices a large number of tactical possibilHies on the board in a few seconds. It is thus thrut he is, together with Tahl, the best play­ er of lightning chess in the world. The present World Champr i on is a very modest man. He accepted the re­ sponsibi'lity of his title with an ease un­ known in Botvinnik's time. Thus, he went immediately to Los Angeles and showed no signs of feeling a new burden on his shoulders. He gained a first place tie in the Piatigorsky Cup Tournament, and then in Argentina, both times with Keres . Everything seemed all right until ·last year. The cancellation of the usual re­ venge match for Botvinnik encouraged a pleasant mood for Petrosyan, and he toured the Soviet Union and West Ger­ many. As he is an Armenian, he was received in Erewan as a national hero. Another year went quickly by. Tigran was equally ready to accept any attrac_ tive invitation. But, in Zagreb, he came in only third. Another tournament was arranged in Erewan to redeem his rep­ utation, but Korchnoy came in first. Though Korchnoy has had nothing to do with the official world championship, is remarkable how he kept putting his foot into Petrosyan's pruth. The last games for Petrosyan before his mrutch it with Spassky this spring were against Korchnoy in the traditJional Moscow­ Leningrad match. And Petrosyan lost both of them. In the first one, which follows below, Korchnoy had the advantage, but Petro­ sy,an showed his usual skill in mak!ing his position nea.r ly impenetrable. The crisis for the World Champion came when he gained the initiative. In the E·nd, h e was outwitted by the most suc­ cessful tournament player of 1965. NIMZO-IN D I A N D E F E N S E V . Korch noy T. 1 P-Q4 2 P-Q84 3 N-Q83 N-K 83 P-K3 8-N5 Petrosyan Black 'Vhite 4 P-K3 5 N-83 6 8-K2 0-0 P- 84 Is the last move played on purpos e ? Pet.rosyan himself prefers i t t o 6 B-Q3 which is more active and more frequent­ ly used. The idea is to avoid variations like 6 B-Q3, P-Q4 7 0-0, N-B3 8 P-QR3, B-R4 ! 9 BPxP, KPxP 1 0 PxP, B-KN5. White's Bishop on K2 renders such a line senseless. Many lines, after . . . P-Q4 and . . . QPxP, are the same with White's B-K2 and B-Q3. But some also there are in which the K1ng Bishop stands better on Q3. tious approach to the game. He wants to control his KB5 and secure the K'ing­ side before taking any further step in the center. 11 . . . P-K4, h owever, is quite p' l ayable. After 12 P-K4, N-Q2, White's break by 13 P-B4 effects no worthwhile result : 13 . . BPxP 14 PxQP, NxP 15 NxN, PxN 16 QxP, N-B4 etc. 12 P-K4 13 P-N3 In this game, Petrosyan chooses some­ thing quite different for Black. 6 • . • 8xNt . On 6 . . P-QN3 7 0-0, B-N2 8 N-QR4, introduced for White by Bot­ vinnik, the Bishop stands better on K2. Probably, that is why Petrosyan plays a less promising variation with hope only of creating an impentrable position. Of course, Black has other moves at his disposal here, too. 7 Px8 8 N-Q2 ! 8-N 2 P-Q3 . 13 . . . . R-8 1 Black h a s less space and can under­ take nothing special except to try to force White to block the position even more. 14 R-82 15 P-Q5 8-R3 R-K 1 The last is a preventive move. It is difficult now for White to advance other King-sJde Pawns while he cannot feel safe on the King file. This Knight has finished its job on the Queenside and seeks a more active post. 16 . . . . 1 7 P-QR4 Q-Q2 R-K2 Black must wait. He tries to be ready for the possible opening of any new lines. 18 P-R5 As already stated, Black a.ims for a blockaded position. But White thus has a free hand to control more space. N-83 10 P-83 1 1 N-N 3 White denies squares to Black's Queen Knight on which it could develop s· o me activity. 16 N-Q2 P-Q N 3 With the Two Bishops and a sltrong Pawn center for White, Black has no desire to open the poSiition. So White has time for slow maneuvers to prepare the ad'V'ance of the central Pawns. M e an­ while, White's Knight covers all sensi­ tive squares. 8 . • . 9 0-0 N-N 3 White's Knight observes Q4 and QR5. I t is not necessary for White to strengthen hds grip on QN5 before m ak­ ing this break on the wing. For White benefits from dis s olving his doubled Pawns and extending the scope of his King Bishop. 18 . . . . P-N4 Black can no longer wait passively. Because of his exposed Bishop, he would lose a Pawn. 1 9 Px N P 20 P-Q84 21 8-N 2 8xP 8-R3 (See d ia g ra m , top of next p a g e ) 21 • • . . Q-K 1 Black tries t o get t h e best out o f an inferior position. He is not afraid of a weakening of this Kingside as he counts on the Queen Knight file and a more N-K2 11 . . . . This move reflects Petrosyan's cau- menacing action while White has no direct way of exploiting the Black weak­ ness after 22 BxN, PxB. 22 8-K 8 1 23 B-83 ! R-N 1 White sizes things u p a s Black did. It is b etter to retrui.n the Two Bishops and to prO/teet all sensitive squares on the open file while preparing later action agalinst Black's King. 23 . . . . P-K4 Black cannot maintain the tension in the center forever. So h e makes the ex­ pected move when he i s ready for coun­ ter action if the position is opened. 24 8-Q3 8-81 Both white-bound Bishops are needed for protection of the endangered wings. 25 N-81 White starts his Knight toward its strategically best post, K3. Immediate opening of lines would mean more threats to Black, if it worked. It doesn't. For, after 2 5 P-B4 , N--N5 26 R-B3, PxP 27 PxP, Black has 27 . . . P-B4 ! 28 PxP, N-K6 ! and then stands better. 25 . . . . 26 8-82 27 N-K3 R/2-N2 P-Q R3 N-81 Black retreats this Knight to a safer place as he must reckon on an eventual N-B5 by White. 28 Q-K 8 1 2 9 R-K 1 Q-Ql or to allow opening of the King file by 30 . . . BxN. Even so, Black then has h1s counter chances. 30 . • • 3 2 P-B5 does not work so well cause of 32 . N-N4 ! 32 • . . . 33 Q-N 2 be- 8-Q2 3 3 PxP, PxP is not so attractive a s Black's Knight m a y effectively come into play via KN4 while White has no effective means of putting pressure on Black's weak Queen Bishop Pawn. 32 . • . P-83 . Black secures his King Pawn before trying . . . B-QR5. 34 R/1 - K 8 1 T h i s move is a blow against emptiness. 3 4 R-Rl i s safer. Q-Q1 34 . . . . Black fails, chance of 3 4 . 35 R-R 1 however. to . . B-R5. employ Q-K2 his Black, feeling somewhat better than i n the earlier stage of the game, h as consequently decided to wait. P-R3 N /1-R2 (See dia g ra m, t o p of n ext colu m n ) 3 0 P-84 White decides to take act'ion. It allows Black, however, to reduce the number of pieces and so relieve his crall!P_!!_c! position . Still, it is difficult to make a correct decision as the World Cham­ pion has cleverly built a fortress very hard to penetrate. The alternative is 30 N-B5 which sets Black the choice of the pass- i ve 30 . . . N-N 5 8x N . 31 N x N 32 P-R3 36 K-81 There is some risk in this move. For the King is safer on th e wing than in the middle· White's only chance left is P-B5 and preparation for the break by Korchnoy was P-KN5. P ossibly, thinking of a poss ' i ble escape by Black's King to the Queenside in that event and s o decided to do the same in ad­ vance. 36 . . . . 37 K-K2 38 P-BS Q-K 1 Q-Q B1 Here White does what he could have done before. 38 . . . . R-N 5 ! With White's King i n the wrong place, this sacril:1ice of the Exchange seems very promising. No one can say, how_ ever, that Korchnoy did not provoke it . For he is known for his readiness to ac­ cept all that he is offered and his un­ canny ability to calculate the possible variations with unparalleled exactitude. 39 B x R � B-N 3 Q-Q6 43 R-N 1 It is very probable that the World Champion did not realize the trap which he is in. No better is 43 . . . Q-B6 : e.g. 44 P-R4. N-B6 45 Q-B2, B-Kl 46 K-N2, B-R4 47 R-K3, Q-Q7 as White wins, not on 48 RxN, BxRt 49 KxB , Q-Q6t etc. but on 48 QxQ, NxQ 49 R-N2. Black's last chance is 4 3 . . . Q-B4, attacking the Pawn on White's QR5 and trying to force a draw by repetition of moves. White then replies, however: 44 P-R4, N--B2 45 Q-B2 and answers 45 . QxRP by 46 Q-R7. Even then. Black can leave the position as i s and look for sa. l vation in a blocked type of position with 45 . . . N-Ql . 44 R/1-N2 4 5 P-R4 B-K 1 45 . . . . N-86 PxB Q-84 Another idea is 40 . . . B-Kl .and . . N-Bl-Q2--B4 for positional com­ pensation for the Exchange. But Black has dreamed of something better. This i s a move of early desperation, putting a last "hope" in the sacrifice of th e Queen. After 45 . . . N-B2 4 6 Q-B2, N-Ql 47 Q-K3 [or 47 K-N2, B-R4] , QxQ 48 RxQ, N-N2 or such, White has difficulty' making his material advantage decisive. in 41 K-81 ! Such moves are diabolical especially when the sealed move! A natural reac­ tion is 41 P-R4 to prevent penetration by Black's pieces . But here lies the secret of Korchnoy's power: he sees far in advance that his heavy pieces will be able successfully to meet both Black's Queen and Knight in his own camp. 41 • • . • 42 R-K2 ! N-N4 Q-Q5 It is too late now to consider maneu_ verlng the Knight for pol!itional advan­ tage on the Queenside. For that is too slow, and there is a threat of opening of lines against Black's King in such event. N-Q5 Q-86 Px R 46 K-82 4 7 R-K3 4 8 RxQ 49 50 51 52 R-N 1 RxR K-K3 Q-QR2 RxB NxR N-Q5 P-87 Black would have a chance if his King were safer. 53 54 55 56 K-Q2 P-85 ! P-Q6§ Q-R4 For, after 56 B-R4 PxP B-82 Res i g n s B-N6 57 Q-K8t, K-R2, there follows 58 P-Q7. Just an episode, or a bad sign for Petrosyan before his coming match with Spas sky ? 3. S PASS KY-TH E C H AL L E N G E R Many Challengers have emerged i n the history of the present World Championship program. In the opinion of this commentator, however, twenty-eight-year-old Boris Spassky is a new kind. Because of the latest modification of the system, he made his way by winning matches, not a tournament. Such an achievement may be a very usefu 1 experience for a man who tries to gain the highest title in a final competition which is also a match. As a matter of fact, Spassky of all the competitors had the hardest schedule. Yet he managed to eliminate his powerful rivals in fewer games than he could have expected, allowing for their great reputations. Something strange happened to all Spassky's opponents. Whether they were in excellent form before the decisive match or not, all-Keres, Geller and Tahl-were clearly below their usual level when they met the young Boris. The explanation must lie, it seems, in Spassky himself. Though he was not always at his best in all the games in these duels, all the three named played like depressed spirits without confidence in being able to develop, even with White, a significant initiative. The secret power of Spassky, in this commentator's opinion, is his colossal ability to adapt to meet the different styles of each opponent. Only Alekhine, and perhaps Lasker, showed such ability before. More than the mythological Janus, Spassky ' h as many faces. In his matches, he revealed three. He can play gambits, classical positions, Indian systems, defend or attack-all according to the circumstances. He is not perfect-no one is-but he has very good health, good nerves, a strong will and is able to rally at the right moment. A rather heavy smoker, he gave up smoking during the play. He confessed he felt very depressed after the series of five draws in the match with Tahl. At the same time, he says, he realized that such an aggressive player as Tahl ought to feel even more tired after those successive draws, and Spassky immediately felt better. The upshot seems to prove what he said was true, for Tahl lost the next three games. Spassky knows that everything has gone too smoothly up to now and that he will have a much harder time with Petrosyan. In an interview on BBC, Spassky stated that his personal friendship with Tahl and his profound knowledge of his rival helped him a great deal. As for the present World Champion, Spassky said that Petrosyan is an "unknown chess personality" to him. The Challenger has had three months since Hastings to change that factor. Spassky has had a steadier line of successes in the last two years than Petrosyan. Presenting one of the latter's games in the last issue, this writer had to comment on Tigran's loss. Following the same prin­ ciple--to show how the two great rivals performed on the eve of their struggle--here is Spassky's victory over the Roumanian Champion at Hastings this year. H a st i n g s 1 965.6 to try something different this time. N I M ZO-I N D I A N D E F E N S E F. G heorgh i u Rou m a n i a 5 P-Q R3 B. S passky Soviet U n i o n White Black 1 P-Q..4 2 P-QB4 N-K B3 P-K3 3 N-QB3 4 P-83 B- N 5 White's is a sharp move, very much favored by the young Roumanian Cham­ pion. Its tendency is to build up a strong Pawn center ; but its disadvantage is some loss of time and difficulty in de­ veloping the Kingside as this Pawn takes the natural square, KB3, away from the King Knight. B-R4 Black elects the wider options. 5 . . BxNt 6 PxB, P-Q4 7 PxQP transposes into the Saemisch Variation; and, if White wants that position, he can force it by an earlier 4 P-QR3, BxNt 5 PxB, P-B4 6 P-B3, P-Q4 7 PxQP. 5 . . . PxP is also playable. After 6 PxB, PxN 7 PxP, P-Q4 8 PxP, PxP 9 B-B4, 0-0 10 P-K3, R-K1 11 Q-Q2, N-B3 12 N-K2, Q-K2 13 K-B2, B-Q2 14 N-Q4, N-KR4 15 NxN, BxN 16 Q-Q4, NxB 17 QxN, P-QR3 18 B-Q3, QR-B1 19 KR-Q1, B-Q2, a draw was agreed be­ tween Ghitescu and MatanoV'ich, Euro­ pean Team Championship, Hamburg 1965. The text, however, gives Black more counter chances. 6 P-Q5 White's push is nearly forced, for 6 PxP, BxNt enervates White's Pawn structure. 6 . . . 7 P-K4 0-0 P-Q3 R-K1 does not The immediate 7 pose more problems for White, as he has possible 8 P-Q6. 4 . . . . P-84 The previous year at Hastings, Gheor­ gh'iu had the pleasure of playing this open'ing against Keres who replied with 4 . . . P-Q4 as he did against Tahl in the Challengers Tournament 1959 After 5 P-QR3, B-K2 6 P-K4, PxKP 7 PxP, P-K4 8 P-Q5, B-QB4 9 B-N5, 13-Q5 (against Tahl, Keres played 9 ... P-QR4-Ed.), Keres tried to compensate for his lesser space by active play of his pieces. Still, White's chances seem til be better. The game took a wild course after 10 B-Q3, P-KR3 11 B-R4, P-B3 12 KN-K2, B-N5 1 3 Q- B2, BxN/7 14 NxB, B-K6 15 N-N3, P-KN3 16 N-B1, B-Q5 17 0-0-0, QN-Q2 18 N-Q2, P-KN4 19 B-N3, N-N5 20 N-B3! B-K6t 21 K-N1. Q-N3 22 P-R3, N-B7 23 NxK P ! NxR/Q 24 RxN, NxN 25 BxN, 0-0 26 B-Q6, PxP 27 P-B5, Q-R4, and Keres becam� afraitl of 28 P-K5 and offered a draw which Gheorghiu accepted, perhaps too early. S o there is good reason for Spassky 8 B-Q2 8 B-Q3 and 9 KN-K2 i s preferable for the faster King-side development. 8 . . . . 9 K N-K2 R-K1 P-Q R3 The position is reminiscent of a semi­ Benoni. The difference is that Black's K6.ng Bishop is actively developed o n the Queenside instead of KN2. It stands well either way. 10 N-N 3 1 1 P-N 3 P-Q N 4 ! After 11 PxKP, BxP follows 12 . . . P-Q4 ! 12 PxP, there 21 R-Q1 22 Q x 8 8xN NxKP 24 8-Q3 2 5 P-Q 85 R-K 1 With the better 25 PxP, PxP, White emerges from his difficulties with an equal game. 25 . • . . 26 QxP 27 Q-Q6 PxP R-QB1 27 Q-R7 is not effective because of . . Q-B2. White's passed Pawn is not dangerous as Black controls the open files around it. 27 . . . . 28 Q-N4 11 . • . PxQP • Black, being better developed, tries to open the game as much as possible. 12 B PxQP Now Pawn majorities on wings sharpens the struggle. 12 . . . . 13 B-K2 29 Q-N 1 30 R-83 P-R3 Q-Q3 An instructive position : the pass�d Pawn is not quite sufficient to compen_ saJte for White's weaknesses on QR3, KB4 and Q5 itself. opposite 0-0 15 P- K R3 Q N-Q2 N-K4 Q-82 Q-84 14 B-Q2 Vainly, White tries to deprive the Black Knights of their KN5 so as to activate his own center Pawns. 15 K-R1 is playable. P-85 15 . . . . 16 P-84 · 16 PxP is melt by 16 16 . . . . 1 7 K-R1 R-QBL 8-N3t 31 8-85 The text looks normal but is not the bes t ; for, after exchange of Bishops, Black's Rooks obtain more central posts for penetration around the blockaded Queen Pawn. 31 Q-N2 with an eye toward R-N3 is preferable. 31 . . . . 32 QxB 33 Q-Q3 17 . . . . 18 Q-K 1 White defends tactically. 33 . . . RxP 34 RxR, QxR lets White push 35 P-Q6, and a passed Pawn on the seventh is very good compensation for his material disadvantage. N /4- N 5 ! O n 18 PxN, NxNP, there is n o adequate defense against 19 . . . Q-R5. 18 . . . . 1 9 8xN 20 PxP N-K6 8x8 Another possibility is 20 BxP, B-Q5 21 B-Q3, BxP ! 22 KN-K2 ! [not 22 Pxll because of 22 . . . Q-B1 with the dou­ ble threats on Knight and King Rook Pawn] with equal chances. 20 . • . . 8-Q5 23 N x N 8x8 R-85 RxN 33 . . . . R-Q1 Black fails immediately to find the right plan for re-inforcing his threat on the Bishop Pawn. 33 . . . R/1-K5 i s preferable as soon appears. 34 Q-Q2 35 Q-Q3 R-K5 R/1- K 1 36 Q-83 37 Q-Q3 R-85 Now we have the same position as after move 33, and Black does better. 37 . . . . 38 P-85 R/1-K5 White had an unpleasant choice, but his move is not good as it concedes the central K4 for Black's Queen. Q-K4! 38 . . . . 39 Q-Q2 39 P-Q6 fails against 39 40 P-Q7, Q-Q3 ! 39 . . . . 40 Q-Q3 . . RIK-Q5 R-K7 R/7-K5 Black can wait till adjournment determine his best way. He does. 41 Q-Q2 42 Q-Q3 R-K7 R j5-87 ! 43 R-N 3 44 R x R to R-K8t White has a slightly better chance in the Queen ending after 44 K-R2, RxH 45 QxR,/1, R-B6 46 Q-N4, RxR 47 QxR, QxQP. But further thought suggests 46 . . . RxP : e.g. 47 P-Q6, QxRt 48 QxQ, RxQ 49 KxR, K-Bl etc. 44 . . 45 K-R2 46 R-K3 • • Q x Rt R-88 Q-N8t 47 48 49 50 K-N3 R-K8t Q-K4 Q-82 R-Q8 K-R2 R-Q5 50 . . . . Q-K 88 ! Because o f the mating threats, White cannot now avoid material loss. A fine tactical masterpiece by Spassky ! 51 P-86§ 52 Q-87 P-N 3 QxP White has nothing R-N8t, K-R2. 53 R-K 88 54 Q-N 8 Resigns further K-N 2 RxP after 55 4. ..ANG RY G E N E RATI O N .. There has been much talk of The Angry Gen­ eration. It concerns young people in certain periods of history or the arts and so on -- but not in chess. Nonetheless, the author is applying for poetic license to speak of several grandmasters of our decade and to classify them in such a group. They are far from being the same in age but are very much alike in their S . Gllgorlch fate. For various reasons, they are excluded from the official honors in the world championship, or it should be said : they have been up till now. And they settle their bills as much as they can elsewhere. They are doing really excellently, defeating so many of the best players. But that factor of anger remains. For it is always some­ one else who finds the way to the world championship - not they. Consequently, even after first place in a tournament has been secured, Fischer, Korchnoy and Stein used to try hard to win all the rest of the games. Probably, they wish to prove something in spite of their "fate." Fischer resigned from playing in FIDE competitions. Korchnoy had his bad "five minutes" just when he needed to qualify. And Stein had to retreat twice from the Challengers Round in favor of lower-placed Benko, lvkov and Portisch because he belonged to the group of Soviet grandmasters who exceeded the FIDE-set limits for qualifiers from any one country. The recent Championship of the U.S.S.R. presented another of those opportunities for Korchnoy and Stein to press their dispute with the official chess world and with their colleagues at home who had had better luck. So, when they met each other at Tallin, it was not a game, but a wild collision. Here it is. Ta l l i n 1 965 33d U S S R C h a m p i o nsh i p with a loss in the very first round. So, K I NG'S I N D I A N D E F E N S E V. K o rc h n oy White P-Q4 2 P-QB4 1 L. Ste i n Black N - K B3 P-K N 3 3 N-Q B3 4 P-K4 B-N 2 This natural move ought to be some­ thing of a surprise for Stein, for Kor­ chnoy's favorite line against the Indian system is 4 P-KN3. The leader of the White forces needs to be understood. Here it was the ninth round of the championship, and Korchnoy, the tri­ umphant winner of the previous cham ­ pionship, had only an even score and needed th'e point badly. On the other side, Stein (about to be­ come the new champion quite some time lwter) had started very unusually for him from that moment on, he was ready for any risk till the end of the great com­ petition. 4 . . • . 5 P-K B3 P-Q3 Many years ago, Korchnoy used to play this way, before he adopted the King-side fianchetto. The Saemisch Vari­ ation secures a mighty Pawn center for White but slows down the development of his Kingside. 5 . . . . 6 B-K3 0-0 The text prevents Black's assault on the center by . . . P-QB4. Now the choice is limited for Black. 6 • . . • P-K4 7 P-QS If White holds the tension in the cen ­ ter, Black gets the opportunity to open the game and to equalize quickly. In Korchnoy�Gligorich (Leningrad 1 957), after 7 KN-K2, P-B3 8 Q-Q2, PxP, White tried with 9 Bx P ! to prevent the counter stroke, . . . P-Q4. Later, in Portoroz 1958, h owever, Panno found a good line for Black with 9 . . . P-B4 ! 10 B-K3, B-K3 11 N-B4, N-B3 etc. After the text, White has more ter­ raJin, and Black ought to use his better development for a King.side counter. 7 . . . . N-R4 - An old line is revived again. In the meantime, Geller's 7 . . . P-B3 has been more popular; but new diffi culties have been introduced for Black. One line for White is 8 Q-Q2, PxP 9 BPxP, P-:: QR3 [ 9 . . . N-R3 may be better] 10 0-0-0, QN-Q2 11 K-N1 and 1 2 R-BI (as played by Polugayevsky). Another is 8 B-Q3, PxP 9 BPxP, N-R3 10 KN-K2, B-Q2 1 1 0-0, N-B4 12 B-QB2, P-QR-t 1 3 P-QR3, Q-N3 14 K-R1, KR-Bl 15 R-QN1, Q-R3 16 P-QR4, Q-N3 17 K-B1, Q-Q1 18 B-Q3, N�K1 19 B-QN5, BxB 20 NxB ( Pettros­ yan.Reshevsky, Tel Aviv 1964) . Q-Q2 9 0-0-0 8 P-K B4 N-Q2 The text is more elastiC' than 9 P-B5 10 B-B2, B-B3 11 KN-K2, B-R5 12 B-Nl! P-KN4 13 P-B5 with the bet ­ ter prospects for White ( Petrosyan-Gli­ gorir:h, Zuri ch 1 953). (See diagram, top of next col u m n) 10 B-Q3 This is h ow Korchnoy played against Uhlmann (Havana 1 963). There followed 10 . . . QN-B3 11 PxP, PxP 12 KN-K2, P-QR3 13 P-KR3, P-B5 etc. In Ivkov­ Uhlm.ann ( Zagreb 1965), White followed a similar line with an immediate 10 PxP, PxP 11 B-Q3, QN-B3 12 KN-K2, but now Uhlmann chose anothe. r plan : 12 . . . K-R1 13 P-KR3, P-B5 14 B-KB2, B-Q2 15 K�N1, Q�K1 16 KR-K1, Q-B2 but still had to fight for equality after 17 N�K4, NxN 18 BxN, B-KB3 19 P-B5, R-KN1 20 R-N1, B-K2 21 P-B6, PxP 22 PxP, B-K3 23 Q-R5. Another alternative is 1 0 KN-K2, P�R3 11 K-N1, QN-B3 12 PxP; PxP 13 N-N3. Here, too, White gained the ad­ vantage, in the last game of the Bot. vinnik-Tahl Return Match 1 9 6 1 . 10 . . . . Px P! Here is something new. 10 . . . N-B4 11 B-QB2, P-B5 12 B-B2, P-QR3 13 KN-K2 is not suffioiently good, for Black never gets in . . . P-QN4 because of the White threat of P-QN4 and P-B5 ( K otov-Szabo, Zurich 1953). 1 1 NxP Recapture With t h e Pawn gives addi ­ tional King.side squares to Black's Knights. If White wan ' t s, however, to avoid exchanging Knights ( as he soon shows he . does), he saves a tem po with 11 BxP, QN-B3 12 B-QB2. 11 • . . . 1 2 B-QB2 13 N-B3 N-BS N-B3 After 13 P-KN3, NxN, White success­ fully d· e velops his K' i ngside, but the diminished number of pieces simplifies Black's problems since he has l esser ter. rain and no good squares for bolth of his Kn'i ghts. Nonetheless, it is too late now. to try to retain the advantage with such a retreating move as the text. White has not finished developing and cannot afford another loss of time. Still, Korchnoy is a rare type of fighter who is r eady for such hazards in order to make the Oflponent's practical tasks less easy. with h1s pieces into White's camp. The particular troub.Ie fm White now is that both his Knights are out of play. 18 N-N 1 P-83 Opening the diagonals is worth more than an ot he r Pawn. 19 PxP 20 QxP 8xP Q-K 1 ! Here is the position to which Bll a ck looked in sacrificing another Pawn. Th e potential strength of his p'i eces in an open game fully compensa.te·s . 13 . . . . P-Q N 4 ! ? A bolt from the blue. All the more so in that Korchnoy is known as wlways glad to accept sacrifices and then de­ fend with unusual mastery. Stein"s style, however, is to strive for the ini'Uat1ve at any cost, and he feels thi s is the right moment. Sitill, 13 N/5-R4 15 KN-K2, P-QR3 14 P-KN3, P....:QN4 16 P-B5, 21 R-K 1 White cannot develop h i s Kdngside at the cost of an Exchange by 21 N-KR3, BxP 22 N-N5, BxKR 23 RxB because of 23 . . . B-R3. 21 22 8-Q2 23 Q-Q3 23 QxP !'ails against 23 23 . . . . R-82 8-81 . . R--K2. P-K5 �-K1 is a sounder line with good play For Black. 14 N x P It is possible that Korchnoy h a s under­ estimated th e dangers, for, after his " n atural" reply, Black gets more than one could have expected. After an immediate 1 4 P-KN3, N/5-R-1 [ 1 4 . . . P-N5 15 N-K4 offers no clear compens·ation for the following loss of a Pawn either] 15 NxP, B-QR3 16 N-K2, Black can hardly justify his original idea in move 13. 14 PxP, of course, corresponds to Black's basic idea. He fol1ows with 14 . . . P-QR3, and even the refusal of the sacrif.ice by 15 P-N6, PxP 16 P-KN3, N/5-R4 17 KN-K2, N-Q2 is not a very promising continuation for White. 14 . . . . 15 N-Q R 3 8-QR3 It is too laJte now f o r 15 P-KN3 because of 15 . N/5xP or 15 . . . BxN 16 PxN, BxP. 15 1 6 P-K N 3 1 7 P-N3 R-N 1 N/5-R4 White is guarding against the threat of 17 P-K5 which opens the position . 17 . . 8-N2 Now, after haviug p rovoked weakening of both wings of the opponent, Black prepares to undermine the central posts which have prevented his penetrating 24 Q-83 The Queen has no good escape. Not to the King file because of 22 . . . PxP, and 22 Q-B1 puts the Queen unfavorably exposed to the Rook on the same file. So, perhaps, the s·acrifice of an Exchange may s·till be the best chance with 24 PxP, N-N5 25 N-KB3, N-B7 26 Q-K2, NxR 2 7 RxN. 24 . . . . 25 N-K R3 8-K N 2 T h e threats have become t oo serious, and White decides to give up his Queen. Two minor pieces and three Pawns, how­ ever, are n ot suffi cient compensation. On the other hand, after 25 Q-R5, R-K2, it is difficult for him to avoid material losses. 25 . . 26 PxN N-N5 White cannot put more hope in 2 6 Q-R5, RxBP 27 N-N5, R-B4 2 8 QxP, RxN ! 29 BxR, Q-K4 as Black menaces in two directions. Or, in that same line, i n 27 BxP, BxB 28 N-N5, R-B4 29 RxB, Q-Q2 30 Q-R6, N-B7 as Black wins the Exchange and along with it the initia­ tive. O r, again in that same line, 27 QxP, P-K6 28 B-B3, R-B2 as Black wins ma.tel"ial here, too. 8xQ N-83 26 . • . 27 NxQ • 28 P-N 5 29 N x P N-Q2 29 BxP may be a better chance. Still, White cannot much longer survive be­ cause of his material disadvantage then either. 29 30 8-83 31 8-N2 Q-K 81 R-86 R-K 1 (See d i a g ra m , top of next colu m n ) 3 2 K-N 1 Now White loses immediately. Even 32 N-B6t, however, cannot save the game either : 32 NxN 33 PxN, RxBP 3 4 BxR, BxR. 32 . • • • 8xN 33 8x8 O n 3'3 RxB, Black wins the Knight on R3 after 33 . . . R-B8t, as h e soon does i n the game. 33 34 R x R 35 R-K1 Rx 8 ! R-88t Q-84 t 3 6 K-R1 37 RxR Resigns Rx K R QxN A great defender like Korchnoy seldom loses against such a daring attack. 5. BOTVI N N I K-AS USUAL There is no doubt that, among the living grandmasters, Botvinnik is the one with the greatest record on the world scene. With the ex­ ception of the two one-year intervals, when Smyslov and Tahl reigned, Botvinnik held the title of world champion for fifteen years ! As he was not yet fifty-five, it was a surprise for many when he retired from official competition for the world championship last year. It seemed that Botvinnik had changed and lost his well known ambitions. Even Tolush thought so when he had to meet Botvinnik again for the first time in thirteen years, in the recent annual Moscow-Leningrad match. Tolush asked his friend Korchnoy jokingly : "Should I frighten him?" "Better not," Korchnoy replied, "He may do that to you." How well Korchnoy knew th� ex-champion is revealed by the fact that Bot­ vinnik won both games from Tolush. In another recent Soviet team competition, Botvinnik completely outplayed Stein, opening with the King Pawn as he very seldom does. Stein literally could not breathe in the cramped position. But Botvin­ nik's age had its effect. Sometimes, he lacks the power to calculate out all the complicated, tactical variations. And so here : he lost unluckily to his younger opponent. Botvinnik suffers when he loses. It indicates that, today as well as formerly, he - as usual - loves the fight over the chessboard. His class of play has not changed : he is able to win from any of the best. The real explanation as to why he resigned from the world chmpionship program is that he does not consider himself able to endure several matches in succession. But many believe he would not hesitate to play a ( single) match with Petrosyan if given the right to a return match. · The following is a recent example of Botvinnik's style in chess, highly appreciated by the experts. Moscow 1 965 N I M ZO-I N D I A N D E F E N S E M i k h a i l Botv i n n i k White 1 P-QB4 2 N-Q B3 N-K B3 P-K3 A l exander Tol ush 3 P-Q4 4 P-K3 Black B-N 5 P-84 4 . . . 0-0 is considered more elastic, allowing Black to clarify his plans for the center later. 5 N-K2 (See d i a g r a m , to p of n ext co l u m n ) A t this moment, when Black has no retreat to K2, the text is a good possi­ bility for White to gain the advantage of the Two Bishops. Still, some prefer the normal 5 B-Q3 and 6 N-B3 for fear of simplifications allowing Black to draw. Not Botvinnik ! 5 . . . . P-Q4 Black agrees with White's plan. On 5 . . PxP 6 PxP, P-Q4, White has his choic e of 6 P-Q1! 3 B-K2 7 P-B5 or of an immediate 7 P B 5. Either way, White acquires a favorabl e Queen-side majority. 6 P-Q R3 8x N t O n 6 . . . BPxl', White has his choice of the line just n1 entione d or sim ply 7 PxB, PxN 8 NxP ntc. 7 Nx8 8 PxBP was a t hreat. 8PxP 8 K PxP This capture is P-B5 follows. 9 8xP 1 0 8-K3 too ; else, N-83 10 P-Q5 sheds the isolani but exactly that so simplifies the position as to render it rather drawish. 10 1 1 0-0 the game concluded with 12 . . . B-N2 13 B-R2, N-K2 14 B-N5, N-B4 15 P-Q5, PxP 16 Q-Q3, P-Q5 17 QxN, PxN 18 PxP, Q-B1 19 B-N1, QxQ 2 0 BxQ, N-K5, as the Soviet grandmasters agreed on a draw. PxP necessary, P-QR3 [ necessary to deny QN4 to Black's Queen Knight] , the position comes out the same as after the 1 1 . . . P-QN3, but with Black on the move, and he can achieve an easy equality. Thus, 0-0 12 Q-Q3 ! White takes advantage of the free play which his isolani allows him. The text is the most logical way to mobilize the heavy pieces, and Black cannot do likewise. The isolani is no weakness here as White's Q5 is well controlled by White pieces. 12 • . . • 1 3 Q R-Q1 8-N 2 N-K2 Black cannot achieve safety with 12 . . P-KR3 either. For, after 14 B-R2, N-K2 15 B-N1, White has pressure on the weakened QN1-KR 7 diagonal : e.g. 1 5 . . . N-B4 16 B-B4, and Black can­ not escape trouble. 14 8-K N 5 Now i s the time for this Bishop assume an active role i n the game. 14 14 . . 11 . . P-Q N 3 1 1 . . . N-Q-1 i s n o t very promising as White may continue simply as in the game with, after an eventual . . . BxN and PxN, an active position and an opened, King-side file. Or he may even by 12 BxN, PxB 13 Q-N3 exert some pressure, though there are Bishops of opposite colors. It is significant that, from a Semi­ Tarrasch, the same position may be reached but with Black on the move r Taimanov-Suetin ( Copenhagen 1 9 6 5 ) i s a clear example : 1 N-KB3, P-QB4 2 P-QB4, N-QB3 3 P-Q4, PxP 4 NxP, N-B3 5 N-QB3, P-K3 6 P-K3, P-Q4 7 B-K2. White takes the role of Black playing the Semi-Tarrasch Defense, naturally with a tempo more; but, ultimately as compared with a normal Nimzo-Indian, it turns out h e has a- tempo less. The game continued : 7 . . . B-B4 8 0-0, BxN 9 PxB, PxP 1 0 BxP, 0-0. Capturing the White Queen Pawn yields an advan­ tage i n development for White. There followed 11 B-K3, P-QN3 and, after 12 . . • • to N-N3 . N-B4 is met by 1 5 P-Q5. 15 P-84! This move directs a new fire the known "solid" camp of Black. a fine example of how Botvinnik's tegy can work and a worthy motif copied in similar middle games. 15 . • • 16 P-85 • upon It is stra­ to be P-K R3 PxP Of course, 16 PxN 17 PxN is not playable as it disrupts Black's Kingside completely. 17 8xN 18 RxP Qx8 18 . . . . N-85 Black snatches his last hope for coun­ terplay. The files and diagonals, opened at the right moment by White, signify serious danger for Black. Consequently, he goes wrong with either 1 8 . . . Q-K2 19 RxP, RxR 20 QxN or 18 . . . Q-Q3 1 9 QR-KB1 with tremendous pressure on the weak Black KB2. 1 8 . . . Q-B3, in order to gain a tem po, is the only alter­ native worth consideration. 19 RxQ As White's Queen has no good retreat that does not yield the initiative, he is forced to trade Queens. Forced or not, however, the exchange must lead by chess logic to a favorable endgame. 19 • . . . 20 RxP NxQ NxP This i s how Black has counted o n find­ ing his salvation. 21 R x R t 2 2 R-8 1 t KxR K-K 1 So far, it may seem a l l right for Black. But White's next moves reveal that pene­ tration of the White Rook to the seventh and consequent material advantage can­ not be prevented. 23 8-K6 23 R-Q1 . B-B1 fails against 24 B-Q5. 24 P-Q5 25 R-87 26 Px8 8-81 8x8 R-Q3 This is Black's first chance to elim­ inate the dangerous passed Pawn, and 'it is necessary to seize it. Else, the threat of 27 N-Nfi and 28 N-B7t means a quick finish. 27 R x N P 28 RxP RxP N-Q6 Black can hurry his Knight to a more active position by this threat of mate. 28 . N-B5 29 P-QR4 is less attrac­ tive. 29 P-R3 30 R-R4 N-85 With White's King-side Pawns endan­ gered, Black's Knight must be ousted from its menacing post. 30 31 N x N 32 R-R7 N-K7t RxN 33 R-Q N 7 R-K3 and s o can continue creating a passed King-side Pawn, as appears i n the final moment of the actual game . Now Black's Rook, after 32 . . . K-B1, must take a less active post than on the fourth rank. The first consideration is to cut Black's King off from play. 32 . . . . K-81 Black's King approaches the corner to assume the only useful task which it can perform on the back rank. It is fatal to allow an ending w ith two connected, passed Pawns on one side against one Black Pawn on the other. Was Black lost after 32 R-R7 ? Keres­ Botvinnik ( World Championship 1 9 4 8 ) offers a similar example, b u t with Black as the stronger side : White, K on KN3, R on Q7, Pawns on QR3 and KR3 against Black, K on KN2, R on KB2, Pawns on QR3, KN 4 and KRa. According to that example, Tolush has practical chances for a draw by keeping his Rook on his fourth rank. He can start with 32 . . . P-R4 ! 33 R-R7, R-K4 34 K-B2, R-KN4 ! Or by 34 . . . K-Bl 35 K-N3, R-N4t but not 35 . . . K-N1 '? 36 R-R6, P-N-1 37 K-R4. White's King must not be al­ lowed painless access to KR4. Still, with Rook Pawn against Knight Pawn on the Queenside, White stands better there and so can continue creating a passed King-side Pawn, as appears in the final moment of the actual game. 33 R-Q N 7 R-K3 Now Black's Rook, after 3 2 . . . K-B1, must take a less active post than on the fourth rank. 33 R-QN7 fails against 3 4 R-KR7. 34 K-82 36 K-N 3 36 K-83 R-83t R-N 3t K-N 1 37 P-N 3 R-Q83 38 K-N 4 K-R1 There is still time for 36 . P-R4 to get better prospects for a draw. Black's Rook eventually gains the more advanced fourth rank and works on the weak Knight Pawn if White fails to create a passed Pawn at the opportune moment. Now White's King gets to KR4. 37 . . . P-R4 again creates a position with some chances of saving the endgame unless White plays absolutely accurately. The King i s worse off i n the corner, and 38 . . . R-N3t at least fends off White's King for the moment. 39 K-85 39 K-R4, 4 0 P-N4 and 41 K-R5 works to much the same effect. 39 • • • • R-B4t With Black's King i n the corner, he cannot try 39 . . . R-B6 40 P-N4, RxKRP 41 K-N6. Nor does 40 . . . R-B3 avail as White wins the endgame after 41 R-K7 and 42 R-K6. 40 K-N6 41 K-R5 R-B 3t K-N 1 Here the game was adjourned, and Black resigned. The reason ? After 42 P-N4, R-Q3 43 P-KR4, R-QB3 4 4 P-R4, R-Q3 4 5 R-QR7, R-QB3 46 P-N5, PxP 47 P:xP, K-Bl 48 R-R6 ! [with threat of 49 P-R5 ] , R-B5 49 K-R6, R-R5t 50 K-N6, R-KN5 51 RxP, RxP 52 R-N8t, K-K2 53 K-RG, R-KR5t 54 K-N7, White has attained a theoretically winning position. 6. A_S TURN I N G POI NT was expected by many, the match for the World Championship , drifted for long without any great excitement. The character of the games seemed somehow influenced by a tacit, mutual agreement by both Tigran Petrosyan, the Champion, and Boris Spassky, the Challenger, that risk ought not he a recognized weapon in the tactics of a good match, especially on such an extraordinary occasion. Consequently, the players strove for completely solid positions when Black and tried to exploit minute advantages with White. In that atmosphere, superficially quiet hut suhficially fraught with nervous ten­ sion, both rivals temporarily evinced technical deficiencies, uncommon for them and thus failed to tum better positions into decisions. In the seventh game, however, Spassky, who had started poorly, felt encouraged by his initiative in the later few games and so pressed in a position in which he had nothing. As a result, he al1 owed a weak­ ness in the center which presented Petrosyan with a wonderful oppor­ tunity to produce a masterpiece of execution. Though thus put at a disadvantage in the standing, the Challenger tried twice more to maintain his cautious approach to the match as the Champion always did. Nothing occurred, and there was no change for the better. So Spassky decided to make the tenth game the turning point in the general climate of the match. He lost once more to the more ex­ perienced Petrosyan. But the temperature was abruptly raised in the great struggle. And that change may well favor the known fighter, Spassky, who certainly can no longer prefer quiescence. Here is that exciting game which brought the "change of weather."* _,_ Game 1 0 K I N G' S I N D I A N D E F E N S E Boris S passky T i gran Petrosyan Chal lenger Champion Black White 1 N-K B3 For the first time in the match, the Champion desei'ts his favorite first move, 1 P-QB4. Does he intend a Reti for a change ? In any evenlt, Black has something different i n mind. 1 . . . . 2 P-K N 3 N-KB3 P-K N 3 B-N2 3 P-QB4 4 B-N 2 0-0 N-83 5 0-0 A very significant moment. If the Chal­ lenger looks for safety, as he has done • Apparently, very G l igorich soon after Game 1 0. wrote this piece For we have ob­ served no really notable change of weather in the match since Game 10.-E d . before, he ha.s 5 . . . P-QB4 or 5 . . . P-QB3 and 6 . . . P--Q4 tending to more or less symmeltrical posit'i ons in the cen­ ter. Instead, Black chooses a sharper line with dangers for both sides. H is worth noting that, in their time, Bron­ stein, Smyslov and Tahl adopted the King's Indian againsit BotV'innik when their matches reached the critical point. 6 N-83 P-Q3 Spassky refuses the psychological offer for him to play 6 . . . P-K4. That move only lim'its his choice of plans. And White probably answers \\ith 7 P-Q4, in any even't. 7 P-Q4 P-Q R3 Black's intention is to play 8 . . . R-N1 and 9 . . . P-QN4. It is a known sys. tem, applied for the first time in the World Championship matches i n Game 3, Botvinnik-Smyslov 1957. 8 P-Q5 White responds, as did Botvinnik, to meelt the intended wing action and to obtain more terrain in the center. 8 . . . . 9 N-Q2 N-Q R4 P-84 The text is necessary to anticipate 10 P-QN4 and s o save the Queen Knight. Other times, other purposes. Smyslov ( Black) played as here when leading in his match with Botvinnik. Spassky, a point behind, is striving for the inltia. tive and puts his Knight op the rim in order to develop immediate action. I t may be thrut Smyslov felt, i n his match, it was the psychological time to try to rout his opponenrt. Spassky certainly has felt it is time to ·start something. 10 Q-82 In either case, with Botvinnik or with Peltrosyan, White's policy is to secure his left flank first, then to try i n the future to prove that the isolated Black Knight, which cannot join the other pieces when the main fight develops in the center, is strategically useless. more space in the endangered central zone. 10 . . . P-K3 i!:l less effective. White can then even let Black trade on Q5, recapture with his Bishop Pawn and enjoy the enhanced importance more centrally posted pieces. of his 1 1 P-N 3 Here Botvinnik played 11 P-QR3 ; and, after 1 1 . . . P-N3 12 P-QN4, N-N2, his game with Smyslov soon resolved itself as quite drawish. 11 PxP e.p. is also quite playable. For, after 11 . . . BxP 12 P-N3, P-Q4 13 PxP, NxQP 14 B-N2, N-QB3 15 NxN, BxN 16 QBxB, KxB 1 7 Q-N2t, K-N1 18 N-K4, BxN 19 BxB, White retains a small but lasting advantage (Korchnoy­ Kuzmin, Tallin 1965 ) . With h i s text, Petrosyan indicates h e is more ambitious and consistent in his aim of proving the uselessness of the Knight on QR4. N-N5 11 . . . . Here Black clears the w a y f o r his King Bishop Pawn. 11 . . . N-K1 does the same thing as in Larsen-Gligorich ( Dallas 1957) . But the text is more active. The annotator made tue same move several years ago in Sarajevo against Portisch in a very similar position de. riving from the Yugoslav Variation : 1 P-Q4, N-KB3 2 P-QB4, P-KN3 3 P-KN3, B-N2 4 B-N2, 0-0 5 N-QB3, P-Q3 6 N-KB3, P-QB4 7 0-0, N-B3 8 P-Q5, N-QR4 9 N-Q2, P-K4 ! and so on, with only the difference that Black's Queen Rook Pawn is unmoved and his Pawn soon after on QN3 so Black was some. what favored ( as compared to this game) in that his Knight can come back into play Via QN2. From that point of view, White's next move is certainly superior to any even. tual 12 P-QR3, P-N3 13 P-QN4, N -N2 which helps Black solve his main stra. tegical problem. 12 P-K4 10 • • • . P-K4 The usual line here i s l 0 . . . R-N1 and 1 1 P-N3, P-QN 4 12 B-N2 ; but Black does not want the usual lines, just now. The text has been less frequently played but embodies good sense, too, to gain Both players welcome the impending collision in the center. Black's pieces are more active, but White counts on his having one more on the Kings'i de, thanks to that Knight on QR4, and so the dan. gerous opening of the position will pay off. 12 . . . . P-84 ( See diagra m , top of next page) 13 PxP White does not permit . . . P-B5 as the proper time. White hasn't sufficient compensation after 16 PxN, BxR 1 7 PxP, B-Q5t 18 K-R1, BxP 19 NxP. 16 . . . . 1 7 8xP PxP As White has to protect his QB4, the text is his only good Pawn recapture. 17 . . . . 8x8 Black h a s t o r i d himself of h i s weak King Bishop Pawn, which shuts off his Rook and his Queen Bishop, and 17 . . . N-K4 18 B-K2, P-B5 works out less ef­ fectively because of 19 RxP. 18 Qx8 in the then blocked position, that Knight on the rim will have time to find a bet­ ter post. 13 . . . . PxP Black does better with this weak Pawn on B4 than by 13 . . . BxP which gives White the central K4 for his Knights. Also, Black can build threats with the mobile center Pawns. 1 4 N-Q1 White hastens to mobilize all his pieces. 1 4 B-N2, keeping the long diag­ onal covered firs�•. is more cautious. 14 . . . . Black throws his idle Knight. B-Q5 of course PxB 17 P-QN4. i ng more space P-N4 in some employment for 1 4 . . . P-K5 15 B-N2, loses a piece : 1 6 BxB, But 1 4 . . . P-B5 gain­ is worth considering. N-K4 19 8-K2 Now White defends his QB4 and Q3 while clearing the file for his R ook. Both players have had this position in mind. 19 • . • • P-85 ! S ooner or later, this move is a must. If White gets in N-K3-N2-B4 , there is little hope for Black to survive his posi­ tional weaknesses. He can fi rst play 19 . . . R-R2 20 N-K3, P-B5 ; but, after 21 PxP, RxP 22 K-R1, White's chance;:; are even better. 20 N PxP 20 RxP, RxR 2 1 PxR, N-N3 22 N-K4, Q-K2 ! was not attractive for White. 15 P-83 ! ? Again, 1 5 B-N2 is safer ; but, appar­ ently, White wants to provoke further action by Black. 15 . . . . P-K5 Black does n ot miss the opportunity to clear the central K4 for his Knight. 20 . . 1 6 8-N 2 Though the World Champion is fond of sacrificing the Exchange, this is not 8-R6 The text looks ' very effective but is , a serious mis take. I n order to gain a de­ cisive tempo, Black has overlooked the fact that, by th e ' sacrifice of the Ex­ change, White gal\n s the most precious time for counter attack. By the safe 20 . . . RxP ! Black succeeds i n the most important factor, to bring h i s strongest piece, t h e Queen, i n t o action. That factor more than compensates for the absence of the Queen Knigh t : e.g. 21 N-K3, Q-NH 22 K-R1, RxRt 2 3 N/3xR, B-N5 ! 24 N-K4, Q - B 5 2 5 N/l-N3, B-B6t 26 Bxll, QxBt etc. or 2 1 RxR. Q-N4t 22 K-R1, QxR 23 N-QB3, Q-Q5 ! with very good counterplay or 23 Q-B3, B-N5 to much the same effect. 21 N-K 3 ! As a matter o f fact, White h a s no other choice. 21 R-B2, RxP ! is quite bad for him. 21 . . . BxR • 21 . . . RxP is no longer good. For, after 22 RxR, Q-N4t 23 R-N4 ! BxR 2 4 NxB, NxN 2 5 BxN, QxBt 26 K-R1, it i s Black's King which falls under a dis­ astrous attack. Still, Black need not tak� the Exchange : after 2 1 . . . N-N3 22 R-B3 ! Q-R5 ! 23 P-B5, N-K4 2 � R-N 3 t . K-B2 ! Black has hidden chances o f sur­ viving, and more than that. Now, after the text, two minor pieces will be fighting one Black Rook in ef­ fect, and around Black's exposed King, and that situation ought to be decisive. 22 R x B N-N 3 22 . . . N-Q2 offers better chances, although, after 23 B-N4 , N-KB3 24 B-K6t, W hite retains a very strong. ini­ tiative. 23 B-N4 ! NxKBP After 2 3 . . . Q-B3 2 4 B-K6t, K-R1 25 QxQt , RxQ 26 P-B5, N-K4 27 N-K4 , 25 B-K6t 25 . . . K-B1 QxPt also loses. 26 N-K4 26 . R-82 26 Q-R8t, K-K2 Q-R5 . . R/1-R2 27 N-KB5 brings on mating threats. 27 N x Q P Q-N4t On 27 . . . Q-K8t, White wins easily, too : 28 K-N2, QxN 29 BxRt, K-B1 30 Q-R8t, K-K2 31 N-B5t, KxB 32 QxPt and 33 NxQ or 3 1 K-Q2 32 B-K6t. 28 K- R 1 29 BxR t R/1-R2 RxB 3 0 Q-RBt R es i g n s Black loses too much ma:terial. 23 . . . P-R3, however, giving the King an addi­ tional flight squ3 re is the last chanc2 for a more successful defense. ( See d i a g r a m , top of n e xt col u m n ) 24 RxN Elegant and simple. The last good piece which defends the King is gone. 24 . . . . RxR 24 . . . Q-N4 25 R-K4, QR-K1 [not 25 . . . P-R4 26 K-R 1 ] 26 K-R1 ! RxR 27 NxR, QxN 28 B-K6t, R-B2 29 BxRt KxB 30 NxPt doesn't save the game either. 27 7. O N E OF TH E EX-WORLD C H A M P I O N S We i n Europe have not been seeing much of Vassily Smyslov re­ cently. During the last two chess seasons, he toured Latin America on occasions, taking first prize wherever he appeared-in Argentina, Cuba and Chile. In the meanwhile, he lost, surprisingly easily, his first match in the Challengers Round, as though willing to rid himself of the official competitions as soon as possible. He had expected to meet Mikhail Botvinnik. Instead, however, came Yefim Geller, probably the most unpleasant opponent for him. For Geller won from him in a match for the title of Soviet Champion many years ago by five draws and one loss at a time when Smyslov was at his best and looked almost invincible. Geller is smaller in height but very strong physically (he used to be a very good basket-ball player) , and Smyslov chose a queer method of preparing to meet him over the chessboard this second and even more unfortunate time : the tall and calm Smyslov took lessons in boxing. But, as is known, in vain. Among the greatest chessplayers, some we know who are completely devoted to chess and only to chess, but others have side vocations or at least hobbies at the same time. Certainly, Smyslov belongs to the latter group. There is an impression that he wanted to be an opera singer more than anything else but his unusual talents transformed him into a chess champion. He has no other profession than chess ; yet he remains nonetheless divided within himself. There is something strange about Smyslov's personality. He is apt to take a short draw, even with White, as he did with Samuel Reshevsky in the latest Mar del Plata Tournament. But he wins other times by making his usual simple moves ( is that so easy? ) when he feels the moment is ripe for it. One might think he is lazy ; yet he is the one among the contemporary grandmasters who has produced the greatest number of basic new ideas and variations in the Ruy Lopez, French, Caro-Kann, Queen's Gambit Accepted, Slav, Nimzo-lndian, Gruenfeld, English and even the irregular openings. Here is a recent and fine example of Smyslov's style and wonderful, geniuslike intuition fot keeping the balance or gaining the initiative. M a r d e l P l ata 1 966 FRENCH DEFENSE Vassily Smyslov Sov i et U n i o n Wo lfgang U h lm a n n East Germany Black White 1 P-K4 P-K3 2 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 P-Q4 More than Botvinnik, the East German Grandmaster adheres to the French. So the opening i s no surprise for White. Because of his sharp style, Uhlmann has had several very fine results i n the strongest tournaments. So many prefer the safer 3 N-Q2 i n order to avoid Uhlmann's analysis. But not Smyslov who cares more for principles than for the preparatory work of an opponent. After all, Smyslov fought Botvinnik in the same way i n his match for the high. est title. 3 . . . . 4 P-K5 B-N 5 N-K2 Black essays a finesse to make his opponent think longer. 4 . . . P-QB4 is played more frequently, but the text is more elastic ('itt may come to the same thing as . . . P�QB4 or to something else) as Black does not yet reveal llis Queen-Slide plans. 5 P-Q R3 6 Px8 8xNf P-Q84 9 Q-Q2 In avoiding the chance of exchanging Queen'S, by 9 B-Q2, White pays a dear price, forfeiting the best diagonals : for his Queen, Q2-KN5 by which it may eventually strike the opponent's senS!f.tive flan k ; and for his Queen Bishop, QR3KB8 which counts as this Bishop is very important now with no Black rival on black squares. 9 • • • • Q N-83 BxP as, after Black cannot J'!i:sk 9 10 PxP, the Queen-side pin becomes very unpleasant. If Black means to take, he has first to blockade by . . . P-B5. But he then loses much time and allows White a free hand to strike more ef­ fectively on the Kingside. 10 8-K2 This is the position which has arisen many times between Botvinnik ( BJ,ack) and the ten-years younger Smyslov in their long rivalry S'ince 1941. In their theoretical dispute, Botvinnik, finally, gave up and turned to the Caro-Kann in their third match for the t:Jitle. So there is no reason to expect Smyslov to rej ect that posdtion for White here. Uhlmann can choose something else, like 6 . . . P�N3. But he dislikes slow lines and prefers to repeat his favorite variation. Thus, Uhlmann has taken over Botvinnik's flag in the French. Withou!t lasting success this time, however, as he is meeting an equally stubborn and more able opponent. The text saves a tem p o as compared to 10 B-Q3 if Black intends the block­ ading . . . P-B5 and castling Queenside. White is also reacy for the ending after 10 . . . PxP 11 PxP, QxQt 12 BxQ, N-B4 13 B-B3 ! R-QB1 14 K�2 as he controls the vital (for Black's Knight) QR5 and so retains a sure advantage on the Queenside. 10 • • R-Q 8 1 T h e text poses, or tries to, a difficult dilemma for White. 11 0-0 puts his King far from action in the endgame : 11 . . . PxP 12 PxP, QxQ 13 BxQ, N-B4 14 P-B3 (what else ? ) , N-R4, and Black has a good game. A similar line applies to 11 B-R3. 7 N-83 7 Q-N4 is another and more aggressive choice. Still, after the Queen has left its wing in order to destroy the foe's Kings.ide, Wh.dte has to reckon with some backwardness in development and the partial disappearance of his own cen­ tral Pawns : e.g. 7 . . . Q-B2 8 QxNP, R-N1 9 QxRP, PxP 10 N-K2, QN-B3 1 1 P-B4, B-Q2 12 Q-Q3, PxP, and Black has the initiative for his Pawn. Smyslov has a;lways preferred the sound line as play­ ed in this game. 7 . . . . 8 P-Q R4 B-Q2 The text is essential in this sort of position. White prevents the blockade of his Queenside and obtains QRS for his White Bishop. After 8 . . . B-R5, White does not breathe so easily. 8 . . . . Q-R4 1 1 PxP ! An unexpected move but one character­ istic of Smyslov's deep and logical style. As a matter of fact, it seems to be the only solution. For White cannot well con­ tinue with simple development as he has done till now. He will lose his cen­ tral King Pawn, true, but gets active play for his pieces, a more than suffi­ cient compenswtion. It takes Uhlmann some time to realize that he does not stand better for having destroyed White's center. 11 . . ·. 1 2 0-0 . N-N 3 0-0 It is more convenient for Black to cap­ ture immediately before White can post his pieces so favorably as he does i n the game. But, after 12 . . . KNxP 1 3 NxN, NxN 14 Q-N5, N-N3, Black finds 1 5 P-QB4 ! very unpleasant. 1 5 . . . PxP White "fixes" Black's Queen-s·ide Pawns which will be in constant danger in the later part of the endgame. He has also foreclosed at the proper moment on th e Black possibility of . . . N-QR4. 18 . . . . P-K4 Black's main hope lies in his mob-ile Pawn center, and he uses his only coun­ ter chance at the first opportunity. fails as 1 6 P-B6 ! wins a piece. Thus, the text, though somewhat less than ade­ quate, is necessary. 13 Q-K3 Q-82 Black has no other choice than to lose some tempi i n order to reca11ture a Pawn. 19 K R-N 1 20 R-Q1 21 8-N4 N-Q 1 8-83 Using threats on different points, White gradually posts all his minor pieces aggressively. 21 . . 22 Q R-N 1 • 14 N-Q4 Now White achieves his aim of activat­ ing his minor pieces to enter into a more favorable endgame despite Black's better central Pawns. 14 . • • . QxP Again, the text i s more or less forced. 1 4 . . . KNxP 1 5 N-N5 is unpleasant for Black and so is 1 4 . . . QNxP 15 N-N5, BxN 16 PxB as 1 6 . . . QxP fails against 17 QxQ, RxQ 1 8 B-R3 winning the Exchange. Also, White was threaten­ ing to retain his Pawn by 1 5 P-KB4 . 1 5 N-N 5 16 8xQ QxQ White has the better game owing to his Two Bishops with their wide range of activ-ity an d to his Knight which will from Q6 limit the movement of the Black pieces. 16 . • • . P-Q R3 Black has to weaken his Queenside to meet the threat of first 1 7 KR-N l , then 18 N-Q6. Now Black gets i n . . . R-B2 i n time to defend his weak point, QN2, and his Queen Knight is freed from de­ fending his Queen Rook Pawn. 1 7 N-Q6 18 P-R5 R-82 • N-K3 One of the Rooks does belong on QN1, bUJt it is preferable to get 22 P-N3 in first, allowing the Klng luft. 22 • . • 23 P-N3 24 8-R3 • N-K2 P-84 P-K N 3 Black errs in feeling safe. So he misses the opportunity of building counterplay by 24 . . . P-KN4 ! . (If White had play­ ed 22 P-N3, this chance wouldn't have come u p . ) T h e next move makes Black realize how difficult his position is. 25 P-K 84 ! Uhlmann sees the menace of having his Pawn center, upon the elasticity of which he so counts, blockaded. 25 . . . . P-Q5 Black tries h i s last tactical possibility. He can expect nothing good of 25 . . . P-K5 as White opens the position for his active pieces by 26 B-KB1 and 27 P-B4. 26 PxQP 27 8-82 N-Q4 PxQP On 27 . . . N-B6 28 BPxP, B-Q t 29 B-N2, Black wins the Exchange and loses the game as he cannot stop the crowa of connected White Pawns in the center. RxR 31 R-K1 Nx8 28 8xQP N-K5 32 K x R R-K2 29 RxN 8xN 33 N x N N-86 30 K-82 34 P-83 White is ahead b y only a doubled Pawn and still the ending is won for him. For Black's Pawns are fixed on the color of the White Bishop and so his Queenside is desperately weak. 34 • . . . Unfortunately, 34 . it fails against 35 RxB. 35 R-QBt 36 R-Q7t R-83 R-QB1 is out; K-N 2 R-82 36 . . . K-N1 37 R-QB7 is nat promising for Black, either. 37 RxRt 38 K-Q2 39 P-84 KxR K-K3 White must deny Q5 to Black. Black is obliged to safeguard his Queenside and tries this attack on his opponent's Pawns as his last chance. If he leaves his King be and moves his Bishop along the long diagonal, then White may exchange Bishops via KB3. Or, if Black then leaves his Bishop on QB3 and moves his King back and forth on K6 and KB6, White's Bishop moves to Q5 at the proper moment taking one vital square from Black's King. And, with the Bishops gone, the Pawn ending is won. For, with Kings on Q4 and QB3 for White and Black respectively, White can also gain a zugzwang position with apprqpriate King-side Pawn moves : e.g. 1 P-KR3, P-KR3 2 P-N4, PxP 3 PxP, P-R4 4 P-B5 ! P-R5 5 PxP, P-R6 6 P-N7 P-R7 7 P-NS ( Q ) , P-RS ( Q) 8 Q-B8 mate or 1 . . . P-KR1 2 P-KR4, K-B2 3 K-Q5, K-Q2 4 P-B6t, PxPt 5 K-K5, K-K26 P-B5, etc. ; 40 41 42 43 K-K3 K-Q4 K-K 5 K-86 44 K-N7 45 KxP K-83 K..,.Q2 B-86 K-83 KxP 8-R4 46 8-81 47 8-N2 48 8xP 49 B-88 50 8-Q7 51 P-R3 K-N5 KxRP K-N 3 P-R4 K-84 8-86 Else, 52 P-N4 traps the Bishop. 52 KxP 53 8xP 54 8-N 1 B-83 P-R5 P-R6 55 P-85 56 8-R2 57 P-R4 B-K5 B-Q6 K-Q5 . BxQBP 58 BxB, KxB 59 On 57 P-B6, the ensuing Queen ending is also a loss for Black. 39 • . • . K-Q2 58 P-R5 59 P-N4 60 K-N 7 K-K4 K-85 Resi g n s 8. S I C I L I A N F I R EWORKS AGAI N Appearances are lately that Black's sufferings in the Sicilian Defense will never cease. Long, long ago, Dr. Tarrasch prophetically claimed that Black's 1 . . . P-QB4 does nothing for the proper development of the pieces. Then came Najdorf who invented 5 . . . P-QR3 which does even less-except most likely to make the late Dr. Tarrasch turn in his grave. Nonetheless, not only Najdorf, but Fischer, Polugayevsky and many others, including this commentator, adopted the new variation with extreme devotion. It seems that our age is not a suitable one for thinkers, and the com­ petitors in chess adapt themselves to the atomic era in which they live. The tournament lions of our times need the points and they choose the practical solutions which offer the best chances to garner those points. True values require decades to be properly evaluated. Still, there is a feeling that the day of the "last j udgment" on some lines of the Sicilian is now approaching. Thus, the forgotten wise words are re­ membered again. Thus spake Tarrash ( about the " Sicilian) : The Black Pawns in the center will outnumber the White, but White's attacking chances should prevail over that ( for he has more forces and space in the battle) . If that j udgment was ever true after 1 . . . P-QB4, it ought to be even more so after the added waste of time with 5 . . . P-QR3. Here is the most recent example of a short but deadly fireworks pre­ pared for Black. The game was played in the first international tour­ "' nament in Titovo Uzice this summer. There is a prior history, however, as the same game was played six months earlier in the Yugoslav Cham­ pionship but interrupted at move 18 by mutual agreement on a draw. Each time the leader of the White men was the same, and the continuation of that theoretical, or rather philosophical dispute is exposed herewith. SICI LIAN DEFENSE R. Bogdanovich B . Parma Yugoslav i a Yugoslavia Black White 1 P-K4 2 N-K B3 P-QB4 P-Q3 3 P-Q4 4 NxP 5 N-Q B3 PxP N-K B3 P-Q R3 Black's intention is to secure the bet. ter hold on the center by . . . P-K4. On the immediate 5 . . . P-K4 6 B-N5t, exchanging this Bishop favors White as he gets easier control over the vital cen. ter square, Q5. The text, introduced by Najdorf many years ago, first denies QN5 to White. ( See d i a g r a m , to p of next c o l u m n ) 6 B-K N 5 Here i s a g ood developing move and one of the sharp, acti've lines wh'ich make life difficult for Black. Immediate­ ly, there i•s no longer any thought of . . . P-K4, for the Kn1ght which then covers the hole on White's Q 5 is pinned. 6 • • • • P-K3 This is the logical way of avoiding King-side weakening and at the same time controlling that Q5. Another choice is 6 . . . QN-Q2, but it makes Black's Queen-s'ide development even slower and, after 7 B-QB4, Q-R4 [ else, the threat of sacrifice on K6 is much more dangerous for Black] 8 Q--Q2, P-K3 9 0-0-0, P-N 4 10 B-N3, B-N2 [not 10 . . . P-N5 1 1 N-Q5 ! N x P 12 QxP, QxQ 1 3 N-B7 mate ! ] 1 1 KR-K1, White has harmoniously de­ veloped p'ieces and glorious attacking chances. 7 P-84 Now White's center becomes mobile with threat of P-K5 or some times P-B5. 7 . B-K2 Bronstein's artistic heart would suffer at some points 'in this game. For the noted Soviet Grandmaster wou1d regret not being able to try in this one game all the continuations the outcome of which he'd be eager to see. Some day, surely, Bronstein will suggest a reform whereby a tournament game will be play­ ed out on several chess boards simul­ taneously. Bogdanovic'h has no reason for such complaints here. The sharp alternative is 7 . . . Q-N3 with regard less for proper development than for the weak black squares in White's camp. And Bogdanovich tried that against the same opponent in the Yugoslav Championship in Titograd, only to lose : 8 Q-Q2, QxP 9 R-N1, 'Q-R6 1 0 BxN [ see another con­ tinuation in rthe next paragraph ] , PxB 11 B-K2, B-N2 12 0-0, P-B4 1 3 KR--Q1, 0-0 [Parma desired, but Bogdanovich did not, to repeat Parma's endgame with Fischer from Havana 196 5 : 13 . N-B3 14 NxN, BxN 15 Q-K3, PxN 16 R-N3, Q-B4 17 QxQ, PxQ 1 8 RxB, PxP 19 RxP, B-Q2 20 R-K5, P-KB4 21 P-N4, etc.] 14 PxP, N-B3 15 NxN, PxN 16 P-B6 ! BxP 17 N-K4, B-KN2 18 R-N3, Q-R5 19 NxP, P-QB4 20 K-R1, R-R2 21 R-KN3, K-R1 22 P-B5, and White's tremendous pressure on the exposed Black King decided the issue. Nor do Black's troubles after 7 . . . Q-N3 lie solely in that line. On 10 P-K5 [instead of 10 BxN] , PxP 11 PxP, KN--Q2 12 B-QB4, he has no good answer. Whether he trie·s 12 . . . B-K2 1 3 BxP ! BxB 14 0- 0 ! 0-0 15 QxB, P-KR3 ( Fischer's innovation) and runs into 1 5 Q-R5 ! or 12 . . . B-N5 1 3 R-N3, Q-R-1 14 0-0, 0-0 and runs into Robert Byrne's invention in the latest U. S. Championship, 15 B-B6 ! his prospects are gloomy. One of the many recent " Sicilian victims," Larry Evans, suggest­ ed an improvement on his 15 . . . PxB against Byrne, namely, 15 . . . NxB ; but, after 16 PxN, R-Q1 17 RxB, QxR 18 Q-N5, P-KN3, White has a very strong positional pressure for the Exchange and it is up to him to find the right plan for the decisive attack. So it certainly seems better for Black to stay with the sounder line as in this game from Titovo Uzice than to try for further acrobatics with his undeveloped Queen side. 8 Q-83 8 Q-Q2 is incorrect, allowing simplifi­ cation by 8 . . . P-KR3 9 B-R4, NxP ! with White':> Queen under attack. 8 . . . . Q-82 Black prepares to fianchetto his Queen Bishop, which did not work before be­ cause of the intermediate move, P-K5, and also tightens his control of his K4 at the same time. 9 0-0-0 Q N-Q2 Black's King Knight needs further sup­ port, and it is still too early for . . . P-N4 ; for, on 10 BxN, Black needs to keep his Queen Pawn protected. 10 P-K N 4 This struggle for control of space was introduced in this commentator's game with Fischer in the Challengers Tourna­ ment of 1959. 10 . . . 11 8xN • P-N4 White clears the road for his Pawn mass and incidentally destroys one of Black's Knights which, together with his Queeri Bishop, can otherwise exercise stronger pressure on White's King Pawn. 11 . . . • Nx8 1 1 . .• . BxB with intent t o simplify after 12 P-N5, BxN is refuted by 12 BxP ! PxB 13 N/4xNP followed by 14 NxPt and 15 P-K5. The only alternative is 11 . . . PxB, but Kholmov-Bronstein in one of the recent USSR Champion­ ships shows that White's attack com­ bined with P-B5, as in this commenta­ tor's second game with Fischer in 1959, is a dangerous one. 12 P-N 5 1 3 P-85 ! N-Q2 The usual continuation has been 1 3 P-QR3 t o secure White's Knight on QB3. Lately, however, 13 . . . R-QN1, rather than . . . B-N2, has been found almost playable for Black, who did reach equal­ ity in some games ( e.g. Ivkov-Donner Beverwijk 1966) ; 14 B-R3, N-B4 [sacri­ fice on K6 was threatened] 1 5 KR-N1, P-N5 16 PxP, RxP 1 7 P-B5. Parma prefers to avoid weakening the White King field and tries to conserve one important tem p o for attack on the other wing. BxP 18 N-K6 mate ! The only alternative left to Black is 13 . . . BxPt 1 4 K-N1 but, after that, Black cannot, with his King Bishop ex­ posed, hold control of White's center N-K4 15 Q-R5 fol­ squares : e.g. 14 . . lowed by 16 PxP. 14 P-86 1 5 PxP 16 8-R3 This p·osition is certainly more favor­ able for White than that after 13 P-QR3, R-QN1 14 B-R3, N-B4 15 KR-Nl , P-N5 16 PxP, RxP 17 P-B5. For White has not here permitted the opening of the Knight file on his King and has kept almost the same advantages with gain of time. Black is backward in develop­ ment and has difficulty in connect.ing his Rooks. His only hope is to make his position impenetrable-but is that worth playing? The wish for counterplay has developed strange tastes in us today ! 16 • • . . 13 . • . . N-84 B-Q2 Black is even denied use of the active fianchetto as he must cover White's diagonal, KR3-QB8 : 1 6 . . . B-QN2 17 Q-R5, 0-0-0 18 N-Q5, etc. And 1 6 . . . P-N5 17 QN-K2 [sacrifice on Q5 is not yet good enough as Black's King escapes via Q 1 and QB1] leads only to further opening of the weak Black King posi­ tion after White properly prepares P-QB3. 17 Q-R5 18 Q x 8 P Black protects his King Pawn as much as possible, for it denies the strongest post, Q5, to 'white's Knight. Thus, 13 . . . N-K4 14 Q-N3 is a weaker line for Black because of the threat of 15 B-R3. And there is no time for 13 . . . P-N5 in view of 14 PxP, PxN 15 PxPt and 16 N-K6 mate or 1 4 . . . BxPt 1 5 K-N1, PxN 16 QxPt, K-Q1 17 P-K7r ! PxP 8-81 0-0-0 This position was reached in Parma­ Buljovchick in Titograd 1965. White agreed to a draw thinking he had nothing better than to repeat moves after 18 . . . B-R3t 19 K-N1, QR-B1 20 Q-K7, R-K1 21 Q-B7. 18 1 9 K-N 1 20 Q-R 5 ! 8-R3t Q R-81 Of course, like everyone else, Parma was puzzled that, after so much improve­ ment position-wise, he had to take a draw. So, the day before this game, he looked more closely into this position and decided some sacrifices must work. 20 . . . . RxP Everything looks fine now, but . . 21 P- K5 ! . . . This, and it's only the first blow, opens the Queen file and the long diag ­ onal, KR1-QR8, and means the introduc­ tion of the next sacrifice. 21 . . . N-N6t, QxN 26 QxRt. 23 N-Q5 24 QxP Q-82 BxB 25 N x R 2 6 R-Q6 ! N-R5 All Black's moves were more or less forced and, though he has two minor p·i eces for a Rook, his posHion, with his K ing exposed, is hopeless. B-N 2 Q-N 2 26 . . . . 27 K R-Q1 Vainly,.. Black tries Queen Rook Pawn. to protect his PxP What else ? 28 Q-R5 22 N x K P ! BxN Black's Rook of course cannot recap­ ture as his King Bishop hangs ; and, after 22 . . . NxN 23 N-Q5, Q-Ql 24 QxP, White either gets the Exchange on 2 4 . . . B-'N2 25 BxN ! BxB 2 6 NxR, QxN 27 QxQ, BxQ 28 R-Q6, R-Kl 29 R-Kl or wins as well on 2 4 . . . R-N3 25 The text move does win, but 28 N-K8 ! BxQ 29 R-Q8 mate ! is simpler and more effective. 28 . . . . 29 Q-N4t 30 N-Q7t B-N7 K-N 1 K-R1 31 32 33 34 Qx K B QxP RxPt QxBt R-QB1 B-K5 QxR Resigns The game won the second brilliancy prize. 9. A V E RY PRE C I OU S WI N The AVRO Tournament in Holland in 1938 is well remembered for its greatness. There eight of the world's best players met in a double-round robin. The tournament in Dallas in 1957 was another attempt to repeat the extremely attractive idea for the world of chess. And now chess fans throughout the world are happy to have such a com­ petition established as a tradition in the Piatigorsky Cup Tournament. Thanks to the young fighters like Fischer, Larsen and Spassky, the second Piatigorsky Tournament was even more exciting than the first one in 1963. But the merit properly goes to all, young and old, for it is more a matter of class than age. This commentator had difficulty in deciding which game of the many from Santa Monica to present in this column. Then he decided that, in a very precious tournament, the most precious win ought to be the choice. Which game was that? Though it is hard to believe, it was the game played so early as Round 8, and not one from the last rounds. Who could dream, how­ ever, that, after Fischer's third successive loss, which is given here, and after he had placed at the bottom with Ivkov, that the United States Champion would still surge ahead to be the main rival of the tourna­ ment winner? It is just this victory of Spassky over Fischer in the first half of the tournament which gave the winner the decisive advantage in points so that he, only slightly, outreached Fischer's tremendous progress in the second half of the great race. Here is the game, worth the highest prestige and some thousands of dollars. Santa Monica 1 966 feats. 1 G RU E N F E L D D E F E N S E Robert Boris S passky J. U n ited States Sov i et U n io n Black White 1 P-Q4 ever Spassky met, nent with sharp as White, an oppo. repertory, he pre­ ferred the closed games, instead of his tainly, in • a favorite Spassky 1 P-K4. This time cer­ expected Fischer to be wild mood after two successive de- The • N-KB3 P-K N 3 P-Q4 • successful Defense, against Fischer Botvinnik at Zlatni Piasci 1962, and, as Black, almost The tournament winner chose specific usual • Witth the Gruenfeld was won that game, too.* 4 PxP tactics for the Piatigorsky Cup. When­ a • 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 F isch e r International Team Tournament, Varna, Bulgaria. Fischer also made his first immortal game with the Gruenfeld against Donald Byrne. New York 19'57. Hans Kmoch has observed that he reserves the Gruenfeld for his attempts at Games of the Century-Ed, If there GruenfeJ.d, destroys is any this Black's refutation ought to of be it; the for it Pawn center. B u t the modern conception that the center may be effectively controlled by p-ieces from a distance, and not only by Pawns on the spot, makes the opening quite play. able. The text here has rather a pyscholog. ical meaning. White clears up the posi­ tion immediately and, if Black presses too hard for counter chalices, there is good strategical hope tha;t the central­ ized White Pawns and pieces may pre­ va;il and gain the advanta.ge at'ter all. 4 . . . . 5 P-K4 NxP NxN The text i s obviously the best. 5 N-N3 loses time and offers White easy and comfortable play. 6 Px N 7 8-Q84 8-N 2 7 B-R3 amounts to a small self-trap. For, at'ter 7 . . . P-N3 or 7 . . . N-Q2, Black gets in . . . P-QB4 anyway and .shuts the hasty White Queen Bishop out of play. 7 8 N-K2 • . • • P-Q84 KB3 i s the more ideal post for the Knigh't, but the point of this line is to ·avoid having it pinned by . . . B-N5. The support of White's Queen Pawn is very important. 8 . . . 9 8-K 3 • N-83 Black can welcome 9 P-Q5 a s he :un­ dermines the center later by . . . P-K3. 9 . . . . 10 0-0 0-0 Q-82 pressure. 1 1 R-81 It is obvious that both Spassky and Fischer know thaJt game, and Black here has some improvement i n mind, perhaps by blocking the Kings'ide by a timely . . . P-KB4. So Spassky, despite Gel­ ler's success, chooses another line. 12 Q-K 1 ! The text saves an important tempo in comparison with this commentator's game vs. Smyslov, Kiev 1 9 59 [cf. page 276, September 1959 ] . There he played 12 P-KR3 and, after 12 . . . P-N3 1 3 P-B4, P-K3 U Q-K1, B-N2 1 5 Q-B2, N-R4 1 6 B-Q3, P-B4 17 P-K5, P-B5 18 B-B2, N-B3 19 P-N4, N-K2 20 K-R2, Q-B3 21 N-N3, P-QN4, Black achieved a clear strategical advantage. 12 . . . . 1 3 P-84 1 4 8-Q3 What was to be expected has happen­ ed. Black doesn't want to simplify by 10 . . . PxP 1 1 PxP, B-N5 12 P-B3, N-R4 1 3 B-Q3, B-K3 and to strive just to keep the balance. Another line to complicate by keeping tension in the center is 10 . . . N-R4 11 B-Q3, P-N3. Bronstein-Korchnoy, Belgrade 1964 illustrated the strength of White's centralized pieces after 12 Q -R4 ( Spa,ssky himself tried 1 2 R-B1 vs. Stein, Moscow 1964 ) , P-K4 13 QR-Q1, B-Q2 14 Q-R3, KPxP ( 1 4 . . . Q-B2 is more solid) 1 5 PxP, PxP 16 BxP, BxB 1 7 NxB, B-N5 1 8 B-K2, BxB 19 NxB, Q-K1 20 N-B3, P-B3 21 N-Q5, R-B2 2 2 KR-K1, Q-KB1 23 Q__:KN3 with s-trong R-Q1 So far, the game is quite identical with the fifth game of the match, Gel­ ler-Smyslov in the Challengers Round of the World Championship Program, Mos·cow 1965. There White continued with 1 2 P-B4, P-K3 13 K-R1, P-N3 14 P-B5, N-R4 15 B-Q3, KPxP 1 6 KPxP, B-N2 17 Q-Q2, R-K1 1 8 N-N3, Q-B3 19 R-KB2, QR-Q1 20 B-KR6, B-KR1 2 1 Q-B4 ! R-Q2 22 N-K4, P-B5 23 B-B2, QR-K2 24 QR-Bl, RxN 25 BPxP, P-B3 26 Q-N5 ! Q-Q2 27 K-N1 ! ! and won very elegantly. P-K3 N-R4 P-84 Fischer consistently follows the basic idea for this kind of position. Now the game approaches the crisis when the moment will be ripe to decide in whose favor the game will turn. 15 R-Q1 16 Q-82 P-N 3 PxQP The text amounts to a very important strategical gain for White. Because of the threat of. QPxBP, Black allows the centralization of the previously passive White Queen Bishop. 17 8xP This Bishop now emerges to swap off m a c k's strong Bishop and so remo ve its protection from Black's King. 17 1 8 Px8 1 9 N-N3 8x8 8-N2 The point of the combination. White breaks through with gain of a tem po. 22 . . . . Q-82 The alternative with 22 . . . PxP is hopeless for Blac k : 23 NxBP, R--K1 ( the threat is 24 Q-N3t, Q-N3 25 N-K7t ) 24 Q-Q·1, Q-N3 25 B-B4t, NxB 26 QxNt, K-R1 27 R-Q7. 23 8xP 23 NxP of course is met by 23 RxB. 23 . . . . 24 RxR The c rucial dispute goes on. White to doesn't concede central squares Black's pieces without obtaining sub­ stantial compensation in several weak points on Black's Kingside. 19 . . . . Q-82 19 . . . PxP 20 NxP grants White his goal as just mentioned. So Black tries to maintain the blockaded position to deprive White's minor pieces of activity. With his next move, White finds the suitable reply against such efforts by his opponent. RxR R-K B 1 Black defends i n t h e b e s t p-ossible way. He is lost after 24 . . . BxB 2 5 NxB, QxP 2 6 N-B6 t ! K-N2 27 R-Q7t ! KxN 2g Q-Q4t e.g. 28 . . . Q-K4 29 R-Q6t or 28 . . . K-N4 29 P-R4t , K-R3 30 Q-N7t, K-R4 31 QxPt, K-N5 32 R-Q4t, K-N6 33 Q-QB7t, etc. A nd, in this line, 2 6 . . . K-R1 27 QxQ, PxQ 2 8 R-Q7 runs into a mate. 25 8-N 1 26 Q-82 Q-83 K-R1 27 PxP 28 Q-Q2 PxP 28 QxP of course loses to 2 8 Q-B7t followed by mate. But, with the text and sequel, White takes over cen­ tral squares with a gain of tem po. 28 . . . . 29 R-K 8 1 30 Q-Q4t K-N2 Q-K 2 30 . . . . R-83 20 P-Q5 There is no other way to penetrate. By offering a Pawn, White provides work for his idle pieces and starts an attack along the diagonal, Q3-R7, against the weakened Black Kingside. 20 20 8PxP . KPxP is m et by 2 1 PxBP. 21 PxP 22 P-85 ! Qx K P It doesn't seem appetizing to consider 30 . . . K-R3 31 RxR, QxR. Nonethe­ less, it seems this is the moment when Black misses his better chance. For, if the same ending comes about and White plays P-KR4 to fix Black's weak Pawn on KN3, Black can then play . P-KN4 reducing the material on that wing. On the other hand, there is no clear way for White to exploit Black's exposed King by keeping Queens on the board as there is always the threat of . . . Q-QB4. 3 1 N-K4 31 B-K4, N-B3 leads to a draw. This way, Black's Knight remains on the edge of the board. 8xN 31 . . . . Q-84 32 8 x 8 .Black has no other way to free him­ self of the pin and takes on an un­ favorable ending as the best solution left to him. 32 . . . P-QN 4 33 RxR costs him a Pawn, and 32 . . . P-K N 4 fails against 33 R-B5. RxRt 33 QxQ To play with Rooks on the board i& not pleasant either after 33 PxQ 3 4 R-B1, P-B5 35 R-B3. 34 K x R 3 5 P-KR4 PxQ Now Black's weak Knight Pawn is fixed, and Black's King confined to the wing. Meanwhile, the Queenside has be­ come even more vulnerable after the exchange of Queens and separatlon of Black's Pawns. White's King aims to penetrate there. N-85 N -K4 35 • • 36 K-K2 • • 37 K-K3 38 K-84? 39 K-K3 K-83 N-82 White takes his King move back as it is to his favor to let the King-side Pawns be exchanged. ( See d i a g r a m , top of n ext co l u m n ) 39 • • • • P-N4 This decision is not to be recommend- ed jus't before the time control. Black observes that White missed his chance for 38 B-B2 and 39 K-K4 and so doesn't want to reperut the position by 3 9 . N-K4. But his text trades one evil for another; for this Knight will now be bound to the Kingside because of the passed White Rook Pawn. He has much better chances in 3 9 . . N-R3 40 K-Q3 ( 40 K-B4, N-B 2 ) , N-B4 41 K-B4, NxP ( n ot 41 . . . N-Q3t 4 2 K-Q5 as then the Pawn ending is in White's favor) 42 KxP, K-K4 with some pros­ pects of saving the game. 40 P-R5 41 K-Q3 42 8-R8 N-R3 K-K4 K-Q3 43 K-84 44 P-R4 45 P-R5 P-N S N-N1 The existence o f t h e Queen Rook Pawns on the board decides the out­ come of the game. 45 . • . • 46 8-K4 47 K-N S N-R3 P-N 6 N-N1 48 8-N 1 49 K-R6 50 8-R2 N-R3 K-83 Resigns 1 0. A PART I C U LAR RIVALRY THOUGH Fischer was quite successful in Havana last year and in the U. S. Championship, still he was not nearly so impressive as he had proved to be previously. The slight decline in his form seems easily explained by his two-year absence from tournament play. In the mean time, Larsen of Denmark scored several impressive results in the presence of Soviet grandmasters. His tie for first in Amsterdam 1964 evoked some recollection of Fischer's triumph in the 1961 Interzonal Tournament. Then Larsen won easily from Ivkov in their match, came very close to winning against Tahl and did win from Geller again this year. The unofficial conclusion, so to speak, of the series was his triumph in Le Havre this year, two points ahead of Polugayevsky. All these results gave some basis to the rumors that­ not Fischer--but Larsen was the main danger from the West to the Soviet chess hegemony. In consequence, there was a special atmosphere in the second Piatigorsky Cup Tournament : quite apart from the general run for first place, there was a particular rivalry between Fischer and Larsen. Both players proved their worth in this great tournament : Larsen was the one whom Spassky had to watch in the beginning ; and then, suddenly, Fischer became another man and made his sensational series of victories in the second half of the competition. In Fischer's efforts to overtake Spassky, one of the main obstacles was his game, with Black, against Larsen, who was pursuing the same objective. It was obvious that there would be no peace even with Bishops of different color. Here then is that game. Fischer must have been double pleased to win it because of his unexpected loss with White against Larsen in the first half of the tournament. Santa M on ica 1 966 ( Round 1 5 ) will be taken by surprise again. K I N G'S I N D I A N D E F E N S E Bent Larsen Robert J . Fischer U n ited States Denmark Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 N - K B3 P-K N 3 B-N2 4 P-K4 5 B-K2 6 B-N5 P-Q3 0-0 The more natural move is 6 N-KB3, on the recommendation of Emanuel Lasker that the Knights ought to be de­ veloped first, and Larsen has frequently adopted that line. This time he varies, employing the seldom-played Bronstein Variation which aims to prevent . . . P-K4. Why the new tactics ? Najdorf won easily against Fischer with the same move in the first half of the tournament. But it is hard to expect that Fischer 6 • . • • P-84 This is the correct answer in the cen­ ter when White's Bishop is exposed on KN5. 6 . . P-K4 does not work be­ cause of 7 PxP, PxP 8 QxQ, RxQ 9 N-Q5. 7 P-Q5 The only amb'itious re�ly. On 7 N-B3, PxP 8 NxP, White cannot maintain that Knight in the center without loss of tim e ; and, on 7 PxP, Black has 7 . . . Q-R4 with threat of 8 . . . NxP and the attack on his diagonal QR4-K8. P-K 3 7 . . . . A s in h i s previous g'ame with Najdorf, Fischer aims to transpose to the Semi­ Benoni. Another line frequently played is 7 . . . P-QR3 8 P-QR4 [White avoids 8 N-B3, P-N4 9 PxP, PxP 10 BxP, NxKP! 1 1 NxN, Q-R4t 12 N-B3, BxNt 13 PxB, QxB ] , Q-R4 [the meaning of this move is to force White to occupy his Q2 with another piece thus barring it to his King Knight which belongs there] 9 B-Q2, P-K3 1 0 N-B3, PxP 11 BPxP. PorHsch­ Gligorich (Hungary vs. Yugoslavia 1966) ran 1 1 . . . B-N5 1 2 0-0, Q-B2 13 P-R3, BxN 1 4 BxB, QN-Q2 1 5 P-QN3, KR-K1 16 Q-B2, P-B5 17 P-QN4, QR-B1 18 QR-K 1 ? N-K4 19 B-K2, N/3-Q2 20 R-B1, N-Q6 ! 21 BxN, PxB 22 QxP, N/2-K4 23 Q-N1, N-B5 24 B-K1, Q-K2 25 Q-N3, Q-N4 26 R-B2, Q-B5 with the better game for Black in return for his Pawn. This same game was partially re­ peated in Petros­ yan-lvkov (Rd. 4 ) Portisch­ in and Ivkov (Rd. 6) in Santa Monica. Ivkov played 11 . . . R-K1 12 0-0, Q-B2 13 Q-B2, B-N5. Petrosyan tried 14 P-QN3 , QN-Q2 1 5 P-KR3, BxN- 1 6 BxB, P-B5 17 P-QN4, R-K2 18 KR-K1, QR-K1 19 QR-B1, P-R3 2 0 , P-R5, Q-N1 21 Q-N1, K-R1 22 N-R4, N-K4 23 B-K2, N/4-Q2 24 B-KB3, and there followed a draw by re�tition of moves. Portisch played immediately ( from the last line) 14 P-R3, BxN 15 BxB, QN-Q2 16 P-R5, R-K2 17 R-R4, R/1-K1 1 8 B-K2, P-R3 1- 9 K-R2, P-N4 20 B-N4, NxBt 21 PxN, B-K4t 22 P-N3, N-B3 23 P-B3, Q-Q2 24 R/4-R1, but White ob­ tained no better than a draw in thi� game either. Fischer �refers not to make any early Queen excursion, and th,is game cer­ tainly justifies his plan. 8 N-83 9 B-R4 P-K R3 Black has held back exchanging Pawns to reply to 9 B-B4 with 9 . . . P-K4. 9 . . . . 10 BPxP 1 1 B-N 3 11 • • • • PxP P-K N 4 N-R4 At the right moment, the right reply. White's Bishop attacking the most sen. sitive Black Queen Pawn must be elim­ inated. Against Najdorf in Round 7, Fischer was misled into 1 1 . . . P-N4, ho�ing for 12 BxNP, NxK P ! He became positionally lost, however, after 12 N-Q2 ! P-R3 13 0-0, R-K1 14 Q-B2, Q-K2 15 KR-K1, QN-Q2 16 P-QR4, P-QN5 17 N-Q1, N-K4 18 N-K3, N-N3 19 N/3-B4, N-B5 20 BxN, PxB 21 P-K5 ! PxP 22 B-B3. 1 2 N-Q2 13 R Px N NxB N-Q2 Now Black has reached the typical position from the Semi-Benoni. The trans�osition of moves has been in Black's favor. For, on the usual order: 1 P-Q4, N-KB3 2 P-QB4, P-QB4 3 P-Q5, P-K3 4 N-QB3, PxP 5 PxP, P-Q3 6 P-K4, P-KN3 7 N-B3, B-N2 8 B-KN5, P-KR3 9 B-R4, P-KN4 10 B-N3, N-:R4, White has the un�leasant interpolation, 11 B-N5t, K-B1 ; and, after 12 B-K2, NxB 13 RPxN, P-R3 14 P-R4, N-Q2 1 5 N-Q2, N-K4 16 Q-B2, R-N1 1 7 P-R5, B-B3 18 N-Q1, P-N 4 19 PxP e.p. RxP 20 N-K3, White has gradually increased his a d v a n t a g e ( Uhlmann-Padevski, Zagreb 1965) . 14 N-84 Not having finished his development, White is not prepared for the strateg­ ically very favorable exchange of the white - bound Bishops. 14 B-N4, N-K4 1 5 BxB_, RxB confers t oo much space and a strong pressure on Black. 14 • • . . 1 5 N-K3 Q-K2 N-83 16 Q-82 1 7 8-N 5 24 . . • . 2 5 K Px 8 8xN Here is White's idea : to get K4 a s a ·J,J ost for his other Knight, but the price is too dear. Black's Queen-side Pawn majority has value ; White's King-side none. Black's Bishop is mightier than White's. And last bu't not least, White's will not be able to remain in the center. 25 N-K4 R-K 1 R-Q1 Of course not 17 . . B-Q2 as Black can almost resign when White's Knight takes over KB5 eternally. The Black Queen Bishop's protection of that hole is vital. 18 8-K2 White can meet the threat of 18 P-R3 and . . . P-QN4 by 18 P-R4, but he must also guard against 1 8 . N-N5 with the threat of trading off his strong Knight on K3. 18 . . . . R-K 1 This is a cunning move which tempts White to declare his intentions. It is almost certain that Black does not want to draw by repetition ; but here he still has time to change his mind, and White hasn't. 26 N-K4 Here the threat of 27 P-B6, BxP 28 RxP would be very effective is White's Bishop could stay on the diagonal, QN5-K8, so that 26 . . . N-Q2 would be met by 27 BxN. As such is not the case, White's whole plan fails. Nor does the immediate 26 P-B6, QxP 27 N-K4 work in view of 27 Q-N3. 26 2 7 8-K2 . 19 P-83 Thus, Black has achieved a weaken­ ing of black squares in White's camp. With his next Knight maneuver, he in­ creases his control over black squares. White has no advantag e ; and, if the leader of the White men were not La.r­ sen, he could calmly make a peaceful offer with 19 B-N5 and so tempt Black in his turn. 19 • • • • 20 P-K N 4 N-R2 N-81 21 P-R4 22 K-81 N-N3 R-N 1 Cautiously, Black creates no weaken­ ing · of his Queen-side Pawn structure till he is certain of being able to ad­ vance there effectively. 23 8-N 5 24 N-85 R-Q1 White has lost patience. By selling his Queen Bishop for this dangerous Knight and closed the hole on his KB4, Black has his hands free to devise his own plans. 24 P-KN3 and moving his King to safer quarters is more advis­ able for White here. . . • P-R 3 Here we see that White has n o time for 27 P-B6, BxP 28 RxP because of 28 B-N2 . 27 28 R-K 1 29 N-83 N-Q2 N-83 If this Knight disappears, so does White's hope of having e ven one piece pot�ntially stronger than the opponent's counterpart. 29 . . . . Q-Q2 In contrast to White's moves, every one of Black's has a firm purpose. Now the threat of making Black's Queen-side majority mobile by 30 . . . P-N4 forces White to create another weakness. 30 P-R5 3 1 K-82 32 R-R 1 Black now controls more R-K 1 Q-82 P-85 space and opens a diagonal on White's King. 33 K-N 3 Or 33 R-QR4, P-N4 34 PxP e.p. QxPt. Black undertakes to destroy the pro­ tective Pawn chain. The pin by 35 Q-K2 can be met by 36 K-B2. 36 B-81 White is lost. 36 PxP, NxRPt 37 K-N4 [ or 37 K-B2, Q-B 4 ] , BxN 38 PxB, N-B3t is hopeless for White : 39 K-N3, N-K5t or 39 KxP, Q-K2. 33 . . . . R-K6 Now Black starts the decisive pene­ tration around White's exposed Ki.ng. 34 Q-Q2 35 K R-K1 R/1-K 1 P-R4 36 37 38 39 . . . . RxR K-R3 P-K N 3 NxNP RxR Q-K2 BxN 40 41 42 43 Px B R-K1 RxR QxQ Rx K B P R-K6 QxR Here the game was adjourned, Black sealed the obvious move. 43 . . • . Res i g n s N xQ and 1 1. A DANGER ZO N E There i s a general belief that the zonal tournaments represent the easiest step by far for strong grandmasters in cycles of competitions for the individual world championship. It seems logical, indeed ; for there are more "outsiders" than in the Interzonal Tournament or the Chal­ lengers Hound. But the uncertainties and temptations are often no whit smaller for the favorites in the zonal competitions. Regard, for example, Spassky's progress toward his match with the �rorld Champion. In 1958, he was eliminated by losing the better game against Tahl in the last round of the Soviet Championship ; in 1963, he was never so much in doubt as in the Soviet Zonal in which he started poorly and emerged as victor only at the very end, among six other dangerous rivals; after that, everything ran more smoothly for Spassky. Or take lvkov, for another instance. He later entered the Chal­ lengers Round ; but, in the zonal round, he had actually to fight out an elimination match with Robatsch for third place. The author of these lines might exaggerate in that he felt very safe in the European Zone 1 Tournament, held recently in The Hague. But there is a very good spiritual which applied before the end of that event: "No one knows the trouble I've seen." He incurred too many draws with lower-placing participants, which had to be compensated by wins against the strong competitors. Here is one of those victories, against the Bulgarian Grand­ master who won the European Zone � Tournament three years ago. The real reason for presenting the game, however, is its theoretical in­ terest as to certain aspects of the popular King's Indian Defense. E u ro pean Zone 1 Tournament 7 B-K3 The H ague 1 966 K I N G'S I N D I A N D E F E N S E Svetozar G l i g o r i c h G e o r g i Tri n g ov B u l garia Yugoslavia Black White N - K B3 P-K N 3 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 P-K4 5 N-83 B-N2 P-Q3 There are many different lines against the King's Indian. Here White "follows" in general the simple recommendation of Emanuel Lasker that Knights ought to be developed before Bishops. 5 . . . . 6 B-K2 0-0 Now the King Knight is secured against eventual pinning and the King Bishop stands ready to take control of King-side space supported by the Queen. 6 . . • • P-K4 White may direct his attention to Queen-side chances by 7 P-Q5 or retain tension i n the center also by 7 0-0. The text is Reshevsky's favorite method of play, and the position which arises deserves considerable discussion. White's first aim is harmonious de- ployment or the minor pieces and, if not exposed, the Queen Bishop is ideal· ly situated, affecting both wings. Why does White disclose his plans so early? After 7 0-0, N-B3 8 B-K3, R-K1 9 P-Q5, Black can simplify by 9 . . . N-Q5 ! 10 NxN, PxN 11 BxP, NxKP. After the text, that line is barred as White has con­ served a tempo by postponing castling and so Black has no Rook tactically situated on the King file. Another point is seen by comparison with 7 0-0, PxP [instead of the more frequent 7 . . . N-B3 or 7 . . . QN-Q2] 8 NxP, R-K1 9 P-B3, P-B3 with a Saemisch-like variation but one in which White is too late for 10 B-K3 as that is met by 10 . . . P-Q4. S o White has to think of some other, perhaps less effi­ cient plan. 7 . . . . PxP This is one of the logical replies. Black opens the file on which so many White pieces lie exposed. A provocative answer i s 7 . . . N-N5 ; but, after 8 B-N5, P-KB3 9 B-R4, Black does not gain anything in time as his King Knight is exposed and also blocks his King-side Pawns which are to ad­ vance. 9 B-QB1 is also playable i n this line as White's temporarily retarded de: velopment may be compensated by a. quick return of the Queen Bishop into play. An example with 9 B-R4 is Gligorich­ Lee from the same zonal tournament : 9 . . . Q-K1 ? [9 . . . Q-Q2 is better so as to make the King Bishop Pawn more mobile] 10 0-0, N-B3 1 1 P-Q5, N-K2 12 N-Q2, N-R3 13 P-B3, P-KB4 14 B-B2, P-QR3 15 P-B5, and Black i s in serious trouble on the Queenside without suffi­ cient counterplay on the other wing. Also, there was another Gligorich­ Tringov game (Titovo Uzice 1 9 6 6 ) with the continuation 7 . . . QN-Q2 8 0-0, N-N5 9 B-N5, P-KB3 10 B-R4, N-R3 1 1 P-Q5, N-B2 1 2 N-K1, P-QB4 1 3 N-Q3, N-N3 14 P-QN3, Q-B2 15 P-B3, P-B4 16 P-QR4, P-N4 17 B-K1, P-B5 18 P-R5, N-Q2 1 9 P-QN4 ; and, as that line fav­ ored White, Black chooses another, more solid line here. Finally, 7 . . . N-B3 is playable ; but, after 8 P-Q5, N-K2 9 N-Q2, White at­ tains his desired regrouping of his pieces (Gligorich-Kraidman, Tel Aviv 1966 ) . Fischer also tried 7 . . . N-B3 i n the Piatigorsky Cup Tournament, but Re­ shevsky as White reverted to the old line 8 0-0, R-K1 known from his match with Najdorf. NxP 9 P-83 8 R-K1 P-83 10 Q-Q2 White has had the privilege of re­ fusing to c·a stle on his seventh move i n . that he c a n protect h i s Queen Bishop i n time. 10 . . . • 1 1 K Px P P-Q4 White h a s no better reply. 11 . . . . 12 0-0 PxP Now White's King is much safer tha•1 after 1 2 0-0-0 as was played i n a sim­ ilar position in Danielsson-Gligorich (Gothenburg 1953-4) in which White adopted the Saemisch Variation : 1 P-Q4, N-KB3 2 P-QB4, P-KN3 3 N-QB3, B -N2 4 P-K4, P-Q3 5 P-B3, 0-0 6 B-K3, P-K4 7 KN-K2, P-B3 8 Q-Q2, PxP 9 NxP, P-Q4 1 0 KPxP, PxP (position shown ln small diagram below) 1 1 0-0-0. 12 • . . • N-83 Clearing off the center with 12 PxP is probably more solid as i n Glig­ orich-Fischer ( Interzonal 1 9 6 2 ) and Re­ shevsky-Gligorlch (Piatigorsky 1963) w i t h t h e continuation : 1 3 QR-Q1 [ not immediately 13 BxP ? RxB 14 QxH, N-N5 ] , P-QR3 14 BxP, P-QN4 1 5 B-N3, B-N2 1 6 P-QR4 ! [more active than 1 6 N-B2 as played in Stockholm 1962 ] , PxP ! [ 16 . . . P-N5 17 N-K4 favors White] 17 BxRP, QN-Q2 18 N-N3, Q-K2 [in Mar del Plata 1966, Bolbochan tried the more passive 18 . . . Q-B1 against Reshevsky but had a loss after 19 N-R5, R-K4 2 0 P-QN4, B-BJ 21 B-KB4, BxNP 2 2 BxR, NxB 23 NxB, BxN 24 Q-K3] 19 KR-K1 [ had Reshevsky any improve­ ment in mind in Mar del Plata ? ] , Q-N5 ! 20 Q-KB2, R-K4 21 N-B1, R-K2 22 R-Q4, Q-R4 23 N-N3, Q-KB4 2 4 KR-QJ , N-KB1 with a. draw agreed upon as Black has successfully met all threats. 13 P-85 16 N-K6 ! On 16 N-B 5, Q-B1 17 NxB, QxN, the Black Queen can serve to protect the weak black squares. 16 . . . . Q-Q3 The sacrifice of this Queen does not offer sufficient compensation. 17 N x 8 1 8 N-N 5 KxN White strengthens his control of the black squares with a gain of tem po. 18 • . . . 19 K R- K 1 2 0 8-8 1 Q-K4 P-Q R 3 20 B-N3 i s m e t by 20 . . . Q-K6t. This seems the most unpleasant reply for Black now. White secures the cen­ tralized position for his pieces and gains a Queen-side majority. Let's c o m p a r e this po!'ition with Bronstein - G I i g ­ orich ( P o r t o r o z 1958 ) , a Saemisch l i k e Danielsson­ Gli gorich ( see note after 12 0-0) b ut with 11 B-K2, Before 11 B - K2 P-B5. 12 N-B3 Now White has not yet castled , and mack's Rook is still on KBl. Blaek ha� more prospects of fighting for th e im­ portant blockading square, White's Q 4 , b y means o f 12 . . . N-K1 than in the text game. 13 . . . . 8-Q2 Here 13 . . . RxB 1 4 QxB, N-N5 fails again s t the interpolation, 15 NxN. 14 Q R-Q 1 20 . . . . Q-R4 · The Queen has no other square : e.g. 20 . . . Q-N1 21 B-N3 ; but now Black's strongest piece i s out of play. 21 N-Q4 Best. White does not care for recap­ turing his Pawn, as that involves the danger of a draw, but for attack on the black squares on which Black i s desper­ ately weak without his King Bishop. 21 . . . . 22 N x N P-R3 White removes t h e only Black piece which guards black squares. 8xN 22 . . . . 22 . . . PxN i s even worse because of the weak blocked Queen-side Pawns. 23 8-Q4 Black puts possible. 24 Rx R 26 R-K1 R- K3 up the only resistanee PxR R- K 1 Q-K2 14 . . . Q-R4 leads to the same thing. 15 8-82 QxP In difficulties because of White's strong Queen-side pressure, Bla<:l{ d e · cides to take the poisoned Pawn in hope of some simplification. !:: 5 . . . K--B2 is m e t b y 26 Q-B4, Q--B4 · 27 Q-B7t and 28 B-·Q3 ! 26 R- K5 White moves too impulsively fearing 26 Q-B4, P-K4 allows Black chances ; but, after 27 BxP, Q-B4 28 Q-Q4, there is no hope for Black. The last mistake with the time clock ready to run over, but there was no good advice available for Black. P- K N4 K-N 1 26 . . . . 27 P-84 Now Black can still live. 37 Q-R8t 3 8 Q-R6t 23 8-K2 Not 2 8 PxP, N -N5. 28 . . . . 29 8-Q3 K-N 3 K-84 Q-N3 White is not satisfied with 2 9 PxP, Q-N8t, though 29 . . . N-K5 30 Q-Q l sets up the threat of 31 B-R5. 29 . . . • 30 8x N N-K5 Px8 31 P x P 32 Q- K3 R-Q1 Here 32 PxP loses against 3 2 . . . P-K6. 32 . . . . 33 P- K R3 P-K R4 R-Q4 In time trouble, Black errs. He re· moves the piece guarding his King, in­ stead of playing 33 . . . B-Q4. 34 R x R 35 Q-84 36 Q-K5 8xR Q-82 K-R2 39 P-N 6 4 0 Q-88t 41 8-K3t QxP K-N4 R es i g n s 1 2. FISC H E R I N H I S PRI M E THOUGH Petrosyan won the prize for the best result, it is Fischer's score on first board which will be much more remembered from the Chess Olympics in Havana. There was a negligible difference in their percentages, the World Champion having 88.46 and the United States Champion 88.23 ; but Fischer had much the harder job to do. He de­ feated many of the strongest grandmasters while Petrosyan was favored by the special tactics of the captain of the Soviet team, who had in mind the total score for the whole team and so gave Petrosyan a lesser number of games (and the consequent rest periods between) and the majority of those with the "\\'bite side. All this is said with no intention of disparaging the very fine re­ sult of the World Champion, which represented his welcome recovery after his short and understandable crisis in the Piatigorsky Cup Tourna­ ment in Santa Monica, but just to stress the unusual success of Robert J. Fischer who might now he considered at his best if we count the Havana results together with his play in the second half of the Piatigorsky Tour­ nament. The author of these lines asked Larry Evans in Havana the reason for Fischer's coming to Cuba. Evans replied : "Bobby felt bored in New York and just wished to play some chess." He did-indeed ! It is not only his points against the top names of the chess world that we mean by this exclamation, but also the freshness of his ideas and the classical simplicity of his games. One example will be given below. We are all human, and even the most remarkable performance has to have its small defects. So for Fischer: he undertook too great a risk with Florin Gheorghiu and missed a win against Boris Spassky . Still and all, he has never seemed before to be so ripe to fight for the highest honors. C h ess Olym p i cs, H avana 1966 won as White against Capablanca and as RUY L O P EZ Robert J. F i scher Lajos Portisch Black White P-K4 N-QB3 3 B-N 5 4 Bx N ! QPxB 4 . • • • 5 0-0 ! H u n ga ry U n ited States 1 P-K4 2 N-KB3 Black against Alek hine i n the same Ex· change Variation in St. Petersburg 1914. P-QR3· A strange surprise. The Excha.nge Var­ iation has been considered a drawish line ; and, at first sight, one might think that White did not want to repeat the continuation : 4 B-R4, N-B3 5 0-0, B-K2 6 R-Kl, P-QN4 7 B-N3, P-Q3 8 P-B3 , 0-0 9 P-KR3, N-Nl 10 P-Q4, QN-Q2 with which Portisch as Black drew wi th Fischer in the Piatigorsky Tournament. It will soon be clear, however, that Fischer has much more in mind. So did Emanuel Lasker in his time when he The text poses more problems for Black than does an immediate 5 P-Q4, and Nimzovich i s once more proved right 6 P-Q4 in his pronouncement that the threat Is stronger than its execution. The text was favored by the late Grandmaster Bernstein and also, in recent years, by the Dutch Master Barendregt. Though White has sold his strong Bishop for a Knight, a Bishop which is usually Black's main strategical problem in many variations of the Lopez, there is no basic flaw i n White's tactics. Ife has gained a tempo for development, somewhat spoil­ ed Black's Pawn structure and revived the threat o n Black's King Pawn. 5 • • • • P-83 This position has not been seen fre­ grandmaster modern the in quently praxis and, thanks to imaginative Fisch­ er, w e have to go back to the nineteenth century to find the alternatives for Black. It is not clear, however, that Black has any better way of defending the King Pawn. The ballet dancer Harmonist showed good sense by trying 5 . . . Q-B3 with the threat of 6 . . . B-KN5 (against Schallopp in Frankfurt 1 8 87 ) ; but, after 7 P-Q4, his Queen was somewhat exposed. Also playable is 5 . . . B-Q3 6 P-Q4, B-KN5 7 PxP, BxN 8 QxB, BxP ( S chal­ lopp-Blackburne, Frankfort 1 8 8 7 ) al­ though Black still has to work hard to keep the balance against White's King­ side Pawn majority. Another line is 5 . . . B-KN5. Then Black has two possibilities after 6 P-KR3. The modest one is 6 . . . BxN 7 QxB, Q-Q2 8 P-Q3, 0-0-0. With this, Kraidman held the draw against Cagan, Tel Aviv 1966, but Emanuel Lasker used to win such positions for White in his time. Note also that, in this line, 7 . . . Q-B3 8 QxQ, NxQ 9 P-Q3, B-B4 10 N-Q2 is better for White ( Bernstein-Rive 1932 ) . The ambitious continuation (after 5 . . . B-KN5 6 P-KR3 ) is 6 . . . P-KR4 ! ? wrongly praised by Keres in his old book on the open games as a refutation of 5 0-0. Keres is right about 7 P-Q3, Q-B3 8 PxB [or 8 B-K3, BxN 9 QxB, QxQ 1 0 PxQ, B-Q3, a n d Black i s a l l right as he blockades White's KB4 ] , PxP 9 N-Nfi, Q-R3 10 N-KR3, Q-R5 11 K-R2, P-KN3 12 N -B3, PxN 13 P-KN3, Q-K2, for Black has the advantage. But the author omits the much better 8 QN-Q2, N-K2 9 R-K l , N-N3 10 P-Q4 ! a s n o w Black's Queen ' Bishop is seriously threat ened. tournament, Alberic During this O'Kelly wrote for a newspaper that Fischer had "two birds with one shot." The "birds" were Portisch and your com­ mentator. His comment would have been even more impressive, however, if he had waited until the last round. For there was a third bird, too, Jimenez of Cuba. Fischer had the above position in three games and won all three ! PxP 6 . . . . Your commentator played the text against Victor Ciocaltea, Hamburg 1965, but later concluded the ending unfavor­ able. Against P. N. Lee in Hastings 1965-6, he found a new line with 6 . . . B-KN5 ! 7 PxP, QxQ 8 RxQ, BxN 9 PxB, PxP 10 P-KB4, N-B3 ! 1 1 PxP, NxP J 2 B-K3, B-B4 1 3 N-Q2, NxN 1 4 BxB , 0-0-0, and Black won the ending, hav­ ing pressure on the central files and the possibility of blocking White's central After 7 P - 83 ! P x P 8 PxP QR-B1, PxP 17 0-0-0 11 B-B 4 ! N-K2 12 R-B1, N-Na 13 B-N3, B-Q3 14 N-QR4 ! BxB ? 1 5 PxB, K-N1 16 N-B5, Q-Q3 17 Q-R4, K-R2 ? 18 NxRP ! Black could have resigned. 7 NxP The text is obviously better, now that White's Queen is protected by the Rook, than 7 QxP, QxQ [ or 7 . . . B-KN5 8 Q-K3 ! after which White used this good move soon to propose a draw in Brad­ Black cannot afford to wait passively to be completely outplayed on the Queen­ side, by 1 2 . . . B-K3 13 N-Q2, etc. So he tries to open the position and obtain some play for his Bishops. 13 N-83 P-85 varevich-Gligorich, Novi Sad 1965] 8 NxQ, P-QB4, for h ere White has a tempo Jess tHan in the game. 7 . . . . N-N3 9 RxQ e P-Q84 QxQ 8-Q3 The text is c o unted as a mistake. Alekhine recommended 9 . . . B-Q2 10 B-B4, 0-0-0, though it is not clear that Black has sufficient means for defense in f1e difficult endgame. 10 N-R5 ! Dutch Master Bare�dregt employed the text previously, and Portisch is obvi­ ously caught by Fischer in an unfamiliar line. 10 B-K3, P-QN3 as played by Ciocaltea ( see note to 6 . . . PxP ) in the European Team Championship is weaker. Ciocaltea lost as White. 14 P-K5 ! After 14 B-Q2, R-QN1, breathe more freely. 14 . Black can 8xP Black's Queen-side weaknesses are even more critical after •14 . . . PxB 15 PxB, PxPt 16 KxP, 0-0t 17 K-N1, PxP 18 RxP, B-B4 19 R-K1, etc. 15 8xQ 8 P With h i s advantage i n development, White has successfully opened files. Now his primary threat is the winning 16 R-Kl. 15 . . . 8xN Black escapes t h e threat on t h e King file and places his hope i n Bishops of opposite colors. 16 Px8 1 7 N-86 Now Black cannot develop his Queen­ sid e normally, and his King Bishop is not safe. Portisch tries his best to escape the difficulties. 10 . . . . P-QN4 The text is necessary because of the threatened 1 1 N-B4. 1 1 P-Q84 White has permanently fixed the weak­ ness on Black's QB4. In Perez-Spassky, Capablanca Memorial 1962, Black suc­ ce eded in drawing after 11 P-QR4, N-K2 12 N-B3, R-QN1. 11 . . . . 1 2 8-K3 N-K2 P-84 N-N3 8-K3 After a series of best defensive move!', Black makes his first mistake, exhausted by the difficult tasks thrown at him. 17 . . . B-Q2, gaining the tem po for de­ fense of his Queen Knight Pawn, is cor­ rect. Then 18 PxP, PxP 19 N-R7 fails against 19 . . . N-B1 and 20 . . . N-K3 ! And, after 18 N-K7, NxN 19 R-K1, 0-0 ! the draw is in sight. So, presumably, White plays 18 N-N4, P-QR4 19 R-Ktt [nothing happens after 19 N-Q5, 0--0-0 ! ], K-B2 20 N-Q5, PxP 21 NxQBP, QR-QB1, and Black still has chances of holding the game. 18 PxP 1 9 N-R7 ! Px P This maneuver is perhaps a surprise for Black. Now the Queen Knight Pawn cannot be saved. 19 . . . . 20 K R-N 1 R-Q N 1 K-82 On 20 . . . B-Q2, 21 P-QR4 follows. 21 N x P 22 R-N4 23 N x P K R-Q1 8xP R/N-8 1 30 R-Q1 R-Q 8 1 E l s e 3 1 B-B5t and mate follows. Black's next moves are forced also. 31 R-K4 32 R-Q6t 33 R-84t K-83 K-84 K-N4 On 23 . . . RxR 24 PxR, the passed Pawn is very dangerous. 24 P-R4! R-Q7 24 . . . RxN 25 B-N6 costs an Exchange. 25 8-N 6 26 8-K3 2i' N-N5 P-86 R-K7 Black's forces are disorganized. The deadly threat is 28 N-Q4, as well as 28 N-Q6t. 27 . . . . 28 P-R5 R-Q R 1 Now 28 N-Q4 is n o t so effective be· cause of 28 . . . B-Q4 29 RxR, R-K8t. 28 . . . . 29 R-84t N-K4 K-K2 34 RxP§ Resigns 3 4 . . . KxP fails against 35 R-B5t ; and 34 . . . K-N5, against 35 R-B4t, K-N4 36 R-B 8 § . 1 3. IT S H OU L D H AVE HA P P E N E D B E FORE There was great commotion around Tahl at the Chess Olympiad in Leipzig 1960, but not in Havana 1966. The reason? The public likes to be impressed. And not only had Tahl ceased being the World Champion several years before but he no longer loomed as the magi­ cian at the chessboard who could produce miracles and turn every posi­ tion to his favor. Tahl wins many tournaments, but his fans-because of qis imagination unparelleled in the history of chess-want him to win them all. Tahl, however, cannot do so again. He has young rivals who meet him on equal terms now; and his ill health, in addition, affects his form from time to time. Still, in the comparatively quiet atmosphere of third board at the Havana Olympiad, Tahl attained the highest per­ centage, an impressive 92.31 per cent with eleven wins and only two draws out of thirteen games. If not unique, Tahl has remained one of the best. Of what is he capable now? We shall see in the next Challengers Round, to which only Spassky and Tahl have the right of direct participation. The one who interrupted Tahl's flight to the top was Botvinnik. Though bad]y defeated in their World Championship Match in 1960, Botvinnik took equal revenge the next year in the Return Match. One of his main weapons was the Caro-Kann. These two met recently at first board in the Team Champion­ ship of the USSR. Botvinnik had seemed at his best in defeating Smyslov, Keres and Spassky in previous rounds ; and, against Tahl, he adopted his favorite Caro-Kann again. For the first time against his great rival, Tahl responded with the Panov Variation. And he achieved a surprisingly easy victory. There were some who thought melancholically : it should have happened five years ago. the Panov Variation, too. M oscow 1 966 U S S R Tea m C h a m p i onsh i p CA RO- KA N N M i kh a i l Tah l " Daugava" M i kh a i l Botvi n n i k "T rud" Black White 1 P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 Px P ! P-QB3 P-Q4 The exclamation mark is not meant to say that the text ought to be any better than 3 N-QB3. It i s there because, i n two long matches with Botvinnik and many, many Caro-Kanns, Tahl, though some times in trouble with his repertory, never tried this promising line. Botvin­ nik himself, if White-being inclined to closed games-would probably prefer What made Tahl make the right de· cision this time? First, he tried 3 N-QB3 and many different ideas with it. He tried 2 N-QB3 and 3 N-KB3, and also 3 P-K5. But he never achieved any sub­ stantial means of retaining the advan· tag e. Second, several rounds before this game, Spassky played against Botvin­ nik : 3 N-QB3, PxP 4 NxP, B-B4 5 N-N3, B-N3 6 P-KR4, P-KR3 7 N-B3, N-Q2 and followed with his new line, which made Petrosyan abandon the Caro-Kann i n the last World Championship : 8 P-R5, B-R2 9 B-03. BxB 10 QxB, KN-B3 11 B--Q2, Q-B2 12 0-0-0, 0-0-0 13 Q-K2 ! The sequel, however, was 13 . . . P-K3 14 N-K5, NxN [ or 14 . . . N-N3 15 B-R5, P-B4 16 P-QB4 ! RxP 17 RxR, PxR 18 K-N1 ! B-Q3 19 P-B5 ! BxN 2 0 PxN, PxP 21 R-QB1, Resigns ( Haag­ Goltz, Zinnowitz 1966 ) ] 15 PxN, N-Q4 [Petrosyan played 15 . . . N-Q2] 16 P-KB4, P-QB4 17 P-B4, N-N5 18 BxN, RxRt 19 RxR, PxB 20 N-K4, B-K2 21 N-Q6t, K-N1 22 NxBP, R-KB1 23 N-Q6, RxP 24 P-KN3, R-B1 25 Q-N4, Q-Q2 26 K-N1, B-N4 27 N-N5 ? [27 P-B5 is better] , R-B8 ! 28 K-B2, RxR 29 QxR, QxQt 30 KxQ, B-K6 ! 31 K-K2, B-B8 32 P-N3, B-N7 33 N-Q6, BxP, and White lost the ending on the sixty·eighth move. 3 . . . . 4 P-QB4 PxP I n fact, White (with opposite eolors) is opposing the Rubinstein Variation against the Tarrasch Defense and uses his additional tempo for immediate pres­ sure on the center, an opportunity which Black does not have in the Tarrasch. 6 . . . . B-N 2 More o r l e s s Black is obliged t o yield the Pawn i n hope of recapturing White's doubled Pawn later or of getting suffi­ cient counterplay. On 6 . . . PxP 7 BxP, Blaek has no other choice than to weak· en his position by 7 P-K3. 7 PxP 8 K N-K2 0-0 Now a position similar to the Queen's Gambit has been reached if we pretend that Black's Queen Bishop Pawn has been exchanged. Another idea is 4 B-Q3, preferred by Larsen, i n which Whit e plays the Exchange Variation of the Orthodox Defense with colors reversed and, of course, i n a more favorable version. 4 . 5 N-QB3 5 • . . . N-KB3 P-K N 3 This is how Petrosyan played against Spassky in the World Championship and, still without success, i n this same USSR Team Championship. I t i s worth noting that, several r.ounds earlier, he chose against Tahl the modest but solid line with 5 . . P-K3 and secured a draw. But Botvinnik's appetite had increased after his colossa:l start in this team competition. Now we have a kind of Gruenfeld for Black or a Tarrasch Defense with colors reversed for White. That i s how the Caro-Kann can alter its face according to personal tastes ! 6 Q-N 3 Tahl has learned his lesson. Against Bronstein in the USSR Championship at Baku 1961, he tried 8 N-B3 but was out­ played : 8 . . . QN-Q2 9 B-KN5, N-N3 10 B-QB4, B-B4 11 R-Q1, N-K5 12 0 -0, NxN ! 13 PxN, R-B1 14 B-N5, P-KR3 15 B-KR4, P-N4 16 B-N3, QxP etc. The text is an introduction to Spas­ sky's continuation. Though Spassky play­ ed 8 P-N3 immediately, Tahl wants more choice possibly for his ninth move. White can also try 8 B-K2 and 9 B-B3 i n order to protect his Pawn on Q5, but the Bishop i s more secure o n KN2. So Tahl repeats Spassky's line. For the same reason; 8 B-QB4 i s not good enough (Alekhine-Euwe, Zurich 1934 ) , · La s t- o ut not Ieast-8 B-KB4 trans­ forms the position into a Gruenfeld : 1 P-Q4, N-KB3 2 P-QB4, P-KN3 3 N-QB3, P-Q4 4 B-B4, B-N2 5 P-K3, 0-0 6 Q-N3, P-B4 7 PxQP, PxP 8 PxP ; and, if we mention that 5 . . . PxP in this game could have led to the Queen's Gambit Accepted, we hope that we have here-at last-exhausted all the cha­ meleonic capabilities of the Caro-Kann ! 8 . . . . N-R3 This idea was invented by Petrosyan and won him a point against Walter in Zurich 1959. 9 P-N 3 Q-N3 Black is fighting for . . . N-QN5 whence the Knight threatens White's Queen Rook and so attacks White's cen­ ter Pawn with a gain of tempo. 10 QxQ This way, White gets a favorable end­ ing thanks to Black's weak double Pawns. There is no use i n retreating by 10 Q-Q1 (as in the correspondence game, Strin-Konstantinopolsky 19636 ) * : 10 . . . R-Q1 1 1 B-N2, N-QN5 1 2 N-B4, QxQP 1 3 Q-K2, P-KN4 1 4 P-QR3. PxN 15 PxN, P-K4 16 0-;0, R-K1 etc. 10 . . . . 1 1 8-N 2 1 2 0-0 PxQ N-Q N 5 R-Q1 are witnessing a unique moment in his rich career when he errs as a result of misjudgment during his usually thorough theoretical pre-preparations. Against Spassky, Petrosyan replied : 13 . . . RxP ; but, after 14 B-B4, R-Q2 [else, - 15 B-B7] 15 KR-Q1, N/5-Q4 16 B-K5, B-R3 17 P-QR3, P-K3 [ 17 . . . R-Q1 18 NxN, NxN 19 N-B3, B-K3 2 0 . NxN, B x N 2 1 B-B7 is i n White's favor, too] 18 NxN, NxN 19 R-Q3 ! Black was i n permanent trouble. So i t i s obvious that Botvinnik has placed his hope in the text, under-estimating the value of Q5 for White's pieces. This endgame was considered play­ able, even promising for Black until the fifth Spassky-Petrosyan match game last year changed opinions on it. True, White cannot retain his Pawn plus, but White can yield it favorably. 14 8-N S ! I n post-Spassky-Petrosyan-game com­ ments, 14 P-Q5 was also suggested, but Tahl knows what best to choose. The threat, N-Q5, has deadly positional ef­ 1 3 P-Q6 ! The text is reminiscent of Alekhine's idea against the Dragon Variation of the Sicilian in which also White chooses the square on which his central Pawn is to be recaptured. . In the match game cited, Spassl{y took twenty-five minutes to decide on ex­ changing Queens on the tenth move, but only six minutes to find this tactical resource to keep the initiative. Tahl needed only to check its effectiveness in home analysis before this game. Black gets a very good game on 13 B-N5, Nj5xP 14 NxN, NxN 1 5 KR-K1, P-R3 1 6 B-Q2, B-K3 ( Walter-Petrosyan, Zurich 1959 ) . 13 . . • • PxP Like Tahl, Botvinnik knows weil a l l t h e details of this endgame, and w e Here White's Bishop w a s KB3 ·ins tead of fianch�ttoed. • developed to fect. We are accustomed to see others as victims of a prepared variation, but not Botvinnik. From here on, Black finds no satisfactory defense. 14 . • • R-K1 • Black removes his Rook from the range of White's Queen Bishop and vacates Q 1 for defending purposes by his King Bishop. Developing his Queen Bishop costs the Queen Kni�ht Pawn. N-83 15 P-QR3 16 K R- K 1 ! White prepares for an eventual N-Q5 and also contests the open King file. 8-N S 8x8 8-Q1 16 1 7 Q8xN ! 18 N-Q5 Black has to stop 1 9 N-B7. 1 9 N /2-8 3 ! 20 R x R RxRt White h a s achieved a l l objectives men­ tioned, and Black can no longer over­ come his difficulties. The immediate threat is 2 1 N-N5. Black cannot permit 25 N-K5. K-8 1 26 N-K4 Or 26 . . . P-QN4 27 N-B5, P x N 2 8 NxB, R-B1 2 9 P-Q6, etc . . 27 P-R 3 28 8-81 N-N6 P-QN 4 29 Nj8-Q6 30 R-K 3 ! P-84 PxN The text is forced a s , on a n y con­ sistent Knight move, 3 1 N-B5 follows. 31 RxN 32 N x K P K-K2 Black can resign now. 20 . . • . R-R4 . Now an Black's pieces are disor· ganized, and the rest i s technique. After 20 . . . NxP follows 21 R-K8t [ not 21 R-K4, N-B6t and 22 . . . N-K4 ] , K-N2 22 NxP, R-N1 [ or 22 . . . R-R3 23 N-B4 threatening 24 RxB as well as 2 4 B x P ] 23 N/3-Q5, a n d Black is completely pinned. 21 N-K3 22 N-84 8-Q2 R-R 1 23 P-Q5 24 N xQ P 2 5 N-84 32 33 P-N4 N-Q5 R-N 1 P-83 . . • R-8 1 R-88 34 K-N 2 35 P-83 R-K8 35 N-B5 seems convincing enough. 35 . . . . 36 P-Q6f R-Q8 K-82 37 8xP 38 R-83 8- K3 R-Q5 38 . . . R-Q4 loses against 39 B-B4, R-QR4 4 0 BxBt and 4 1 N-B5t. 39 R.;..Q 3 40 8xR 4 1 N-85 RxR 8-Q4 P-N 3 42 8-K4 8-K 3 4 3 N-Q3 8-N 6 44 P-84 K-K3 45 P-85f Resigns 1 4. B EST S E C O N D BOAR D ! Around 1954, there appeared in Argentina a very young man, named Oscar Panno, who created a sensation by being the first to beat Miguel Najdorf in his own chess kingdom whenever they met. And Najdorf has been-and still is today-the ruler of Latin American chess for over a quarter of the century. One can imagine with what effect Panno appeared in the Inter­ zonal Tournament in Gothenburg in 1955 where he took third place. But lack of experience threw him back to a tie for eighth and ninth in the Challengers Tournament in Amsterdam the following year. After that, Panno did not make another attempt. He married, became an engineer in Buenos Aires and practically left chess for his professional career. From time to time, he would appear in tourna­ ments ; but, apparently, without the serious ambition of his early youth. A change may have come about, after these many years. Panno played in the South American Zonal Tournament and, after that, came to the Olympiad in Havana. He is a modest man and retains the same, very agreeable personality with unfailing good will toward others and a readiness to joke. But he is very serious at the chessboard, and the world was so reminded again when hf\ surprised many by making the best score on second board in Havana, with ten wins and eight draws out of eighteen games. One of his games appears below. It seems to be an easy win as one feels the influence of Najdorf's style with his cunning methods of outplaying the opponent by accumulating tempi in the early stages of the game. (Najdorf used to say: "I never play endgames !") Hence, Panno's routine can be very instructive. H ava na 1 966 QU E E N 'S GA M B I T D EC L I N E D Oscar Pa n n o B. B ri n c k-Ciausen Denmark A rgenti na Black Whit� 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 P-Q4 P-QB3 3 N-KB3 4 P-K3 N-B3 White prefers the tension. i n the cen­ ter to the forced theoretical lines of the Slav Defense with 4 N-BS, PxP. 4 . . . . P-K3 Given the opportunity, the more con­ sequent line is to develop by 4 . . . B-B4 as this Bishop is Black's main problem. White lacks the tempo without his Queen on QN3 to put pressure on the Queen­ side successfully. 5 PxP, PxP 6 Q-N3 can be met by 6 . . . Q-N3, and Black also has sufficient resources to defend against the eventual attack on White's diagonal QR4-K8. The usual continuation is 5 B-Q3, BxB 6 QxB, P-K3 7 0-0, QN-Q2 8 N-B3, B-N5 [Black strives to prevent 9 P-K4 with its slight advan­ tage in space for White] 9 B-Q2 ! B-R4 [avoiding the threat of 10 NxP ] . Here the Yugoslav Grandmaster Pirc used to reply to 10 P-QN4 ! with 10 . . . B�B2 ! [ or 10 . . . BxP 11 NxP with some ad­ vantage in the center for White] and retain a solid position. 5 B-Q3 White starts a special treatment of the opening in order to outwit the op­ ponent. He postpones N-B3 so as to avoid the Meran Variation : 5 N-B3, QN-Q2 6 B-Q3, PxP 7 BxBP, P-QN4 as White's Queen Knight is then often a good target for Black's counter action by . . . P-QN5 or by . . . P-QB4 and . . . PxQP on the Queen-side or the center. 5 . . . . QN-Q2 Here Black can enter upon the Queen's Gambit Accepted by 5 . . . PxP 6 BxBP, P-B4, but that obviously was not his intention in choosing this line. 6 0-0 8-K2 1 1 Q R-Q1 White's Rook takes a central file, and Black's Queen has no exceptionally good square on which to avoid it. This modest line allows White to press his basic idea of increasing his advan· tage in time. It is more enterprising to aim for . . . P-K4 for more freedom of Black's pieces. But not immediately by 6 . . . B-Q3 because of 7 QN-Q2 ! after which Black gets nowhere by 7 . . . PxP 8 NxP with White in control of his K5. Hence, Black ought to try 6 . . . PxP 7 BxBP, B-Q3 8 N-B3, 0-0 9 P-K4, P-K4. 11 . . . . Q-82 Black is in difficulties and cannot easily defend his position even though it has no weak points. After 11 . . . PxQP 12 KPxP [ 1 2 KNxP allows Black's Queen Knight active squares ] , PxP 13 PxP, White has a mobile center, and 13 . . . Q-B2 fails against 14 P-Q5, N-B4 15 P-Q6 ! Still, 13 . . . R-K1 is worth a try, though with passive play. 12 N-K5 7 P-Q N 3 Here is White's program : from now on, he plays to set up hanging Pawns in the center; and, as Black i s obliged positionally to play . . . P-QB4 sooner or later, White gets a further tempo and a lasting initiative. 7 . . . . 0-0 The last chance to do something against White's clear plan is to set u p a kind o f Stonewall b y 7 . . . N-K5. Against this idea, White next develops his Queen Knight, before the Bishop. 8 N-83 P-84 This second move with the Pawn i n t h e opening signals Black's failure t o find a suitable p l a n against White's positional deployment. For Black has no great choice of moves now. 9 8-N 2 P-Q N 3 In a rather symmetrical position, Black incurs a definite lag but has no other way to develop his Queenside. 10 Q-K2 White is already two tem p i ahead, and this natural square for the Queen, oc­ cupied for Black by a Bishop, adds con­ siderably to White's advantage i n de­ velopment. 10 . . . 8-N 2 The moment to cross the Rubicon. 12 . . . . Q R-Q1 Black tries to keep the position closed as long as possible. Clearly, 1 2 . . . QPxP 13 NPxP, NxN 14 PxN, QxP won't work because of 15 N-Q5 ; nor 13 . . . PxP 1 4 P x P , N x N 15 PxN, N-Q2 because of 1 6 BxPt, KxB 17 Q-Q3t, K-N1 18 QxN, though 18 . . . Q-B3 offers a good deal of resistance for the Pawn lost. Further­ more, White can continue differently with 16 N-N5 if he wants to retain the Two Bishops. 13 P-84 N-K5 Black's natural wish for some coun· terplay leads to a decisive opening of the Queen file and long diagonal in #hite's favor. Black obviously, however, doesn't realize how dearly White can sell his good King Bishop. 13 . . . NxN first is more cautious ; but, after 14 QPxN, N-K5 15 PxP, White's King-side attack is ready to advance. 14 8xN ! 15 N-N5 16 N x N Px 8 Q-N 1 Rx N In these forced moves, White has made good use of his more active Queen Knight. 17 P-Q5 ! This central break unescapable trouble. 17 . . . . places Blaek in P-QR3 Not 17 . . . PxP ? ? 18 Q-N4. 18 N-83 Simple and best. 18 Q-N4, P-N3 19 N-B3 allows . . . P-B4 with a tem po. 18 . . . . P-84 Black confesses he has no good de­ fense. On 18 . . . PxP 19 NxP, he has too many threats to meet : 19 . . . BxN 20 QN4+ + or 1 9 . . . P-B4 21 N-B6t, etc. 19 PxP R-Q3 Black tries hard to save the game. 20 N-Q5 20 RxR, QxR lets Black out. 20 .. . . . 8xN White wins the Exchange on 20 RxP 21 NxBt, RxN 2 2 B-K5, etc. 21 Rx8 ! The young Argentinian Grandmaster is merciless in his execution. On 2 1 PxB. Q-N2, Black attacks the Queen Pawn with more force than White can sum­ mon to defend it. Now Black gets the Pa,wn back but gives up the open file which will decide the game later. 21 . . . . R-K2 24 . . . . Black has the choice of evils. He is exposed to material losses soon if the Bishops go : 24 . . . BxB 25 QxB, R-K2 26 Q-Q2, RxR 27 RxR, etc. Now he hopes to oppose more successfully on the sec­ ond rank while his Q 1 is better pro­ tected. In vain, as will be seen. 8x R Q-81 25 R x R 26 Q-Q1 There is no possibility B-B3 27 BxB, etc. in 27 R-Q7 26 R-82 Nor is 27 . . . R-Ql possible because of 28 Q-Q5t [28 K-Rl 29 BxPt ! ] Q-K 1 23 Q-Q5 2 9 R-R7 The main threat is 3 0 R-R8. 29 . . . . 30 8-K5 31 P-K R3 8-81 P-QN4 Resigns RxP After 21 . . . RxR, Black w ill never recapture the dangerous Pawn. 22 R/1-Q1 Q- K 1 Black cannot oppose t h e Bishop o n the diagonal : 22 . . . B-B3 21 RxKBP. 23 R-Q7 24 R/1-Q5 8-83 ( See d i a g ra m , top o f next c o l u m n ) completely Black is The position makes tableau. in Zugzwang. an engrossing 1 5. ATTAC K I N G I N ST I N CT After the game between Spassky and Ghitescu ended, there was a long, friendly discussion about the possible lines. The Roumanian was severely shaken because he had been drastically defeated in his favorite Benoni System, and he tried stubbornly to find better continua­ tions than he had during the actual game. Though busy with journalistic reports to Belgrade at the Beverwijk Tournament this commentator used every available opportunity to observe Spassky's re-actions. He knew that Spassky was burdened during that tournament by the necessity of safe-guarding his world prestige, he had felt that Spassky's rather cautious approach, not undertaking too many risks, might spoil his results, and he was amazed by the wild course of this exceptional victory by Spassky, in which he sacrificed two Exchanges rather than settling for safe, positional advantages. In the post-mortem analysis, however, a truth became apparent. Spassky did not seem to be quite certain during each variation that he was always making the most efficient moves. But there was complete certainty in Spassky's conclusions whenever one of the variations ended, and that was that the initial position was an ideal one for White to launch an attack. Then, this commentator realized, that even in that "wild" game there was no risk. Instinctively, Spassky felt that White ought to win before his attack began. He had confidence in the harmonious constellation of White's forces and intuitively broached an elegant assault against the Black King. \Vhen one knows the kind nature of Spassky's personality and his lack of ambition to go after the win in every game, the manifold richness of his chess style impressive. For it includes a wonderful attacking instinct, too. IS Beverwij k 1 967 B E N O N I COU N T E R GA M B I T Boris S passky Teodor G h itescu Roumania Soviet U n i o n Black White 1 P-Q4 N-KB3 6 N-B3 Black postpones h i s Benoni deploy­ ment for a move on purpose. For, after 1 . . . P-QB4 2 P-Q5, P-K4 3 P-K4, P-Q3, White can develop his pieces im· mediately, leaving QB4 for a Knight. 2 P-QB4 3 P-Q5 P-QB4 P-K4 4 N-QB3 5 P-K4 solve the strategic problem of his King Bishop by trading it, via his KN4, for White.'s more active counterpart. On KN2, Black's Bishop may be too passive unless the position becomes opened in the center. P-Q3 B-K2 White eyes Black's KN4 immediately. Also playable is 6 P-KN3, 0-0 7 B-R3 cOIJying Black's strategy for his King Bishop. On 7 B-N2, N-K1 8 KN-K2, B-N4 9 P-B4, B-R3 ! (Gligorich-Boey, Ensehede 1963 ) , Black retains tough re· sistance despite White's more active Pawn structure. Black can transpose into the King's I ndian by 5 . . . P-KN3, as Najdorf and Stein do to avoid the better known lines. White's Queen-side pressure, however, in this blocked position is usually more effective than Black's search for Kin � · side counter chances. The exclamation mark indicates surprise rather than superiority of the The basic idea of Black's text is to move. The positional 7 B-K2 (Gligorich- ( See diag ram , top of next pa g e ) 6 . • . . 0-0 7 B-Q3 ! 14 B-Q2. Even then, however, Black can· not try the vital 14 . . . P-B4 15 NPxP, NPxP without exposing himself to threats which are hard to meet. 13 Q R-N 1 Ghitescu, two rounds earlier) left White with the advantage : 7 . . . N-K1 8 0-0, P-KN3 9 B-R6, N-N2 1 0 Q-Q2, N-Q2 [ not 10 . . . P-B4 because of 11 N-N5] 11 QR-Q1, R-K1 [ not 11 . . . N-B3 be· cause of 12 NxP ! PxN 13 P-Q6] 12 Q-B2, N-B1 13 P-QR3, P-B4 14 P-QN4, P-N3 15 NPxP, NPxP 16 R-N1, PxP 17 QNxP, N-B4 18 B-Q2, N-Q2 19 B-Q3, N-B3, notably by 20 N/3-N5. Spassky has the different idea of controlling the Kingside with Pawns instead of pieces. Also, he stops the Roumanian master from utilizing his improvements, if any, on the previous game. 7 . . . . I f Black knows what planning, he can try 7 mediately ; but, after 8 9 B-R6, N-N2 10 P-KN4, to the same thing. QN-Q2 his opponent is . . . N-K1 im· P-KR3 ! P-KN� it comes almost A possible simplifying line is 7 . . . B-N5 8 P-KR3, BxN 9 QxB, N-K1 ; but. 10 P-KR4 ! prevents the exchange of the important black-bound White Bishop. Q-K2 9 P-K N4 ! 8 N-K1 F rom n o w o n , White displays his hand. While he is ready to castle on the op­ posite wing, Black cannot freely play to prepare . . . P-B4 without dangerously opening his King position. 9 . . . . P-K N 3 A n immediate 9 . . . N/2-B3 10 P-N5, N-R4 fails against 1 1 NxP. 1 0 B-R6 1 1 0-0-0 12 P- K R 3 N-N2 N-83 P-Q R3 Black tries vainly for some counter­ play on the Queenside while his monarch is going to be drowned on the other wing. Hence, immediate counter meas­ ures on the very spot seem more recom­ mendable : 12 . . . K-R1 13 QR-N1, N-Nl White's aggressive deployment reminds one very much of the closed variation of the Ruy Lopez ! But there are dif­ ferences which favor White, to name only a few : White's Rooks have arrived more quickly on the crucial King-side files ; his King is safer on the opposite wing ; and Black's Queen Knight will be less active on KN1 than on KB2 where it arrives i n the Ruy Lopez. 13 . . . . B-Q2 Black is still waiting too much for White to declare his further actions and then to undertake prophylactic measures. 13 . . . K-R1 is more advis­ able. For Black's treatment of the game allows White to realize his plans with­ out loss of time. 14 N-Q2 Besides the wing action, there is an­ other threat of a break in the center. 14 . . . . 1 5 P-K R4 15 K-R 1 P-B4, N-N1 traps White's Bishop. 15 . . . . 16 B-K3 N-N 1 P-K R4 16 . . . BxRP of course loses the Bishop. Black has waited for White to weaken his King Knight Pawn before undertak­ ing the partial blockade of the wing, but White still has a positional gain. Afte7' all, though, Black is cramped and has little choice : 16 . . . P-B4 17 NPxP, PxP 1 8 PxP can be fatal for him. 17 P-N 5 Spassky remarked o n this position : "White's pieces are very ha rni.oniously placed," expressing his belief tha:t Black cannot successfully defend. While his pieces are cramped and his Knights out of play, Black can do little against White's break in the center. 17 . . . . 8-K 1 Black prepares i n advance his only �hance to defend his King Knight Pawn : for, after an immediate 17 . . . P-B3 18 PxP, be is obliged to recapture with his Rook which then obstructs his minor pieces. 18 P-84 P-84 Black trades one evil for another. After 1 8 . . . PxP 19 BxKBP, h e cannot prevent the next break by P-K5. 19 PxP e.p. This second sacrifice of the Exchange gains valuable time for the decisive opening of diagonals on Black's exposed King. White doesn't care for the safer 24 QxP as, after 24 . . . Q-Q3 25 N-B3, B-Q2, White must r·etreat his Queen to KN2. N-N6 24 . . . Black takes everything offered. In fact, however, the Rook is not so important as the minor pieces. They are ready to co·operate with the White Queen against the enemy King. So Black may put up better resistance by eliminating one of the White Bishops by 24 . . . N-B5. 25 Q-N 2 NxR There is no point in letting Black have a mobile center after 19 PxKP, QPxP 20 PxP, PxP. But 20 N-B3 ought to come into consideration. With the text, White is ready to advance further i n the center. 19 . . . . Black is hastening to close the King Knight file and so allows the weakening of his center. For, after 1 9 . . . BxP, 20 P-B5 can be very unpleasant. � Px P 21 N-83 Px P N-N 5 21 . . . B-Q3 is safer, instead of look· ing for immediate counterplay : e.g. 22 B-N5, Q-R4 23 R-B1, N-N5 24 N-R2, B-Q2 etc. though 25 NxN, BxN 26 Q-K3 leaves Black at a permanent, strategical dis ad vantage. 2 6 P-K 5 ! Consistently, White devotes the tempo to his attack. Black's Knight cannot escape, anyhow. 26 . . . . R-82 Black tries to counter by assigning both an aggressive and a defensive role to this Rook. 26 . . . B-Q2 does not quite work because of 27 P-K6, BxKP 28 N-K5 ! with eyerything menacing Black's King. Still, 28 . . . B-B4 29 NxPt, K-R2 30 NxRt, QxN 31 N-K4 is not entirely hopeless for Black. 27 Qx N 2 8 P-K6 Now the long diagonal is opened, and Black's forces are split into two parts without possibility of co-operating. 22 R x N ! White seizes the opportunity to open the game at any price and afford work for his centralized pieces. 22 . • . . 23 N x P Px R N-R4 Black's only profit is that this ][night comes into play, but that is not sufficient compensation for the terrible menace of White's mobile Pawn cente:r. 24 N x Pj4 ! R-K R 2 28 . . . . 8- K N4 Now Black tries to reduce the number of active White pieces. Too late. 29 Q-K4 30 Qx 8 8x8t Q-K2 3 1 N-K4 RxP 32 N/ K-8 6 Q-Q82 33 8-K4 Black i s defenseless against White's centralized forces which control the whole board. 33 34 Q- K N 3 Q-R4 P-K N4 35 N x 8 R x N/1 36 Q-K5t Resigns 1 6. N OT FI RST-BUT MAY B E B EST The word is out on Yefim Geiler. According even to the tour­ nament winner, Leonid Stein, it was Grandmaster Geller who produced the best chess in the recent championship of the Soviet Union. After having seen the games from Tiflis, this commentator is in complete agreement with the statement by the Soviet Champion. In that mess of chess duels, very much affected by nerv8us ten­ sion which, in tum, was owing to the need to place among the first four, "or better die," there was one Stein who kept his usual cool through­ out, there was one unrecognizable Korchnoy who deliberately tamed himself lest he risk failing to qualify for the Interzonal and there was one Geller who displayed the pure style and sound, deep ideas which every one--at last-can trust. Each of the other participants lost his nerve and had-except Taimanov and Gipslis-just had luck. In spite of an unfortunate loss to Osnos and a similar draw with Gipslis in an otherwise beautiful, strategic performance, Geller came out a clean second. And, if prophecies are allowed, he is to he one of the most dangerous contenders in the coming FIDE competitions. Of late years, Geller has been inclined to strategic solutions on the chessboard. But there is another equally bright side to his creative personality: his wonderful combinative abilities. This commentator re­ calls that famous round in the Gothenherg Interzonal of 1955 with three identical positions at the same moment in games between Soviet players on one side and Argentinian on the other. The Argentinian disaster was started by Geller who found the sacrifice of a piece in a new line half an hour before Keres and Spassky succeeded in their respective games. Here is the most recent example of Geller's "simple" end-game technique. 5 T i f l i s 1 967 34th U S S R C h a m p i o n sh i p* SICI LIAN DEFENSE Yefi m G e l ler White 1 P-K4 2 N - K B3 Leo n i d Stein P-QB4 P-K N 3 Black One o f Stein's favorite lines against the King Pawn. He played it frequently, using different ideas within the pattern of this deployment. 3 P-Q4 4 NxP PxP N - K B3 Assuming that Geller is well equipped for 4 . . . N-QB3 5 P-QB4, B-N2 6 B-K3, N-B3 7 N-QB3, N-KN5 8 QxN, NxN 9 Q-Q1, P-K4 successfully handled by Stein against Bisguier, Tel-Aviv 1964, Black chooses a di fferent order of moves this time. 5 N -QB3 • • • • N-83 5 . . . P-Q3 is sounder, but Black seeks to pose more problems for White than in the ordinary Dragon Variation. 6 NxN Geller took six minutes t o decide on this natural reply aiming to exploit Black's neglect to control his K4 suf­ ficiently. 'fhe alternative is 6 B-K3, B-N2 7 B-QB4 but involves Stein's fa· vorite prepared lines with a prospective 7 . . . Q-R4 which forces White to switch plans for castling long and castle King-side instead. 6 . . . . N Px N 6 . . . QPxN gives Black a difficult ending. One example is Gligorich-Kris­ tinsson (Reykjavik 1964 ) : 7 QxQt, KxQ 8 B-QB4, B-N2 9 B-B4 [not 9 BxP ? P-K3 • 1 0 B-N5, K-B2 1 1 P-K5, N-Q4 etc.], K-K1 1 0 0-0-0, N-Q2 11 B-B 7 ! BxN [not 11 . . . B-K4 ? 12 RxN ; nor 11 . . . P-QN 4 12 NxP ! PxN 13 B-Q 5 ! R-QN1 14 B-B6, R-N2 1 5 RxN ! or, in this line, 14 . . . R-N3 15 BxR, PxB 16 R-Q3] 12 PxB, K-B1 13 R-Q2, K-N2 14 R/1-Q1, N-B4 1 5 B-K5t, P-B3 16 B-Q4, N-K3 [or 16 . . . NxP 17 R-K2] 17 B-K3, P-KN4 1 8 P-B3, P-KR4 19 P-N3, P-R5 20 P-KB4, PxNP 21 PxNP, R-R6 22 P-B5, N-B2 23 R-Q8, Resigns. exchanges first, then that Bishop move comes in : 10 QxQ, PxQ 11 0-0, B-K3 12 R-K1, K-Q2. Now Black's permanent problem is his weak, isolated Queen-side Pawns. 11 . . . . 7 P-K5 N-N 1 7 . . . N-Q4 8 NxN, PxN 9 QxP, R-QN1 doesn't offer sufficient compensation for the Pawn. 8 B-QB4 P-Q4 8 . . . Q-R4 only increases Black's backwardness i n development. For White can try 9 P-B4 and also 9 B-B4, B-N2 10 0-0 [10 Q-K2, P-Q4 ! ], BxP 11 BxB, QxB 12 R-K1 with a strong attack for the Pawn. An interesting alternative is 8 . B-N2 9 B-B4, P-B3, but the sacrifice, 10 P-K6 ! may be very unpleasant, too. 9 PxP e.p. Obviously, Stein puts his move as an escape, i n his state, from a direct attack potentially exposed on the QxP hope i n this undeveloped on his King center files. 10 0-0 Today, the majority of games are be­ ing decided in the endings. And White illustrates the modern approach to re­ taining the advantage efficiently. To re­ tain Queens on the board merely costs White precious time by which Black may succeed in consolidating : e.g. 10 Q-B3, Q-B3 or 10 Q-K2, N-B3 11 0-0, B-KN2. 10 . . . . 11 RxQ QxQ Thus, White retains his tem p i gained in the opening. Black cannot wait in­ definitely, however; for, after 1 0 . . . N-B3 11 QxQ, PxQ 12 R-K1t, Black is in trouble as . . . B-K3 fails. If White B-K R3 Black tries consistently to simplify, but trading black-bound Bishops i s dou­ ble-edged. For now White's control of weak Queen-side points becomes more complete. Black has not much choice, though, as the White Queen Bishop can become a very dangerous attacking piece - after 1 1 . . . B-KN2 12 B-K3. 11 . . B-B4 is in vain because of 12 B-QR6. 12 BxB As usual, Stein had made his opening moves quickly; and here Geller devoted eighteen minutes to proving that the text doesn't help Black's development much. It doesn't as the Knight is out of place for defending the Queenside, especially Black's QB4 and the open Queen file. It is characteristic that the Soviet Champion was slightly superficial i n his optimism as to being able to defend such a position. His fast play may also have been a psychological reply to his drastic defeat by Geller previously in the team championship. But, as time elapsed increases, so does White's advantage in this game. 12 1 3 R-Q2 14 N-K4 . • . NxB N-84 Preventing 14 N-Q3, White secures firm hold of the weak squares on his opponent's Queenside. 14 . . . • P-QR4 Stein doesn't like passive play, but his attempt to exert some activity here worsens his chances of survival. The threat of White's Rook to penetrate to the eighth rank while Black's Queen Bishop has no good post is · unpleasant. Instead of weakening the position even more, however, Black ought to continue with 14 . . . 0-0 15 R/l-Q1, N-N2 � matter what happens. For example, 16 N-B5 then to anticipate 16 . . . B-K3 calli. be met by 16 . . . N-B4 aiming for . N-Q3 again. 20 R-R7 Now the Pawn is lost, and the rest •.s going to be a mere execution. 20 . . . . 21 R-K 1 R-N5 White employs the only good way of keeping his Knight centralized. 21 P-KB3, N-K6 22 R-Q2, R-Q5 allows Black some counterplay. 21 . . . . 22 P-R3 R-Q1 White parries the threat of . . . RxN. Nor can Black defend his Queen Rook Pawn by 22 . . . R-Q4 because of !!3 N-B6t. 15 P-QR4 Now White fixes another weak Black Pawn on the Queenside. 15 . . . . B-R3 Black solves the problem of his unde­ veloped Bishop. The price which he must pa"y will soon be seen. 16 Bx8 17 R/1-Q1 RxB 0-0 17 . . . R-R1 18 R-Q7, N-Q3 fails on 19 NxNt, KxR 20 NxP§ . 1 8 R-Q7 As often happens, the penetration of a Rook is the logical result of a large plus in development by White. 18 . . . . R-N 3 It was Black's turn t o devote time o n a move (thirty-one minutes ) , b u t his position proved to be extremely difficult. 18 . . . P-K4 19 R-N7 leaves his Rooks with no files or activity. The text is a vai n attempt for counterplay. It will cost him only a Pawn, but so ean some other continuation. 19 P-Q N 3 P-K4 22 . . . . N-Q3 22 . . . N-Q5 loses of course to 23 P-Qll3, and Black has to oust White's Knight from its dominant post. But the nook ending i:; hopeless, also. 23 N x N 24 RxRP RxN 2 4 RxKP allows 24 . . . R-Q8t 25 K-R2, R-Q7 and some fight for Black. 24 25 R-85 . . . • P-83 R-N 3 26 K-81 K-82 K-K3 2 7 R-K3 28 Rj K-Q83 . . . . Though Black has already lost one weak Pawn, his trouble lies in still another on the same wing. Hence, his Rooks are reduced to a passive role. 28 . . . . K-Q2 28 . . . R-R3 is slightly better so as to prevent penetration of White's Rook. 29 R-R5 3 0 K-K2 31 R-R6 R-N 2 K-82 P-K5 There is nothing else for Black to do : 31 . . . R-N3 32 R-R7t, R-N2 33 RxRt, KxR 34 R-Q3 wins for White. 32 R-84 33 R-R8 P-K 84 R-Q2 White also obtains a winning ending on 33 . . . R-N1 34 RxR, KxR 35 R-B5, K-B2 36 R-R5, K-N3 37 R-K5. 34 R-K88 35 R-86 40 P-R4 K-N3 R/ N-82 Here the game was adjourned, Black could have resigned. 41 R-87t 42 P-N 5 43 R-86t K-N 3 P-84 K-82 R-8 1 but 44 P-R5 R-Q N 1 45 R-86t K-Q2 46 Rj6xP RxP 47 R x R t Resi g n s 36 P- K N 4 This crashthrough signals that Black is attacked on both flanks, and hopeless. 36 . . . . 37 K-K3 R-Q4 K-N 2 3 8 Px P 39 P-N4 PxP P-R4 After 47 . . . RxR, White clinches a sure win by 48 R-Q4. 1 7. S E N SATI O N I N M O N AC O The title of this article does not refer to the first prize for Robert Fischer at Monte Carlo. For, after his performances at Santa Monica, Havana and New York, that outcome surprised no one. Nor does it refer either to the difficulties which the winner had to overcome in his games with Lombardy, Larsen and this commentator. We are all human, and the very fine result of the U. S. Champion ought to be more than sufficient compensation for his slightly less convincing style at Monte Carlo. What is meant by the title is not even Fischer's one loss, to Geller in the last round, but rather it is the way in which White had to resign. That same morning, Geller was exhausted by his long and diffi­ cult endgame with Larsen and was · also depressed because he lost. It was in such a mood that Geller as Black had to meet Fischer in the after­ noon. And what happened? Geller chose Fischer's favorite line and used it against Fischer himself. Recklessness may crop up when one is very tired and feels he has "nothing to lose." But it is not known if that was Geller's reason for his daring tactics or if it was that he had prepared cunningly for just such an occasion long before. After all, the psychology of adopting an opponent's weapon has been used in the past as, for example, in Alekhine's repertory against Capablanca or Bronstein's vs. Botvinnik, both times in matches for the World Cham­ pionship. There were some rumors later that Fischer, feeling he had first place secure, lost the game on purpose in order not to disclose his more important analysis in this line which is his main weapon against the King Pawn opening. But it is very difficult to put credence in these rumors. \Vho likes to lose? And why not piay for the same goal while con­ triving to draw, instead? Let the game speak for itself. J. 2 N - K B3 M o nte Carlo 1 967 SICI LIAN DEFENSE R obert J . F i scher Yefi m. G e l ler U n i ted States Sovi et U n i o n Black White 1 P-K4 P-QB4 Usually, Geller prefers the classical 1 . . . P-K4. With his position i n the tournament, however, the Soviet Grand­ master has to fight for a win rather than try solid lines. In the Ruy Lopez, moreover, he cannot expect to reach his favorite Marshall Counter Attack. For, as Fischer-Smyslov had shown a few rounds earlier, Fischer can get the su­ perior endgame from the Exchange Vari­ ation, not the prospect which Geller is seeking. P-Q3 Hear ! hear ! 3 P-Q4 4 NxP 5 N-QB3 PxP N-KB3 P-Q R 3 ! Since he started h i s rise t o t h e stars at thirteen, we have seen this position innumerable times in Fischer's games, but with him on the opposite side of the chess table. Geller i s far from being the first to tempt Fischer thus. Even this commentator enters the list of those who did and actually more "rightfully" since the Najdorf Variation has been his favorite defense for many years whtle Geller as White stubbornly and success­ fully fought against it and Fischer at Curaco with the positional 6 B-K2. -Gligorich, Stockholm 1 96 2 ) . 8 . . . . Qx P After Black's seventh move, it is con­ sequent to take less regard for proper development than for weak black squares in White's camp. 8 . . . N-B3 9 0-0-0, QxN 10 QxQ, NxQ 11 RxN seems to de­ velop but ac tually gave Keres an oppor­ tunity once to wi n the favorable end­ game for White. 9 R-Q N 1 Q-R6 6 8-K N 5 ! I f recollection holds true, this i s the first time that the U . S. Champion has used this, the most crucial move i n the whole variation. He has tried to outplay Tahl, Olafsson and Zuckerman with 6 B-QB4 ; Reshevsky, Najdorf and Julio Bolbochan with 6 P-KR3 ; and this com­ mentator with 6 P-KN3. 6 • • • P-K 3 Q-N 3 ! • 7 P-84 T h e exclamation marks have been used here not to stress the value of the moves played but their psychological effect. Till now, it has been the Najdorf Variation ; from now on, it can be called Fischer's line. For the young American Grandmas­ ter is the one who has kept Black's posi­ tion-despite its backwardness in de­ velopment-alive for years. But now what is Fischer, the promoter of Black's line, going to answer as White ? •� a � -�� -. w� ..a.. ?�t=t� a . 1: . . 1: . :1 t �• �� �� � g): 1: . .� · . �...� � • M .a. � ��� WJ � it �. �• ..a. � ft· . · • � -��A ..u.. �7. 8 Q-Q2 This is the sharpest variant, offer­ ing a Pawn which Fischer himself has accepted many times. After the cautious 8 N-N3, QN-Q2 9 Q-B3, Q-B2 10 0-0-0, P-QN4 11 P-QN3, B-N2 12 P-KN4, R-QB1 13 R-Q1, P-Q4, Black can hope for good counterplay ( Szabo-Stein, Hamburg 1 9 65 ) . 8 . . . Q­ K6t 9 Q-K2, QxQt 10 BxQ, however, al­ lows White the superior endgame ( S tein _ This critical position was reached in Mazzoni-Fischer several rounds earlier. After all the analyses, published and unpublished and with the strong preju­ dice that Black ought to be mated be­ cause of his risky attempt to take a Pawn in disregard of development, the spectators were puzzled that Fischer should dare to play it still. But, while others were "refuting" Fischer's innova­ tions i n post-mortem analysis, he kept garnering points, always finding new re­ sources for Black . True, closer look into the position shows tha.t White has many weaknesses and that it is not so easy to penetrate to the King i n the center surrounded by many Pawns and pieces and that the whole game is constantly on the edge of a loss for either side on the least inaccurate play. Certainly, Geller had good nerves to essay this position against · an opponent who had analysed i t more and knew it better. Still, the Soviet Grandmaster can find encouragement in the estimate that Fischer is not the kind who plays for tricks or attempts any­ thing without assurance that it has real value. So why not try the same ? 10 P-85 This commentator, sitting at the next board opposite Smyslov, had a presenti­ ment that White aimed at this continu­ ation, less frequently played and analyzed but not less dangerous. Dr. Mazzoni, as White against Fischer, tried the much examined and critical 10 P-K5, PxP 1 1 PxP, KN-Q2 12 B-QB4 as many have done before. Tlte French master was ready for 1 2 . . . B-K2 13 BxKP, 0-0 14 0-0, BxB 1 5 QxB, P-KR3 ! [Fischer's innovation which won him a point against Bilek in Stockholm 1962 after 16 Q-R4, QxN 17 RxBP, RxR 1 8 Q-Q8t, N-Bl 1 9 BxRt, KxB 20 R-Blt, K-N3 etc.] . For h e knew of the later refu: tation with 16 Q-R5 ! And Dr. Mazzoni was ready also for 12 . . . B-N5 13 R-N3, Q-R4 14 0-0, 0-0 because of Robert Byrne's Improve­ ment with 15 B-B6 ! [in the Capablanca Memorial 1965, Tringov lost to Fischer with 15 NxP, PxN 1 6 BxPt, K-Rl 17 RxRt, BxR 18 Q-B4, N-QB3 1 9 Q-B7, Q-B4t 20 K-Rl, N-B3 ! ! etc.] as even the refusal of the sacrifice with 1 5 . . . NxB 16 PxN, R-Q1 17 RxB, QxR 18 Q-N5, P-KN3 19 R-B4 offers White good at­ (Tringov-Palmason, chances tacking Havana 1966 ) . This third time i n Monaco, however, Fischer replied with probably the best, 12 . . . Q-R4 ! [more precise than 12 . . . NxP 13 NxP, Q-R4 14 B-Q8, N-B6t 15 PxN, Q-K4t with unclear complica­ tions (Bednarski-Tringov, Keczkemet 1964) or 12 . . . Q-B4 13 BxP, PxB 14 NxP, QxPt 15 Q-K3 ! ( Matanovich­ Barcza ) ] . His move protects the Ql be­ side Black's King and pins White's Queen Knight while White's King Pawn hangs and there's no clear line of pene­ tration for White's attack. Dr. Mazzoni made an unsound sacrifice, 13 NxP [ even the better mode, 13 BxP, PxB 14 NxP, NxP 15 B-Q8, N-B6t ! offers White nothing], and lost after 1 3 . . . PxN 14 BxP, QxPt 1 5 Q-K3, QxQt 16 BxQ, N_:_QB3 in forty-five moves. Fischer did not care to go in for the alternative 10 BxN, PxB 1 1 B-K2 prob­ ably considering i t drawish in conse­ quence of his game with Parma ( Capa­ blanca Memorial 1 9 6 5 ) . So, at the mo­ ment, the text seemed the only logical choice to continue successfully with the attack. I n the meanwhile, Smyslov renounced any ambition to overtake the leader of the tournament and made a quick draw i n ten moves with this commentator. Of course, this action pleased the U. S. Champion who was now able to play whatever he wanted without jeopardizing his first place. N-83 10 . . . . Now, for a while, White produced his moves so rapidly that Qeller had, for the time, an unpleasant feeling and re­ pented not having tried 10 . . . P-QN4 ! which also offers good counter chances. 11 PxP 1 2 NxN Px P Px N White means to save time for marshal­ ing new forces for attack in the open position. 13 P-K5 White has no time to count Pawns when it is most urgent to open files for the attack. The alternative 13 BxN, PxB 14 B-K2, Q-B4 15 N-R4, Q-K4 1 6 0-0, P-Q4 17 N-N6, B-Q3 1 8 Q-R6, B-B4t 19 K-Rl, BxN 20 R:x:B, Q-N4 was favor­ a b le for Black ( Hennings-Kavalek, Leip­ zig Hl65 ) . 13 . . . . N-Q4 The only good answer. After 13 PxP 14 BxN ! PxB 15 N-K4, B-K2 1 6 B-K2, 0 - 0 17 R-N3, Q-R5 1 8 P-B4 ! K-Rl 19 0-0, R-R2 20 Q-R6, P-KB4 21 R-N3, B-N5 22 N-B6, Black resigned ( Gipslis-Korchnoy 3 1 s t USSR Champion­ shi p ) . The similar later game, Hartston­ Gligorich, is not worth quoting because of the mistaken conduct of the struggle on both sides. 14 NxN Again, White is conserving time for further development. An interesting pos­ sibtlity is 14 R-N3, Q-R4 ( Bergln-Zlot­ nik, Moscow 1964 ) . Also, after 14 N-K4, PxP, White disregarded the threat of Black's King Bishop with 15 B-K2, B--N5 16 RxB, QxR 17 QxQ, NxQ 18 0-0, N-Q4 19 N-Q6t, K-Q2 20 N-B4, K-K1 and continued to try to win, but the game ended in a draw ( Jurkov-Astasin, Mos­ cow 1964 ) . 14 . • 1 5 B-K2 BPxN An immediate 1 5 P-B4, PxBP 1 6 BxP, P-Q4 17 B-Q3 is worth considering, too ; but, probably, White doesn't care to give Black any opportunity to castle. 15 . . . PxP • Black cannot breathe without expend­ ing a precious tem po to take this second Pawn. 16 0-0 The tension is at its peak. Black's King has no safe place, the winds are blowing all around along open files and diagonals but still Black's central Pawn mass allows hope for the protection of the sable sovereign. 16 At • . last, • 8-84t . a chance to do something 20 Q-QB2 (with the side idea of mating if Black's Queen departs ) , P-K4 i s un­ clear. Also, 20 R-B3, Q-N5 21 QxQ, BxQ 22 R-N3, P-QR4 23 P-QR3 fails to win a piece because of 23 . . . P-R3 ! followed by 24 . . . PxP and then 25 . . R-B1. Playable, however, is 20 PxP, BxP 21 Q-QB2 and 22 B-QB4. 20 0 0 0 PxP • The text i s Black's only reply, but sufficient. Now the picture changes very quickly. 21 8 x P 21 Q-QB2 still yields White s o m e pros­ pects. 21 . . . Q-Q6 allows 22 Q-R4t and 23 QxBP. Probably, 2 1 . . . B-Q4 is the answer; but, even so, White has more chances than in the game. 21 0 22 Q-K 1 • • Q-Q6 0 T h e ending after 22 B-B7t, K-Q2 2 3 BxP, QxQ 24 BxQ, R-KB1 is hopeless for White. toward proper development. 17 K-R1 R-8 1 One Rook less, one hope more for the defending state. 18 P-84 It does seem necessary to break the block of central Pawns, but the text does not prove to be efficient for a de­ cisive attack. Another possibility is 18 B-Q3. 18 19 R x R 0 0 0 0 RxRt White has to bar the way to the King­ side. 19 0 0 0 0 8-N 2 But now this Bishop takes over the long diagonal, and i t is Black who has scored the bigger gain. 20 8-N4 This obvious attacking move garners no fruit. The interpolation 20 B-R5t, P-N3 21 B-N4 only serves to protect Black's KB4 better. And the alternatiye 22 0 0 0 8-K5 ! ! 0 This winning move cuts White off from all important files and diagonals [ one threat was 23 B-H5] and reminds one of a solution to a chess problem. 23 8-N4 24 B-Q1 Black B-R4t. avoids 25 R-87t 'l Resi gns R-N 1 K-Q2 the last threat of 25 K-K 3 26 R x P walks i n t o 26 . . . BxPt 2 7 KxB, R-N7t with a mating attack. Opening analysts have plenty of new material to explore in this short game. 1 8. O N E OF S IX? Without having proved to be truly more than perhaps a first among equals, Petrosyan is sitting on the chess throne for another term of three years. Will Spassky be able to challenge again next time, or Tahl? It is too early to guess, for there will be six more distinguished grandmasters coming up to dispute with Tahl and Spassky their right to challenge. The question for now is rather who will gain places on the list of six additional competitors in the Challengers Round from the Inter­ zonal Tournament in Tunisia this year. Though the limit on the num­ ber of contenders from any one country has been erased, theory has it that the general situation will not favor the Soviet grandmasters radically more. There was a greater and more dangerous group of them in Am­ sterdam three years ago. And it seems hardly likely that Stein, Geller, Korchnoy and Gipslis will take more than three places of the six from the coming North African campaign. It will be a great pity if Fischer does not participate in Tunisia because of the lack of sizable prizes. Yet, even if he doesn't, this com­ mentator estimates that at least three places will remain for competitors from outside the Soviet Union. This prospect cannot satisfy all the favorites from the Western Hemisphere and Europe but can allow them a good hope that any one of them will succeed in this next step to the top. The Hungarian grandmaster Portisch may well be one of the chosen six. If the story of Holland in 1964 is to be repeated, the third European Zonal Tournament will send the most effective fighters from the European collection into the Interzonal. And Portisch won the third Zonal convincing style. The following game is one example of that style. m H a l le 1 967 qualify for the Interzonal. 3d E u ropean Zonal Tournament G I U OCO P I A N O D ragolj u b M i n i ch Y u goslavia Lajos Portisch H u n ga ry Black White 1 • P-K4 P-K4 With Black, Portisch stuck by this solid, classical reply throughout the whole tournament i n East Germany. It i s known that h e likes semi-closed sys· terns. But h e did not want to take any unnecessary risk i n the zonal competi· tion. This game came in the fifteenth round when Portisch held the lead. And, as a last but not least consideration, ex· perience indicates that the undefeated participants i n any European zonal tour­ nament are almost always certain to 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 N-Q B3 A Giuoco Piano? Well, it will be. The Yugoslav international master usually plays the Ruy Lopez but here probably wanted to surprise his opponent with the Scotch Gambit. 3 . . . . PxP 4 B-QB4 Another Yugoslav, Velimirovich, used to essay successfully a new version of the Danish Gambit ( favored by Marshall) with 4 P-QB3 ! ? At The Hague, 1966, Donner declined it with 4 . . . P-Q6 but lost quickly after 5 BxP, P-Q3 6 P-KR3, N-B3 7 0-0, B-K2 8 N-Q4 , 0-0 9 N-Q2, R-K1 10 P-KB4, B-B1 1 1 Q-B2, P-KN3 12 N/2-B3, N-Q2 13 B-B4, N-N3 14 B-Q3. N-N 1 ? 15 P-B5 ! N/1-Q2 16 PxP, BPxP 17 B-KN5, N-B3 1 8 Q-N3t ! Obviously, Minich knew o f the better drawish line for Black : 4 . . . PxP 5 NxP, B-N5, 6 B-QB4, N-B3 7 0-0 [ 7 P-K5, P-Q4 ! ] , BxN 8 PxB, P-Q3 9 P-K5 ! NxP 1 0 NxN, PxN 11 Q-N3, Q-K2 12 B-R3, P-B4 13 B-N5t, B-Q2 14 BxBt, NxB 1 5 QxNP, 0-0 16 KR-Q 1, KR-Q1 17 BxP, QxB 1 8 RxN, etc. So he tries to avoid that line by transposition of moves. 4 . . . . 8-84 The text is more ambitious than 4 . . . N-B3 5 0-0, NxP 6 R-K1, P-Q4 7 BxP, QxP 8 N-B3, Q-QR4 9 NxN, B-K3 with equality. But it may be that Portisch was aware that his opponent favors another line with 5 P-K5, P-Q4 6 B-QN5, N-K5 7 NxP which gives White hope for King­ side pressure. So Portisch may be evad­ ing that line. The continuation, 4 . . . B-N5t 5 P-B3, PxP 6 0-0 is dangerous for Black as White has a strong attack for the ma­ terial offered. 7 B-QN5, N-K5 8 PxP [or 8 NxP, 0-0 ! ] , B-N3 9 N-B3, 0-0 10 B-K3, P-B3 ! One instance is 1 1 PxP, NxP/3 1 2 R-QB1 , ( Steinitz-Lasker, equality with Q-Q3 match 1 8 9 4 ) . An even better one is 1 1 . . . NxN 1 2 PxN, QxP 1 3 Q-N3, N-K2 14 0-0, P-KR3 15 N-K5, P-B3 16 B-K2, N-B4 with the initiative for Black ( Steinitz-Schiffers 1898 ) . 6 . . . . 7 8-Q2 8-N 5f The Greco Attack, 7 N-B3, NxKP 8 0-0, is not dangerous for Black. He may even continue with 8 . . . NxN 9 PxN, P-Q4 ! avoiding the drawish Moeller At­ tack after 8 . . . BxN 9 P-Q5 ! B-B3 ! etc. 7 . . . . 8x8f T h e text is simpler than 7 . . . NxKP 8 BxB, NxB 9 BxPt, KxB 1 0 Q-N3t, P-Q4 1 1 N-K5t, K-K3 ! 1 2 QxN, P-B4 13 Q-R3, PxP 14 N-KB3, Q-N3 1 5 0-0, K-B2, and, i n the line cited, though Black's King is slightly exposed, he has compensation. 8 Q Nx8 9 PxP 1 0 0-0 P-Q4 NxP The theoretical line is 10 Q-N3 im­ mediately. White has no concern over 1 0 . . . N-R4 a s 1 1 Q-R4t, P-B3 1 2 BxN, QxN 13 0-0, 0-0 1 4 KR-K1 gives him a clear advantage. On the normal 1 0 . . . QN-K2 1 1 0-0, 0-0 12 KR-K1, P-QB3, Tarrasch attempted to ignite some posi­ tional fire in the "quiet game" with 13 P-QR4, and Rossolimo did likewise much later. 10 . . . . 5 P-83 0-0 With the text, White proclaims his dislike for the Max Lange Attack : 5 0-0, N-B3 6 P-K5, P-Q4 7 PxN, PxB 8 R-K1 t, B-K3 9 N-N5, Q-Q4 10 N-QB3, Q-B4 1 1 N/3-K4 i n which Black has good counter chances in an unclear posi­ tion. Besides, Black may try the solid 5 . . . P-Q3, instead. Now White is ready for a kind of Dan­ ish Gambit in which Black's King Bishop is not best posted for defense. 5 . . . . N-83 The grandmaster correctly prefers a safe and "slow" game. This position can of course arise from the Giuoco Piano direct. 5 . . . PxP is risky and 5 . . . P-Q6 too passive. 6 PxP It has been long known that the plau­ sible 6 P-K5 offers nothing : 6 . . . P-Q4 1 1 R-8 1 H e r e i s a n e w move i n an o l d position. 1 1 R-K1, N-N3 has been analyzed before with a good game for Black, and so has 1 1 N-K5, NxP 1 2 N-N3, NxN 13 BxN/5, Q-B3 ! 14 QxN, QxN. 11 . . . . N-N3 12 8-N 3 8-N 5 After 1 2 . . . NxP 1 3 NxN, QxN 14 RxP, QxNP, White regains his Pawn and also has the initiative without difficulty. 13 P-K R 3 14 R-85 15 N-134 8-R4 8-N 3 • There is balance in the position : the [;Iigiltly more active White pieces com­ pensate for the isolated, central Pawn. 15 . . . . NxN Naturally, Black must stop any effec­ tive N-K5 ; and 15 . . . N-Q2 to dislodge t'le R'JO!( incurs some danger : 16 R-KN5 [ 1 6 R-QN5, P-QR3 ; or 16 R-Q5, B-K5] , B-K5 17 N/4-Q2 ! 16 8x N Q-Q3 Now 16 . . . B-K5 is met by 17 N-N5. 17 8-Q5 White has to cut off this way the in­ creasing pressure on his Queen Pawn and to secure his slightly exposed Rook. 17 . . . . 1 8 8-N 3 N-N5 18 BxNP, QR-Nl cuts no i c e for White. 19 . . . . 19 P-R3 Q R-Q1 Try for a tempo gain by 19 Q-Q2 al­ lows Black a very favorable endgame by 19 . . . QxR 20 PxQ, RxQ 2 1 NxQ, N-Q6. 19 . . . . 20 R-83 N-Q6 N-85 Black loses two pieces for a Rook on 20 . . . NxNP 2 1 Q-Q2. 21 R-K 1 22 Q-81 8-R4 Q-K 83 Black's last is his best move. \Vith both White Rooks in action, Black is in danger of getting an inferior position. 22 . . . P-QB3 23 R-K5, Q-KB3 24 Q-K3 gives White a clear advantage with con­ trol of the center. The text hinders White from his most favorable regroup­ ing of his heavy pieces whereas the simplifying 22 . . . BxN 23 RxB, N-K3 24 BxN, PxB 25 RxRt reduces Black to fighting for a draw. 23 Q- K3 23 RxP is not worth the consequent 23 . . BxN ; and 23 R-K4 fails against 23 . . NxPt 24 K-Bl, P-KR3 ! and 25 N-N4. 23 . . • . P-83 ( See d i a g ra m , top of n e xt co l u m n ) 2 4 Q-K 5 White is attempting t o r i d himself o f t h e weakness o f h i s isolani b u t under- estimates the position. In fact, he is not inferior i n his active position and can play 24 Q-K7, Q-N3 [ the only move to retain the balance] 25 N-R4 [ not 25 N-N5, P-KR3 ! 26 BxPt, RxB 27 QxR/8t, R-B I ] , Q-Q3 ; or 24 N-K5, N-Q4 [24 . . . KR-K1? 25 N-Q7] 25 BxN, RxB 2 6 equal with P-B4 27 B-N3 P-KN4, chances. 2�· 25 RxQ QxQ K R- K 1 mack needs t o trade off o n e o f the W:1ite Rook s : after 25 . . . BxN 26 RxB, RxP, White regains his material with the advantage by 27 R-K7. 26 R/3-K3 27 Px R RxR recapture. acceptable only Whi te's Tl1ough he is rid of his isolani, howev.er, ti1e more active Black Rook hurts White. 27 . . . . P-K R3 Here 27 . . . R-Q6 is ineffective : 2 8 P-N4, B-N3 [ or 28 . . . NxPt 29 K-R2, RxR 3 0 PxR, BxP 31 P-K6, PxP 32 N-K5, B-B4 33 P-K4] 29 N-N5 by which White aims for 30 P-K6. 28 8-82 Now White guards his Q3, but the text leads to a Rook ending i n Black's favor. 28 . . . . 29 Rx8 8xN R-Q7 30 RxN 31 R-QN4 Rx8 Whit9 has to save his Knight Pawn and also prepare to meet 31 . . . R-K7. 31 • . . . 32 R-N 3 P-Q N4 K-81 33 P-84 34 K-R2 K-K2 P-R3 35 K-N 3 White ruins h i s endgame. H i s only chance i s to reduce material on the Queenside by 3 5 P-QR4, PxP 3 6 R-N4 ; or 35 . . . K-K3 36 PxP, RPxP 37 R-Q3, 'RxP [or 37 . . . K-B4 38 R-Q7] 3 8 R-Q6t, K-B4 3 9 RxP, KxP 4 0 R-B7, Kx P 4 1 RxP, P-N3 42 R-KN7, K-B3 43 R-N7. He then has chances of saving the end­ game despite his Pawn minus. 35 . . . • 36 K-83 P-Q84 P-85 40 R-N2 41 K-Q5 R-R5t RxP 37 R-N4 38 PxP 39 K-K4 P-86 RxPt RxQ R P 4 2 R-R2 43 RxP Resigns P-83 R-84 1 9. T H E ART OF F E E L I N G YOU NG He used to play in tournaments when he was young; and he feels young while playing now. Like the Greek Zorba in his every-day life in the novel, he is a man who knows how to enjoy life in his chess. The comparison is meant of course for Miguel Najdorf. "El grande Miguel" has ruled in the chess of a continent for more than a quarter of the century. And he is still-at fifty-seven-recog­ nized as a chess king of South America. In such terms, it is hard to find any one who can be compared to him. His vitality in chess derives not only from his great talent and fine physical fo:r;m, but also and even more from his joy of combat in tour­ naments. He is completely human. Occupied most of his time with his insurance business, Najdorf does not hide his fears and calls him­ self "a chess analphabete."* He believes deeply in his gift, however, and prefers above all else to struggle with the strongest. With his florid temperament, he adds zest to the atmosphere of any tournament: every round is replete with special excitement for him, and the entire competition amount� to a wonderful adventure. These were Najdorf's reasons for coming to the grandmaster tourna­ ment in Moscow. In chess-and probably not only there--he dismisses his age as easily as if he were twenty. And one can learn something from his approach to life. He has declared sincerely that he sees no limit as to when he should stop playing. Why should he? The following game is a recent example of Najdorf's ability to de­ feat the top players even in a game which stretches over two long ses­ sion s of play. · M oscow 1 967 continuations against the King's Indian. White secures effective and harmonious K I N G'S I N D I A N D E F E N S E M . N ajdorf Yef i m G e l l e r A rgentina Soviet U n i o n Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 N - K B3 P- K N 3 B-N 2 4 P-K4 5 N-83 6 B-K2 P-Q3 0-0 P-K4 development of his Queen Bishop. After 7 0-0, N-B3 8 B-K3, R-K1 ! 9 P-Q5, B lack can reply 9 . . . N-Q5 satisfac­ torily. Or, after 7 . . . PxP 8 NxP, R-K1 9 P-B3, P-B3, White's "natural" 10 B-K3 is not so good against 10 . . . P-Q4. True, Ney-Stein from the recent USSR Championship shows that White is not inferior in the last line on 1 1 BPxP, PxP 12 Q-N3 ! PxP 13 B-QB4, but the simplifications of the game are not to be avoided. Stein continued with 13 . . . R-B1 14 QR-Q1, Q-K2 15 PxP, N-B3 16 N-Q5, KNxN 17 NxN, PxN 18' PxN, PxP 19 BxQP, B-N5 20 R-B1, QR-B1 21 RxR, BxR, and a draw was agreed ; bnt Black may defend even more efficiently. 7 B- K3 In Here is one of the most critical recent • As we'd say: a diamond i n the rough . - E d . Monaco this year, Geller devoted almost half an h our on the appropriate reply against this commentator. This time, he was not taken by surprise, but neither was Najdorf who knew that game from the right source. 7 • . • . about Q N-Q2 A new move, 7 . . . Q-K2, was tried in Etein-Gufeld in that same USSR Cham­ pionship. After 8 0-0, White was sur­ prised by 8 . . . NxP ! 9 NxN, PxP 10 NxP/4, QxN 11 N-N5, N-R3 12 B-B3, QxP 13 NxRP, N-B4 14 NxB, QRxN, and White's compensation, some pres­ sure, for the lost Pawn was sufficient only for a draw by repetition after J 5 R-Bl , Q-QN5 16 P-QN3, N-K3 17 R-B4, Q-N4 18 Q-Q2, R-N1 1 9 R--QN4, Q-·R3 20 R-QR4, Q-N4 and so on. ture Q)leen-side action will be faster than Black's King-side initiative. That conclusion arises from Black's King Knight being in the way of his Pawns and also subject to attack by White pieces, and the supposition is that he must expend time redeploying his forces. Meanwhile, White's Queen Bishop pins and slows down the advance of the Black Pawns so that White has more time to seize space on the Queenside. 11 . . . . 12 N-Q2 N-81 In Gligorich-Fischer ( M onaco 1 9 67 ) , White secured the better game with the logical 8 P-Q5, N-K1 9 P-KR4 ! playing to weaken Black's King-side squares. 8 0-0 12 . . 8 . . . . R-K1 Black aims to provoke the blockade i n t h e center so he may h a v e free hands for the King-side counteraction. This game came in Round 3; and, later in Round 7, Stein and Geller i n games vs. Najdorf and Gligorich found the im­ provement 8 . . . P-QR4 ! The move serves the same purpose since White has no better than 9 P-Q5 but now Black feels safer on the Queenside. Oddly enough, considering that the combatants were in an unexplored position, their games were identical till move 20 : 9 . . . N-N5 10 B-N5, P-KB3 1 1 B-R4, P-R4 12 N-Q2, N-R3 13 P-B3, N-B2 14 B-Q3, B-R3 1 5 Q-K2, K-R1 16 B-KB2, R-KN1 17 K-R1, N-B1 18 B-B2, Q-K2 19 QR-K1, R-N2 20 B-K3, and Black's King-side initiative was more significant than White's Queen-side prospects. Both games ended in draws. 9 P-Q5 10 B-N 5 1 1 B-R4 N-N5 P-K B3 White's strategy assumes that his fu- P- K R4 The text seems an improvement over Gligorich-Geller ( M onaco 1 9 6 7 ) i n which, after 12 . . . N-R3 13 P-B3, N-B2 14 P-QN4, B-R3, White missed his chance to bear down more strongly on the Queen-side by 15 B-B2, P-KB4 16 P-B5, N-Q2 17 P-B6 ! whereby Black cannot prevent opening of lines on the wing on which he feels inferior. White got a lesser advantage in that game after 15 N-N3, B-K6t 16 K-R1, P-KR4 as Black freed KR2 for his Queen Knight. The text move immediately attains Black's goal of vacating KR2. 13 BxN T h i s peculiar decision is typical o f Najdorf's fine instinct i n in s u c h dynamic positions. True, his reasoning was partly wrong : he felt that, after 13 P-KR3, N-R3 14 P-B3, Black gains ground too rapidly even with 14 . . . P-KN4 15 B-B2, N-N3. So he found the interesting solu­ tion of selling his Bishop for the Knight. Actually, the best continuation is 13 P-QN4 as White's Queen Bishop is not in real danger : after the possible 13 . . . P-KN4 ? 14 B-N3, Black's assailable Knight and the Q1-KR5 diagonal as a tool for White favor the latter. 13 . . . . PxB 13 . . . BxB 14 P-B3, B-Q2 1 5 P-QN4 has White coming in first with his aims. 14 P-83 1 5 QxP PxP N-R2 R-K N 1 Q-83 22 . . . . 2 3 Q-R6 White's Queen cannot be endured in the Black's camp. 24 QxQt 25 PxP � PxP N-R4 26 R-82 27 N-K2 Black defends his Pawn indirectly, but his Knight is now badly placed, one may say even misplaced. D � N xQ B-R6 :>.! K-R2 Rx R 23 R-K N 1 29 R x R Only a great player could have fore­ seen that this is a favorable position for White despite mack's Two Bishops and mobile mass of Pawns. 16 B-62 P-KB4 The text is typical of Geller's aggres­ sive style but also what White has been counting on. On the safer 16 . . . Q-K2, White has difficulties as to how to pene­ trate Black's fortress. 1 7 Q-N 3 ! White's key move i n the current plan. Black's weakness at KN3 is difficult to defend. 30 N x P Probably, t h e blockading 30 N-Nl and 31 N/1-B3 with the threat of 32 P-K5 i s even more effective here. 30 . . . . 3 1 RxN 32 K-N 1 NxN 8-N7t 8xP§ 33 34 35 36 K-82 K-K3 R-82 P-N 3 R-N7t 8-N 3 R-NS I t i s necessary to release the Knight from having to defend a Pawn. 36 . . . . P-R4 Black does better to deny the pene­ tration of White's Rook, by 36 . . . K-N2. White snatches his opportunity. 37 R-88 39 N-83 39 K-Q2 17 . . . . Not 39 . . . B-R4 ? ? 4 0 N-N5t. P-BS The text is practically forced ; for, after Blacl�'s Queen moves to defend the Kingside by 17 . . . Q-B3 or 17 . . . Q-N4 18 QxQ, NxQ, White's N-N5 cannot well be met. 18 Qx N P 1 9 B-R4 ! K-R 1 B-83 20 8x8t 21 K-R 1 R-RS R-KSt K-N 2 Nx8 N-R2 Black's King needs some cover, and 21 . . . N-N5 22 R-B3, N-K6 23 N-B1 obviously does not work. 22 P-K N 3 Now White moves i n time t o break Black's Pawn chain. Black cannot take as the penetration of White's Rook is then decisive. 40 R-88 8-R4 Black pursues his only chance for counterplay, and here White sealed his next move as the only choice to try for a win. 14 N-NS R-RS On 4 1 . . . R-K7t, Blacl{ loses his best chance of displacing the Knight and drops Queen-side Pawns without suffi­ c i en t compensation. 42 K-K3 The best. White moves to support his Knight. It i s too early for 42 RxPt as 42 . . . K-B3 quickly gains the center for Black's King whereafter White's is exposed pieces. to the fire all the Black 8-N 3 42 . . Now 4 2 43 N-K4t, of pinning of mowing of . K-B3 i s not efficient as K-K4 44 N-B2 poses threats the Bishop, by 45 R-KR8, or down Black's Pawns. 43 RxPt 44 N-83 45 R-88 53 54 55 56 R-Q7t N-Q4 N-85 K-K5 K-81 8-85 RxP R-K7t 59 60 61 62 63 P-R5 R-Q6 P-R6 R-K6f N-Q4 K-K 1 R-Q R7 8-87 K-Q2 8-Q6 K-83 R-R6 With this delicate touch, White en­ sures Rook-aid for King and Knight. Be­ ing two Pawns down, Black now tries to regain some material. 45 . . • . 46 R-88f 8-N 8 K-K2 4 7 R-Q N 8 48 RxPt 8xP K-83 48 . . . K-Kl or Q l serves better for defense of Black's Queen Pawn. 49 K-84 P-R5 Black's last hope is to reduce the ma­ terial on the board. 50 PxP 51 R-Q7 8xP This possibility Black had overlooked when analyzing during adjournmtmt. The catch is 51 . . . BxP 52 RxPt, B-K3 53 RxBt ! 51 52 RxPt . • . • 8-K7 K-N2 57 K-Q6 58 K-85 R-Q7 8-N 6 64 N-86 ! Strike out Black's last hope. The Rook Pawn is immune because of 64 . . . R or BxP 65 R-K7t, K-Bl 66 K-Q6 with a mate ensured. 64 . . . . 65 K-Q4 R-B2t 8-N4 66 P-R7 R-QR7 K-82 67 N-NBt 68 N-R6t Res i g n s 68 . . K-N2 69 R-K7t, K-Rl N-B7t is quite hopeless for Black. 70 20. VI CTOR-BY NAM E It is a striking coincidence that a chessplayer with such an un­ paralleled eagerness to win should bear the first name, Victor. No mat­ ter who is on the other side of the table, Korchnoy wants to win with White, with Black and, as Najdorf would laughingly say, even with green pieces . In order to reach his goal, the grandmaster from Leningrad is ready to take on any risks : sometimes, to try a doubtful move in the opening for the sake of surprise; sometimes, to play very difficult posi­ tions in which no one else would care to be involved ; and, sometimes, to expose himself to fierce attacks in positions which very few would have the nerve to allow, and only because of one Pawn which was offered him. Yet, out of these messes, Korchnoy almost every time emerges the victor. It is not because of his optimism or luck. For he is ex­ tremely objective in analyses and quite aware of his weak sides. It is because of his colossal ability to reckon the variations-even in time trouble--further and better than his opponents. His world-famous Soviet colleagues even admit that it was Korchnoy who taught them habitually to appraise during the game all the possible continuations to their very, very end. Such a style is a great burden and requires plenty of energy and willpower. Thus, it is understandable that Korchnoy has from time to time had his setbacks. Yet he was always considered to be one of the potential challengers to the world champion. He has had few oppor­ tunities and indeed encountered a crisis just as he was playing in his one Challengers Tournament to date, in Curacao 1962. Now his time may be coming again. For he has qualified for the Interzonal and has won very convincingly (as usual when he does win) the international tournaments in Leningrad and Budva this year. The game of his presented this month, from the Yugoslav resort, is considered his best in that tournament, by Korchnoy himself. It has value for the t�eory of openings, also. • B udva 1 967 Q U E E N 'S GA M B I T D E C L I N E D V i ktor Korc h noy Soviet U n i o n Borislav l v kov Yugoslavia Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-Q B3 P-Q4 P-K3 B-K2 Here is an innovation of Petrosyan's. The idea is to avoid the Exchange Vari­ ation as after the normal 3 . . . N-KB3 4 PxP, PxP 5 B-N5 in which Black has difficulty in setting his Queen Bishop on Black's important diagonal, KB4-QN8 : e.g. 5 . . . B-K2 6 P-K3, P-B3 7 Q-B2 ! 4 PxP And here is Botvinnik's method, from the 1963 match with Petrosyan, of carry- ing out White's basic intentions. After 4 N-B3, N-KB3, the Exchange Variation is no longer efficient : e.g. 5 PxP, PxP 6 B-N5, P-B3 7 Q-B2, P-KN3 ! For now White cannot oppose on that critical diagonal without trading the white·bound Bishops, as Black would like. Of course, White may acquiesce to his limited choice of continuations against the Orthodox Defense : 4 N-B3, N-KB3 5 B-N5, 0-0 6 P-K3 ; but lately the Tar­ takower Line : 6 . . . P-KR3 7 B-R4 P-QN3 8 PxP, NxP or 8 B-Q3, B-N2 ha � proved quite satisfactory for Black in many tournament games. Apart from the text move, White has another means of escaping the simplifi­ cations of the Orthodox Defense. It is by 4 N-B3, N-KB3 5 B-B4 ! introduced in the modern praxis by Portisch. His game against Spassky i n the Havana Olympics 1966 is interesting : 5 . . . 0-0 6 P-K3, P-B4 [ the most natural reply] 7 PxBP, BxP [7 . . . Q-R4 is an attrac­ tive alternative] 8 Q-B2, N-B3 9 P-QR3, Q-R4 10 R-Q1, B-K2 11 N-Q2, P-K4 1 2 B-N5, P-Q5 13 N-N3, Q-Q1 1 4 B-K2, ­ N-KN5 ! ? 15 BxB, QxB 16 PxP, Q-R5 17 P-N3, Q-R6 18 P-Q5, N-Q5 [ 1 8 . . . Q-N7 19 Q-K4 ! QxPt 20 K-Q2 favors White] 1 9 NxN, PxN 20 RxP, R-K1 21 R-K4, B-Q2 22 B-B1, Q-R4 23 B-K2, Q-R6 and draw by repetition though it remains un· certain whether Black's attack is ade­ quate compensation for his two-Pawn minus. 4 5 8-84 . • • . PxP P-Q83 its best diagonal and embarrasses Black i n his plan of active posting of light pieces. In Portisch-Pietsch (Kecskemet 1966 ) , White tried, without the weakening of his Ringside, to obtain a similar advan­ tage by 7 KN-K2 ! ? After 7 . . . N-B3 8 N-N3, Black did not retreat correctly as by 8 . . . B-K3 9 B-Q3, P-KN3 with a satisfact(W'y game. Instead, he had dif­ ficulties : 8 . . . B-N3 9 P-KR4, P-KR4 10 B-Q3, BxB 11 QxB, P-KN3 12 0-0-0, N-QR3 13 K-N1, Q-R4 [ 13 . . . 0-;0 is better] 14 B-N5, 0-0-0 15 N-B5 ! Q-B2 · 16 NxB, QxN 17 P-K4, PxP 18 Q-B4 ! N-B2 19 KR-K1, R-Q4 20 P-B3 ! Q-K3 21 NxR, PxN 22 Q-B2, R-K1 23 R-QB1, R-K2 24 R-K3, Resigns. 7 . • . • 8-K3 7 . . . B-N3 8 N-B3, N-Q2 [if 8 N-B3, then 9 N-K5] 9 P-KR4 is un­ pleasant for Black as the position of his Queen Bishop only enhances White's King-side initiative. 8 P-K R3 White correctly prepares the develop­ ment of his King Knight while reserving disposition of his King Bishop till Black's deployment is clearer. I n the twelfth match game, the first with this variation, Botvinnik erred with the immediate 8 B-Q3, and Black obtained a very solid position with 8 . . . N-Q2 9 P-KR3, P-KR4 [ else, 10 N-B3, and White can answer Black's eventual . . . P-KR4 with P-KN5 and so hinder Black's normal de­ velopment] 1 0 PxP, N/2-B3 11 P-R6, NxP. The immediate 5 . . . B-KB4 incurs dif­ ficulties from 6 Q-N3. Black can also treat the position a la Tarrasch : 5 . . . N-KB3 6 P-K3, 0-0 7 N-B3, P-B4 8 PxP, N--B3 9 B-K2, BxP 10 0-0, B-K3 (Gligorich-Spassky, Hast­ ings 1966 ) with a slight but permanent advantage for White. 6 P-K3 6 Q-B2 again is met effectively by 6 . . P-KN3 and . . . B-KB4. 6 . . . . 8-K 84 Now or never ! 6 . . . N-B3 7 B-Q3 puts the critical diagonal i n White's hand. 7 P- K N 4 ! Again, a Botvinnik move.* I t i s prob­ ably the only way to exploit Black's s11ghtly artificial method which post­ pones too much the development of his King Knight. White gains King-side space, chases Black's Queen Bishop from 8 . . . . P-K R4 The text is certainly not best but does make the game interesting from a theoretical point of view as a direct at· tempt to refute White's whole line. No:­ need • Black be blamed for trying this sharp continuation as the solid 8 . N-B3 did not completely equal ize in all previous games with this line. The latest attempt with 8 . . . N-B3 is Geller-Spassky ( M oscow 1967 ) : 9 N-B3, 0-0. Black did not obtain satisfactory play in the 18th Botvinnik-Petroysan match game with 9 . . . QN-Q2 10 B-Q3, N-N3 11 Q-B2, N-B5 12 K-B1 , N-Q3 13 N-Q2, Q-B1 14 K-N 2, N-Q2 [ 1 4 . . . P-QB4 loses material to 15 BxN, BxB 16 N-N5, B-K2 17 PxP, BxP 18 P-N4 ! ] 15 P-B3, P-KN3 16 QR-QB1 , N-N3 1 7 P-N3, Q-Q2 1 8 N-K2, N/Q-B1 19 P-QR4. Geller-Spassky continued : 10 B-Q3 , P-B4 11 K-B1 [the King feels safer this way than by ordinary castling in view of the possible . . . P-KR4] , N-B3 12 K-N2, PxP 13 KNxP, B-Q3. Black had no reason to be satisfied in the 14th Botvinnil{-Petrosyan match game with 13 . . . NxN 14 PxN, N-Q2 as he had less freedom of action : 1 5 Q-B2, N-B3 16 P-B3, R-Qij1 1 7 B-K5, B-Q3 1 8 QR-K1, BxB 1 9 RxB, P-KN3 20 Q-B2, and · White retained a permanent advantage. And , in Geller-Spassky, White kept positional pressure after 14 BxB, Qxn 15 N/3-K2, KR-K1 16 R-QB1, B-Q2 17 B-Nl. It should also be mentioned here that 8 ( or later) . . . Q-N3 can easily be met by 9 P-QR3 ! For Black cannot play . . . QxNP because of 10 N-QR4 with no good escape for the unlucky Queen. here ) , White stands much more favor­ ably. His King Bishop is properly placed for defending the material advantage. True, Botvinnik could have retreated his Bishop to K2, but at cost of a tempo whereby to get i n P--KR3. A n d that Pawn move i s vital. For, as will be seen, KN4 becomes an important base for White later in the game. 1 1 R-R2! B-Q3 The text only loses a tempo for de, fense of the endangered King Knight file. So 1 1 . . . N-R3 seems more worth trying. 1 2 8x8 1 3 R-N2 Qx 8 K-81 1 4 8-N4 ! 1 5 Q-83 N-R3 There it is. White rep1ains with his Pawn plus and is developing at the same time. If Black captures the Bishop, h e strengthens White's material edge. 15 . . - . 1 6 8x8 Q-Q2 Qx8 16 . . . PxB has the fault of creating new weaknesses. 17 K N-K2 9 PxP Korchnoy i s notorious for snatching Pawns-and here, indeed, the capture is the only good reply. 9 . . . . N-Q2 Now it does not seem easy both to re­ tain the P�wn and also to develop the I{ingside harmoniously. Korchnoy per­ forms a real masterpiece in' solving the problem. 10 B-K2 Q N-83 Comparing this position to the course of the 12th Botvinnik-Petrosyan match (as mentioned after White's 8th move Here is the full triumph of White':; strategy. He retains his Pawn plus, has wonderful scope for his King Knight and retains his strong pressure on the open file. 17 . . . . 1 8 N-84 19 Q-K2 Q-84 Q-87 QxQt N-84 20 KxQ N-Q3 2 1 R-N 5 22 R/1-K N 1 NJQ-K1 23 P-83 Now White has plenty of time to pre­ pare the decisive opening of the position in the center and the Queenside. 23 . . . . 24 K-Q3 R-Q1 R-R3 Another trouble for Black is that his King Rook is out of play and cannot easily be teamed with the Queen Rook. 25 N /3-K 2 T h i s Knight heads for KB5. 25 . . . . 26 P-N3 R-Q2 White takes due care for prophylactic measures. He herewith takes under con· trol one more square, QB4, which might bcome a post for a Black Knight. 26 . . . . 2 7 N-N 3 R-K2 N-Q3 28 N-BS 29 RxN NxN K-N 1 As the material on the board dimin· ishes, the more apparent the passivity of the position of Black's King Rook be· comes. 30 R/5-NS 31 P-N 4 ! R-R2 P-R3 If Black moves his Knight toward QB5, White has an immediate break with P-K4. 32 33 34 35 P-QR4 P-N S PxP R-Q N 1 K-81 RPxP N-K1 N-Q3 36 37 38 39 40 PxP R-QB 1 P-K4 K-82 K-N 3 PxP N-QB5 N -;N7t N-RS PxP In a hopeless position, Black tries his last tactical chance, the sacrifice of a piece. 41 KxN 42 R-KB5 PxP R-K5 43 K-N 3 44 K-83 R-R3 R-Q3 45 R-Q R 1 ! On 45 . . . (either) RxP, White wins with 46 N-K6 t ! 45 . . . . 46 K-84 47 R-R8t R-K6t K-N 1 K-R2 48 49 50 51 R-83 RxP R/7-88 RxR RxR K-R3 R-85 ! R esigns 21. U P-TO-DATE WAYS OF WI N N I N G The increased percentage of draws in many strong international tournaments does not illustrate an eventual decline of fighting spirit but rather the growth of competitors in quality and number-a phenomenon which puts new standards into grandmasters' practice. A vast knowl­ edge of openings which reaches deep �tages of the middlegame, a well specialized individual repertory and high technics of defense are very commonly met today even among players of lesser reputations. Grad­ ually, the strongest grandmasters are becoming accustomed to having to wear down every day a stubborn resistance which defies their powers and forces them to find ever keener weapons whereby to achieve victory. That perennial burden of having to win the game in the next round is especially hard when grandmaster meets grandmaster. In systems known profoundly by the opponent, one has to invent some little move which will make the opponent devote more time than usual on the open­ ing and also spend extra time and energy in attempting to solve well and truly the problems of the later phases of the struggle. This much is, however, but a half measure to success. Whatever one does, the opposition is still very capable and, if White, will retain his initial advantage or a:t least the balance. Next as a necessity is a colossal measure of endurance, the ability to find the right replies throughout all the five hours of play, while maintaining the tension right to the time control. There is a possibility then that the opponent may be exhausted and fail to do his best when the crisis of the game attains its peak, and the flag threatens to fall. In brief, such is the history of the game which is presented here. Some commentators have accused Larsen of being lucky ; but, as a mat­ ter of fact, the game required prodigies of the winner along the lines described -above. In later rounds, Larsen played so convincingly that, even without his "luck" at the start, he would have been first, as he was in fact in the fifth Capablanca Memorial. H avana 1 967 N I M ZO-I N D I A N D E F E N S E M a rk Tai manov Bent Larsen D e n m a rk Soviet U n ion Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-Q B3 N-KB3 P-K3 B-N 5 Taimanov h a s twice written the book on the Nimzo-Indian Defense, and Black has to have something very special in mind if he wants to surprise his ex­ tremely experienced opponent. 4 P-K3 5 B-Q3 0-0 P-84 6 N-83 7 0-0 P-Q4 N-83 8 P-Q R3 Px B P This is Larsen's finesse, brought to light for the first time in a previous tournament in Dundee, which makes the standard position look like new. Black can "more safely" produce this trade of Pawns on move seven ; but Larsen con· siders that his King Bishop has more possibilities of exercising different kinds of pressure from QR4 and so h e provokes White's P-R3 first. Olafsson-O'Kelly (Dundee 1 9 6 7 ) may serve as a basis for this opinion. In that game, after 7 . . . PxBP 8 BxBP, Q-K2 [Black's Queen comes to this square usually whenever Black tries to keep the tension on his diagonal, QR4-K8, and re· tains his King Bishop as is the case in the actual game here] , White let Black's King Bishop be and continued : 9 B-Q3, N-B3 10 N-K4, PxP [the threat was 1 1 P-QR3] 1 1 PxP, P-KR3 1 2 Q-K2, R-Ql 13 B-K3, P-K4 1 4 PxP, NxP 1 5 N/8xN, QxN 16 NxNt, QxN 17 B-K4 with some advantage for White. 10 Q-Q3 This is the only way to make good progress while developing. 10 B-Q3 is playable, with the idea of 1 1 N-K4 to make the position of Black's Queen Bish· op futile. But that maneuver costs valu· able time, while Black may organize strong pressure on the Queen Pawn. 10 . • • • P-Q R3 Black is ensuring active employment of his Queen Bishop and poses a difficult dilemma for White as to choice of plans to thwart Black's intention. 9 BxBP The psychological fight h a s started al· ready, and White took some time for his reply. With the Black Queen Knight on Q2, as it was i n Taimanov--Barcza in a later round at Havana, White can easily continue : 9 PxB, PxQP [ the point of the previous maintenance of tension in the center] 10 BxPt ! KxB 1 1 QxP, N-N3 12 QxQ, RxQ 13 P-K4. Black had a very difficult endgame in the game cited and lost after a long fight. As a matter of fact, the whole variation is set forth i n Taimanov's book. Here, however, the alternative 9 PxB, PxQP 10 BxBP [with Black's better post· ed Queen Knight, 10 BxPt does not serve the purpose any more] , PxN 11 QxQ, RxQ 1 2 PxP leads to a playable endgame, but it is not clear enough if White can safeguard his advantage. The point is well worth further investigation. 9 • • . • B-R4 While 9 . . . BxN 10 PxB, Q-B2 leads to a well known position, the text is more ambitious. It attempts, by retaining presure on White's Queen Pawn and the diagonal, to make it difficult for Whi te to finish developing his Queenside and bringing his Queen Bishop into play. As a matter of fact, this retreat of the Bis!l· op has been more frequently combined with a . . . QN-Q2 in which the Knight supports the Queen Bishop Pawn and keeps the Queen Bishop file open. Thus, here White has a new set of practical problems to solve now, something on which Larsen has counted. 1 1 PxP Taimanov decides with too easy a heart on the example of Furman-Tro· janescu (Bucharest 1967) . Black did not defend well there, and it is obvious that Larsen has checked the playability of his endgame deeply and very carefully. Of course, there is good point i n sim· plifying : Black's tenth move is now a loss of tem po, and his Pawns and black Queen-side squares are weak. But the position i s richer i n possibilities than just these considerations, and it is not easy to decide which continuation !s White's best. In Gligorich-Larsen (Dundee 1967 ) , White chose to continue normally with development, disregarding Black's con· trol of Queen-side space in view of the strong wnite counter chances i n the cen· ter : 11 R-Q1, P··QN4 1 2 B-R2, B-N2 [in· teresting is 1 2 . . . P-B5 to seize control of white squares, but White here also has more freedom of action i n the cen· ter] 13 PxP, BxN [what Black has count· ed on] 1 4 Q-B 2 ! Q-K2 [on 14 . . . Q-R-1: 15 PxB, Black breaks-as he wished-the chain of White Pawns, but his Queen is badly placed and White gets the advan· tage by 16 P-B4] 15 QxB, KR-Q1 16 B-Q:!, N-K5 17 Q-B2, NxQBP 18 B-K l. By then, White had a clear advantag,� with the Two Bishops ; and, after an ambitious move for some counterplay, 18 . . . P-K4 ? he gained a strong attack with 19 Q-B5, Q-B3 2 0 Q'-R5 ! for ma­ terial gain and a win. An alternative worth study is 11 N-K4. It has not been tried as yet. 11 • . . . QxQ The text is necessary in order to double White's Pawns but i t helps White some to have his Bishop removed from its exposed place. 12 8xQ 13 Px 8 8xN N-QR4! White has the superior endgame after 13 . . . N-Q2 14 P-QR4 (Furman-Tro­ janescu as cited above) . From now on, Taimanov is forced to lengthy thinking to find the correct moves. For the posi· tion is very sensitive and may abruptly swing to Black if he succeeds in organiz­ ing effective pressure on the Queen Bishop file. The Bishop must retreat: 16 . . . NxP leaves a Pawn e n prise, and 16 . . . PxP shuts off the Bishop's retreat while clos­ ing the Queen Bishop file which is B lack's best counter chance. 17 8-Q2 8xN On 17 . . . KR-Q1 1 8 BxPt and 19 BxN, Black has to fight for a draw a Pawn down. The text gives Black's Knight on R4 a retreat. 1[1 Px8 Again, not 18 N-83 KR-Q1 1 9 BxPt ! 19 8-83 Here 19 RxP is met, however, by 1 9 . . KR-Q1. Now White has some advantage in con­ trol of space and Black's restricted to de­ fending for some moves to come. 19 . . . . 20 K R-Q1 Q R-N 1 K R-81 Here is seen Larsen's ability to hold a difficult position. He does not oppose on the Queen file yet as h e first needs his King i n the cente r : e.g. 20 . . . KR-Q1 2 1 P-B4, K-B1 [ not 2 1 . . . R-Q2 ? 22 BxN, PxB 27 BxPt] 22 P-KB5, P-K4 23 B-B2, RxRt 24 BxR, K-K2 2 5 ll-B3, N-Q2 26 BxN, P x B 27 RxR, NxR �8 BxP, and White wins a Pawn. 21 P-84 K-81 1 4 R-N 1 Well played. White meets the threat of 14 . . . N-N6 and presses on the open Knight file before Black can on the neighboring Bishop file. In Gligorich­ O'Kelly (Dundee 1 9 67 ) , White played less effectively : 14 B-B2, B-Q2 15 P-K4, B-B3 16 R-K1, KR-B1 17 B-B4, B-N4 1 8 B-Q6, N-Q2, and a draw was soon agreed upon. 14 . . . . 8-Q2 First development, later recapture of the Bawn : on 14 . . . N-Q2 15 P-QR4, Black is immediately i n trouble. 1 5 P-84 8-R5 ! Everything in time. On 16 B-Q2, Black has the colossal reply, 1 6 . . . N-N6 and the Knight produces wonders. 16 P-86 ! A single inexactitude can be tragic. Here White gains a vital tempo so as to bring his Queen Bishop into play and assume control over squares from which Black's Knights otherwise could operate very dangerously. 16 . . • . 8xP 22 K-N 2 22 P-KB5, P-K4 23 B-B2, K-K2 2 4 B-R4, N-Q2 brings no gain n o w as the Queen Knight is protected by a Rook. 22 . . . . �3 P-K 85 K-K2 P-K4 Black acquiesces .to a sensitive cen­ tral Pawn which cuts a Bishop diagonal rather than open the game for the Two Bishops. 24 8-82 R-82 This Rook serves a duel purpos e : de­ fense on the rank and potential pressure on the file. 25 K-83 26 RxR R-Q1 KxR 27 8-R4 N-Q2 Black is still restricted to a passive role and this is his only good way of de­ fending his King Pawn. 28 P-R4 31 . . . . 32 K-84 Not 32 KxP ? ? N-B4t. 32 . • . . 33 8-R5 P- K N 3 Black does not let h i s weak Knight Pawn be pinned on its initial square. P-K5t N-K2 Here White played the correct move and proposed a draw. But Black, count­ ing four minutes left for White's seven moves and seeing no risk in fighting on, refused. 33 . . . . 34 8 x N P-N 3 PxB 35 8-R4 36 K-85 N-N3t Once more, 36 KxP ? ? RxPt. 36 . . . . 37 K-86 R-84f N - K4 29 PxP Exhausted by long efforts to constantly find the best moves and already falling · into time trouble, w hite fails, at last, to d o his bes t : 2 9 B-B2 ! N-B3 3 0 B-K4 [here the move is just in time as Bla:ck's King is one square too far from the Kingside] , NxB 31 KxB o n which Black is in difficulties : e.g. 31 . . . P-B3 32 PxP, PxP 33 R-N1 with the threat of Rook and King penetrating the Kingsid�. The text makes life easy for Black. 29 . . . . 3 0 P-R5 31 R-K R 1 R Px P Px P White has succeeded i n opening lines ; but, while he recaptures his Pawn, Black gets time for counter attack. 38 8-N 3 Here is the decisive mistake, with the time-control flag hanging. 38 B-Q1 sav�s a draw. 38 • 39 K-N 7 ? 40 R-Q1 . • • K-K 1 N-N5 R-N4t 41 K-R8 42 B-R4t Resigns N-83 K-K2 White's King cannot escape mate. 22. "A CRU S H I NG POS ITI O N !" "It is a crushing position!" were the words of Robert J. Fischer as he started an immediate post-mortem analysis of his lost game against Geller in Monte Carlo. One could not guess if the conclusion arose from the mood of a man who, already winner of the tournament, suffered an unexpected loss in the very last round or if it was just that extra-ordinary "feel" of a great player for the true nature of all kinds of positions, born of the presentiment that the exposed Black King, even with the mass of central Pawns in front of it, possessed no sufficient means of defense against enemy penetration from both flanks. Geller himself admitted to pessimistic thoughts as to the outcome. Your commentator, likewise, joined the general opinion with the thought that Black had opened too many doors and there was too great a draught about his King. Analysis in the tournament room, however, lasted about an hour still without having indicated how the by then triumphant Geller's ' King was to be mated. A new light on the whole line appeared several months later in the match between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. The courageous de­ fender of the Black side was the international master Bogdanovich. He is noted as gifted for choosing the most critical variations and also the wrong opponents for his theoretical disputes. And he certainly did the latter here; for, on the other side of the board in sunny Budva, sat no one else but Tahl! The result of the encounter is exposed below. 1 1 th U S S R-Y ugoslav i a Match after trying the normal developing move 7 . . . B-K2. B udva 1 967 8 Q-Q2 SICI LIAN DEFENSE M i kh a i l Tah l Rajko Bogdanovich Sov i et U n i o n Yugoslavia Blaclc White 1 P-K4 2 N-KB3 P-QB4 P-Q3 3 P-Q4 4 NxP 5 N-QB3 PxP N-KB3 P-Q R3 The Bosnians are known as stubborn ; and Bogdanovich of Sarajevo, the cap­ ital of Bosnia, cannot be discouraged from his preference flilr the Najdorf Variation (which has lasted so many years) either by his previous defeats or by the most combinatively dangerous op­ ponent or our time. 6 B-K N 5 6 . . . . 7 P-84 nesses, and the Pawn sacrificed, which may repay Black for his risks. 9 R-Q N 1 . T h e most crucial branch of t h e line. P-K3 Q-N 3 Bogdanovich likes to try the most up­ to-date moves and here follows the known example of Fischer-Geller in Monaco this year. He has added reason here i n that he lost badly against Parma in the previous Yugoslav championship QxP So far as this commentator knows, there is but one endgame (with Keres as White) on record after 8 . . . N-B3 !l 0-0-0, NxN. But that example seems sufficient motive for Black to prefer the risk of taking the Pawn as has been done in all the other tournament games. Black is aware of his backwardness in development but puts his hopes in the absence of weak points in his position. If White fails to crash through with h i s pieces, he h a s many positional weak­ Q-R6 ( See d i a g ram , top of next page) 10 P-85! It is better to retain the Queen Bishop t!1an to try 1 0 BxN, PxB 11 B-K2, B-N2 as 12 . . . P-B4 may open the powerful long diagonal for Black. Parma-Fischer (Havana 1965) for instance led to a d raw­ ish ending after 12 0-0, P-B4 13 KR-Q l ! N-B3 14 NxN, BxN 15 Q-K3, PxN 16 R-N3, Q-B4 1 7 QxQ, PxQ 18 RxB, PxP Ivkov-Saharov (cited above) , Black even has a useful tempo i n P-N4 i n addition to already satisfactory counterplay. This line may appear i n future tournament praxis as a critical one for the whole variation. 1 1 PxP PxP Black has no other good reply, and what follows is more or less forced. 12 N x N 1 3 P- K5 19 RxP, B-Q2. Later, Ivkov against Saharov ( Yugo­ slav-Soviet Union Match, Suhumi 1 9 6 6 ) tried t o stop 12 . . . P-B4 by 1 2 P-B5 ; but, after 12 . . . B-R3 ! the complications gave Black even chances and a draw was agreed on after 13 Q-Q3, Q-B4 H PxP, PxP 15 B-N4, R-Nl ! 16 BxP, RxP 17 BxB, R-Q7 18 Q-R3, QxN/5 19 N-K2, QxP 20 Q-R5t, Q-N3 21 QxQt, PxQ 22 BxP, R-R2 23 B-K4. 10 P-B5 seems to be White's last word on this line. For the other plan of pene-­ tration : 10 P-K5, PxP 11 PxP, KN-Q2 12 B-QB4 probably fails against Fiseher's improvement, 1 2 . . . Q-R4 ! which pro­ tects Black's Q l in the King field while pinning White's Queen Knight and threatening to gain more material. Also, as seen in Dr. Mazzoni-Fischer ( M onaco 1967 ) , 13 NxP procures no com­ pensation for the sacrificed piece. And the other possibility : 13 BxKP, PxB 14 NxP, NxP [14 . . . QxPt 15 Q-K3 ! B-K2 ! is unclear, too] 1 5 B-Q8 seems to give Black sufficient counterplay. He can by . . . N-Q6t or B6t free squares for the escape of his Queen with gain of tem p o : for instance, 1 5 . . . N-B6t ! 16 PxN, Q-K4t followed by 17 . . . BxN. Yet, of course, there are still possi­ bilities to be explored. 10 . . • . N-83 Even after the experience of this game, it is not certain if this is the best chance of survival for Black. He has no time to try the "safe line" 10 . . . B-K2 as, after 11 PxP, PxP 12 B-QB4, h e can­ not maintain control over the white squares. There seems to be, however, a play­ able line in 1 0 . . . P-QN4 which secures Queen-side space. For instance, aiming to weaken Black's King position by 1 1 PxP, PxP 1 2 BxN, PxB 1 3 B-K2 allows 13 . . . B-R3 ! Then, in comparison with Px N White cannot make use of his better development without opening files toward the enemy King. This new sac­ rifice of a Pawn serves best for that purpose. 13 . . N-Q4 After the short game, Gipslis-Korch­ noy ( 3 1st USSR Championship ) , the text is regarded as a better defense. Korchnoy faltered with 13 . . . PxP and, after 14 BxN, PxB 15 N-K4, found himself i n a hopeless position : 15 . . . B-K2 16 B-K2, 0-0 17 R-N3, Q-R5 1 8 P-B4 ! and Black's Queen is cut off from play and Black cannot "defend against the intrusion of White's Queen Rook via the third rank to the weakened Ringside : 18 . . . K-R1 19 0-0, R-R2 20 Q-R6, P-KB4 21 R-N3, B-N5 22 N-B6, Resigns. 14 N x N Here White is following t h e simple principle of saving time in order to de­ velop new forces quickly. The Knight must move or be additionally guarded. But. on 13 R-N:L Q-R4. Black can con­ solidate by further exchanges ; and 14 N-K4, PxP threatens 15 . . . B-N5 and . B-K2. also the consolidating 15 14 . . . . 1 5 8-K2 8 Px N PxP Black has to expend another precious tem po to take this Pawn as it has been a bone i n his throat. 16 0-0 17 K-R1 8-84t R-8 1 Black is proceeding as best he can to make up for his belated development. His last move is f!Jr relief by swapping. 1 8 P-84 White starts to undermine, as is nec­ essary, the central Black Pawn mass. 18 . . . . 1 9 Rx R RxRt 8-N2 Having exchanged one Rook, Black ca"n now develop his Queen Bishop. Here we have the same position as in Fischer­ Geller cited above, in fact, the "crush­ ing position" which Fischer had in mind. Has Black sufficient resources ? 4) 20 . . . PxP 21 Q-QB2 with threat of 22 QxRP or of mate i n three (Q-R4 t ) ; 5) 20 . . . K-Q2 21 R-B7t, K-B3 [ or 21 . . . K-Bl 22 B-N4 ! } 22 PxPt PxP 23 B-N3, B-Q5 24 Q-B2t, Q-B4 25 BxPi", KxB 26 Q-N3t ; 6) 20 . . . B-K2 21 BxB, QxB [on 21 . . . KxB, then 22 Q-N5t or 22 Q-KB2 ought to suffice] 22 B-R4t, K-Ql 23 Q-R5t, K-Bl 24 P-B5 ! with excellent prospects of reaching the decision. Actually, more detailed analysis may be required ; but, if there are so many ways to win, then it is really a crushing position ! 20 . . . . 21 8-N 4 ! P-K5 Here t h e hasty analysis from Monte Carlo is being prolonged under Tahl's direction for a few moves-and with what effect ! 21 . . . . 8-K2 A major difficulty for Black here is that he cannot limit the activity of White's Queen by 21 . . . Q-Q6 because of 2 2 Q-R4t. 22 Q- K82 ! 20 Q-82 ! Tahl took eight minutes to decide on this move. As sometimes happens in chess, Fischer was lured down a wrong path by the obvious move 2 0 B-N 4? and, after 20 . . . PxP 21 BxP, Q-Q6 22 Q-Kl, B-K5 ! ! it was suddenly White who was exposed to a disastrous attack. Tahl knew that game but, according to his own statement, nothing more than that 20 Q-B2 was recommended as a better solution. Fischer mentioned this move, several times, too; but the hasty postmortem was stopped by the reply 2 0 . . . P-K5. Nonetheless, the U . S. Champion's in­ stinct was still righ t ! I t is interesting that Tahl d i d not know of another discovery, by grand­ master Lilienthal, the subtle 2 0 B-Ql ! It carries the menace of 21 R-B3 chasing Black's Queen while posing a potential mate threat of B-R4t. Then, on 20 . . . B-N5, any of five moves by White's Queen can win : 21 Q-N2, 21 Q-Q3, 21 Q-QB2, 21 Q-K3 and 21 Q-KB2 ! Lilienthal states other possibilities as well : 1) 20 . . . P-K5 21 Q-B3 ! 2) 20 . . . P-Q 5 ? 21 Q-KB2, B-K2 22 B-R4t, QxB 23 Q-B7t, K-Q2 24 QxBt ; 3) 20 . . . R-BI or B-B3 21 Q-K2 ! with threats of 22 QxP and 22 Q-R5t ; Q...;.Q-0 22 . . . BxB allows the winning line 23 Q-B7t, K-Ql 24 QxB. 23 8-84 ! This very fine move cuts off the flight of the Black King. 23 24 8 x Pt 8-Q3 K-N 1 On 24 . . . K-B2 , White has 25 R-QNI t:1reatening 26 Q-N6t. 25 Q-N 6 ! 26 Qx R t 2 7 R-Q N 1 ! 8x8 K-R2 Q-Q3 Here Black has to meet 28 Q-N6t. 28 8x P ! ! Tahl's typical touch in a winning position : 28 . . . QxQ 29 RxBt ! etc. 28 2 9 QxQ 30 Px8 8x8 8xQ Res i g n s 23. WI N D FROM TH E OTH E R S I D E In this world nothing lasts for ever. Still, for two full decades of the supremacy of Soviet chess-a fact unknown in the previous history of world chess*-our state of mind has become so accustomed to the present situation that very few would dare to think of any possible change in the near future. Yet strange things happen. The Soviet grandmas­ ters are not taking first prizes regularly, as they did formerly; and even non-professionals like Unzicker and others have begun to treat deeply respected rivals from the Soviet Union on equal terms. Fischer and Larse� do not hide their ambitions of taking over the highest title, while Portisch, without saying so, thinks the same way as may be seen in his working on chess in a fantastic tempo of eight hours a day without taking a rest. The rising tension in the rivalry among the leading grandmasters of different countries is a very good sign for the further progress of chess in the world. To us in Europe it is obvious that some enthusiasts on the opposite side of the ocean are aware of encouraging new possibilities, too. It cannot be just an accident that we in Yugoslavia had five representa­ tives of American chess in our international tournaments this year. Reshevsky and others did very well in spite of their rather infre­ quent appearance in strong competition, and Fischer especially. The following game illustrates the ability of the U. S. Champion to recover immediately from a previous failure and to defeat a new op­ ponent very drastically in the same variation. S kopje 1 967 6 . . . . SICI LIAN DEFENSE Robert J . F i scher U n ited States J ovan Sofrevsky Yugoslavia Black White 1 P-K4 2 N - K B3 P-QB4 P-Q3 This order of move.s has a special meaning. Black is trying, in vain, to "frighten" his opponent with the Naj­ dorf Variation which is Fischer's pet line when he is Black. White is invited to avoid the line with some less enter· prising move like 3 B-N5t. Nothing of the sort happens, of course. 3 P-Q4 4 NxP 5 N-QB3 P-K3 The immediate 6 . . . P-KN3 falters versus 7 NxN, PxN 8 P--K5. An alternative to the text is 6 . . . B-Q2 7 B-N3, P-KN3 transposing into the Dragon Variation. Another is 6 . . . Q-N3. In both instances, however, White would feel at home, too. Consider his games against Gligorich and Benko ( Challengers Tournament, Bled 1 959-­ page 339, November, 1 9 5 9 ) and Myagmar suren ( Olympiad 1962 ) . PxP N - K B3 N-83 After having used his "psychological weapon" without much effect, Black de­ clares his real intention to repeat the line with which Geller beat no one else but Fischer himself i n an earlier round of the same tournament. 6 B-QB4 Fischer's favorite method of develop­ ment against several Sicilian lines. 7 B-N 3 T h e system with the harmonious de­ velopment of the Queen on K2, which White is going to apply in this game, de­ rives frorp. the gifted master Velimiro­ vich. The young Yugoslav, however, post­ pones this preventive, which is played immediately by Fischer, treats the posi­ tion with more elasticity and develops the Queenside as soon as possible with 7 B-K3, B-K2 8 Q-K2. For . . . P-Q4 or . . . NxP and . . . P-Q4 are not truly Black threats. Here are some instances which illus­ trate the method : 7 B-K3, B-K2 8 Q-K2 : 1 ) 8 . . . NxN 9 BxN, P-QR3 10 0-0-0, P-QN4 11 B-N3, B-N2 12 P-B4, 0-0 13 P-QR3, Q-B2 14 P-N4 ! P-Q4 15 B-K5, Q-B4 16 P-N5 ! with a. decisive attack (Velimirovich-Sribar, Pula 1965) ; 2) 8 . . . P-QR3 9 0-0-0, Q-B2 1 0 B-N3, N-QR4 1 1 P-N4, P-QN4 1 2 P-N5, NxBt 13 RPxN, N-Q2 : and a) 14 P-R4 ( not so effective ) , P-NG 15 N-R4, N-B4 16 Q-B4, Q-N2 with even chances ( M atanovich-Hamman, Vrnjacka Banja 1 9 6 7 ) ; b) 14 N-B5 ! ? PxN 15 N-Q5, Q-Q1 16 PxP, B-N2 [White wins after 16 . . . 0-0 17 P-B6, PxP 18 B-Q4 ! N-K4 19 PxP, BxP 20 KR-N1t, B-N2 2 1 BxN (Velimir­ ovich-Sofrevsky, Titograd 1965 ) ] 17 P-B6 [ 17 KR-K 1 , BxN 1 8 RxB, 0-0 1 9 P-B6, N x P 20 P x N w a s a draw (Hindle­ Hamman, Vrnjacka Banja 1967 ) ] , PxP 1 8 KR-K1, BxN 1 9 RxB, R-KN1 20 P-KR4 ? [20 PxP is better] , R-QB1 2 1 B-B4, K-B1 2 2 PxP, BxP 2 3 R-KB5, R-B4 ! and Black won ( Gh eorghius-Ham­ man, Vrnjacka Banja 1 9 67 ) ; · c ) 14 Q-R5, N-B4 15 P-QN4, N-R5 16 R-Q3 16 B-Q2 17 KR-Q1, NxN 1 8 RxN, with advantage for White ( Honfi-Don­ ner, The Hague 1 9 6 6 ) ; 3) 8 . . . 0-0 9 0-0-0 : and a ) 9 . . . B-Q2 1 0 B-N3, Q-N1 1 1 P-N4 ! R-B1 12 P-N5, N-K1 13 P-KR4, N-R4 14 P-N6 ! with a strong attack (Velimiro­ vich-Milich, Belgrade 1 9 6 5 ) ; b) 9 . . . Q-R4 10 P-B4 ! [th e safer 1 0 B-N3, B-Q2 1 1 K-N1 , NxN 12 BxN trans­ poses into the game analyzed in this column] , NxN 11 RxN, P-K4 12 R-Q5 � NxR 13 NxN, B-Q1 1 4 P-B5 : for the Exchange, White has positional compen­ sation and very strong pressure on the Ringside {Velimirovich-Udovchich, Vrnj­ acka Banja 1963 ) . 7 . . . • 8 B-K3 9 Q-K2 B-K2 0-0 (See d i agram, top of next co l u m n ) 9 • • . . Q-R4 The text represents Geller's attempt in Skoplje to improve on Black's previous 9 . . . P-QR3 1 0 0-0-0, Q-B2 [White ob­ tained a strong attack aiter 10 . . . Q-R4 11 K-N1, R-Kf? 12 KR-N1, B-Q2 1 3 P-N4, NxN 14 BxN, B-B3 15 P-N5, N-Q2 16 R-Q3 (Tahl�Bolbocha.n, Havana Olym­ piad 1966 ) ] . Against this line, White has tried two continuations : 1 ) 11 KR-N1, P-QN4 12 P-N4, P-N5 : a) 13 P-N5, PxN 14 PxN, Pxpt 15 K-N1, BxP 16 Q-B3, B-K4 17 B-R6, P-N3 with good counter chances for Black { Matulovich-Nikitin, Kislovodsk 1 9 66 ) ; b) 13 NxN, QxN 14 N-Q5, B-Q 1 ? [ as in the next variant { c ) , 14 . . . PxN 1 5 P-N5, PxP ! is better] 1 5 P-N5, N x P 1 6 Q-B3, and Black loses the Exchange ( Matulovich-Simagin, Kislovodsk 1 9 66 ) ; c) 13 N-Q5, PxN H NxN, QxN 1 5 P-N5, PxP ! 1 6 PxN, B x P 17 B-Q5, Q-R5 18 B�4 [ 1 8 BxR, B-K3 is dangerous] , BxB 19 RxB, B-K3 [ not 19 . . . B-B4 because of 20 R-N5 ! B-N3 21 P-R4] 20 QxKP, QR-B 1 , and the game ended later in a draw (Gipslis-Tahl, Moscow 1 9 67 ) ; 2) 11 P-N 4 ! and a) 11 . . . P-QN4 ? 12 P-N5 [ 1 2 NxN, QxN 13 N-Q5, PxN 14 P-N5 may be even -better as B lack lacks the later . . . Q-R5, as i n 1c just above] , NxN 13 BxN, N-Q2 14 Q-R5, N-B4 15 KR-N1, NxBt 16 RPxN, Q-Q1 17 R-Q3, P-K4 1 8 BxP, P-N5 19 B-B6 ! and Black was lost {Kavalek­ Polugayevsky, Havana Olympiad 1 9 6 6 ) ; b) 11 . . . NxN 12 RxN, P-QN4 [ Tahl concludes that 1 2 . . . P-K4 13 R-B4, Q-Q1 14 P-N5, N-K1 16 RxB ! RxR 1 6 P-KR4, N-B2 1 7 Q-N4 followed b y P-R5 favors White] 13 P-N5, N-Q2 14 Q-R5 ! N-K4 15 P-B4, N-B3 16 R-Q3, N-N5 1 7 R-Q2, R-Q1 1 8 P-B5, P-N3 1 9 PxNP, RPxP 20 Q-R4, N-B3 2 1 Q-N3, N-K4 22 P-l\:R4, B-N2 23 P-R5, P-N5 24 PxP, N:»....-' 25 QR-R2 ! PxN 26 B-Q4, P-K4 27 R-R8t , NxR 2 8 P-N6 ! and White wins (Velimirovich-Nikolich, Belgrade 1964 ) . 10 0-0-0 1 1 BxN NxN B-Q2 11 . . . Q-N4t 12 K-N1, QxP 13 P-KR4 can be dangerous for Black. 12 K-N 1 better posted and the previous idea no longer works] 2 1 Q-B4, B-QR5 ! ! [Fischer cannot be blamed for having, in his cal· culations, overlooked such an unexpected blow] 22 Q-N4, B-KB3 23 RxB, BxB and White Resigned. White does not care for 12 P-B4 be· cause of 12 . . . P-K4 ; nor for 12 P-N4 because of 12 . . . Q-N4t. So li e removes his King from its exposed place first. So far, this game is identical with Fischer-Geller, played i n Round 2. 13 Q-K 3 ! 12 0 • 0 • Q R-Q1 The idea of this move, prepared by several players to surprise Fischer, is t!1at Black saves a tempo in comparison with Fischer-Geller (analyzed just be· low) by playing his Queen Bishop di­ rectly to QN4 when White prepares for P-B5 by playing KR-Bl. What made Sofrevsky abstain from the more natural 12 . . . B-B3 so successfully employed by Geller in Round 2? After 13 P-B4, QR-Q1 [ 13 . . . P-QN4 14 BxN ! ], there are "lots of good continua­ tions for White" as Fischer admitted later. The Geller game continued with 14 KR-B1 [14 P-B5, PxP 1 5 PxP, KR-Kl 16 Q-B2 may favor White because of his control of Q5, and there are such possi­ bilities as 14 Q-K3 or 14 P-N4, P-K4 15 P-N5, PxB 16 PxN, BxP 1 7 N-Q5, Bx� 18 BxB and even, instead of 15 P-N5, 15 N-Q5 as well ] , P-QN4 15 P-B5 ? ! [ 15 P-K5, PxP 1 6 PxP, N-Q4 17 N-K4 is still better for White] , P-N5 16 PxP, PxN 17 PxPt, K-R1 18 R-B5, Q-N5 1 9 Q-B1, NxP 20 P-QR3 ? [Velimir­ ovich found that 20 R-KR5 ! still saves a draw by sacrificing the Rook on R7 for a perpetual ] , Q-N2 [ now the Queen is This move is a small masterpiece. I t took Fischer fifteen minutes t o find the right plan to bring a quick end to Black and all his prepared analysis. 13 . . . . P-Q N 3 13 . . . N-N5 14 Q-N3 merely gains time for White. 14 Bx N ! PxB Black does not compensate for the loss of his Pawn in 14 . . . BxB 15 HxP, BxN as White's pressure on the Queen file nullifies the effect of the doubled Pawn. 15 N-Q5 ! This final blow makes Black repent not having given at least a Pawn on his fourteenth move. Now it is clear why the Queen arrived on the diagonal, K3KR6, with a gain of tem po. 15 . . . K R- K 1 After 15 . . PxN 16 Rx: ' , Q-R3 1 7 R-KR5, White h a s a mating attack. 16 NxBt 16 Q-R6 is even more effective. 16 . . . . 1 7 RxP Rx N R-Q B 1 Black hurries to g e t from under the deadly pin which 18 R/1-Q1 threatens. 18 Q-Q4 1 9 QxBP B-K 1 Resigns 24. WHAT•s TH E U S E ? His youth, his unusual gifts, his record and his absence from the FIDE program for some years-all contributed to raise the tempera­ ture of general interest to the highest degree in the re-appearance of Robert J. Fischer in the Interzonal Tournament in Tunisia last year. His participation in Sousse was welcomed not only by chess fans throughout the world but by many of his rivals, too, because of their deep respect for Fischer's style and fighting spirit. His start in the Interzonal was very fine, and there was no ap­ parent obstacle to prevent Fischer from wending his way maybe clear to the highest title-except Fischer himself. The words may sound queer; but, as a matter of fact, they reflect exactly what happened, to the greatest regret of all chess enthusiasts. The conditions for the tournament in Tunisia were favorable to the players : mild climate, quiet, first-class hotel, spacious rooms. Even Reshevsky, one of the great players of our century, whose religious be­ liefs were respected by the special schedule, along with Fischer's, found it justified despite his age to finish the competition in a normal way. There is no point in discussing whether Fischer was right in his complaints, because all that is of such a minor importance in comparison with the necessity of his presence in the fight for highest honors. There is no point in blaming Fischer either ; for he is the one who suffered most in being deprived of his great chance just now. He simply ought not have let himself be trapped into an impossible situation which forced him to retreat without any really good reason. Fischer is one of the most attractive personalities of contemporary chess-and for the sake of himself and of chess-it is to be hoped that the U. S. Champion will never repeat the same mistake. Here is one of Fischer's many bright moments in Sousse. I nterzon a l in Sousse 1 967 R U Y L O P EZ Robert F i scher J. U n ited States Leo n i d Ste i n Sov i et U n i o n 1 P-K4 W h e n asked once if he h a s af:: White even opened with the Queen Pawn, Fischer replied : "Never ! It is a matter of principle." 1 . . . . P-K4 This move illustrates the cautious ap­ proach of the Soviet Champion who, till the eighth round when this game was played, remained undefeated. 2 N-KB3 3 B-N 5 4 B-R4 N-Q B3 P-Q R3 Fischer's refraining from 4 BxN is a surprise. He was more ambitious than just to play an endgame this time. 4 . . . . 5 0-0 N-83 B-K2 6 R-K1 7 B-N 3 P-Q N4 P-Q3 The reader may feel sorry that Fischer was not given the opportunity to show what h e has i n mind against the Mar­ shall Counter Attack. 8 P-83 9 P- KR3 0-0 9 • • • • 8-N 2 This line i s seldom played, was intend­ ed especially for this encounter. The idea is to develop the Queen-side pieces i n elastic fashion as i n the Breyer Varia­ tion but without giving White any op­ portunity for a sharp line such as comes after 9 . . _ N -N1 10 P-Q4, QN-Q2 11 P-B4. Then Black holds control of his QB4 but pays the price for it in the loss of time by his maneuvering with the Queen Knight. 10 P-Q4 N-QR4 Black may prefer the shorter route to Q2, via 10 . . . N-N1, but that is im­ practical. After 11 PxP, PxP 12 QxQ, he is obliged to recapture with his Bishop as 12 . . . RxQ 13 NxP is with a tempo gain for White ; but, as experience taught at Portoroz 1958, the Bishop recapture gives Black poor development and end­ game difficulties. 1 1 8-82 N-85 game Black chose the more original plan of transposing Into the Smyslov Varia­ tion, with 13 - - - R-K1 14 N-B 1 , P-R3 15 N-N3, B-KB1 16 P-QR4, PxRP 1 7 PxRP, P-QR4 with a fairly good game. 14 P-QN4-! This positional· blow is typical ot' Fischer's energetic style, coming when least expected. The routine continuation ( Keres-Gligorich, Zurich 1959 ) , 14 B-N2, P-B4 15 N-B1, R-K1 16 P-QR4, B-B1 17 N-N3, Q-B2 18 Q-Q3, offers Blacl{ good play with 18 . _ . P-Q4 ! [ instead of 18 . . . P-B 5 ] . T h e text secures Queen-side terrain for White and prevents Black from acti­ vating his Pawn mass by . . . P-QB4. Px P ? 14 . . . . Now, i n some difficulties, Black de­ cides to trade his strong center for du­ bious Queen-side counterplay. The sequel conforms to the basic strategical aim of White in the Ruy Lopez : mobile Pawn center and opening of diagonals with an overwhelming attack on Black's King_ This commentator had the illusion that he had invented this line for Black 14 . . . P-QR4 is a better try, though against Keres in Zurich 1959 but was told later that Taimanov tried it even - 15 P-QR3 [ 1 5 PxP does White no good in view of 15 _ _ _ P-B4 ] , PxQ P 16 NxP earlier. Today, it i s Lutikov who has sets Black problems as to his Queen brought fresh ideas into the whole varia­ Knight Pawn. tion for Black, and Stein has been in­ P-QR4 15 PxP spired by his game with opposite colors 16 Px P against Lutikov in Moscow 1966 to try this line this time. Naturally enough, White disregards 1 2 P-Q N 3 the Queenside now that he has the op­ ponent's King within reach. 12 P-QR4 also looks-playable a n d even P-84 16 . . . . 18 Px K P N-Q4 dangerous for Black. Yet White must 17 P-K5 Px K P 19 N-K4 continually bear in mind the possibility of a break by - - . P-Q4 as Black is for the moment better developed. 12 . . • . N-N 3 13 QN-Q2 Here one can perceive the storm loom­ ing against the Black monarch's home. 19 . . . . 20 8-N 1 N-N5 RxP 20 . . _ P-B5 perhaps offers a better chance for survivaL N-N3 21 Q-K2 22 N/3-N 5 ! Now the threats are becoming direct. 22 . . . . Q8xN Black attempts desperately t o reduce the number of attacking pieces. On 22 _ . . P-R3 23 N-R7 ! R-K1 24 N/7-B6t ! PxN 25 Q-N4t, the final hour for the Black sovereign is in sight. 13 . . . . N /N-Q2 As Black's King Pawn is indirectly protected, It is not clear why Stein now deviates from Steln-Lutikov in which 23 Qx8 24 Q-R4 P-N3 P-R4 25 Q-N 3 26 N-83 N-85 26 N-K6 is not so clear because of the intermediate move, 26 . _ . B-R5. Now the threat is 27 BxP. 26 . . . • 27 Q-84 K-N2 R-K R 1 Black's last two moves were forced, the latest to prevent 28 Q-R6t. 8-Q3 38 . . Black dare not open the King file by 38 . . . NxBt, and 38 . . . K-B4 is met by 3 9 B-K4t, KxN 4 0 P-N3t, K-N4 41 P-B4t. 28 P-K6 ! This blow rocks the remnants of the tower around the Black King. 28 . . . . P-84 41 R-N 6 K-84 K-K3 42 N-Q5t 43 N-K3t 44 8-K2 Now White gains more material be· On 28 . . . B-B3, White gladly offers his only inactive piece, the Queen Rook, in order to speed his attack by 29 N-N5 ! [ 2 9 . . . Q-Q5 30 Q-B7 ] . 29 8x P ! N-87 N-Q5 R-Q1 39 K-81 40 R-K4 cause of the threat of 45 P-B4, and the rest is a "matter of technique." 44 • • • • 45 8xPt Q-K 8 1 T h e Bishop was tabu : 29 . . . P x B 3 0 Q-N3t, K-B1 3 1 Q-N6, Q-K1 3 2 B-R6t , RxB 33 QxRt, K-N1 3 4 N-N5, B x N 35 QxBt and 36 QR-Q1 or 3 0 . . . K-R2 31 B-N5, R-N1 3 2 QR-Q1, and White wins. K-Q2 Nx8 45 . . . K-B2 Is met by 46 N-Q5t. 46 RxN/N 47 P-QR4 K-83 8-82 48 K-K2 49 P-N3 50 R-N2 P-N4 R-Q R1 R-K 8 1 51 P-84 52 Px P 53 R-K6t PxP N-82 N-Q3 54 P-85 R-Q R 1 RxP Resigns 30 8-K4 The text deprives Black's Knights of their best squares. 30 . . . . 31 8xQ QxQ R-K 1 3 1 . . . RxP 32 RxR, NxR 33 R-R1 , N-B6 34 B-Q3 is equally hopeless for Black. 32 QR-Q1 33 R-Q7 R-R3 Rx K P 34 N-N5 35 8-83 ! R-K83 Black has taken the most dangerous Pawn but now must lose the Exchange. 35 . . . . 36 N-K6t Rx8 K-83 37 N x R 3 8 R-N7 N-K4 55 R-Q2 56 P-86 25. MAN OF TH E YEAR {T is true that Robert Fischer, while he played, was more successful. As he in effect "retired" from Sousse, however, Bent Larsen was just com­ ing at that very moment into his prime at that tournament. So a small board of j ournalists of d ifferent countries, present at the international tournament at Palma de Mallorca, found it an easier task to proclaim the Danish grandmaster "the chessplayer of the year" and present him with the symbolic silver plaque in the first attempt to establish a kind of "Oscar" to be awarded in international chess each year. Unlike some winners of previous lnterzonals, Bronstein and Kotov, or Fischer who had remained undefeated, Larsen had several losses and yet nonetheless reached the same very high percentage of points at Sousse. His readiness to lose not only a game, but sometimes even a tournament, is a part of his system for developing a sharp and original style which, later, rewards him with many more wins and final triumphs in the strongest of competitions. Larsen's year of 1967 reflected the success of his system, with a first half of minor successes and a second with four great victories in a row : Havana, Winnipeg, Sousse and Palma de Mallorca. It was only in the short Canadian tournament- that Larsen had to share his first prize. For Larsen, every square of the chessboard is a potential battle­ field ( that is why he uses wing actions more than any other grandmaster) . And his having fun in the actual fighting may be the explanation for his fantastic ability to play many months without rest and without any de­ cline in his results. [n the absence of Fischer, Larsen is now the top favorite, outside of the Soviet Union, in the coming competition for the world title. The gam e presented herewith illustrates his present form . Palma de M a l lorca 1 967 too, he had a winning position for some ENGLISH OPE N I N G Bent Larsen Borislav l vkov Yugoslavia Denmark Black White 1 P-QB4 Larsen likes to vary. Against the same opponent at Sousse, he opened with 1 P-KN3 (though that game turned Into an English Opening also) . 1 . . . . P-QB4 Two weeks earlier, in the Interzonal, Ivkov replied with 1 . . . P-K4 ; and, after this game, he repented "for not having done likewise as, with it, I have always been successful against Larsen." Though Ivkov lost the game at Sous!l(l, time. But Larsen's self-confidence was not shaken. "I was lost," h e said, "but lvkov was lucky to meet me at the very moment when I felt safe as to qualifying." 2 N-QB3 N-QB3 3 N-83 White may, If he Intends to gain ter­ rain on the Queenside while trying to avoid the possiblllty of the central coun­ ter . . . P-Q4, choose another order of moves, postponing the development of his King Knight: i.e. 3 P-KN3, P-KN3 4 B-N2, B-N2 5 R-N1 and 6 P-QR3. Still, it is not clear that Black has no better option than to retain the symmetry. 3 . . N-83 R-N1, R-N1 9 P-QR3, P-QR3 10 P--QN4, PxP 11 PxP, P-QN4 12 PxP, PxP. 13 P--Q4 ! B-B4 ! [Ivkov doesn't get this possibility in the actual game] 14 R-N3, N-K5 1 5 NxN, BxN 1 6 P--Q5, BxN 17 PxB, N-K4 18 P-B4, N-B5 19 P-B5, R-R1 20 PxP, RPxP 21 P-R4, R-R8 22 P-R5, B-B3 23 PxP, PxP 24 Q-N4, K-N2 25 B-K4, Q-K1 26 B-N1. Now, instead of conferring a decisive advantage on White, who won, by 26 . . . N-K4 ? 27 Q-K4, Black can get excellent play with 2 6 . . . R-KR1, thanks to his strong Knight, the pin on the back rank and easy protection of his only weakness on KN3. � 4 P-K N 3 Here Smyslov prefers 4 P-Q4, PxP 5 NxP after which 5 . . . P-KN3 6 P-K4 transposes into the Maroczy Bind vs. the Sicilian Defense, rather favorable for White. And 5 . . . P-K3 6 P-KN3 offers chances for both sides, though Black's best line has not yet been established. Two recent games with the latter var­ i81tion are : 6 . . . B-N5 7 B-N2, 0-0 8 0-0, P--QR3 9 N-B2 ! BxN 10 PxB, P-Q4 11 N-K3 , Q-R4 12 B-QN2, R-Q1 13 Q-N3, Q-B2 14 KR-Q1, N--QR4 15 Q-N4 with the Two Bishops and positional pressure for White (Portisch-Matulovich, Halle 1967 ) ; 6 . . . B-B4 7 N-N3, B--K 2 8 B-N2, 0-0 9 0-0, P--Q3 10 B-B4, N-KR4 11 B-K3, N-K4 12 P-B5, P-Q4 13 B-Q4, N--QB3 14 P-K4, N-B.3 15 BxN, BxB 16 PxP, PxP 17 QxP, B-K3 18 Q-B3, and, though White won a game, there is an impression that Black has compensation for the Pawn minus in his Two Bishops and active play. Larsen prefers to break up the sym­ metry at a later stage of the game. 4 . . . . 5 8-N2 P-K N 3 8-N 2 6 0-0 7 P-QR3 0-0 There is a basic question : how far can the symmetry of the position be turned in favor of White who is first to move again? An immediate advance in the center here with 7 P-Q4 gives satisfac­ tory results for Black, either by 7 . . . P-Q3 which transposes into the Yugo­ slav Variation of the King's Indian De­ fense or by 7 . . . PxP 8 NxP, NxN 9 QxN, P--Q3 as Geller likes to reply. Hence, Larsen chooses the wing action first. As to P-Q3 for White, Stein-Filip (Moscow 1967) is reason for White to avoid it. That game ran (with trans­ position of moves earlier) : 7 P-Q3, P-Q3 White's alternative method with 7 P-Q3 as in Larsen-Davis (Dundee 1967 ) : 7 . . . P-Q3 8 P-KR3, P--QR3 9 B-K3, R-N1 10 P--Q4, PxP 11 NxP, B--Q2 offers him no signifi.cant advantage. 7 . . . . P-Q R3 One of the basic problems here is what White can do against 7 . . . P--Q4. Larsen stated 8 PxP, NxP 9 Q-B2 "with unclear chances." It ought to be noted, though, that the identical method was applied successfully with opposite colors in Portisch-Doda (Halle 1963 ) when, after 7 P--Q3, P--QR3, White replied with an unexpected 8 P--Q4. 8 R-N 1 9 P-QN4 R-N 1 PxP 1 0 PxP 1 1 PxP P-QN4 1 1 P-B5 places too many obligations on White : e.g. Black has 11 . . . P-QR4. 11 • . . . 12 P-Q4! Px P I n Stein-Filip (cited above) , Black had his Pawn already on Q3. 12 • . . • P-Q4 Black has to do something about the threat of 13 P-Q5. Now we see another kind of symmetrical position, not yet ex­ amined in practice but very important theoretically. 13 8-84 13 N-K5 is another possib1Uty. Black cannot reply 13 . . . P-K3 as in the similar case in the symmetrical variation of Gruenfeld Defense arising from 1 P-Q4, N-KB3 2 P-QB4, P-KN3 3 P-KN3, P-B3 4 B-N2, P-Q4 5 PxP, PxP 6 N-QB3, B-N2 7 N-B3, 0-0 8 0-0, N-B3 9 N-K5. 13 . . . . R-N 3 There is usually a moment when Black has to break free from the symmetry, and this might be one. After 13 . . . B-B4 14 R-R1, R-R1 15 RxR, QxR 16 Q-N3, White obtains more initiative. 1 4 Q-N3 P-K3 On 14 . . . B-B4 15 R-R1, White en· joys a more active Queen Rook. 1S K R-B1 As the Queen Bishop file will be shut nff later, 1 5 R-R1 seems better. 1S . . . . 16 P-K3 B-N2 obtain a King-side attack now he has KB4 as the base for a Knight. The blocked position in the diagram offers Black good prospects for gradually reaching equality after 21 . . . N-B5, 21 . . N-K5 or 21 . . . K-N1. 22 N-BS P-RS Now Black passes beyond the possi­ bility of cautious play. 23 B-Q3 PxP 2 1 . . . P-K4 fails because of 24 PxP, BxP? 25 Q-R5t winning a piece. 24 R Px P 2S R-R1 R-R1 B-QB3 The text allows White's Queen to pene­ trate the Kingside. It could not earlier because . . . B-QB1 puts that Bishop on the same diagonal with the Queen. 25 . . . Q-N4 is safer here. 16 . • . . P-K R3 Black sets up a small weakness as, on an immediate 16 . . . N-KR4 17 B-N5, P-B3 18 B-R4, P-N4, White has an escape a Ia Larsen by 19 P-N4 ! Still, 16 . . . N-K1, intending 17 . . . N-Q3 and . . . N-B5, is more solid. 17 B-KS 1 8 B-B1 K-R2 NxB 19 NxN 20 Q-Q1 N-K3 White is parrying the threats of 20 . . . N-Q7 and 20 . . . BxN 21 PxB, P-Q5. 20 . . • . 21 N-Q3 N-Q3 ( See d i agra m , top of next colu m n ) Though Black has the T w o Bishops, it is White who retains the advantage be­ cause of his better posted Rooks as well as Black's permanently passive Queen Bishop. 21 . • . • P-R4 Though the text is not of itself a mis­ take, it signifies the start or a dangerous plan for Black. For it is White who wlll 26 Q-N4 Now Black starts King-side trouble. 26 . • . . 27 N-K2 experiencing real Q-K2 N-BS Again, 27 . . . P-K4 fails, this time be­ cause of bad positional consequences after 28 PxP, BxP, 29 N-Q4. � N-B4 P-K4 Now the text is obviously Black's best counter chance-a move too late. 29 BxPt ! Larsen constantly orients himself ex· cellently in the complicated position. 29 NxNP is wrong because of 29 . . . PxN 30 BxPt, K-N1 3 1 N-K6, B-QN2 ! 29 . • • • K-N 1 Though with only ten minutes lett, Ivkov sees his best chance tactically. 29 . . . PxB fails against the prosaic 30 NxP, Q-KB2 3 1 NxR, KxR [or 31 . . . BxN 32 N-K6, B-B3 33 K-N2] 32 Q-R4t, K-N1 33 RxN, QPxll 3 4 Q-Q8t, K-R2 35 QxR, Q-B6 36 P-K4. 30 PxP Nx P/4 30 . . . PxB is still bad for Black as, on 31 NxNP, his Queen has to leave the second rank whereupon White's Rook penetrates there. 31 Q-88t B-81 31 . . . Q-B1 does not serve for two reasons : 31 QxQ and 32 B-R5 or even better 31 Q-B7. 32 8-R5 The text closes the King Rook flle and guards White's KB3. White did not care . . P-Q5 for 32 N/5--Q3 because of 32 [he'd welcome of course 32 . . . PxB 33 NxN, QxN 34 QxBt ! ] . 32 . . . . 33 P-K4 P-Q5 Q-N4 33 . . . RxB Is not sufficient either, on account of 34 NxR, BxP [or 34 . . . N-B6t 35 K-N2, BxP 36 Q-N4t, and White wins] 35 NxB, N-B6t 36 K-N2, QxN 37 Q-R8. 34 N/5- K 6 ! This second elegant blow clinches. . . 34 . 35 QxPt • Px N K-R2 36 R-R7t 37 R-85 B-K N2 8-K 1 O r 3 7 . . . R-N2 38 RxR, BxR 39 B-N6t. QxB [39 . . . K-R3 40 Q-R3 is mate] 40 NxQ, NxN 41 R-R5t, B-R3 42 Q-B7 mate. 38 RxN 39 Rx8t Qx N KxR Q-82 40 Q-K7t 41 R-N5t Resigns 26. . .WH ITE S POT . . Traditionally, geographers have solved the problem o f a n unex­ plored or unknown area on the map by depicting that region in white. A chess competitor cannot afford such a luxury as to the solution of un­ known areas in the 'theory of openings. The Antarctic may stay as is, but the player must do something immediately about the "white spot" in his chess experience or he will be finished, by his opponent. In our century, much has been done by great numbers of masters and grandmasters to eradicate the white spots in chess theory. . Their con­ tinuous efforts have left but small holes in our knowledge of some forty different openings. The King's Indian was full of such holes in the early Fifties. But, today, the real white spot is to be found only in its small relative, the Semi-Benoni. Tahl used to adopt that opening very frequently--but only during his rise to the top in the late Fifties. It was a fantastic weapon in his hands ; but he gave it up later, using it only now and then for the ·sake of surprise. The mystery around it remained. Tahl did, indeed� lose with it in three different ways to Penrose in the Olympiad of 1960, to Korchnoy in a Soviet Union championship and to Bukich last year in Budva. But no clear refutation of the system was demqnstrated. Small wonder then that Fischer has taken over the flag of the Semi-Benoni lately and scored some good points with it. And the Yugoslav grand­ master Matulovich has set the defense even into his regular repertory. The position arising from the Semi-Benoni is so double-edged that many top theorists prefer to avoid it with White ra·ther than risk Black's early initiative while trying to prove the rumors of the dubious reputa­ tion of Black's scheme. The following 'game shared the brilliancy prize at Palma de Mallorca ; but it doesn't contribute much toward refuting Black's over-ambitious opening either. P a l ma de M a l lorca 1 967 B ENON I DEFEN S E S . G l i gorich Y u goslavia 4 N-QB3 P-N 3 M . M atulovich Y u goslavia Black White 1 P-Q4 Knowing what Matulovich usually plays against 1 P-Q4, Reshevsky at Sousse · decided to open with 1 P-K4 ! 1 . . . . 2 P-QB4 3 P-Q5 N - K B3 P-QB4 P-Q3 The text goes along with Black's castling first and is the more precise order of moves in comparison with 3 . . . P-K3 4 . N-QB3, PxP 5 PxP, P-Q3 6 P-K4, P-N3 as then White can try the unpleasant 7 P-B4, B-N2 8 B-N5t combined with 8 . . . B-Q2 9 P-K5 or 8 . . . KN-Q2 9 B-Q3 ! 0-0 10 N-B3. 5 N-83 A quite different plan is 5 P-K4, B-N2 6 B-Q3, 0-0 7 KN-K2 (Penrose-Tahl, Leipzig 1960 ) . White has a strong attack after 7 . . . P-K3 8 0-0, PxP 9 BPxP, P-QR3 [9 . . . N-R3 may be better] 10 P-QR4, Q-B2 11 P-R3, QN-Q2 12 P-B4, R-K1 13 N-N3, P-B5 14 B-B2, N-B4 15 Q-B3, KN-Q2 16 B-K3, P-QN4 17 PxP, R-N1 18 Q-B2 ! PxP 19 P-K5 ! PxP 20 P-B5. clear advantage for White] , R-N1 ! [win­ ning a tempo i n preparation for . . . P-QN4 ] • 14 N-B4, B-QR3 15 B-N5, P-R3 16 B-R4, Q-Q2 17 Q-Q2, BxN 18 BxB, P-R3 19 B-Q3, P-QN4 20 PxP, PxP 21 R-R7 with equal chances. Botvinnik continued modestly against Matulovich ( Palma de Mallorca) with 7 P-KR3, P-K3 8 N-B3, PxP 9 KPxP, yet also won ! Tahl tried an immediate 12 . . . N-Q2 against Bukich (Budva 1967 ) , in com­ parison with Najdorf-Fischer (Havana 1966 ) "saving a tempo" and keeping the opponent's King on Nl. After 13 N-B4, N-K4 14 N-K3, P-B4 15 P-B4, N-B2 16 PxP, PxP 17 B-Q3, Q-B3 18 R-B3, B-Q2 19 Q-B2, N-KR3 20 B-Q2, R-K2 21 QN-Q1 ! N-K1 22 R-N3, Q-Q5 23 N -B2. K-R1 24 B-B3 ! QxBP 25 N-R3, Q-R5 26 R-KB l, he fell under White's attack and lost . 5 . . . . 6 P-K4 8-N2 A Korchnoy choice is 6 P-KN3, 0-0 7 B-N2. Then Black can choose the Yugoslav Variation with 7 . . . N-R3 or the Semi-Benoni with 7 . . . P-K3. If White has castled (instead of N-QB3 ) , the 7 . . . P-K3 doesn't work because of 8 PxP, BxP 9 N-N5, BxP 10 BxP, QN-Q2 11 N-QR3 ! Here, however, may follow : 8 0-0, PxP 9 PxP, R-K1 ! The last move is an important improvement by Stein which sets obstacles against Korchnoy's aggressive plan of P-KR3, P-K4, R-K1 and an eventual P-K5 as used against Tahl. Both of Stein's opponents in the 1967 Soviet championship tried to pre­ vent 10 . . . N-K5 by 10 N-Q2 but with­ out success. 6 . • • 8 0-0 0-0 . P-K3 7 8-K2 PxP 9 8PxP 10 P-K R3 If Black must worry over 12 N-Q2, White can save a tempo by 10 B-KB4, BxN 11 BxB. 10 1 1 8x8 . • . . 8xN QN-Q2 This position reminds one of that in the King's Indian after 1 P-Q4, N-KB3 2 P-QB4, P-KN3 3 N-QB3, B-N2 4 P-K4, P-Q3 5 B-K2, 0-0 6 B-N5, P-B4 7 P-Q5, P-QR3 8 P-QR4, Q-R4 9 B-Q2, P-K3 10 N-B3, PxP 11 BPxP, B-N5 12 0-0, Q-B2 13 P-KR3, BxN 14 BxB, QN-Q2. The first main difference here, however, lies in the necessity for 1 2 . . . N-Kl in the present game. 12 8-84 13 Q-Q2 1 4 8-N 5 ! N-K1 P-Q R3 The text is much better than the routine 14 P-QR4 which creates Queen­ side weakness where Black is stronger. 14 9 • . • . B-N5 In this sharp position, White "has to win" in the center or Black on the Queenside. Yet it is unclear which con­ tinuations are best for either side. Black's line differs from the more popular plan : 9 . . . R-K1 10 N-Q2 [ 1 0 Q-B2, N-R3 is not clear either], N-R? 11 P-B3, N-B2 12 P-QR4 which the same opponents contested at Sousse �ome weeks earlier. Probably, Black feared some improvement by White here though nothing- happened to him after 12 . . . P-N3 13 K-R1 ! ? [waiting for 13 . . . B-QR3 14 BxB, NxB 15 N-B4 with a . . . • 8-83 14 . . . P-B3 15 B-R4 weakens Black in that White has a strong post for his Bishop on K6 whereby his operations with P-B4 also gain in strength. 8-N 2 15 8-R6 15 . . . N-N2 leaves Black's Bishop ex­ posed. White is playing for repetition to gain some time for reflection. 16 8-N 5 1 6 BxB, NxB and 1 7 . . . P-B4 allows Black freer play. • Fischer played (vs. Najdort as cited) 13 . . . N-Q2 H N-B4, N - K4 1 5 N-K3, P-B4 1 6 P - B 4 , N - B 2 1 7 PxP, PxP 18 B - Q3, Q- B3 ; but White did not use Bukich's more dan­ gerous method and his attack tailed after 19 N-K2, N-KR3 20 N- N3, Q - N 3 21 Q - B2, R-Bl 22 B - Q2, B-Q2.-S. G. 8-83 16 . . . . 16 . . . N/1-B3, the only alternative, weakens Black's grip on his K4. Nj1 x 8 17 8x8 Now 17 . . . QxB 18 B-N4 requires 1 8 . . N-K4 t o retard White's vital break by P-K5 but then 19 B-K2 allows White a tem po for P-B4. 18 Q R- K 1 ! White loses no time, leaving his Queen­ side untouched and so making Black's majority there less effective, to concen­ trate on the other wing where he has the strategic initlative. 18 • R-K 1 . . . Now White can re-organize h i s forces most effectively. 18 . . . P-QN4 is more useful : e.g. 19 B-Q1, P-N5 20 N-R4 , R-K1 21 B-B2, N-N3 offers Black more hope for holding the balance. 19 8-Q1 20 8-82 P-Q N4 Matulovich called this after the game "a new scheme for fighting the Semi­ Benoni." It works very well in the absence of Black's King Bishop. P-85 20 . . . . 25 K-R2 26 N x N N-84 Pinning by 26 Q-B3 merely allows con­ solidation for Black by 26 . . . N/3-Q2. 26 . . . . 27 R-81 Qx N Q-R2 Now it is clear why B-Q3 was good : 27 . . . Q-Q5 fails against 28 R-B4 : e.g. 28 . . . NxKP ? 29 Q-K2. 28 R-84 28 P-K5 seems to have more im­ mediate effect, but White doesn't care to open the position allowing some counter chances for the opponent, as by 28 . . . PxP 29 PxP, N-R4 [29 . . . NxP fails against 30 B-K4 ] . Actually, this continua­ tion ought to favor White, also ; but White is more attracted by the coming prospect. 21 . . . . N-Q2 Black doesn't realize his danger. 2S . . QR-B1, to trade off one of the mighty White Rool< s, offers much better resistance. 29 R/1-Q81 N-84 Now Black has no other good choice than to try to block the open file. Now 20 . . . P-N5 is met favorably by 21 N-Q1. 21 P-84 P-N 5 30 R x N ! 2 2 N-R4 Now the text is more useful than 22 N-Q1 as White must contest the squares freed for Black's Queen Knight. 23 Q-Q4 and an eventual P-K5 is a terrible threat. Black continues his desperate counter action but it reduces the effect of his Pawn mass. 23 24 Px P 25 8-Q3 • . . . P-N6 Px P In contrast to 24 B-Nl, the text con­ trols the important QB4 and helps keep the opene4, file under control. 24 . . . . Q-82 This positional sacrifice is vecy effec­ tive. White's center Pawns become freed to advance much faster than the weak Black ones on the Queenside. The Bishop obtains fresh diagonals against Black's King. And Black's Rooks have no files for counter attack. 30 . . . . 31 P-Q6 32 8-84 Px R Q-N3 R-R2 Or 32 . . . RxP ? 33 Q-Q5. 33 P- K5 P-QR4 Black works on his only chance, but his action hasn't the speed with which to meet White's threats. P-R5 34 Q-Q5 34 . . . Q-N2 is met. by 35 QxQBP or BxP 35 P-Q7 36 R-Q1 R-K 8 1 R/2-R1 37 P-K6 1 PxP Black loses also on 37 . . . QxP 38 QxR. 38 Q-K5 Now Black has no defense against the mating attack. After the sealed move 42 . . . K-Bl , Black is mated in three in two ways : 43 R-B6t, K-N2 44 R-B7* ; or 43 Q-B6t, K-Kl 44 B-N5t, R-Q2 45 R-K6 mate. 38 . . • . 39 R-Q6 K-82 Q-82 40 8xPt K-K2 41 P-Q8 ( Q ) t KRxQ 42 8-84§ Resigns 27. S P E CTAC L E ! Between the Hastings and the Beverwijk tournaments, there was considerable difference thi� year. The chess congress at the famous battle field was quite unpopula r ; and some irate Britons even blamed Stein and Suetin for being over-cautious. Actually, there was a dispro­ portionate difference between first and the other prizes � and so, it seems, none of the leading contenders cared to risk his share of that purse. At Beverwijk, on the other hand, one might almost suppose the con­ tenders meant to demonstrate how a proper prize system improves the play. With all of ten grandmasters ( including several potential chal­ lengers for the world championship ) participating, only Vlastimil Hort and Florin Gheorghiu managed to remain unbeaten ( maintaining the Hastings pattern) . And there were many exciting duels between those of great reputation and very few "grandmaster draws." Also, indeed, the preservation of a chance for a share of first lost all point after Viktor Korchnoy ran up his sensational ten and a half points in the first eleven rounds. Among Korchnoy's many victims was Mikhail Tahl. This result was not too unexpected : Korchnoy, when asked his score against Tahl, used to reply : "Five to five/' meaning five wins for Korchnoy and five draws. Tahl could hardly be too cbeerful over this new defeat. But he still found the will to be witty : "What will be the use of my trying to defeat Svetozar Gligorich in the Challengers Round matches when the next opponent will be Korchnoy ! " The interest i n the outcome o f the tournament was sustained, how­ ever, as Korchnoy lost a piece and then the game to Lajos Portisch ; the modest-natured D. Chirich turned back the aggressive Tahl ; and there were many more surprising results. With them all, however, there was but one game which was hailed by the Dutch as a real "spectacle." That was Jan Hein Donner's victory over Portisch in the very first round. There was good reason for the rare compliment : a sudden refuta­ tion of a recognized line and an early mating attack. Here is the game : Beverwijk 1 968 N I M ZO- I N D I A N D E F E N S E J a n H e i n Donner Lajos Portisch H u ngary H o l land Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 N-KB3 P-K3 3 N-QB3 4 P-K3 B-N 5 In this opening, th e renowned Hun­ garian grandmaster usually prefers to sit on the opposite side of the board. He is encouraged, however, by a special line with which Klaus Darga (Beverwijk 1967 ) , Vasslly Smyslov (Havana 1967 ) and Mikhail Botvinnik ( Palma de Mal­ lorca. 1967) as Black achieved very solid positions against this commentator. 4 . . . . P-B4 Portlsch had a. bad experience against this commentator (Torremollnos 1961) with 4 . . . P-QN3 5 N-K2, B-R3 6 N-N3. Since then, he has preferred that line with White and has had good results : e. g. his win against Boris Spassky (Mos­ cow 1967 ) : 6 . . . 0-0 7 P-K4, N-B3 8 B-Q3, P-Q4 9 BPxP, BxB 10 QxB, PxP 1 1 P-K5, N-K5 12 P-QR3, BxNt 13 PxB, P-KB4 14 N-K2, N-QR4 15 P-KR4 ! N-QN6 16 R-QN1, NxB 17 RxN, P-B5 18 Q-B3, Q-K2 19 P-B4, P-B3 20 PxP, PxP 21 NxP with a decisive advantage for White. missed a chance for lasting advantage by 12 Q-R4, BxN 13 BxB. Black can, how­ ever, continue solidly by 7 . . . B-N2 8 P-QR3, B/5xN 9 BxB, P-Q3. Here White (vs. Botvinnik, Mallorca 1967) realized his intended 10 P-QN4, N-K5 11 B-N2 offers little as Black has no weaknesses and so tried 10 PxP, NPxP 11 0 -0, QN-Q2 12 P-N4, Q-B2 13 R-B1, N-K5 also without any success. Now, however, Donner inflicts a ter­ rible blow against all Black's hopes. Fischer was successful against Por­ tisch (Santa Monica 1966 ) with 6 . . . BxNt 7 PxB, P-Q4 8 Q-B3, 0-0 9 P-K4, PxP 10 NxP, NxN 11 QxN, Q-Q2 ! 12 B-R3, R-K1 13 B-Q3, P-KB4 14 QxR, N-B3 15 QxRt, QxQ 16 0-0, N-R4 17 QR-K1, BxP 18 BxB, NxB. What is to be expected of this line is now unclear, but it is very probable that Portisch has some improvement in mind for White since he chooses a different line in this present game. 5 B-Q3 Another choice is 5 N-K2 as in Bot­ vinnik-Tolush ( M oscow 1965, page 168, June 1966 ) . 0-0 5 . . . . Taking the long diagonal under im­ mediate control by 5 . . . P-QN3 is de­ sirable; but Black is in difficulty after 6 N-K2, PxP 7 PxP, B-N2 8 0-0, B-K2 [ on 8 . . . P-Q4, White has good pros­ pects with 9 PxP] 9 P-Q5 ! ( O'Kelly-Por­ tisch, Palma de Mallorca 1967 ) . 6 N-83 Now 6 N-K2 is less efficient as, after 6 . . . P-Q4, the isolated White Queen Pawn which can emerge calls for the Knight on its natural KB3 to exploit K5 and to defend the Kingside. 6 . . . . P-Q N 3 Black i s still prompted b y previous ex­ amples. Gilgorich-Smyslov (Havana 1967 ) gave Black easy equalization : 7 0-0, B-N2 8 B-Q2, P-Q 3 9 P-QR3, BxN 10 BxB, N-K5 11 BxN, BxB 12 N-Q2, B-N3 13 PxP, QPxP 14 Q-B3, N-Q2 15 N-K4, Q-K2 16 KR-Q1, QR-Q1 17 N-N3, N-N1 Drawn. Later in that tournament, White en­ deavored to improve (vs. Dr. Miroslav Filip) with an early 7 B-Q2 and the idea of 7 . . . B-N2 8 P-QR3, B/5xN 9 BxB, N-K5 10 BxN, BxB 11 PxP, PxP 12 Q-Q6 with unpleasant threats. Actually, Black conceded too early in the center : 7 . . . PxP 8 PxP, P-Q4, and, after 9 PxP, PxP 10 N-K5, B-N2 10 0-0, N-B3, White 7 P-Q5 ! This logical reply, while Black is not sufficiently controling his center, smoth­ ers the activity of Black's Queen-side pieces. It is surprising that this ripost was overlooked before. A third alternative for White here is 7 0-0, B-N2 8 N-QR4, PxP 9 PxP to try 9 to exploit the Queen-side majority. . . . B-K2 10 R-K1 ! P-Q3 [ 10 . . . P-Q4 11 P-B5 ! ] 11 P-QN4, QN-Q2 12 B-N2, R-K1 13 N-B3, B-KB1 14 P-Q5 gives White better prospects (Portisch-Spas­ sky, Santa Monica 1966, and Gheorghiu­ Spassky, Moscow 1967 ) . But Black's more active 9 . . . Q-B2 ! stops the threat of P-QB5 and creates some threats on White's King with . . . N-N5. Gligorich­ Smyslov (Mallorca 1967 ) ran 10 P-QR3, B-K2 11 N-B3, P-Q4 12 PxP, NxP 13 NxN, BxN 14 N-K5, N-Q2 15 B-KB4 with equality. 7 . . . . B-N2 The text doesn't help break White's strong center. 7 . . . P-QN4 offers more practical chances. 8 P-K4 With both Black Bishops cut off, the threats on Black's Klngside are mean. 8 . . . . P-QN4 8 . . . PxP is more solid ; but, outplayed in the opening, Black is trying des­ perately to get counterplay and forgets the real threats against his King. 9 P-K5 White wastes no tlme In displacing the lone defender of Black's King. Px 8 P 9 . . • . Black can llve after 10 PxN, PxB 1 1 PxNP, KxP ; b u t White has no such plan. Whether Donner Is strictly positional or not, on this first day at Beverwijk, he was certainly very· attack-minded. 10 B-N 1 ! Thus, he doesn't give up his Bishop but holds it to search out Black's King presently. 10 . . . . NxP Not dreaming of a disastrous attack so early, Black acts half-asleep. His last chance is 10 . . . BxP 11 PxN, QxP taking some Pawns for his piece and advancing toward White's King. 1 1 8xPt ! A combination almost as old as chess itself, this sacrifice cannot always be taken for granted. But it is tMs time. 11 . . . . Kx8 T h e text is forced. . 1 1 . . . K-R1 to gain a tempo for defense leads to a mat­ ing net by 12 N-N5, P-:r/3 [12 . . . NxN ? 1 3 Q-R5 ! ] 1 3 Q-N4, K-N2 14 Q-R4, R-R1 15 NxPt, BPxN 16 Q-R6t. 12 N-N5t K-N 1 Taken by surprise, Black is ready to concede his Queen without much of a fight. True, 12 . . . K-N3 doesn't help much after 13 P-KR4, Q-K2 [ the threat was 14 P-R5t, K-R3 15 NxKP§ ] 14 Q-N4, P-B4 15 P-R5t, K-R3 16 N-B71:, K-R2 17 Q-N6t, K-N1 18 N-N5 as Black again must give up his Queen or be mated. Nor does the adventurous 13 . . . K-B4 avail either : 14 NxBP ! RxN 15 Q-R5t, P-N4 1 6 BxP with a winning attack. 1 3 Q-R5 Qx N Now the rest is mere technique; but 13 . . . R-K1 14 QxPt, K-R1 15 Q-R5t, K-N1 1 6 Q-R7t leads to an easy mate. It is a rare occurrence between grand­ md.sters when one is doomed to heavy material losses already on the thirteenth move. A real "spectacle." NxN 14 8xQ N-K5§ 1 5 P-Q R3 Black continues his desperate resist­ ance : 15 . . . B-R4 16 B-Q2 is even more hopeless. 1 6 Px8 N-Q83 24 RxR NxR 1 7 B-K 3 NxN P 25 Q-K5 N-K5 1 8 0-0 N-87 26 RxRt KxR 19 Q R-81 Nx8 27 Q-NBt K-82 20 PxN B-Q4 28 QxP 8-83 21 R-84 P-84 29 P-R4 K-N 3 22 Px P e.p. RxP 30 P-K N 4 K-R3 23 R/1- K 8 1 31 Q-NB K-R2 R/1 - K 8 1 32 Q-K88 N-83 33 P-N5 N-K5 Black's minor pieces can't do much else than hang on where they are. 33 . . . N-R4 34 Q-B7, N-N6 35 P-N6t, K-R3 36 Q-B4t wins a piece. 34 Q-87 Resigns 28. RESH EYSKY I S BAC K! Exciting things have been happening lately. The Soviet grand­ masters lost more ground in that they missed the last chance to outnumber the others in the Challengers Round matches. And the man who quali­ fied after the dramatic finish in Los Angeles is none other than Samuel Reshevsky, the grandmaster with such a glorious past. He was excellent in 1953 when he tied for second place, along with Paul Keres and David Bronstein, in the Challengers Tournament. His undisguised distress during the closing ceremony in Zurich still haunts the memory, distress over the lost opportunity to meet Botvinnik for the highest title. Now, while fonner world champion Botvinnik has given up fighting for "his title," Reshevsky, who is of Botvinnik's age, has, for the fist time an open road toward fulfilling his more than fifteen­ year old dream. His first rival in the match series will be one of the toughest. Korchnoy achieved at Beverwijk a standing of higher value than any of Larsen's 1967 victories, as judged by a special method of appreciation by Yugoslav international master Rabar. Nevertheless, though perhaps inferior in tournament results, Reshevsky has• proved to be especially strong in single duels as for instance when he retained the balance in the long run against U. S. Champion Robert J. Fischer in their lamentably unfinished match of several years ago. Reshevsky is persistent and has improved his knowledge of open­ ings, which might have been his weak spot, and he has always been a genius in other phases of the game. No wonder that chess is like a mother language to him since he was a first-class player at eight. Here is a recent example of Reshevsky's ability to beat the strongest grandmasters. It is reviewed now in the prospect of and judging of his chances in the coming match series. The endgame is particularly in­ structive as it shows what an isolated doubleton can do in a Queen ending. Sousse 1 967 K I N G'S I N D I A N D E F E N S E Samuel Reshevsky Yefim Gel ler U n ited States Sov i et U n ion Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-Q84 3 N-Q83 �-K 83 P-K N 3 8-N 2 4 5 6 7 P-K4 8-K2 N-83 8-K3 P-Q3 0-0 P-K4 Reshevsky's favorite method of devel­ opment against the King's Indian. He pioneered the same idea after 7 0-0, N-B3 till Najdorf uncovered the proper reply to 8 B-K3 : 8 . . . R-K1 ' * 7 . . . . P-83 If this game were not played in the seventh round, two rounds after Resh­ evsky-Stein, Geller might have contin- ued : 7 . . . QN-Q2 8 0-0, P-QR4 expect­ ing : 9 P-Q5, N-N5 10 B-N5, P-KB3 11 B-R4, P-R4 12 N-Q2, N-R3 13 P-B3, N-B2 14 B-Q3, B-R3 15 Q-K2, K-R1 16 B-KB2, R-KN1 17 K-R1, N-B1 18 B-B2, Q-K2 19 QR-K1, R-N2 as Black then had very good play in Najdorf-Stein and Gllgorich-Geller (Moscow 1967 ) . In the Interzonal, however, Reshevsky improv­ ed White's line, holding the tension in the center and better development after 9 Q-B2, N-N5 10 B-N5, P-KB3 11 B-Q2, P-B3 12 QR-Q1, Q-K2 13 P-KR3, N-R3, he outplayed Stein with 14 P-B5, PxBP 15 PxKP, PxP 16 B-KN5, Q-K1 17 N-QR4, K-R1 18 NxBP, NxN 19 QxN but later missed the win (which could have saved him from the playoff eventuallf ) . In Round 1 0 vs. R . Byrne, he encoun­ tered the simllar Black line with 7 . . . White : if 15 . . . P-QB4, he has 16 B-B3. 12 P-83 . N-N3 13 QR-Q1 QN-Q2 8 0-0 and gave Black difficulties there also after 8 . . . N-N5 9 B-N5, P-KB3 10 B--Q2 [Reshevsky prefers to keep his Queen Bishop active rather than to slow down Black's King-side activity with 10 B-R4] , P-B3 11 P-KR3, N-R3 12 P-QN4 ! P-KB4 13 B-N5, Q-K1 14 P--Q5, N-B2 15 B-B1, N-B3 16 N-KN5, NxN 17 BxN, P-KR3 18 BxN ! RxB 1 9 QPxP, Q x P 20 R-B1, B-K3 21 P-B5, QPxP 22 N-Q5, BxN 23 PxB, Q-K1 24 PxP. 8 Q-Q2 White prepares for the possible 8 PxP 9 NxP, R-K1 10 P-B3, P-Q4 11 KPxP, PxP 12 0-0 with which he held the initiative against this commentator (Santa Monica 1963 ) and later won against Bolbochan ( Mar del Plata) . An alternative is 8 P--Q5, N-N5 9 B-N5 with complications. 8 0--0, PxP 9 NxP, R-K1 10 P-B3, P--Q4 prevents White from recapturing with his King Pawn on Q5. QN-Q2 8 . . . . In game four of the playoff in Los Angeles this year, Reshevsky-Stein (see page 135 ) , Black found another resource, with immediate threat of opening the center, in 8 . . . R-K1 ! The game was an early draw. 9 0-0 10 8-N 5 ! Q-K2 B y this pin, White eases the threat on his King Pawn and makes it difficult for Black to free his game. The position is very reminiscent . of another line in Polugayevsky-Giigorich (Havana 1967) in which, after 1 P-Q4, N-KB3 2 P--QB4, P-KN3 3 N-QB3, B-N2 4 P-K4, P--Q3 5 B-K2, 0-0 6 B -N5, QN-Q2 [the recognized move is 6 . . . P-B4] 7 Q--Q2, P-B3 8 N-B3, P-K4 9 0-0, White had a clear advantage. 10 . . . . 11 N x P PxP R-K 1 11 . . . P-KR3 12 BxP, N x P 13 NxN, BxB 14 QxB, QxN 15 QR-Q1 favors _ Now Black is cramped and makes a desperate attempt to trade off his weak Queen Pawn but incurs material loss. P-Q4 ! ? 13 . . . . 14 8PxP PxP 8-Q2 1 5 Px P Too late, Black realizes he cannot re­ coup with 15 . . . Q-B4 because of 16 BxN, BxB 17 N-K4. Q-81 16 K-R1 19 P-Q6 P-Q R 3 17 N/4-N5 8xN 20 8-K2 N-81 1 8 8x8 K R-Q1 21 8-K 84 Black's hope of regaining his Pawn ends here. 21 . . . . P-QN4 21 . . . N-R4 fails because of 22 P--Q7, N-N3 23 B--Q6 winning the Exchange. 22 N-K4 N-N3 24 R-86 Q-K 1 2 3 R-81 Q R-N1 25 NxNt 8x N 26 R/1-81 N-85 Black's hope now lies in reducing the material on the board. Px8 27 8 x N Of course not 27 . . . QxR 28 BxPt. P-K R4 28 Rj6x 8 P Rx N P 30 Qx R 29 R/4-82 RxR 31 Q-86 Q-K3 Dy retaining Queens, Black can still hope to destroy the very unpleasant White passed Pawn. 32 33 34 35 QxP 8-N 3 R-K 1 ! P-Q7 ! P-N4 P-R5 Q-Q4 8-86 After 3 5 . . . PxB 36 QxB, Black's King­ side might be completely destroyed. So he will offer the Bishop on a less dan­ gerous square. 36 Q-88! 37 Qx8 38 Px P Here 38 Q--Q7. 38 . QxQP Px8 Q-KB6 is met by 38 . . • Q-Q3 39 P-N4 40 K-N 1 Q-R3t R-R1 The Rook ending after 40 . . . Q-QN3t 4 1 Q-K3, QxQt 42 RxQ, R--Q7 43 R-R3, K-N2 44 R-R5, K-N3 45 P-R4, R-R7 46 K-B1, P-B3 47 K-K1, RxNP 48 R-KB5, R-QR7 49 P-R5 is lost for Black. 41 Q-Q4 42 R-K5 Q-Q83 White defends his Queen Rook Pawn, indirectly by threats on the Black King. 42 . . . . 43 R-K7 the white squares before advancing a Pawn. For the advance of the first opens more diagonals for Black's Queen. 56 Q-Q5 t K-R2 K-R2 54 . . . . 55 Q-Q7t K-N 1 57 K-R3 Q-K7 Black thwarts 58 P-N5 on account of 58 . . . Q-R4t and also 58 K-R4 by rea­ son of 58 . . . Q-R7t. K-R 3 58 Q-Q7t K-N 2 59 Q-Q6t Q-K5 60 K-R4 Now 60 . . . Q-R7t lacks force as, on 61 K-N5, Black's Q-R3t Is not possible. P-83 R- K 1 � R x Rt 45 K-82 On 62 . . . K-N3, White can exchange the Queen after 63 Q-N5t, etc. Qx R Q-83 Black poses some problems for White. O n 46 P-R4, he can reply with 46 . . . Q-B7t 47 K-N3, Q-B2t. So White de­ cides to reduce the material on the King­ side so as to cut some diagonals for Black's Queen and increase the mobility of his own King. 46 P-84 47 P-R4 Px P Q-88 48 P-R5 49 Qx P/4 Qx P Q-Q7t 51 K-N 3 Q-:<8t 52 K-R2· K-R2 53 P-N3 Not 53 P-N5 because of 53 . . . Q-R5t. 53 . . . . 54 Q-Q8t White 63 Q-81 ! White guards his KR1 and makes It hard for Black to make a good move. 63 64 65 66 Q-Q4 Q-K5t Q-RBt Q-Q8t . . . . P-N5 Q-84 K-N4 67 68 69 70 Q-83 K-R5 K-R4 P-N 6 ! Q-R5t Q-K1 t K-N 1 Q-R6 Now the basic idea emerges : while Black Is trying to capture the passed Pawn, White wili destroy all the oppo­ nent's Pawns, remain with two, though doubled, Pawns and so guarantee him­ self a slow but sure win. 49 • . . . 50 QxP K-R 3 K-R2 61 Q-Q7t 62 Q-Q2t Black heads for a Queen ending a s his last practical chance. K-N 1 prepares better protection for 70 . . . • Q-K2t On 70 . . . QxP 71 Q-N4, White has a sure win In the Pawn endgame as Black's King cannot hold the opposition. On the next turns, White utilizes the same motif to force a quick decision. Q-K3t 71 K-N4 Q-K7 t 72 Q-85 Resigns 73 K-R3 There is nothing left for Black to try against, for example, 73 . . . Q-K2 74 Q-B7t. After 7 4 . . . QxQ 75 PxQt, KxP 76 K-R4, K-N3 77 K-N4, White takes the opposition and can queen. 29. POLUGA YEVS KY' S N OT E BOOKS LEV means lion in Russian ; but Lev Polugayevsky did not act lion-like when he came from the provinces to Moscow many years ago. He wa5 over-awed by the chess giants of world renown who lived in the Soviet capital. He became an engineer, using his spare time to fill thick note­ books with chess variations. The notebooks became famous much later when Polugayevsky started with his theoretical novelties to score a sen­ sational series of victories in the very strong Soviet championships. 1962 was Polugayevsky's year. In the 29th championship, he placed second only a halfpoint behind Boris Spassky. Then he won the Mar del Plata tournament ahead of Vassily Smyslov among others and tied for second with Spassky behind Miguel Najdorf in the Capablanca Memorial in Havana. His results were more than sufficient for the FIDE to grant him the grandmaster title : he was already among the top world players. Nevertheless, Polugayevsky has never enjoyed the luck to qualify for individual FIDE competitions. His original, sharp style requires great energy ; and, sometimes, Polugayevsky simply lacks the "finishing touch." Thus, he missed the opportunity to be among the sacred four in the 34th USSR Championship, the four who qualified for the Interzonal at Sousse. But, when the psychological strain of needing to qualify disappeared, he managed to tie Mikha il Tahl for first place in the 35th Championship, in December, last year. Here is a game of his from that event in which, as usual, Polugayev­ sky brings off one of his many new ideas in the openings. K harkov 1 967 35th U S S R Cha m p i onsh i p K I N G'S I N D I A N D E F E N S E Polugayevsky N i kitin Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N -QB3 N-KB3 P-K N 3 The Kazahstan master apparently has ambitions with White against his famed opponent. He intends to fianchetto his King Bishop but doesn't play 3 P-KN3 immediately, avoiding the rather draw­ ish lin e: 3 . . . P-B3 4 B-N2, P-Q4. 3 . . . . B-N2 Polugayevsky as Black usually prefers the Nlmzo-Indian Defense. But, as the Swiss System doesn't encourage playing safe, h e is turning to a secret weapon in his notebooks. There are few, even "refuted" varia­ tions, tor that matter, in his notebooks, which do not furnish him with something "In reserve." Remember the dubious line in the Sicilian : 1 P-K4, P-QB4 2 N-KB3, P-Q3 3 P-Q4, PxP 4 NxP, N-KB3 5 N-QB3, P-QR3 6 B-KN5, P-K3 7 P-B4, P-N4 ! ? which was proclaimed many times over as "lost" for Black ? It was re­ vived again by Pol­ ngayevski in spite of that general belief. Fischer won a game with it against Minich last year at Skopje. But the principal creator of the line has desisted from playing it now, apparently having found something for White which only his notebooks know. 4 P-K N 3 A whil e ago, it was thought that the text, in connection with 3 N-QB3, is not good enough, hecause of 4 . . . P-Q4 5 PxP, Nxi> 6 B-N2, NxN [6 . . . N-N3 is interesting, too] 7 PxN, P-QB4, until Korchnoy proved several times that the strong White center is more than satis­ factory compensation for the weakening of white, Queen-side P-K3, 0-0 9 N-K2. 4 . . . . squares after 0-0 Now 4 . . . P-B3, atmmg for 5 P-Q4, is rebuffed by 5 P-K4. 5 8-N2 6 N-83 P-Q3 QN-Q2 This line, introduced by Boleslavsky and Bronstein in 1946, was popular until White learned how to meet the tactical threats while retaining an advantage in space. So, nowadays, Black prefers 6 . . . P-B4 or 6 . . . N-B3. But all the possible ideas have not yet been explored as was apparent during the last Piatigorsky Cup Tournament. This game offers another example of that line. 7 0-0 P-K4 8 P-K4 P-83 9 P-K R 3 White is preparing B-K3. The games, Zita-Bronstein ( Prague-Moscow 1946 ) and Stahlberg-Boleslavsky (Budapest 1950) showed that fianchettoing this Bishop is dangerous for White because of the pressure which Black's Queen can exercise from QN3 : 9 P-N3, PxP 10 NxP, N-B4 11 B-N2, P-QR4 12 Q-B2, P-R5 ! etc. And an immediate 9 B-K3 is prema­ ture : 9 . . . N-N5 10 B-N5, Q-N3 ! 11 P-KR3, PxP 12 N-QR4, Q-R3 13 PxN, P-N4 14 NxP, PxN 15 NxP, QxN 16 P-K5, QxP 17 BxR, NxP with a good game for Black ( B otvinnik-Smyslov, 1954 Match ) . See 9 R-N1, next note. Q-B2, N-B4 13 QR-Ql , KN-Q2 14 N-N3, Q-K2 15 NxN (Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1954 Match ) . With the text, Blaek puts pressure on the Queen Knight, and protection for the Queen Bishop Pawn which may be at­ tacked becomes a problem. 10 . . . Q-N5 is the primary threat. There is a similar idea for reviv· ing the line for Black in 9 . . . Q-N3. The latest word on it was said in Por­ tisch-Reshevsky ( Sousse 1967) with 10 R-K1, R-K1 [ 10 . . . PxP ? 11 NxP, N-N5 12 N/3-K2 ! N/5-K4 13 P-N3, N-B4 14 B-K3, P-QR4 15 R-N1, R-K1 16 R-KB1 ! favors White (Botvinn ik-Pachman, Euro­ pean Team Tournament 1960 ) ] 11 P-Q5 [ 1 1 . . . PxP was threatening), N-B4 12 R-N1, P-QR4 13 B-K3, Q-B2 [Fischer's move against Portisch] • 14 N-Q2, B-Q2 15 Q-K2, QR-N1 ! Drawn, in a position with chances for both sides. In the Piatigorsky Cup Tournament 1966, White tried several times to prevent the excursion by the Black Queen with an early 9 R-Nl. But, in Donner-Fischer, it was Black who had the initiative after 9 . . . P-QR3 10 P-QN4, PxP 11 NxP, R-K1 12 P-KR3, N-K4 13 Q-K2, P-QN4 14 PxP, BPxP 15 R-Q1, B-N2 16 P-B4, N-B5 17 Q-Q3, R-QB1 18 K-R2, Q-B2 19 R-N3, R-K2 20 R-K1, QR-K1 . Two rounds later, Donner tried to improve the same line with 10 P-KR3, but Black managed somehow to keep the balance after 10 . . . R-K1 11 B-K3, P-QN4 12 P-B5, P-N5 13 N-K2, NxKP 14 PxQP, NxQP 15 NxP, NxN 16 PxN, BxKP. 10 R-K 1 White protects his King Pawn while preparing protection of his Queen Bishop Pawn by B-KB1. Clarke-Szabo (Wagen­ ingen 1957 ) allowed Black an equal game with 10 P-Q5, PxP 11 BPxP, P·-QN4 12 N-Q2, N-B4 13 P-R3, Q-N3. Another idea for White is 10 Q-B2, PxP 11 NxP, 9 • • Q-R4 Najdorf used to describe the King's In­ dian as a system in which Black can do nothing but wait for the eventual crea­ tion of weak points in White's camp. "In the Sicilian, I at least have the Queen Bishop file, but what have I here ?" he would wail. True, such is what happens after the opening of the position with 3 . . . P-QR4 10 B-K3, PxP [10 . . . P-R5 ! retains more tension] 11 NxP, R-K1 12 N-N3 12 N/3-K2, R-K1 13 P-QR4 ! (Gli­ gorich-Szabo, Yugoslav-Hungary Match 1957 ) . After the normal 10 B-K3, how­ ever, Black can make full use of his idea of Queen-side action : 10 . . . PxP 11 BxP, N-N3 12 Q-Q3, Q-R3 ! 13 P-N3, P-Q4 ! with excellent counterplay (Dzeci­ olowsky-Geller, Szcawno Zdroj 1957) or 12 N-Q2, B-K3 with an easy game (Guim­ ard-Boleslavsky, Argentina-USSR 1954 ) . PxP 10 . . . . 11 N x P R-K 1 1 2 8-K3 N-K4 ! Polugayevsky finds new ways tor speeding up Black's development in a variation in which Blaf'k mmally has a cramped position. 13 8-K 8 1 White sheds one of his weaknesses but d oes not save himself from his Queen­ side troubles. Q u i t e th e eontrary ! QxQ 19 20 RxQ PxP N/8-Q2 21 8xP With the Queens gone, there comes the terrible pressure of Black's Bishop alo:1g its long diagonal. And Black's Knights co-operate with tem po gains be­ cause the White Queen Bishop is so exposed. 22 8-K3 23 R-Q1 13 . . . . 8-K 3 ! The attack on the Queen Bishop Pawn gains a tempo for developing the Queen Roo){, a major problem for Black in this line. (The other is his weak Queen Pawn which is useful temporarily for control of vital center squares but difficult to protect, certainly without the aid of the Queen Rook.) 14 Nx8 White cannot refrain from acquiring the Two Bishops while removing the threat to his Queen Bishop Pawn at once. But this capture helps Black to breathe more freely and to organize pres­ sure on the King file. The better try, 14 N-N3, Q-B2 [ 1 4 . . . Q-R3 15 P-B5] 15 N-Q2, defends everything while re­ taining all the pieces. It is better as the side with more space under control is favored here. 14 . . . . 1 5 K-R 1 RxN 15 Q-B2 is m e t b y 15 . N-B6t ; but White's preventive move with the King Is still a clear loss of tem po and illus­ trates his new-born difficulties because of the premature 14 NxB. It is Black who has easy development now. 15 . . . . 16 P-Q R 3 N-85 White counters the threat of 23 NxNP 24 RxN, BxN by 25 RxP ; but, by the next move, Black's threat Is re­ newed. 23 . 2<':· 8xN N/2-N3 The Black Bishop and Knights were attacking White's Queen-side Pawns, weak and fixed on black squares. The text is a desperate attempt to diminish the pressure and avoid immediate loss of material. 24 B-Q4, however, offers much better chances for survival. Px8 24 . . . . 2 5 N-R4 The text leaves a bad impression. But White sees nothing else to do against 25 . . . NxRP. 25 P-QR4, R-R1 holds no bright prospects either. P-Q N4 25 . . . . R/3-K2 26 N-85 27 R-N 1 27 N-Q3 leads to a terrible pin on the Queen file, by 27 . . . R-Q1. R-Q1 27 . . . . P-N 3 28 K-R2 29 N-N 3 R-Q6 R/1-K1 16 Q-B2 is still tabu because of 16 . . N-B6 and the possible 17 . . . NxP. 16 . . . . Nj4-Q2 Black prepares a simultaneous attack on both his opponent's weak, central Pawns. What White needs is that swap­ ped-off Knight, on his Q2. 1 7 8-N2 18 Q-K2 19 P-85 N-N3 Q-R3 R esigns O n 30 N-B1, Black wins easily after 30 . . . R-Q8 ; and, on 30 N-R1, by 30 . . . N-Q7 ! 30. UNIQUE T H E K I N G IS MORE I M PORTANT in all the Challengers Matches is this one between Boris Spassky and Yefim Geller. It has the peculiarity that one of the con­ testants could lay the blame for his defeat on one single strategic prej­ udice. Geller as Black lost three times in the same variation and in a similar way : while he was winning the battle on the Queenside, his King was being mated on the other flank. It is somewhat reminiscent of Mar del Plata 1 953 when Miguel Najdorf lost to this commentator's King's Indian Defense, utterly disbelieving that White's tremendous Queen-side initiative did not win the game. M. Luckis, though quite inferior to Najdorf in playing strength, did explain matters to the grandmaster : "It is simple. The King is more important! " Najdorf learned his lesson and improved his chances in the next competition in Europe. But Geller needed more time to appreciate his mistake ; and, when he did, it was too late to save the match. Bearing in mind Geller's immense understanding for both positional and attack­ ing play, we must rate Spassky once again as the leading authority on psychological play among the contemporary grandmasters. It was not easy to perceive that such a creator of wonderful combinations and sac­ rifices as Geller has no aptitude for precautionary measures ! The sixth game in the match best illustrates Spassky's effective methods. Soch i ( S u k h u m i ) 1 968 with White's chances and space o n the Kingside, Black's on the Queenside. SICI LIAN DEFENSE Boris S passky Yefi m Gel ler Soviet U n i o n Soviet U n i o n Black White 1 P-K4 2 N-QB3 P-QB4 Though 2 N-KB3 strives harder to at­ tain an initiative, the "timid" closed variation against the Sicilian turned out to be Spassky's decisive weapon in the match. Spassky, like Smyslov, has em­ ployed H from time to -time. And it has an advantage in being less likely to be known to opponents than are the fash­ ionable active lines. 2 . - . . P-Q3 Probably, Geller is prepared to try the Najdorf Variation and so avoids an im­ mediate . . . N-QB3 lest his opponent transpose into something else after 3 N-KB3 and 4 P-Q4. 3 P-K N 3 4 B-N 2 5 P-Q3 N-QB3 P-K N 3 B-N 2 White controls hi s Q5 preventing the freeing . . . P-Q4. Black does likewise for his Q5. So i t is impossible to open there and the fight drifts to the wings 6 P-84 An interesting idea occurred in Taima­ nov-Minich (USSR-Yugoslavia Match 1965) with 6 N-R3 White had a promising attack after 6 . . . P-K4 ( Botvinnik's idea in general) 7 P-B4, KN-K2 8 P-B5 ! PxP 9 Q-R5, · N-Q5 10 N-KN5. Spassky used the same 6 N-R3 in his fifteenth match game with Petrosyan ; but the World Champion replied : 6 . . . N-KB3 7 0-0 [not now 7 P-B 4 , B-N5 8 Q-Q2, N-Q5 9 Q-B2, Q-Q2] , B-N5 8 P-B3, BxN 9 BxB, 0-0 10 B-K3. N-Kl [ 1 0 . . . P-N3 and 11 . . . P-Q4 is even better] 11 Q-Q2, N-B2 12 QR-K1, P-N3 13 N-Q1, P-Q4 14 Q-K2, P-K3 15 P-KB4, P-B4 holding a firm position. The text is the most logical attempt to gain space on the Ringside . Such moves as 6 KN-K2 and 6 B-K3 are not e�astic, and so Botvinnik's 6 . . . P-K4 controls the center more effectively, ( See d i a g ra m , to p of next page) 6 • • . • N-83 I n three consecutive games with Black, Geller has thus under-estimated White's attack. Arter the most precise treatment of the opening by S passl{v in this J:"ame, and Geller's third defE-at, Geller realised too late that he ought to do something to stop P-KB5 and to follow Philidor's principie that pieces best stay behind their Pawns. So, in Game 8, he played the safer 6 . . . P-K3 7 N-B3, KN-K2 8 0-0, 0-0 having in reserve . . . P-KB4 to block the Kingside. Spassky then changed his mind with 9 P-QR3 seeking chances elsewhere. There followed an interesting fight to a draw ( for the first and last time for Geller with Black ) . Another possible plan here is 6 . . . P-K4 7 N-B3, KN-K2 8 0-0, 0-0 9 B-K3, N-Q5 [9 . . . PxP 10 PxP, P-B4 11 Q-Q2, R-N1 12 P-QR3, P-N3 13 QR-K1, P-KR3 14 K-R1, B-K3 15 R-KN1, Q-Q2 16 Q-B2, P-Q4 17 PxP, NxP 18 NxN, BxN 19 Q-N3, K-R2 20 P-B3, QR-K1 21 P-KR4, R- K3 22 B-Q 2 , R-Q3 23 P-R5 with some initiative for White ( S passky-Minich, Vrnjacka Banja 1965) 10 Q-Q2, R-N1 (Nikolao-Gligorich, Yugoslav Championship 1965) or 10 . . . PxP 11 BxP, NxNt 12 RxN, B-K3 13 B-R6, N-B3 14 BxB, KxB 15 QR-KB1, Q-K2 16 R-B4, QR-Q1 17 N-Q1, P-Q4 ( Smyslov-Tahl, Leningrad 196 2 ) . Also, Black may try t o meet the threat of P-KB5 with 6 . . . N-R3 7 N-B3, 0-0 II P-KR3, P-B4 ! 9 0-0, B-Q2 10 B-K3, N-Q5 11 Q-Q2, N-B2 12 QR-K1 ( Smyslov -Sokolov, Bled 1967 ) when 12 . . . P-K4 or 12 . . . P-K3 look like the best replies . 7 N-83 0-0 R-N 1 8 0-0 9 P-K R 3 In this position ( by transposition o f moves in Game 1 i, Spas sky�Petrosyan) , White tried 9 N-KR4, B-Q2 10 P-B5, P-QN4 11 B-N5, P-N5 12 N-Q5 ; but, after 12 . . . P-QB4 13 K-R1, N-K4 14 Q-Q2, B-B3, Black calmly achieved a good game. In Game 2 of this match, Spassky es­ sayed 9 N-KR4 again. After 9 . . . N-Q5 10 P-B5, P-QN4 11 B-N5, P-N4, how­ ever, he saw that Black's Queen Bishop Recures th e l o n g diagonal with a gain of tem po and so started to retreat tempor­ arily with 12 N-N l . N-Q2 13 N-Q2, N-K4 14 K-R1, P-QR4 15 R-QN1, P-R5 16 KN-B3 [another Knight back ! ] . And, though Geller fell later under a dis­ astrous attack, it was not from fault of this position. After that experience, Spassky sets up a more logical King-side advance in this game. He may have noticed J...asarev­ Schmid ( Sverdlovsk 1963 ) in which the battle was similar after 9 P-QR4, P-QR3 10 P-KR3, P-QN4 11 PxP, PxP 12 B-K3. P-N5 13 N-K2, B-Q2 14 P-N-1, N-K1 lfi R-N1, N-B2 16 Q-K1, N-N4 17 Q-B2, R-R1 18 P-B5, R-R7 19 Q-R4, N-K4 21) NxN, BxN 21 B-R6 with an attack for White. P-N5 1 1 B-K3 9 P-Q N4 R PxP 1 2 PxP 1 0 P-Q R 3 P-QR4 B-N2 1 3 N-K2 1 4 P-N3 In Game 4, White lost time with 14 Q-Q2, and constl(luently a longer trip be­ fore the necessary Q-KR4. He won, though, because a gross mistake i n time trouble deprived Geller of a very import­ ant point. 14 . . . • 15 R-81 R-R1 The text is better than 15 R-N1 a!l in Game 4. White now protects his Queen­ side wirth a minimum of forces, ready to throw the rest into the King-side attack. 15 . . . . 16 P-N4 R-R7 Q-R 1 Accidentally, Geller missed better chances in the two previous games with this line. Now he acts as though asleep as to the impending dangers on his King. He ought to have thought of how to ac­ complish something in the center ae soon as possible, instead of "winning" the bat­ tle on the Queenside. 17 Q-K 1 18 Q-82 Q-R3 Even more consequent is 18 P-B5. But tt seems White prepares deliberately and thoroughly, permitting Black no counter chances and waiting till Black removes even more pieces to the far wing. 18 . • . . N-R2 And so Black does. 18 . . . N-Q2 is bet­ ter. An analyst has suggested, a desper­ ate Pawn sacrifice : 18 . . . P-B5 ! ? 1 9 NPxP, P-N6. B u t White is not obliged to accep t : 20 PxP, N-N5. He may cont,inue 20 N/2-Q4 for instance. Also, it is un­ clear that Black gets sufficient compen­ sation thus, anyhow. 19 P-85 N-N4 25 NxP! Here is t h e final point o f t h e attack. Geller had believed his King, surrounded by Knight, Bishop and three Pawns, was unapproachable. But now the King is almost alone against combined pressure of White's Queen and minor pieces. 25 . . . . RxP 25 . . . KxN 26 B-R6, R-KN1 27 N-B4 is equally bad for Black. 26 8-R6 RxRt KxN 27 NxR After 27 . . . BxB 28 NxB, K-K1 2 9 P-K5 ! BxB 30 PxBP, Black is helpless. 28 Qx8t K-K1 On 28 . . . K-K3, there follows 29 P-N5 with threat of 30 PxP ; and, on 29 . . . PxP 30 BxP, the King is i n a mating net [30 . . . R-K1 loses to 31 QxPt, K-Q2 32 Q-B7t, etc.]. 29 P-N5 P-84 Black is desperate; but, otherwise, 30 PxP follows or 29 . . . PxP 30 BxP with mate impending on K7. K-Q2 30 QxPt 30 . . . K-K2 31 Q-B6t, K-Kl 32 Q-B8t, K-Q2 33 Q-B7t comes to the same end. 31 Q-87f K-83 On 31 . . . K-Q 1 , White wins by P-N6. 20 PxP Simply and very effectively, White diminishes the number of Pawns protect­ ing Black's rather lonesome King. 20 • . • • R Px P On 2 0 . . . BPxP, Black h a s a very un­ pleasant hole on his K3. Now his irrep­ arable weakness is his KR2. 21 N-N5 22 Q-R4 N-R6 Here is the most impressive instance of Geller's incorrect strategy. While he has three important pieces far away, mating threats are at the door. 22 . . . . R-81 Black can do nothing else against White's threat of sacrifice by 23 RxN. And White's attack remains irresistible. Px R 23 Rx N ! K-8 1 24 Q-R7t 32 PxP§ Resigns At last, the Black King has reached his far-off people on the other wing-but too late. For White can choose to win in the endgame now, winning easily with his King-side passed Pawns. An instructive game : it revives for­ gotten problems arising from the Closed Sicilian. 31. LARS E N ' S D E C I S I VE MOM E NT H E lessened extent of Soviet achievem ents in world chess has encour­ T aged dreams of mountains being removed during the present cycle of the Challe ngers M atches. And, in spite of the disappoin tment over Fischer's retreat, there is still excitement concerning the possibility of a new , non-Soviet Challenger emerging. Reshevsky suddenly was in the competition ; this co m mentator seemed to have som e winning chances after the first half of his match with Tah l ; and it was certain that Spassky would be meeting a dangerous rival from without the Soviet Union. Now only Larsen is left of the non-Soviet players in the field. But, judging from his latest results, he is by all m eans the best choice. How far the Danish grandmaster can go in his advance toward Petrosyan cannot well be judged at the time of this writing. For the two most d ifficult obstacles lie before him , Spassky or Korchnoy or Tahl. Larsen's match with Portisch has revealed at one and the sam e time both his weakest and his strongest sides. After an im pressive start with two victories, the optimist in Bent managed to lose two drawish games. He was in extre me danger in the eighth and nin th games but came "dry out of water. " Then, with the moment of decision truly arrived , he won the last game of the match in the most peculiar way. Let the game speak for itself on the personality of the winner and on his prospective ability to surprise even more in the future. Porech 1 968 1 Oth Match Game 2 . . . . VI E N N A GAME Lajos Portisch Bent Larsen H u ngary Denmark Black White P-K41 In the middle stage of the match, Larsen carne to the conclusion that he cannot do much against Portisch's excellent preparations for the Queen's Gambit. So here he starts with the King Pawn once more in the most im· portant game of the match even though the open systems are not his forte. 1 . . . . 2 N-083 P- K4 Though 2 N-KB3 is more aggressive, it is typical of Larsen to avoid fashionable lines and try the "forgotten openings" in which the opponent has to think with his own head. In the Amsterdam Interzonal in 1 964, Larsen used to play 2 B- B4. He won a Pawn quickly against Berger: 2 B-B4, N - K B 3 3 P-Q3, P-Q4 4 PxP, NxP 5 N-KB3, N-QB 3 6 0-0, B - KNS 7 R - K 1 , B-K2 8 P - K R 3 , BxN 9 QxB , N-05 10 0- N4! 0-0 11 RxP. N-083 2 . . . N-KB3, with the aim of meeting 3 P-B4 with . . . P- Q4, is a good answer. It seems, however, that Portisch is purposely tempting his rival to play the King's Gambit. 3 B-84 It is not to Larsen's taste to risk the forced lines of the Steinitz Gambit with 3 P-B4, PxP 4 P-Q4!? Q- RSt 5 K-K2, nor 4 N­ KB3 with the possibility for Black to protect the gambit Pawn sooner or later with . . . P­ KN4. Another plan in the Vienna as used some­ times by Smyslov is 3 P-KN3. But Larsen has a1ways preferred the text solidifying a t1rrn control of QS. 3 . . . . 4 P-03 N-KB3 Larsen had an inferior position in the open­ ing with this same line in the eighth game of this match. Why he chooses this "discredited line" again will soon appear. 4 KN- K2, NxP! gives Black counterplay: 5 NxN, P-Q4 6 B-Q3, PxN 7 BxP, Q- RS 8 P-Q3, P-B4 9 B-QS, B-Q2 1 0 0-0, P­ BS (Tarrasch-Schlechter 1 898). 4 . . . . N-OR4 If White opens so modestly, why not seize the opportunity to acquire the Two Bishops? Besides, Portisch knows of Larsen's experi­ ence with the other moves: 4 . . . B- B4 S B - NS (Larsen-Quinones, Amsterdam 1964) and 4 . . . B - NS S N - B 3 , P-Q3 6 0- 0, BxN 7 PxB, N-QR4 8 B - N 3 , N xB 9 RPxN, 0-0 1 0 P- B4 (Larsen- Gligorich and Larsen­ Portisch is apt to be more ambitious since he has just &:ailed to cash in on two favorable games. He can try either 6 . . . B - N S 7 0-0, BxN 8 NxB, P-Q3 9 B- NS, B-K3 1 0 P­ QN 3 , P - K R 3 ; or 6 . . . P-Q3 7 0 - 0, B - K 3 Lengyel, Amsterdam 1 964). 8 P - QN 3 , P - K N 3 and 9 B - N S , P - K R 3 or 9 B - R 3 , P-QN3. If Black replies with the unpretentious 4 . . . P - Q 3 , White's basic strategy can be very That Black has to be careful, the game, Schlechter-Steinitz (Koln 1 898) may illus­ BxB 7 trate: 6 . . . P-Q3 7 0-0, B - K 3 8 P-QN3, PxB, P-KN3 8 P- KN4, PxP 9 KPxP, P­ K R 3 10 B - K 3, Q-Q2 1 1 P- K R 3 with strong pressure (Kieninger- Eismann Team Tourna­ ment, Solingen 1 968) P - B 3 ! ? 9 Q - Q 3 , B-K2 10 B-NS, P-KR3 1 1 BxN, BxB 1 2 QR- Q 1 , B- K2 1 3 P- BS ! PxP · effective: S P-B4, B - K 3 6 P- BS ! 5 KN-K2 Larsen does not care about the Two Bishops, his main objective is to set new problems for his opponent and he will know best how to kindle the fue in an unfamiliar sort of position. 14 Q-N3, B-Q3 1S QxNP, K - K 2 16 N­ B4! R- K N 1 17 N - N6t , K-Q2 18 · RxBt , KxB 19 R - Q 1 t , B - Q4 20 Qxpt , K - Q2 2 1 NxB, PxN 22 Rxpt , K - B 3 23 N- K7t , K - N 3 24 R-Q6t , Resigns. Perhaps, this game was Larsen's inspiration? 7 0-0 P-03 White avoids "spoiling" the central chain of Pawns. I n that ill-fated eighth game, White played passively: S B - N 3 , NxB 6 RPxN and, after 6 . . . P-Q4 7 PxP, B - QNS 8 N - B 3, NxP 9 B-Q2, NxN 10 PxN, B - Q3 1 1 0-0, 0 - 0 1 2 N-NS, P - B4 13 R - K 1 , Q - B 3 , Black had the initiative. A day later, Larsen realized his mistake but ought not to have taken so long. For this same consequent fifth move was practiced by Schlechter some seventy years ago! Now, like Schlechter, Larsen yields the minor exchange for a developing tempo. A n excursion with the Queen for a similar purpose proved premature: S Q - B 3 , NxB 6 PxN , B - NS 7 N - K 2 , P-Q3 8 P - K R 3 , B - K 3 9 P-QN3, P - K R 3 1 0 B - N2, Q - K 2 1 1 P ­ KN4, P - K R 4 1 2 0 - 0- 0: 0- 0 - 0 left Black O.K. (Adams-Pincus, New York 1 944). NxB 5 . . . . 6 PxN (See diagram, top of next c o l u m n ) 6 . . . . The text is not bad at B-K2 all except that it means an early declaration of the plans. There are several. ways to go for simplification. But 8 P-ON3 This cunning, precautionary move hints that Black better try something other than the solid . . . B - K 3. 8 . . . . 0-0 Still, 8 . . . B - K 3 9 N - N 3 , N - Q2 i s worth trying for possible simplification. Also, 6 . . . B - NS curbs the ensuing pressure by White of another Knight working not only on the center but also the Kingside. 9 N-N3 P-8 3 And here occurs the comes. Black is in the than just a fight for thus incurs a weakening step which White wel­ mood to take on more a mere draw, but he of his Queen me. has lost his Queen Bishop and faces stronger pressure on .the K ingside and on the two central files as well. OR-01 N-R4 19 R-02 20 R / 1 -0 1 10 8-N2 This move is typically Larsen. He develops, aims at K5 and so makes it even more difficult for Black to dream of . . . P - Q4 to break in the center. O- R4 10 . . . . The text is only a sign that Black cannot find good ways of realiziltg his intentions of getting free play. 10 . • . Q - B 2 is better. 1 1 O- K 1 0-82 Else, White has 12 N-Q5. 12 P-OR4 White preven ts . . . P - QN4 which could weaken his grip on the center. 8-K3 P-O R 3 12 . . . . 1 3 R-01 Frustrated in all his attempts at active play, Black starts a new diversion which, in the end, traps his Knight. But he already has difficulties as to finding anything effective to do. N-85 21 8-R3 22 0-82 1 4 O-K2 O- R 4 Now Black ousts the Knight from i t s post controlling getting a QS. But break in his the whole method center of is artificial White's forces are harmoniously and actively placed; Black's are interspersed and without mutual collaboration. P-04 23 N-K4 At long last, Black does get in . . . P­ Q4. In fact, he has no other choice at this time. Black has no hope of trying anything with . . P - Q4 as then his King Pawn is left un­ protected. So he tries to break with . . : P­ 24 8x8 25 O- R 4 N o w White, while Rx8 attacking a Rook, de­ prives the Black Knight of its sole retreat. QN4 , but in vain. ,4 . . . . 8-N5 With this interpolation, Black cuts off access of White's Queen to the Kingside. 14 • • . P­ KN3 and 15 . . . N- K 1 is playable, but 14 . . . N-Q2 involves the po_ssibility of 1 5 N - Q5. 8-02 15 P-83 1 6 K-R 1 Now OR-N1 everything i s ready for counterplay by . . . P-QN4. 17 N-85 This move, however, stops Black's ambitions. 17 . . . . 8xN KR-K1 1 8 Px8 For all his time lost on the unfu lfilled Queen-side action, Black has as compensation only the diminished grip of White Pawns on the central Q5. The price is too dear: Black 25 . . . . R /2-02 Desperation. On 25 . . . P - B 3 26 P - N 3 , R - KB l 2 7 N- B2, Black also loses a piece. 26 P-N 3 Where else? N�K7 This safe and sane push [ 2 7 . . . PxP? 2 8 Nxpt ; or 27 . . . P- KN3? 28 Q - R 6 J heralds the ultimate finish. 27 . . . . Q-N5 Black has to try for . . . Q- K B I in order to defend his King. 28 Q-N4 Resigns Black's Knight is lost since this last move with threat of mate also includes an additional attack on the Black Rook on its Q2. For example, 28 . . . Q - 8 1 29 RxN cannot be met by 29 . . . PxN because of 30 RxR, etc. 27 P-86 An unexpectedly q uick end of the dramatic match. 32. S E C O N D YOUTH O F TH E O L D E R G E N ERAT I O N HERE i s something artificial i n the present cumbersome system of T competitions in the world championship qualification program. There are too many tournament games, and in too varied types of tournaments, to be played before the strongest-or the luckiest-get to the match com­ petitions. Then o ccur still more games before the rather exhausted Chal­ lenger earns his right to meet the World Champion. With all this, the Challenger is stale, if not in the physical sense, certainly so in the creative one . And , while those two meet , there is but a limited possibility for all the best in the Challengers Matches to participate in that honorable fight next time . Thus may be seen one of the reasons that famous names of the o lder generation almost welcome the opportunity to step out of the traffic­ jammed F I DE road and have a free drive of their own . It is curious but true that the "retired" world champions, like Botvinnik and Smyslov, very often display better chess than the new pretenders to the throne. Keres appears even more seldom nowadays than his colleagues. But his latest victories add another dramatic touch to his personal history. Whereas he was virtually world p layer number two for more than a quarter of a century without ever getting to meet the World Champion in a title match, he has now placed ahead of Larsen in a Swedish tournament and two points ahead of World Champion Petrosyan in Bamberg. Paul left the FIDE competitions for the first time after his defeat by Spassky three years ago. He did so , perhaps, because he doubted his health more than he had formerly. But more probably because of the un­ acceptable new necessity of playing a hundred and one games before be­ ing able to encounter the right man . * The following game demonstrates a mixture o f his even-now daring style and of psychological grand-master tricks. Bamberg 1 968 This kind of Benoni is another favorite of the German grandmaster. What is Whitt: to do? 2 P-05 is what Black expects; and 2 P -K3, 2 P-QB3 and 2 PxP do not look very enterprising. SICI L I AN D E F E NSE Paul Keres Lothar Schmid Soviet Union West German y White Black . 2 P-K41 1 P-041 The Estonian grandmaster usually starts with the King Pawn. Here he has a special consideration: he avoids the French Defense in which Schmid feels very much at home. 1 . . . . . P-084 Keres has always preferred open positions. And, although this is not the best way of entering the Sicilian by transposition, White is ready even for a gambit to take Black out of his well prepared but restricted repertory. 2 • Keres had the misfortune of meeting Spassky in the f"U"st round of the Challengers Matches. . . . . Offering the of time after Matches. used regularly - Ed. play 3 P-QB3. The winner was favored (at least SO%) of going all the way; the loser did not even qualify for "seeding" into this year's Challengers . PxP 3 N-KB3 Pawn is better than the loss 3 QxP, N-QB3. Matulovich between 1 95 3 and 1 95 8 to But Keres prefers to treat the gambit as his fJ.rst-namesake, Morphy, did. 3 . . . . . N-K83 Black does not accept the challenge with 3 . . . P-K4; and, indeed, tournament praxis shows no effective way of defending after 4 P- B3, PxP 5 QNxP. (5 B-QB4 has been tried, too.) Black can enter modern lines with 3 . . . N-QB3, 3 . . . P-Q3 or 3 . . . P-K 3 ; but Schmid prefers to take on something like an Alekhine Defense rather than a regular Sicilian. 4 P-KS Th e normal 8 . . . P-K3 is not good because of 9 Q- R4 with the threat of 10 N-Q4. So Black must expend a tempo to force White to declare his intentions before . . . P-K 3 cuts Black's Queen Bishop off from the Queenside. 9 8xNt 1 0 Q- R 4 Px8 Q-Q2 On 10 . . . NxN 1 1 BxN , B-Q2, White still has 12 P-K6! 11 NxN 8xN N-KS 4 . . . N -Q4 is playable: 5 QxP, P-K3 6 B-QB4, N-QB 3 7 Q-K4, N - N 3 8 B- N 3, P-Q4 9 PxP e.p. BxP. But Black hopes for a line which actually is in his praxis. 5 Qxp P-Q4 In Schmid-Alster (Vienna 1 95 7) , Lothar himself continued: 6 PxP e.p. NxQP 7 B - KB4, N-B3 8 Q-Q2, B-N5 9 B-K2, N - K5 10 Q -K3, Q- R4t 1 1 P-B3, N-B3 12 N - R3, N -Q4 13 Q-B 1 . But Keres has something else in mind. 12 P-K61 This sacrifice keeps Black's King in the center a long time and is a logical consequence of White's strategy . 12 . . . . . QxP 12 . . . PxP 13 N- K5 is no better: l 3 . . Q-Q3 14 B-B4 or 1 3 . . Q-N2 1 4 P-QB4. 13 N-N5 Q-N 3 With his Kingside tragically underdeveloped, Black tries to retain the Pawn as his only compensation. 6 QN-Q21 It is not Keres' style to improve Black's development as by PxP. He tries to exploit the exposed position of Black's King Knight for his own purpose. 6 . . . . . 7 8-NS N-8 3 14 Nx8 PxN 15 8-84 P-84 Black has little choice. 15 . . . P-K4 1 6 BxP. B-B4 1 7 Q R - K 1 [ 1 7 BxP? R - K N 1 ) , P-B4 1 8 Q-B4 and 1 9 K - R 1 allows him no consolidation. So he clutches the Pawn with the vain hope of escape for his King via KB2 White is not concerned for the Two Bishops and so plays to gain in development keeping his centralized pieces where they are. 7 . . . . . B-8 4 7 . . . NxN 8 BxN suits White's plans, and Black makes an ambitious attempt to protect his exposed K night though he leaves his QR5-K 1 diagonal somewhat unprotected. He has not much prospect of equalizing in any way: e.g. 7 . . . NxN 8 BxN, P-QR 3 9 BxNt, PxB [as in the game but with a better protected Queenside) 10 B - N4 still serves to consolidate White's advantage. 8 0--0 P-Q R 3 1 6 Q-841 This move puts Black into a desperate plight with no possibility of mobilizing his disorganized pieces. So he begins to return material, to make progress in developing at any price. 16 . . . . . 1 7 OR-01 P-84 White looks for more, however, than just 17 QxBP, Q-K3 whereby Black acquires hope of living a little longer. 17 18 . . . . . P-K83 0-083 White needs but one more open, central me in order to bring an end to the fJght. 18 . . . . . This Zvvischenzug gains a tempo in advan­ cing Pawns from their initial row while White's Bishop still controls the possible point of penetration of Black's Queen Rook. R-03 27 . . . . . 28 8xR 29 R - K 1 Kx8 Now, two Pawns down, Black can con­ veniently resign. But he tries hi� sl�htest chances till the very end. 29 . . . . . 30 K-82 31 K-K2 K-82 K-83 P-K4 32 35 P-RJ R-01 33 P-ONJ 34 P-84 R-03 R-NJ K-N4 K-85 R-R3 Black seeks to save a useful small tempo. . Px P 1 9 RxP, Q-K5 20 Compare 1 8 QxBP, P-K3. 1 9 PxP OxP 20 Ox8P P-K3 8-K2 21 0-87 22 R-07 Black has no choice: 22 . B-Q6 is hopeless for him. 8-01 B - B 3 23 36 R - R 31 I rue, White can win in other ways; but the text is a sure thing. Black's King, after an exchange of Rooks, cannot hold back passed Pawns on both wings. 23 Rx8tl 24 OxP RxR R -K 8 1 2 4 . . . Q-QSt 25 QxQ, RxQ 2 6 li- K5 simply loses a whole Rook. 25 8xP 0-05t Now Black has to return the Exchange. F Jr 25 . . . R-B2 26 Q-N8+, K - K 2 27 B - N5t lets White win easily. 26 OxO 27 P-831 R xO 36 . . . . . R-KN3 . 37 R - R 41 K-N4 38 39 P-N 3 P- R 4 P-85 P-K5 Now Black has to prevent 40 R - QI:J4. K-K3 R -N 1 46 P-N5 R-K6t 41 R-84 40 R -01 47 K-8 1 R-R6 42 P-R4t K-83 43 44 45 K-05 P-KN4 R-06t K-K2 K-K4 R x8Pt 48 49 50 P- 8 6 P-N 6 RxRP P-K6 P-N7 R-R8t 51 K-K2 52 K- K 1 R - R 7t Resigns 33. B EWARE T H E D EV I L! Q ment. Thus, the subject is usually that of a grandmaster winning against a grandmaster, or at least master. As the title indicates, how­ UALITY is the usual determinant for games chosen for this depart­ a ever, this time is different : a master wins against a grandmaster. Such does not happen just at some whim of fate. For, in a tourna­ ment, the normal course in the first two-thirds is that the stronger beat the weaker quite regularly. The favorites "in form' ' score full points. And even those favorites "out of form" manage to produce at least draws. But it may happen that the devil becomes very bored with the regular course of events and tries to turn things upside-down. In illustration, here is what happened at Skopje this year. The unbeatable leader of the tournament lost in a very short game against Uhlmann. And the same happened to Polugayevsky who, until then, was winning all the way whereas his opponent, Matanovich seemed well disposed to take draws all along. His Satanic Majesty, however, is not satisfied with small surprises among the elite, not this time. He wants to break all the rules and rela­ tions established during the competition. As proof of his might, here is an impressive victory of one "loser" in the tournament against an experi­ enced grandmaster in the penultimate round. The grandmaster lost in his favorite line in a manner in which he never had before. It is obvious that the inspiration for the master could not have come from above. S ko pj e 1 968 FRENCH DEFENSE Robert G . Wade Eng land W olfgang U h l m a n n East Germany White Black 1 P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 N-Q2 P-K3 P-Q4 Of his ten games with Black in Skopje, Uhlmann had the pleasure of employing the French eight times ! Every opponent chose the text instead of risking the more ambitious 3 N-QB3-except once, Savon did not like the whole business and played 2 P-Q3 in round eight. 3 . • . . N-KB3 I n round 14, Uhlmann became tired for a while of opponents prepared for the blockading line, which everyone liked as White just as much as he did with Black. So he chose against Minich the more cautious 3 . . . P-QB4 and made a quick draw with 4 KN-B3, P-QR3 5 QPxP, BxP 6 B-Q3, N-QB3 7 P-QR3, N-B3 8 Q-K2, 0-0 9 0-0, N-KN5 ! 10 N-N3, B-Q3 1 1 P-B3, B-Q2 12 PxP, PxP 1 3 B-B2. It is with the text, however, that Uhl­ mann seeks a hard fight, regularly. He provokes 4 P-K5, allowing space for his opponent but hoping for a counter initia­ tive on the Queenside where the majority of his minor pieces will be posted. 4 P-K5 5 P-KB4 K N-Q2 White best secures control of King­ side terrain with this most popular method. Formerly, quick development of the minor pieces was preferred as by i:i B-Q3, P-QB4 6 P-QB3, N-QB3 7 N-K2, Q-N3 !! N-B3. So went Geller-Uhlmann in round 16. Black undermined White's center with the familiar method : 8 . . . PxP 9 PxP, P-B3. He did not attain full equality until after 10 PxP, NxBP 11 0-0, B-Q3 12 N-B3, 0-0 13 B-K3, B-Q2 14 P-QR3, Q-Q1 15 P-R3, R-B1 16 R-K1, K-R1 17 R-QB1, Q-K1 18 R-B2, P-QR3 19 R/2-K2, R-QB2 20 B-QBl. And he lost later. 5 6 P-83 7 QN-83 • • • . P-Q84 N -Q 8 3 Here i s the idea of the system. With­ both Knights on the Kingside, there is nothing to break the chain of White Pawns. Uhlmann has found a plan for handling Black's cramped postuon : ne tries to block the Kingside, then use his better prospects on the other wing. It remains a large question, however, if such a plan can be worked successfully. 7 . . . . PxP 8 PxP P-K R4 Here is Uhlmann's key move. He is prepared to create some weaknesses so as to prevent P-KN4 and P-B5 and the very dangerous opening of King-side files. Against Matanovich in round 2, Uhlmann produced this same move a bit later, reaching a safe position after 8 . . . N-N3 9 B-Q3, B-Q2 10 N-K2, P-KR4 11 0-0, B-K2 12 P-QR3, P-R4 13 B-Q2, P-QR5 14 R-B1, P-N3 15 Q-K1, K-B1 ! 16 R-QB2, N-R2 17 B-N4, B-QN4 18 BxBt, QxB 19 BxB, NxB 20 N-Q2, K-N2. 9 P-Q R 3 In Matulovich-Uhlmann in round 10, White did not want to stop for this pre­ ventive move and continued simply 9 B-Q3, N-N3 10 N-R3, B-Q2 11 0-0, P-N3 12 B-Q2 ; but, after 12 . . . N-B5 13 BxN, PxB 14 N/R-N5, N-K2 15 Q-K2, Q-N3 16 P-QR4, R-QB1 17 KR-B1, N-Q4 18 N-K4, B-K2 19 P-R5, Q-R3, Black had strong counterplay. Two rounds later, Marich tried to im- prove on that line with 12 P-QR3, P-Ri 13 Q-K2, B-K2 14 N/R-N5, P-QR5 15 Q-KB2, N-R4 16 B-Q2, N-N6 17 QR-Q1, N-B5 18 B-B3. He obtained superior play, breaking much later on the Kingside with P-KR3, P-KN4 and P-B5. But Black has already missed his opportunity here to diminish the number of minor pieces on the board. 9 . . . . 1 0 8-Q3 N-N3 8-Q2 Uhlmann treats his position more elas­ tically than he did against Nichevsky in round 4. There he moved his Pawns im­ mediately : 10 . . . P-N3 11 N-K2, P-R4 12 0-0, P-QR5 13 Q-B2, B-K2 14 B-Q2, K-B1 15 N-N5, B-Q2 and was in great danger after 16 BxP ! PxB 17 QxNP, Q-K1 18 N.,...R 7t, RxN 19 QxR, Q-B2 20 Q-R8t, Q-N1 21 QxP, Q-B2, but White preferred the draw by repetition with 22 Q-R8t. 1 1 N-K2 It is not clear that the text is better than 11 N-R3 ; but, this way, the King Knight may aid the Pawns to open files on the Kingside more efff;!ctively. 11 . . . . P-R4 The text is usual for exploiting White's weakened, white, Queen-side squares. 12 0-0 13 Q-K 1 ! P-QR5 As soon as the Queen finds its way to the vicinity of Black's King, the threats will become immediate. 13 • . . . N-R4 The tension rises in the race for King­ side and Queen-side goals. Can Uhlmann block and secure his Kingside with the usual 13 . . . P-N3 ? It is hard to believe as, after 14 Q-N3, N-R4 15 N-N5, there is an immediate menace of sacrifice on KB7. So Uhlmann hastens his Queen-side action hoping that White cannot open the position in time. 14 P-85 ! This move is very timely. 14 . . N-N6 is useless because of 15 B-KN5. 14 . . . . PxP Black's Pawns being so weak on the Ringside. The sacrifice is positionally unpleasant. For it increases the activity of White's Queen Bishop and his Knight on K2. But Black still hopefully looks to keeping the door to his King locked. 22 R-87 ! P-R5 As the Rook clearly is tabu [22 . . . QxR ? ? 23 N-N6 t ] , Black tries to jostle White's Queen from i ts active position. 23 Q-84 15 P-K6 ! ! But this move daunts Black's hope. 15 . . . . PxP On 15 . . . BxKP 16 N-B4, Black can· not h old the game : e.g. 16 . . . Q-Q2 17 BxP or 16 . . . Q-B3 17 N-N5 ! 16 Q-N 3 ! Now all the squares vacated b y the sacrificed Pawns are transformed into wonderful bases for White's minor pieces, and material disadvantage is light in view of White's ability to attack th� many weaknesses in Black's camp. The immediate threat is 17 Q-N6t. 16 . • • • K-82 Or 16 N-K5. 17 N-84 Q-B3 17 B-KN5 and 18 K-N 1 On 17 . . . R-KR3 follows 18 N-N6 ! N-N6 18 N-N6 Black's King becomes vulnerable as soon as his King Rook disappears ; but, on 18 . . . R-KR2, White has the very unpleasant 19 B-KN5 leaving Black's pieces utterly disjointed. 19 N x R Nx8 Black concedes the Exchange in order to destroy this dangerous Bishop. 19 . , . NxR 20 N-N6 leaves Black defenseless against the attack over the King Rook file. 20 Q R )( N KxN 21 N-K5 8-K 1 O n 21 . . . K-N1, White's advantage re­ mains the same because of his Rooks operating on the Queen Bishop file and P-N4 Here is a decisive mistake. In mutual time trouble, Black seeks to outwit his opponent and, i n effect, outwits himself. 23 . . . B-Q3 allows much better resist­ ance, though 2 4 RxQNP then gives White solid winning chances. 24 N-N6f ! This blow Black cannot survive. His King is much too exposed now, and K5 goes to White's Queen with a tempo. 24 . . . . K-N 1 The choice of moves matters little : just another order of forced moves. 25 Q-K5 Else, mate on KR8. 26 QxPt 2 7 Rx N P 8xN K-R 1 Another. winning line i s 2 7 QxB, QxR 28 RxP, Q-N2 [ else, 29 R-B7] 29 Q-R5t, K-N1 [ the Queen cannot cover the King] 30 RxNP. 27 . 28 R x N . . • Q-K1 Here 28 Q-B6t, K-N1 29 BxP, B x B 30 QxB i s not bad, either. 8-N2 28 . . . . 30 K-R 1 Qx8 2 9 Qx8 Q-K6t 31 Q-R5t White gains a decisive tem p o to return the terrible Rook to the seventh rank. 31 . • . . 32 R-Q1 K-N 1 Q-87 3 3 R-N7 3 4 Rx8 t ! R-K 8 1 This move crushes Black's last hope. 34 • . . 35 QxPt • KxR K - R2 36 R-Q81 R-K 1 37 P-R3 Resigns Even simpler i s 37 QxRPt and 38 RxQ. But the same end is attained. 34. FISC H ER ABROAD ALL KINDS of rumors floated about Europe as to Fischer's personal plans. For, after Sousse, it was pointed out, he did not participate in the United States Championship, he played meanwhile only in one small tournament in Nathanya and he stayed for some time unnoticed in Israel, Greece and West Gennany. Then, unexpectedly, he appeared in Yugoslavia to compete in a mixed, international tournament in a small town, Vinkovci. There were strong players in the opposition there : Hort, Ivkov and several other grandmasters ; but, when welcomed at the Belgrade airport by journalists demanding : "Who will be fighting for the first prize?" Fischer simply replied : "Better ask, who is going to take second place?" An ordinary chess fan commented : "I do not know if Fischer is as strong as he says he is, but I do like the straight way in which he talks. ' ' And Botvinnik, when asked about young Robert in a recent interview, stated : "He is born with the gift for chess. When he plays, you never know what he is going to undertake a little bit later,." Yugoslav master Rabar presented special chess hours on the Yugo­ slav television ; and, realizing what sort of play attracts chess enthusiasts most, he gave only Fischer's games from Vinkovci. Fischer admits that he is inspired by the old masters because "they were thinking independ­ ently-more than is being done in our days." And he did not disappoint the experts this time either. In Yugoslavia, he surprised with the King's Gambit and an odd treatment of the Caro-Kann. And the psychological pressure which his opponents are apt to feel may be illustrated by the following game, too. V i n kovci 1 968 SICI LIAN DEFENSE M i lan M atu lovich Robert J. Fischer U n ited States Yugoslavia Black White 1 P-K4 P-QB4 Whenever anyone starts with the King Pawn, the lively question is : will Fischer keep on using his favorite ltne for Black? There is real excitement. For his oppo­ nents are supposed to be very well pre­ pared. But Fischer seems not to care. He replies with the same moves this time, too. That way, the psychological fight burgeons from the very start. 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 P-Q3 Px P 4 NxP 5 N-QB3 N-KB3 P-Q R3 ( See d i a g ra m , to p of next co l u m n ) 6 P-K N 3 What t o choose against Fischer? Let us repeat now how he has met different White continuations recently : 1) 6 B-N5, P-K3 7 P-B4, Q-N3 8 Q-Q2, QxP 9 R-QN1, Q-R6 10 P-B5 f or 10 P-K5, PxP 11 PxP, KN-Q2 1 2 B-QB4, Q-R4 ! (Mazzoni-Fischer, Monaco 1967 ) ] , N-B3 11 PxP, PxP 12 NxN, PxN 13 P-K5, PxP ! 14 BxN, PxB 15 N-K4, B-K2 16 B-k2, P-KR4 ! 17 P-B4, P-KB4 with a strong counter initiative for Black ( Kavalek-Flscher, Sousse 1967) . 2 ) 6 B-K3 ! ? P-K4 7 KN-K2, B-K2 8 P-KR3, B-K3 9 N-N3, P-KN3 10 B-Q3, QN-Q2 11 0-0, 0-0 12 Q-B3, K-R1 13 QR-Q1, P-QN4 with strong Black coun· terplay (Rossollmo-Fischer, U. S. Cham· pionship 1967 ) . 3 ) 6 B-QB4, P-K3 7 B-N3, P-QN4 8 P-B4, B-N2 9 P-B5, P-K4 10 KN-K2, QN-Q2 11 B-N5, B-K2 12 N-N3, R-QB1 13 0-0, P-KR 4 ! with very good counter chances· ( R. Byrne-Fischer, Sousse 1967 ) . Faced b y a difficult choice, Matulovich decides on a "safe" positional continua· tion for this game, neglecting his favorite line : 6 B-KN5, P-K3 7 P-B4, Q-N3 8 Q-Q2, QxP 9 N-N3 [ instead of the usual R-N 1 ] , N-B3 [ now White has no time for 10 P-QR3 and 11 R-R2 because of 10 . . . N-R4] 10 R-QN1 [Black stands well on either 10 B-Q3, P-Q4 ! 11 R-QN1, QxQN ! 12 QxQ, B-N5 13 BxN, PxB 14 Qxll, NxQ 15 PxP, NxQP (Kelecevich­ Minich, Cateske Toplice 1968 ) or 11 BxN, PxB 12 N-R4, Q-R6 13 N-N6, P-Q5 14 0-0, R-QN1 15 P-K5, P-B4 (Kelecevich ­ llarczay, Sarajevo 1968 ) ] , Q-R6 11 BxN, PxB 12 B-K2 with which he defeated Kavalek in Sousse. For Milan can cer­ tainly expect an improvement for Black from Fischer. P-K4 6 . . . . In the "Grand Prix,'' Monaco 1967, Fischer tried 6 . . . P-KN3 against Matanovich but had only equal play after 7 B-N2, B-N2 8 0-0, 0-0 9 KN-K2 N-B3 10 P-KR3, B-Q2 11 N-B4, R-B1 1 QN-Q5, NxN 13 NxN, N-K4 14 B-N5, R-K1 15 P-N3, P-KR3 16 B-K3, B-K3 17 N-B4, B-Q2 18 N-Q5. 2 7 K N-K2 This Knight rests inactive here but may support its colleague in a fight for a finn hold on Q5, though that is diffi­ cult to attain. After the more elastic 7 N-N3 ( Robatsch-Bogdanovich, Sarajevo 1968 ) , Black obtained good play with 7 . . . B-K2 8 B-N2, 0-0 9 P-QR4, N-B3 10 0-0, N-QN5 ! 1 1 B-N5, B-K3 12 P-R5, P-QN4 13 PxP e.p. QxP 14 N-R5, QR-B1 15 Q-K2, P-R3 16 B-K3, Q-N1. 7 . . . . 8 B-N5 B-K2 This is Matulovich's "surprise,'' pre­ pared for his dangerous opponent On the normal 8 B-N2, 0-0 9 0-0, QN-Q2 10 P-QR4, P-QN3 1 1 P-KR3, B-N2 12 P-KN4, [the only other way to bring the King Knight into active play] , Black (in equalized Matulovich-Bednarsky, Polanica Zdroj 1965) with 12 . . . P-QN4 ! 13 N-N3, P-N5 14 N-R2, N-B4 or (in Nikolich-Tringov, T. Uzice 1966 ) 14 . . . P-QR4 15 P-QB4, N-B4 16 R-K1, P-N3 17 B-R6, R-K1 18 N-B1, KN-Q2 19 B-K3, R-QBl. 8 . . . . Q N-Q2 Black must support the Knight which controls his sensitive Q4. 9 B-R 3 ! 1 Here is the point of White's previous move. White's Bishops are not placed naturally but do create an immediate positional threat to make good use of the hole on Q5 for White's Knights. As a matter of fact, Matulovich has tried the same plan before. 9 . • • • P-N 4 ! Here is an unpleasant surprise for White. In previous games, Black had played 9 . . . 0-0 10 P -R4 ! P-R3 11 BxKN, NxB 12 BxB with a positional ad­ vantage for White after the sequels : 1) 12 . . . RxB 13 Q-Q3, Q-R4 14 0-0, KR-Q1 15 KR-Q1, R-B4 16 N-B1, Q-B2 17 N-N3, R -B5 18 P-R5, Q--H3 19 P-B3, R-Q2 20 K-R1, B-Q1 21 R-Q2 ( Matulo­ vich--Minich, Belgrade 1965 ) ; 2) 12 . . . QxB 13 0-0, Q-B5 14 P-N3, Q-B4 15 Q-Q3, KR-Q1 16 KR-Q1 (Marich -Bogdanovich, Titograd 1965) . This way, Black has occupied Queen· side space in time. 10 P-QR4 White cannot find a good solution to the psychological (and positional) blow of Black's ninth move. Now he only helps Black attain his strategic goal. What can White do? Not suffer a loss of tem po by 10 BxKN, NxB 11 BxB, RxB as Black has pressure on the Queen Bishop file. Nor does 10 0-0, B-N2 suit White either. Perhaps, 10 N-Q5 at once? 10 . . • . 1 1 N-Q5 12 Qx N P-N5 NxN R-Q N 1 17 . . • . P-QR4 8-R3 19 Q-Q2 20 P-K R3 K R-Q 8 1 P-R4 The text brings on a quick positional finish for White, but he hardly knows what else to do against the threat of 21 . . . R-B5 attacking his King Pawn. 8xN R-86 21 . . . . 22 Qx8 23 R-Q3 24 RxR R/1-Q 8 1 RxR Kx8 ! White's remaining hope was in pres­ sure on Black's Queen Pawn. But Black's reply checks such ideas and speeds up his Queen-side piece development. The King is quite safe in the center because of the fixed Pawn center. And the ex­ posed, bad placement of White pieces, in­ cluding the Queen, will contribute dis­ astrously to Black's advantage in de­ veloping. - White c a n almost resign on the spot. Because of the threat of 25 . . . RxKNP, he has no time to activate his Rook. 25 K-R2 26 R-R2 Q-84 This is a desperate placement for the Rook ; but, on 26 R-QB1, it moves into a pin which permits 26 . . . RxQNP. 26 . • • 27 8-81 28 P-83 • P-N3 Q-Q5 R-K6 29 Q-N2 14 Q-Q2 To sell the Bishop for the Knight is no better as White has so many weak white squares. 14 • • • • 1 5 8-N2 . 21 P-N3 13 8x8 Now White hasn't time for 13 B-K3, as 13 . . . sets up ma11y threats on weaknesses in the White camp. But the exchange of black-bound Bishops in this Pawn structure favors Black very much strategically. . . Black restrains White from 21 P-N4 and 22 N-N3. This series o f moves is forced, with ill results for White. 13 • 18 KR-Q1 29 Q-B2 permits 29 . . . Q-B6 30 K-N2, R-K8 etc. 29 . . . . Q-QS N-83 Strategically, White ought to trade off Black's strong Bishop ; but then he can­ not well defend his Kingslde and center. 15 . . • . 16 Q-Q3 8-N2 Q-N3 White has expended a ten1po to relieve Black of his "bad," black-bound Bishop and to speed the activity of Black Rooks and another tempo to post his own Bishop back in its natural place. White, with weak King and Queen Bishop Pawns, is already positionally lost. 17 0-0 After 17 P-R5, Q- B4 18 0-0, Black can build up threats by 18 . . . KR-QB1 or 18 . . . B-D3. The moment is ripe for resignation. But Matulovich is known for his "hobby" of adjourning, as long as is possible, to make his tournament standing look bet­ ter "on paper.' 30 31 32 33 8-84 QxQ K-N2 8-Q3 Qx K 8 P RxQ R-K6 NxP 35 36 37 38 K-82 R-R1 R-Q1 P-R4 P-Q4 P-Q5 R-K6 R-86 34 8 x N Rx8 3 9 R-Q2 40 K-N2 K-K3 P-84 And White resigns (a few days later). 35. B E LATE D AWARD COMMENTATOR does not remember well ( as usual) -was it Lasker or Capablanca, or someone else? Still, there was some­ one who kept a move secret for some eleven ( or twenty-one? ) years till an opponent who had won previously in a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined came up again with the same variation. Then our someone disclosed his improvement and won the game in revenge.* That was patience ; that was reward ! We no longer live in such heroic times as this commentator can attest from personal experience. In the eighth game of the Tahl­ Gligorich match in Belgrade, Tahl thought for fifteen minutes on his seventh move in a standard position in the Nimzo-lndian Defense. Did the magician from Riga feel something suspicious in the air? He had his well prepared line, felt safe with it in the second and fourth games of the same match and even used it again later ( in his .next match with Korchnoy) . But here, even though he had the lead for the first time, Tahl suddenly changed his mind and played something else, something, in fact, which he knew less well. Your commentator was disappointed. During a rest period of two days and with hard thinking, he had at last found the "stone of wisdom." But the opportunity to - display the "sensational weapon" was denied. For the match was soon over� There were two more international competitions, but that posi­ . tion did not appear on the board. Then it appeared but only in the national club championship many months later. What to do, hide the "V bomb"? The moment was not a great one. But neither are our times. So the treasured move was disclosed. Here is the game. youR Pula 1 968 7 . . . . N I MZO-I N D I A N D EF E N S E Svetozar G l i gorich Mato Damjanovich White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 Black N-KB3 P-K3 B-N5 4 P-K3 5 B-Q3 6 N -H 3 7 0-0 P-84 0-0 P-Q4 QN-Q2 Here is -one of the most up-to-date lines in the popular Nimzo-lndian. The text represents Black's best way to maintain tension in the center. His Queen Knight supports his King Knight (in the absence of his King Bishop for defense of the Kingside) and the Queen Bishop Pawn a.t the same time. Refraining from ex· changes, he leaves White's Queen Bishop without an open diagonal-the natural P­ QN3 and B-N2 is impossible-and hopes • Commentator Gllgorich doubtless refers to the Pillsbury-Lasker games of St. Peters­ burg 1896 and Cambridge Springs 1904, given in "Pillsbury's Chess Career" by Sergeant and Watts (pages 44 and 1 6 1 ) . William E. Napier told t h e story with appro­ p riate heroism i n his "Amenities and Back­ ground of Chess-play," reproduced now as a ' propos on page 3 6 1 . Moreover, the later ga.me Is Included I n "The Golden Treasury of Chess" (page 160).-Ed. to finish his development more quickly. After 7 . . . N-BS, such a.n idea does not work efficiently as, after 8 P-QRS, B-R4 9 PxQP, KPxP 10 PxP, BxN 11 PxB, B-N5, White opens a diagonal favorably with 12 P-B4. After 7 . . . QN-Q2, however, matters are quite different on that score: 8 P-QR3, B-R4 9 PxQP, KPxP 10 PxP, BxN 11 PxB, NxP or 10 . . . NxP 11 P-QN4, NxB 12 QxN, B-NS 1S P-RS, B-K3 (Grigorjan-Maslov, USSR 1967) with an easy defense. 8 PxQP White has this idea in mind. He can just as well play 8 P-QR3, B-R4, and then the text. But he hopes that Black by the other order of moves may choose something else than the retreat . . . B-R4. Then White is able to retain his theoreti· cal novelty for some other opportunity. The position offers many poss1b111ties, and it is a complicated task for White to choose the most adequate plan. H White Ignores the tension in the center and simply develops, Black can do likewise and equalize easily : 8 Q-K2, P-QR3 9 P-QR3, B-R4 10 R-Q1, PxBP 11 BxBP, P-QN4 12 B-R2 [or 12 B-QS, B-N2 1S P-K4, PxP 14 NxQP, Q-B2 15 B-N5, problem on the Queenside. So, on 9 Q-B2, Black must go for simplification : 9 . . . PxQP 10 KPxP, PxP 11 BxBP, BxN. Un· fortunately for White, this method suf· flees since White's Queen now becomes exposed : 12 PxB [12 QxB, P-QNS 1S B-B4 ! B-N2 14 Q-QS hardly gives White a minimal advantage (4th Gligorich-Tahl match game, Belgrade 1968 ) ] , P-QN3 ! [ 12 . . . Q-B2 13 B-Q3, P-QN3 14 R-K1, B-N2 is less precise, and White stands better after 15 N-K5 ! KR-B1 16 P-QB4, N-Bl 17 Q-Q2, N-K1 18 B-N2 ( Gligorich­ Barcza, 1967 ) ] 13 R-K1, B-N2 14 N-K5, R-BI 15 B-QS, NxN 16 RxN, Q-B2 17 P-QB4, Q-B3 ! and now Black stands very well (2d Gligorich-Tahl match game, Belgrade 1968 ) . One may note here that, o n 8 P-QR3, the reply, 8 . . . PxQP, gives White the advantage by dint of 9 NxP/5 ! To return, however, to the regular line and White's main problem on 8 P-QR3, B-R4, the solution may lie in the simple 9 B-Q2, PxQP 10 KPxP, PxP 11 BxBP, P-QR3 12 P-QR4, But, even then, 12 . . . P-QN3 1S Q-K2, B-N2 14 KR-Q1, R-K1 is possible ( Gligorich-Averbakh, Titovo Uzice 1966 ) . B-NS 16 B-B2, QR-B1 17 QR-B1, P-R3 18 B-KS, N-K4 with the better game for Black (Rodriguez-Polugayevsky, Havana 1967) ] , PxP 1S PxP, BxN 14 PxB, B-N2 15 P-QR4, Q-B 2 ! ( Spas�ky-Korchnoy, Spartakiada, USSR 1967 ) . In the above line, 10 PxQP, KPxP 1 1 B-Q2 i s l es s consistent : 11 . . . PxP ! 1 2 KNxP, B-NS 1S Q-Q1 [ th e symptomatic step back], N-K4 14 B-K2, N-BS, and so on by other order of moves (7th Resh­ evsky-Korchnoy match game, Amster­ dam 1968 ) . After 8 P-QR3, B-R4 9 Q-K2, P-QRS, it is possible to prevent . . . P-qN 4 by 10 P-QR4. But the continuation, 10 . . . Q-K2 [another useful move for B lack] offers Black free play as in 11 B-Q2 [or 11 N-K5, R-Q1 12 R-Q1, B-B2 13 NxN, BxN 14 P-QN3, PxBP 15 BxBP, PxP 16 PxP, Q-Q3 with Black the better (Liber­ son-Polugayevsky, Tiflis 1967 ) ] , B-B2 12 PxQP, KPxP 13 KR-K1, Q-Q3 14 P-KNS, R-K1 ( Bilek-Smyslov, Moscow 1967 ) . If we follow the present cycle o f think­ ing, we can conclude that, after 8 P-QR3, B-R4, White's Queen belongs on B2 sup· porting the Queen Knight. For then 9 . . . P-QR3 is futile because of 10 P-QN3 and 11 B-N2 which solve White's main 8 . . . . K PxP 9 P-Q R3 An alternative here is 9 B-Q2, R-K1 10 P-QR3 f or 10 R-B1, P-QR3 1 1 P-QN3 with chances for both sides ( Panno-Gli­ gorich, Buenos Aires 1955 ) ] , BxN 11 BxB, P-B5 12 B-K2, N-K5 1S B-K1, N-NS 14 P-QN3, B-N5 (Bronstein-Gligorich, Bel­ grade 1954 ) . Also, White has beaten about the bush with the last cry in 9 Q-N3, N-N3 10 N-K2 [or 10 N-QN5, P-QR3 11 PxP, BxP 12 QN-Q4, N-K5 13 P-QR4, P-QR4 14 Q-B2, Q-K2 15 P-QN3, B-KN5 with good counterplay for Black ( Portisch-Polugay­ evsky, Skopje 1968 ) ] , P-QR4 11 PxP (4th Korchnoy-Tahl match game, Moscow 1968) when, with 11 . . . BxP, Black could have had a satisfactory game. 9 • • • • B-R4 White's Knight is tabu : 12 . . . PxN 13 PxP, and White recaptures a piece while leaving Black's Queenside in shreds. 8-82 13 N-Q6 14 Q8xP On 14 NxB, White merely diminishes his developed strength. 8x N 14 . . . . Black does take as otherwise he loses an Exchange. 15 8x8 1 6 K R-81 The previous notes have given a broad review of White's not quite successful at· tempts to make something of the open· ing. And here even the strategy with the Pillsbury formation after 10 N-K5 does not offer very much because of 10 . . . PxP 11 PxP, BxN ! 12 PxB, Q-B2 ! 13 NxN, BxN 14 Q-B2, KR-K1 15 P-B3, P-KR3 Drawn ( Donner-Korchnoy, Bever­ wijk 1968 ) . R-K 1 R-K3 Black is attempting to free his play. If he moves his Queen Knight, White will have N-K5. 1 0 P-Q N 4 ! During h i s match with Tahl in Bel­ grade, this commentator was quite puz­ zled that the apparently awkward and un­ natural position of Black's Queen Knight solved all Black's problems so success­ fully. Too late, he came to th e conclusion that the gambit-style P-QN4 must be the only ambitious reply to refute Tahl's line. After Cuellar-Larsen (Sousse 1967) in which 9 B-Q2, R-K1 was played, it was suggested that 10 P-QR3, B-R4 11 P-QN4, PxNP 12 N-QN5, PxP 13 BxB, QxB 14 RxP, Q-N3 15 Q-B2 might be good ; but there is the answer that Black has the more precise 9 . . . P-QR3, avoiding that line. 10 . . . . PxN P The text i s more o r less forced. 1 0 . . . PxQP 11 PxP, B-B2 12 B-KN5, N-N3 13 N-K5 favors White strongly. 1 1 N-Q N 5 White counts on many factors to com­ pensate for the Pawn : firm center, open Queenside files, activity for all his pieces, much better development and the weak Black Pawns. 11 . • . • P-Q R3 Though Black's Queen Knight obstructs its colleagues, there is no time fer ·· . . N-N1. For then White has 12 PxP and recaptures a Pttwn favorably. 12 Q-N3 1 PxP Unless Black maintains his extra Pawn, he has nothing for which to hope; and 17 8-87 Since the Bishop will have to move from this "post," 17 B-KB4 is even better. 17 . • 18 P-K R 3 . . Q-K2 White can afford to wait as Black can accomplish nothing in particular. 14 N-K5, NxN merely diminishes the num­ ber of pieces with no material gain. 18 . 19 8-K84 . • • R-83 The threat was 19 . . . N-B4. 19 . . . . � RxR 21 R-Q8 1 P-R3 PxR Q-K3 On 21 . . . P-B4, Black is pinned down on his diagonal, QR6-K2; and 21 . . . P-QR4 is met advantageously by 22 RxP, P-R5 23 Q-B2, B-N2 24 B -Q 6. 22 Q-82 White threatens 23 B-B5 and 24 QxP. Black makes the most practical retort. N-K5 22 . . • 23 8x N . On 23 QxP, QxQ 24 RxQ, QN-B3, Black's piece position becomes consoli­ dated. · 23 • • . . · Or 23 . . . QxB 24 QxP ! Px8 24 N-Q2 P-QR4 Here Black counts, incorrectly, on his passed Pawn. 24 . . . N-B3 25 B-K5 of oourse is unattractive. But 24 . . . P-KB4 offers better resistance. 25 N x P B-R3 Black has no time for 25 . . . P-R5 in view of 26 N-Q6, P-R6 27 QxP. 26 N-Q6 27 P-K4 8-N4 Q-83 28 Q-Q2 29 P-K5 P-R5 Though Black's pieces are discon· nected, 29 P-Q5 is not good because of 29 . . . P-R6 30 PxP, P-R7. 29 . . • • 30 P-Q5 Q-N3 P-R6 ( See d i a g ra m , t o p of next col u m n ) 31 Q-R2! Now Black's hope is crushed. The Pawn is stopped; White's pieces remain in good co-operation; and the threat of 32 PxP may be killing. 'S1 . • • . 32 P-K6 R-R3 Px K P 33 Px K P 34 P-K7§ 35 R-83 N-83 K-R2 Here the Rook aims at KN3 and threat· ens to take the passed Pawn. Black re· sorts to his last-ditch tactical tricks. 35 • . . . 36 8-K5 8-Q6 P-84 37 RxRP 38 P-84 Q-N4 Q-N6 Here Black hopes for 39 . . . Q-K8t 40 K-R2, N-N5t-in vain. 39 8xN 40 P-K8 (Q ) RxN Resigns 36. ALL OVER AGA I N AITER SP ASSKY qualified last year, the rumors were stronger than ever that, this time, the Challenger would have an easy job of taking the title from Petrosyan. Such opinions are based on the Champion's­ if not poor--then certa inly unimpressive form in several successive tour­ naments the while Spassky was producing incredible victories over some most dangerous rivals. Though many are aware of the fact that Petrosyan has never tended to impress, that he came to the top with his fantastically realistic approach and that his strength is slow in motion but hard to resist, especially in the long run, the simplified view that Petrosyan is in a clear decline has so overtaken some minds that they are dismissing him as a possible world champion for the future. Then came the Lugano Olympiad. It was guessed that ·the Soviet team might be in danger, for the first time. First, because the Ameri­ cans appeared very strong ( before Fischer disappeared ) . But also be­ cause many others looked very strong, too, while the main favorite had to enter on first board one who d id not seem fit for the moment. But a "miracle" happened again, as in Havana two years ago. In Switzerland, Fischer was not present to strengthen the opposition ; but the fact was that Petrosyan made by far the best percentage on board one. True, the spectators found him missing from some of the best duels ; but that absence goes along with the Soviet praxis of setting regular turns for all six members of the team. No wonder when an ex-world champion fig­ ured as only second alternate on that tea in ! Petrosyan's excellent performance is aptly illustrated here by his fine victory with Black over tough Bobotsov who seldom loses. And it must be noted the World Champion employed a modest, simple line and managed to win a position in which many would have agreed to a draw without further play. The motif displayed by the Black side is of high interest. It is probable now that Spassky will have to forego the "easy-going' ' tactics in the world championship match next spring, with which he gained seven kilograms in weight in that previous duel with Petrosyan while the latter was losing the same amount ( strangely enough ) , but to good purpose. Lugano 1 968 Q U E E N 'S GA M B I T D E C L I N E D M i I ko Bobotsov B u l garia T i gra n Petrosyan Soviet U n ion White Black 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-KB3 N-KB3 P-K3 White avoids the tricky lines of the Nimzo-Indian. If not from a matter of principle, then he does so for personal reasons of security as is illustrated even more by th e following simplification in the center. 3 . . . . 4 PxP P-Q4 The Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined is effective only if White' s Queen Knight is developed first. For " then Black has difficulty in activat· ing his Queen Bishop. Now he has no such problem. So the probable reason for White's fourth move is to avoid an eventual responsibility of having an isolated Pawn after 4 N-B3, P-B4 5 PxQP, NxP 6 P-K3, N-QB3 etc. Px P 4 . . . . or course, 4 . . . NxP is almost unplay­ able now, because of 5 P-K4. 5 N-83 6 8-N 5 P-83 8-K2 The text is more solid than the im­ mediate 6 . . . B-KB4 7 Q-N3 as 7 . . . Q-N3 involves the possible weakening of Black's King-side Pawn structure. 7 Q-82 This attempt to prevent the active de­ velopment of Black's Queen Bishop is in vain. For White expended a tempo too early in bringing his King Knight into play instead of playing P-K3 and ready­ ing the emergence of his King Bishop. 7 8 P-K3 P-K N 3 8-K 84 9 8-Q3 1 0 Qx8 file is of minor importance in comparf­ with D l a r k ' s on t h f' semi-open, ren­ t m l K i n � file. W h i tt> l'a n not find a suit­ able pla n ; for the mi nority attack on the Queenside does not work well in the absenee of the white-bound Dishop and i ts control of potential holes on white squares. >' O n 14 P-K R3 The text looks natural in allowing an additional escape square for the Bishop. nut it w i l l entail ma ny worries later for White's King. Still, White's only other !'lwire was to wa i t passively. 14 . . . . 15 N-K5 N/5-83 N-N 3 ! I t i s important for Black t o retain at least one Knight on the board for later attack on the Kingside. 8x8 Q N-Q2 16 8-N 5 With the disappearance of the white­ bound Bishops, Black has an easy time developing and gets a good game. For Black's Knights contest for his white squares, K5 and QB5, more readily with one less piece of the opponent's to op­ pose them. 1 1 8-R6 With this intermediate move, White tries vainly to disorganize Black's pieces and to postpone the threat of . . . N-K5 by which Black can increase his control of terrain. 11 . . . . N-N5 11 . . . B-B1 is less ambitious. Black aims to provoke a White Pawn move to make possible later the opening of a file on the Kingside. 1 2 8-84 1 3 0-0 0-0 R-K1 White's pressure on the Queen Bishop White's pieces do not feel secure where they are, and White insists on diminish­ ing the number on the board, especially so for this Bishop which incurs the dis­ advantage of being on squares of the same color as those of his central Pawns. N-K5 16 . . . . Qx8 1 7 8x8 1 8 Q-82 The Pawn was tabu : 18 NxN, PxN 19 QxP ? ? P-B3 costs White a piece. Also, 18 NxN, PxN 19 Q-N3, N-Q4 offers Black better chances with an increased possi­ bility of a King-side attack. N-Q3 18 . . . . Black continues his policy of keeping at least one Knight on the board. N/N-85 1 9 N-R4 If a Knight trade must be, it is better for Black to have the centrally posted W h i te Knight go. 20 N x N 21 N-85 22 QR-81 NxN N-Q3 Q-N4! P-83 R-N2 28 N-K5 29 N-83 Here is the first sign of what Black wants. While White has to meander with­ out firm purpose, Black increases the pressure on the Kingside, thanks to his better control of terrain there. 23 Q-Q1 P-K R4 Black prevents 24 Q-N4. 24 K-R1 White prepares in advance to meet the threat of 24 . N-B4 and 25 . . . N-R5 with 26 R-KN1 thus avoiding any weakening of his Pawn structure. But the unnatural move simply indicates. White's increased difficulties i n a "draw­ ish" position. For instance, the preven­ tive maneuver "a Ia Petrosyan" with 24 KR-Kl, N-B4 25 R-K2, N-R5 26 Q-Bl does not work against 26 . . . N-B6t 2 7 K-Rl, NxP. So White has already mis­ takenly prepared his pieces for defense and wasted too much time with his Queen, instead of putting his King Rook on Kl first. 24 . . . . R-K2 ! With this simple and excellent move, the Rook becomes mighty on the second rank for any and all purposes. 25 N-Q3 N-K5 25 . . . Q-B4 at once is better. But Black's re-action seems most natural at first. He establishes the base for his Knight while White's attempts to ap­ proach and protect its monarch. 26 N-BS This move amounts to a tactical offer of a • draw which White cannot resist making. 26 . . 27 N-Q3 N-Q3 Q-84! Now Black comes in with this move, creating new dangers for White's King in the possible advance of Pawns and decisive opening of files. Black's plan is obvious, and a killer : P-KN4-5. R-K1 30 N-R2 While White largely marks time, Black calmly musters his last reserves for action. 31 K-N 1 The King feels better here now, but no effective method for defense by the other pieces has been found. N-K5 Q-K3 31 . . . . 32 Q-83 33 K R-Q1 The text is inadequate ; at least, serves some goal. 33 . . . . 33 KR-Kl, P-K N4 ! This effective sacrifice o f a Pawn is designed to speed up the attack and open as many files as possible. 34 Qx R P White has little choice because o f the threat of 14 . . P-N5 15 PxP, PxP and 1 6 . . . P-N6. 34 . . . . P-K B4 ! N o w a similar threat is created, with time to be gained from the exposed posi­ tion of White's Queen. And Black al­ ready has the open King Rook file on which to work. 35 R-K1 Here White, too late, admits his mis­ take and relocates this Rook. 35 • . . 3 6 PxP • P-N5 This capture is forced as otherwise 36 . . R-R2 traps White's Queen. 36 . . . . 37 P-83 Px P Again, White has nothing else ; the position is lost, i n any event. but 37 . . . . 38 N x P PxP Now White loses quickly; but, on 38 QxBP, R-KBl and 39 . . . R-B7, he also loses soon enough. 38 . . . . R-R2 Q-81 39 Q-K5 40 Q-84 The Queen has no other free square ! 40 . . . . R- 8 1 R-84! 4 1 Q-K5 Resi g n s 37. R ECOVERI N G PREST IGE Though there is nothing wrong with Petrosyan's personal scores against the most successful of today's tournament players, his failure to take first place in any international competitions has created the im­ pression that the World Champion could not retain that title if put to another trial. His triumph over Botvinnik looked like the beginning of another era ; but his victory over Spassky more like an episode. There are several rivals, both within and outside the Soviet Union, who are, in public opinion, considered able to defeat or at least to be extremely dangerous to the World Champion if given the opportunity to meet him in a match. Such are the constant winners of strong tourna­ ments, like Spassky, Korchnoy, Fischer, Larsen and perhaps even For­ tisch and some others who have scored firsts while Petrosyan, under the special handicap of his peculiar style, has not. As a matter of fact, Petrosyan has won two top-class tournaments, in effect, in his well deserved best results on first board in the two Olympiads, Havana 1966 and Lugano 1968. But chess devotees are a hard sort to be persuaded and, since they did not see an encounter between Fischer and Petrosyan in Havana nor any between Larsen and Petrosyan in Lugano, Petrosyan's excellent p�rformances there lacked due applause. It seems to be Petrosyan's bad luck not to impress the chess world as much as he should or could. Recently, in Palma de Mallorca, he won well against several grandmasters but secured only fourth prize. Also, everyone remembers Petrosyan's two defeats at the hands of Larsen in Santa Monica ; but few know that the score is now 6-3 {no draws ! ) in favor of Petrosyan. Here is the champion's latest game against the very dangerous fighter from Denmark. · 3 . . . . Pa l ma de M a l l o rca 1 968 P-Q N 3 Q U E E N 'S I N D I A N D E F E N S E T i g ran Petrosyan Soviet U n i o n Bent Larsen Denmark Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-KB3 N-KB3 P-K3 This move might mean one of a num­ ber of things. For some, it is partly a future offer of a draw, a sign of a placid mood. As will be seen soon, here i t is something else, and not only an escape from the crucial lines of the Nimzo-In­ dian (many masters have a profound be­ lief in the soundness of that defense for Black ) . Petrosyan wants simply to avoid Larsen's favorite line in which he feels very much at home and to give th'e game another course in which the situation will be the opposite. 4 P-Q R 3 ! Petrosyan has used this idea before, but only after 4 N-B3, B-N2. The idea looks at first like a loss of tempo because it does not pay to avoid the Black . . . B-QN5 at such a dear price i n the open­ ing. But, though the move 4 P-QR3 looks inferior to the usual, developing 4 P-KN3, it embodies an ambitious plan which goes straight for the refutation of Black's early fianchetto. White can do so only by P-Q5 ; but, after 4 P-Q5, B-N2 5 N-B3, B-N5, he no longer has sufficient control over his Q5 and has to give up the fight for the center. The text pre­ pares the realizati-on of that plan, and Black must do something immediately against the advance, P-Q5, lest he fall into a cramped position. It is obvious that, with this early preparatory move, Petrosyan aims to direct the game only along the line which he has used against the Queen's Indian. 4 N-B3 permits 4 . . . B-N5 also, and White is not eager at this time for such lines as 5 B-N5 or 5 P-K3 which others practice, too. 4 • . . . P-84 ! Now Black shows his teeth even a s White d-Id with the preceding move. The position is going to be a new one from now ·on for both sides, and different from anything played before. With the text, the fighter in Larsen simply ignores his opponent's intentions. victory after 19 . . . P-N3 20 Q-KN4, P­ KR4 21 Q-R3, P-B4 22 B-B4, RxRt 23 RxR, K-B2 24 P-K4 ! Q-B5 25 R-K1, Q-N5 26 PxP ! QxB 27 PxNPt, K-K1 28 P-N7, P-K4 29 QxPt, K-Q2 30 R-Q1t, B-Q3 31 BxP, N-Q5 32 NxN, Resigns USSR XXVIII ( Petrosyan-Smyslov, Championship 196 1 ) . 5 P�Q5 ! White makes the consequent reply. If Larsen was relying on Petrosyan's aver­ sion for the kind of position which is to arise, he was wrong and ought to have remembered Petrosyan's excellent vic­ tory against Schmid's Semi-Benoni at Zurich 1961. Also, 5 P-K3 is a partial admission by White of a lost tem po on his fourth move. And treatment of the position a Ia English by 5 N-B3, PxP 6 NxP, B-N2 7 KN-N5 does not work well because of 7 . . . P-Q3 8 B-B4 ? P-K4 9 B-N5, P-QR3 with the retreat for White's King Knight blocked by the Pawn on QR3. 5 . . . . 6 Px P 7 N-83 Px P P-N3 8-K N 2 O n e is reminded o f a well known posi­ tion from the Semi-Benoni. But there is an interpolated move for each side, not quite germane to the system. And these add a new fire in the theoretical dispute : which move is more useful ( or more use­ less) i n this situation : White's P-QR3 or . . . P-QN3 ? 8 8-N 5 And, indeed, he has no encouraging ex­ amples on which to draw after the nor­ mal 4 . . . B-N2 5 N-B3, P-Q4 [ else 5 P-Q5] 6 PxP, NxP 7 P-K3, B-K2 8 B-N5t, P-B3 9 B-Q3, and 1) 9 . . . N-Q2 10 0-0, P-B4 11 P-K4, NxN 12 PxN, 0-0 13 B-KB4, N-B3 1 4 Q-K2, R-B1 15 P-QR4, PxP 16 PxP, R-B6 17 KR-K1, Q-R1 18 B-N5, P-KR3 19 B-R4, R-K1 20 N-K5, Q-Q1 21 QR-Q1, R-KB1 Drawn [ too soon as White has the advantage] ( Petrosyan-Szabo, Por­ toroz Interzonal 1958) : 2) 9 . . . P-QB4 10 NxN, QxN 11 PxP, QxP? 12 B-Q2, N-B3 13 R-B1, Q-Q3 14 Q-B2, R-QB1 15 0-0 ! P-KR3 16 KR-Q1, 0-0 17 B-B3, Q-N1 18 Q-R4 ! KR-Q1 19 Q-K4 with an attack which brought Botvinnik influence? He used t o play this solid, developing move against Tahl. Petrosyan took some time to decide on it. The alternative 8 P-K4 is not suffi­ ciently attractive as Black can castle [8 . . . P-Q3 9 B-N5t is convenient for White] and then prepare for pressure on White's King Pawn as 9 P-K5, N-N5 is premature. 8 . . . . 0-0 Black eyes the trap after the enter­ lll"ising 9 P-K4, R-K1 10 N-Q2 [10 P-K5, P-Q3] with 10 . . . NxP ! ! Still, after the text, White gains the tempo to consol­ idate the position of his Queen Bishop which is annoying for Black. So 8 . . . P-KR3 9 B-R4, P-Q3 10 P-K3, P-KN4 1f B-N3, N-R4 12 B-N5t, K-B1 ! ? is worth attention. ( See d i a g ram, top of next page) 9 P-K3 Petrosyan would not be his veritable self if he did not see all the threats and cramped position. Black's stratel'!:y here will fail .ts soon as the Queen Pawn is protected by P-K4-and that will not be long as White will now provide addi­ tional cover on his King file. 12 8-K2 13 P-K 4 N-82 White has spent two tem p i with that Pawn ; but, in the meanwhile, Dlack's pieces have moved rather ineffectually and White has been building an ideal structure against the Semi-Benoni system. 13 traps after 9 P-K4. Consequently, he waits patiently till every thing is suitably prepared for the decisive advance in the center. 9 . . . . P-Q3 Now is not the time for 9 . . . P-KR3 10 B-R4, P-KN4 11 B-N3, N-R4 because of 12 B-Q6. And, with his next move, White makes his Queen Bishop secure. 10 N-Q2 1 1 8-R4 P-K R 3 . . • . P-Q N 4 T h i s is usually a thematic m o v e which actuates the Queen-side Pawn majority. But it is of lesser effect now as Black has s p ent two tem p i on this advance and White's Queen Rook Pawn is a good pro­ tector of the position of his Queen. 1 4 0-0 14 NxP, NxN 15 BxN is of no use as 15 . . . R-N1 regains the Pawn for Black. Nor is 14 BxP, NxB 15 NxN, B-R3 to be recommended either. 14 . . . . Q-Q2 The Queen evades the pin as there i s a constant threat of P-B4 a n d P-K5. 15 Q-82 An instructive approach to the task : before taking action, White mobilizes all the rest of his pieces into the crucial area of the board. 15 • . . . 1 6 K R-K1 R-K 1 This choice of Rooks is excellent; the other Rook may be needt:>d to support the Queen Pawn. 16 . . . . 8-N2 The time has come to think of the advantages and disadvantages of those interpolated, Queen-side moves. The White Pawn on QR3 guards QN4 against the possible advance of Black's Pawn majority on that side. Black's Pawn on QN3 has opened a diagonal for the Queen Bishop which diverts it from the other, more useful direction. 11 . . . . N-R3 This move corresponds to the sharp style of Larsen who seeks an immediate counter chance i n attacking the White Queen Pawn. But his plan does not suit the true soul of the position. The text would be possible even with a Pawn on QN2, and there is but one method to make good the wasted tempo with . . . P-QN3 ; that is by 11 . . . B-R3 to dimin­ ish the number of pieces and so . make life easier for Black who has the more Now the only visible method of dimin­ ishing the danger of the central break by P-K5 is to put under fire the Pawn on Q5. 1 7 P-K R3 The text is not negligible : it takes a square from Black's King Knight and prepares P-B4. 17 . . • • P-Q R3 Energetic advance of the Pawns is the only counter chance left : 17 . . . P-B5 18 P-B4, P-QR4 19 B-B3, N-R3 ; but, after 20 P-QR4 ! N-N5 21 Q-N1, N-Q6 22 PxP ! White retains his advantage in the complications, too. Now, however, Black will be too slow to re-act against the central break by P-K5 after a few moves. 18 P-84 P-85 Black has lost one tempo and the last opportunity for action on this side. 19 8-83 penetration of White's pieces into the enemy camp. 21 • . • . 22 N/2-K4 PxP Q-84 The deadly menace w a s 23 N-B5, 24 NxB and 25 P-Q6. White's following move creates a similar threat in respect to Q6. The end is near. 23 Q-B2 24 8xR 25 Q-N6 Q R-Q1 RxB Q-B1 P-K R4 Black's King Knight lies exposed to attack by White's center Pawns but can­ not be moved yet, by 19 . . . N-R2, be­ cause of 20 B-N4. N-R2 � QR-Q1 26 N-BS White offers Black no chance for the sacrifice : 26 N-Q6, RxN 27 QxR, N-Kl. 26 . . . . P-K5 Black resorts to desperation tactics. Neither 26 . . . N-R1 27 Q-R7 nor 26 . . . B-B1 27 P-Q6, BxB 28 PxN, RxR 29 RxR, BxR 30 Q-N8 avails. Here 21 P-K5! Here is the typical blow which means the full triumph of White's strategy in such a system. The central files and diagonals will be open for the decisive 27 Qx 8 28 QxQ 29 P-Q6 PxB RxQ 8-81 30 N-N7 31 P-Q7 32 R x N N-K3 R-N 1 Resigns Black's position has been completely destroyed. 38. KORC H N OY AS A PROPH ET? Spassky, who must have on his mind the up-coming match with Petrosyan, simply did not seem to care much about the first prize at Palma de Mallorca. And his rival for first, Korchnoy, had been winning consistently, anyhow. So, when Spassky was due to meet Korchnoy in the fifteenth round, he had good reasons to hope for a quick draw and behav­ ed as though he did, revealing his pacific attitude in the early stage of the gaJll e . A draw would have suited the leader of the tournament, main­ taining his same safe distance in points ahead of second-placed Spassky. And also Korchnoy had been almost chummy with Spassky since losing that final challengers match-as if he were pleased at being freed of his wearying ambitions and pursuit of the world title. Korchnoy, nevertheless, surprised by refusing the amicable offer. In risking a loss, he could be jeopardizing his grip on first place. But a con­ stant feeling of being depreciated, transposed into eagerness to win all the time, was stronger in him than any other motive that day, as indeed in most any other during this tournament. Doubtless, also, he recalled how he had been outclassed by Spassky in their match ( for which he blames the Soviet Chess Club which had deprived him of his second, grandmaster Furman, and likewise his bad luck in his "best played" second game of that unfortunate duel ) . Consequentty, he fought on ; and his will power secured him the full point and the only defeat for Spassky. Then came the moment for the kind side of Korchnoy's usually dour, fighting nature to be exposed. He tried to console Spassky with the re­ minder that the same sort of incident had happened to Petrosyan on the eve of his first match with Spassky, a match which ended successfully for the World Champion. Thus, Spassky's loss to "prophetically minded" Korchnoy should be understood, he was indicating, a "good sign" for the Challenger this time. Three years ago, this department presented Petrosyan's cited loss. So, following that "tradition," here is Spassky's last lost game to that same opponent of the eve of the second Petrosyan­ Spassky match. Whether this game is an omen, we shall know in a few months now. Spassky himself, however, does not seem to rely at all on Korchnoy'6 dictum : "First lose to me, then you'll win the title." Instead of merely resting the last three months before that match, Spassky is devoting the time to a hard study of the openings, the stage to which he had pa:id insufficient attention in the previous match. He is, perhaps, aware of what Smyslov can confirm : life does not offer a chance, thrice. Pa lma de M a l lorca 1 968 3 N-KB3 Q U E E N 'S I N D I A N D E F E N S E Vi ktor Korchnoy Boris Spassky Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 N-KB3 P7K3 If the commentator were not so well acquainted with Korchnoy's play, he would remark here : "The text Is less enterprising than 3 N-QB3." Whatever Korchnoy does, however, seems to be aggressive. Here th� move can be taken to mean only that he will not let Spassky play as Spassky wishes. 3 . . . . P-Q N 3 This move amounts t o a psycholog· ical trick : Spassky is playing what Korchnoy himself uses as Black. After 6 QN-Q2, P-B4 7 P-QR3 ! ? BxNt 8 QxB, PxP 9 QxP, N-B3 (Uhlma.nn-Por­ tisch, Moscow 1967 and Uhlmann-Parma, Skopje 1968 ) , Black has very good coun­ terplay thanks to his quick development. 4 P-K N 3 6 4 . • . • B-N2 The "more active" alternative 4 B-R3 has become less attractive since the game, Uhlmann-Keres (Moscow 1967 ) , in which White obtained a strong initiative for a temporary Pawn sacri­ fice : 5 QN-Q2, P-B4 6 P-K4 ! PxP 7 P-K5, N-N1 8 B-N2, N-QB3 9 0-0. For­ tisch has tried 4 . . . B-N5t leaving the decision as to where to post the Queen Bishop for later. 5 B-N2 B-N5t The text was employed by Alekhine also. Here it gives an impression of an attempt to simplify the play. Hence, the succeeding Black move presents a small puzzle. Usually, the continuation is 5 . . . B­ K2 6 0-0, 0-0 7 N-B3 [the gambit idea., 7 P-Q5 ! ? PxP 8 N-Q4, B-B3 9 PxP, BxP 10 BxB, NxB 11 P-K4, N-N5 12 N-B3 is unclear (Uhlmann-Filip, Moscow 1967) and Uhlma.nn-Pa.devski (Monte Carlo 1968 ) ] , N-K5 8 Q-B2, NxN 9 QxN. Here the most up-to-date line is 9 . . . P-QB4 as played by Korchnoy himself. The nor­ mal sequel is 10 R-Ql, P-Q3. Against Tal, Korchnoy tried 10 . . . B-KB3 11 Q-Q3 ! with the better prospects; and, in Najdorf-Keres (Moscow 1967 ) , there sim­ ply followed 10 . . . PxP 11 NxP, Bx:B 12 KxB, Q-B1 13 Q-B3, N-B3 with chances of equalizing. But Gheorghiu­ Korchnoy (Palma. de Ma.llorca. 1968) : 11 P-N3, B-KB3 12 B-N2, Q-K2 13 Q-Q2, R-Q1 offers a. tense fight. 6 B-Q2 • • . • P-QR4 This move, with White's Kingside de­ veloped and Black's belated action in the center, makes little sense. It is valid in the Bogolyubov Variation : 3 . . . B-N5t 4 B-Q2, P-QR4 (Gllgorich-Ta.l, 6th game of the 1968 match) . Black's careless loss of time here annoyed Korchnoy pecul­ iarly: after the game, h e commented : "I wanted to show Boris that he cannot play me as he pleases." Doubtless, he was painfully reminded o{ his recent match with Spassky. A normal reply is 6 . . . BxB t ; but it seems that Spassky was not prepared psychologically for the position which has arisen. Maybe, he expected the Nim­ zo-lndian with a fight or the Queen's In­ dian with a draw and was put off his game by this puzzling mixture of both guesses. 7 0-0 BxB Here Black quickly admits his mis­ take. For 8 B-B4 follows otherwise, leav­ ing Black's King Bishop quite misplaced. 8 QxB 9 N-83 0-0 N-K5 This simplification is necessary. For White wants to control his K4 by 10 Q-B2, and Black can hardly try . . . 9 . . . P-Q4 as then his Queenside, with tha.t needless 6 . . . P-QR4, presents weaknesses. 10 N x N 1 1 N-R4 BxN Observe the grandmaster's correct judgment. He is playing for a win but does not avoid another trade of pieces. For his main chance lies in being able to increase the pressure on the center files. And now he w1ll have that chance. It is particularly instructive to note how the motif of capturing space in the cen­ ter becomes even more effective because of the unsound formation of Black's Pawns on the Queenside after that errant ·Sixth move. 11 • • • • 1 2 NxB 1 3 Q R-Q1 BxB P-Q3 N-Q2 As White has two heavy pieces on the Queen file, Black cannot dream of try­ ing to undermine the center by . . . P­ QB4. 13 . . . N-B3 looks more active in thwt it allows Black to meet 14 P-K4 with 14 . . . P-K4. But then White can be unpleasant simply by playing 14 P-Q5, ' instead. 14 P-K4 White has a free hand in the center, and it is difficult for Black t o build up any counterplay. progress in his activity. 1 9 N-R3 P-Q83 The otherwise logical 19 . . . P-KB4 fails because, after 20 PxP, RxP 21 N-N5, White is threatening both 22 NxP and 2 2 Q-B2 with a double attack o n Queen Rook Pawn and on the Rook on KB4. 20 Q-82 P-QN4 The text lets White obtain direct tar­ gets and, in the end, material advantage. But Black simply cannot wait longer, and 20 . . . P-Q4 21 BPxP, BPxP 22 P-K5, R-QBl 23 Q-Q2 is not promising, either. 21 PxP PxP 22 R-Q81 Here White finally gets control of the Queen Bishop file, after all; but 22 Q-Q2, P-N5 23 N-B4, R-R3 24 P-K5 ! is also very effective. 22 . • • • P-N5 One weakness provokes another. But Black has no choice as, after 22 . . . R/4-Rl 23 Q-B6, White wins material immediately. 23 N-84 24 Q-Q2 R-R3 Now Black is definitely in trouble. (After 24 P-K5, P-N6 25 Q-Q2 ! he could have been even more so.) Now h e has to do something about th e threat of 2 5 P-K5. 14 . . . . Q-N 1 With no attractive choice, Black tries a rather artificial action on the Queen­ side. The passive alternative is to wait with 14 . . . Q-K2 and . . . QR-Ql ; but that offers little prospect of escaping the looming difficulties. 1 5 Q-K2 The text enables Black to get in 15 . . . P-QN4 ; and Black's next move in­ sists on that program but nonetheless makes his Queen Rook Pawn weak at the same time. 15 . . . . 1 6 N-K3 P-R5 Q-N2 Here Black misses his one moment to obtain more active play than in the game by 16 . . . P-QN4 17 PxP, R-R4. Prob­ ably, h e refrains because then 17 R-BI creates great pressure on the Queen Bishop file. 17 N-82 1 8 K R.- K 1 K R- K 1 R-R4 Black has accomplished no subst��: ntial 24 . . . . P-Q4 Under that dangerous threat, Black loses patience and offers a Pawn in hope of some positional compensation. It is true, though, that, after 24 . . . P-N6 25 P-K5, PxKP 26 PxKP, Q-Q4 27 QxQ, PxQ 28 N-Q6, h e also stands badly. 25 PxP 26 Qx P QxP N-83 Recapturing the Pawn fails : 26 QxP 27 KR-Ql, Q-R2 28 N-Q6, R-Nl 29 R-B8t, RxR 30 NxR, and White wins. 27 Q-85 Here 27 .· P-R3 . . Q-Rl is much better as it is more difficult for White to exploit his material advantage with Queens on the board. 28 QxQ NxQ 39 29 P-QR3 ! White's excellent move deprives the Black men of QN 4 and fixes the Black Queen Rook Pawn. And the strong re­ sistance one would expect for B l ack by means of counter attacks on the weak White Pawn on QN2 and Q4 never materializes. Hence, this game is very in­ structive for its technical aspects, too. 29 • • • • 30 R-82 31 K-81 32 N-K5 R-N1 P-N4 K-N2 R/3-N3 33 34 35 36 37 R/1-K2 R/3-N2 K-K1 P-R4 N-Q3 K-83 N-85 R-R2 R-84 R/1-QR1 White's first task has been completed. Because of the enforced passivity of Black's pieces, he has not had to worry over his own weak Pawns. The attack on the Black Queen Rook Pawn has dicta.ted the actions. 38 N-K4t 39 N-83 K-N3 0 . 0 . N-K2 Once again, Black has no good reply. 39 . . . NxN loses to 4 0 PxN and 41 R-N4. And, on 39 . . . R-R4 40 R-K6, R-QNl 41 NxN, PxN 42 R-B6t, White prevails with 42 . . . P-B3 43 R/5-K& or 42 . . . K-N2 43 R-B7, RxP 44 R-KBO. 40 K-Q2 41 K-81 N-84 R-Q1 This, the sealed move, gives away the Queen Rook Pawn. Otherwise, White's other Rook proceeds to the Queenside via K5 and wins that Pawn, anyway. 42 RxRP 43 N x R 44 R-K3 45 P-R3 46 PxP RxR NxQP K-84 P-R5 PxP 47 P-N4 48 N-83 49 N-K2 50 RxN 51 P-N5 52 P-N6 White wins of course on 52 53 P-N7, R-QN6 54 R-N2, etc. 53 R-N2 54 P-N7 5 5 K-Q2 P-K4 K-K3 NxNt P-84 R-QR1 K-Q3 . . • RxP K-83 R-Q N 1 Resigns For 55 . . . RxP 56 RxR, K:x:R 57 K-Q3, K-B3 58 K-B4, P-B5 59 P-B3 or 58 • . . P-K5 59 K-Q4 is hopeless for Black. 39. TH E E N D OF O N E M OR E VARIAT I O N WHEN Black tries t o maintain the same space i n the center a s White and so limit White's further progress toward his own camp, we speak of the "classical defense." In this style, Black meets 1 P-Q4 with 1 . . P-Q4 and l P-K4 with 1 . . . P-K4. For a while, Capablanca believed that it is a rather simple task for Black to keep the balance and, during the period of his invincibility, prophesied that one day recurrent draws would kill the game of chess. We are now almost in the seventies, but no such danger yet appears in spite of the tremendous growth of knowledge of the openings. Actually, Botvinnik, disappointed over the inadequate ability of human beings, ]ooks to the invention of a computer which may better memorize and col­ late all world experience in chess. So far, however, the "best moves" have not been defined for either side-with the exception that Fischer knows the best initial move for White. And it is true that the King Pawn has been an especially dan­ gerous weapon in the hands of Keres, the young Smyslov and young Boleslavsky, and later Tal, Spassky, Fischer and Stein. So much so that it has become a philosophical problem as to whether Black can d e­ fend at all successfully. After having practiced the sha rp lines of the Sicilian, French and the like for years, many grandmasters are tending to return to classical methods for Black in the Ruy Lopez. They are getting tired of taking too many risks and now strive for safety and solid tournament results in­ stead. The best thinkers� with Smyslov in the fore, have found a num­ ber of interesting systems ; but, strangely enough, the greater part of these lines have been refuted by White, sooner or later. So the question of what Black ought to play is again becoming cogent. The game for this month will not help to obtain the answer. . Wljk am Zee 1969 RUY LOPEZ Yeflim Geller Lajos Portisch Soviet U nion H u ngary Black White 1 P-K4 P-K4 It is characteristic of many experts on King Pawn openings to choose no other move for Black. Keres, Unzicker and many others have maintained such an opinion clear to today, Smyslov, Spassky, a.nd but lately PorUsc'h, join that group whenever they feel "moments of respon­ sibility." · 2 N-K83 3 B-N5 4 B-R4 5 0-0 N-Q83 P-QR3 N-83 B-K2 6 R-K1 7 8-N3 8 P-83 9 P-KR3 P-QN4 P-Q3 0-0 N-Q2 The text has been successfully employ­ ed by Averbakh in recent Soviet tourna­ ments. Its purpose is to improve the position of Black's minor pieces and especially to strengthen his grip on the center as the main fight will soon center on his crucial K4. Usually, Portisch prefers Breyer's 9 . . . N-N1 and certainly did not count here on Geller's preparations. In Moscow 1967, he tried 9 . . . P-KR3 and was de­ feated surprisingly quickly by Geller. 10 P-Q4 8-83 A Keres idea is the activation of the Queen·side Pawn mass by 10 . . . N-R4 11 B-B2, P-QB4 12 QN-Q2, BPxP 13 PxP, N-QB3 which gives more play for Black's minor pieces. After 14 N-N3, P-QR4 15 B-K3 [15 B-Q3 is less clear] , however, White maintains the tension in the center, and the initiative as well. temporarily and blocks his QR4 since 11 . . . N-N3 allows White to exert pressure with 12 P-R5, N-Q2 13 B-Q5. On 11 . . . N-N3, White also has pressure after 12 PxNP, PxNP 13 RxR, NxR 14 N-R3, P-N5 15 N-B4. The simple prophylactic 11 • . . R-Nl changes the position greatly but i n White's favor. For, after 12 PxNP, PxNP, Black no longer has R4 for his Knight, and White continues 13 B-K3 while Black has difficulty in finishing his de­ velopment. The only alternative left 'Seems to be 11 . . , B-N2 ; but, after 12 P-Q5 ! that Bishop is not well posted for the posi­ tional struggle to follow and so Black will have troubles on the Queenside. (Note tha,t White obtains nothing from 12 PxNP, PxNP 13 RxR, QxR 14 N-R3, P-N5 15 N-B4, PxP 16 PxP, N-R4 ! (Matulovich-Gligorich, Yugoslav Cham­ pionship 1965) . 12 8-82 N-N3 Black has to protect his Queen Rook because of the threat : 13 PxNP, PxNP 14 P-QN4. Black can try to prevent White's en­ suing move in the game by 10 . . . N-N3. But White obviously stands better · after 11 B-K3, R-N1 12 PxP, NxP 13 NxN, PxN 14 Q-R5, Q-Q3 1 6 N-Q2 (Tal-Darga, Munich Olympics 1958 ) . The move played b y Portisch i s a logi­ cal consequence of the idea of activating Black's passive King Bishop and of securing a central Pawn on his K4 as a firm barrier against White's efforts to penetrate there. 1 1 P-QR4 Only this move can maintain the initiative. "Normal" development by 1 1 QN-Q2 inflicts a hanging Queen Pawn on White. 11 B-K3 makes little sense versus 11 . . . N-R4. 11 P-Q5 is prema­ ture because 11 . . . N-R4 12 B-B2, P-B3 13 PxP, N-N3 very efficiently activates the backward Black Queen Bishop Pawn. And 11 B-Q5 accomplishes nothing at all after 11 . . . B-N2 and 12 . . . N-N3. With the text, White is probing the Black Queen-side weaknesses. The re­ grouping of the Black minor pieces has taken up the time which really was needed for consolidating Black's Pawn structure there. 11 - • • • N-R4 Black covers the Rook file though only 13 P-QN4! Before the last Hoogoven Tournament began, former world champion Botvinnik gave the surprising statement to the Dutch press that he considers Geller to be the best player in the world and that his only drawback is his lack of Spas­ sky's "realistic approach." This unexpected blow is one of Gel­ ler's inventions, first tried against Matanovich in Skopje 1968. As Portisch was there, he must know of the move and its repetition here must be attri­ buted to a poor judgment of the coming position by the Hungarian grandmaster. At first glance, it seems illogical to drive Black's problem Knight to his QB5. In truth, however, Black will be unable to retain a firm hold on that square, and White is gaining plenty of space with no loss of time. Also, it ought to be added that 13 PxNP, PxNP 14 QN-Q2, P-B4 allows Black sufficient means to hold the bal­ ance as in Tal-Averbakh in one of Soviet championships. 13 • • • • N/4-85 In ·that Geller-Matanov1ch game, Black, fearin-g the loss of a Pawn as he realized the Knight would lack sup­ port on B5, played 13 . . . N-B3 ; but he had only difficulties after 14 PxNP, PxNP 15 RxR, NxR 16 P-Q5, N-R2 17 B-K3, N-N3 18 N-R3. 14 P-R5 N-Q2 This position is critical and hu come about almost by force. 15 N-R3 This is the natural, deveLoping con­ tinuation. In Fischer-Matanovlch (Vinkovci 1968 ) , White was successful with a sharper llne : 15 B-N3, PxP 16 PxP, P-B4 17 B-B 4 ! PxNP 18 QN-Q2, P-Q4 19 PxP, NxP 20 B-Q6 ! NxB 21 QxN; R-K1 22 B-B7 ! RxRt 23 RxR, QxB 24 R-K8t, N-B1 25 QxP, B-K2 26 RxKB, Q-Q1 27 N-K5, N-N3 28 N-B6, Q-B1 29 Q-B5 ! P-QR4 30 R-B7, Q-K1 31 P-Q6, �2 32 N-K7t, K-R1 33 P-Q5, P-R5 34 N-N1, N-B1 35 N-R3, P-B3 36 R-N7, Q-R4 37 NxP, P-R6 38 NxP, Q-Q8t 39 K-R2, Q-Q7 40 Q-K3, Q-R4 41 N-B4, Q-R3 42 Q-QN3, B-R5 43 Q-N4, N-Q2 44 N-N2, Resigns. That was a very fine victory in which two doubled, central Pawns proved in collaboration with other pieces, to be stronger than Black's two connected, passed Pawns on the Queenside. There were, however, too many com­ plications in that game, and it is quite probable tha..t Portisch knew of the game and had found · at home some improve­ ment for Black. 15 . • • • NxN P-N3 1 6 8xN Black was obliged to trade off his strong Knight, though it may be said from another aspect that shedding a piece in a cramped position may have favored him. His main trouble, however, is a permanent one : he ·cannot play . . . P-QB4 and, without that move, he 1s doomed to a passive role in the center. With the text, he aims to improve the position of his KJ.ng Bishop, then open the way for his King Bishop Pawn. 17 Q-Q3 1 8 Q R-Q1 8-K N 2 8-N2 19 8-N3 20 8-81 K-R1 Black has been trying to prepare some counter threats, but in vain. White has posted his pieces on the best squares, and Black can do nothing in the ce�ter. 20 . . . P-KB4 fails against 21 N-N5. And, with White's heavy pieces already on the center files, Black can move none of his other Pawns either. This position is an entirely logical con­ sequence of the preceding moves, and the result is obviously unfavorable for BLack as White has a clear advantage in both space and development. It is curious that Geller has refuted another important variation in the Ruy Lopez also with a move of the Queen Knight Pawn. The following line of Smyslov's was a very solid weapon for years until after 1 P-K4, P-K4 2 N-KB3, N-QB3 3 B-N5, P-QR3 4 B-R4, N-B3 6 0-0, B-K2 6 R-K1, P-QN4 7 B-N3, P-Q3 8 P-B3, 0-0 9 P-KR3, N-QR4 10 B-B2, P-B4 11 P-Q4, Q-B2 12 QN-Q2, B-Q2 13 N-B1, KR-K1, Geller discovered the quiet 14 P-QN3 ! which makes it dif­ ficult for Black to solve the problem of his divagating Knight on the edge of the board. 20 • • • • 21 P-Q5 1 Q-K1 White blocks the position as he has a clea..r plan of action for the Queenside while Bla..ck ·cannot do anything without weakening his position. 21 • . • • N-83 Here Black realizes that 21 . . . P-KB4 still falls against 22 N-N5 - 20 . . . Q-K2 immediately would have made sense. 22 P-84 23 8x P B-Q2 31 R-84 . P-KB4 fails against 32 B-B6, Q-K3. 8x8 Qx8 R/1-Q81 R-N2 34 R-86 31 . . R-R2 33 32 33 PxP Q-K2 23 . . . N-R4 is playable since, after 24 P-N5, PxP 25 BxP, P-QB3 26 PxP, BxP, Black can hold the position one way or another. After the text, the strategic task becomes simple for White. The situation is extremely difficult for Black. On the passive 34 . . . R/2-R2 35 Q-B4, he has no good conti nuation. So he allows penetration of White Rooks to the seventh and thus enters upon a hopeless position also. RxP 34 . . . . 35 Rx8 P Q-N4 35 . . . Q-Kl 36 R/l-B6 is equally bad for Black. 24 8-K N S I White vacates the Queen Bishop file for his Rooks and also gets rid of one potentially active Black piece. 24 • • • • K R-Q N 1 P-R3 25 R-Q81 26 8 x N I 27 B-N 3 Qx8 White's pressure o n th e Bishop file will give him a decisive advantage. 27 • • • • 28 8-R4 Q-Q1 8-Q8 1 29 B-86 30 8-R4 B-N2 B-Q 8 1 36 QxQ 37 RxP PxQ Rx K P 38 R/1-87 39 P-N3 B-81 P-N4 Black tries to prevent the Knight from penetrating but only prevents 40 N-R4. 40 N-R2 � N-N4 42 Px R K-N1 RxN Resigns So Black did keep out the Knight but at too great a cost. 40. FAS H I O N JN one thing especially, the human race differs from the rest of the living world of our planet: nature, since it is functional, would be un­ able to give any meaning to that factor which influences human lives so much : fashion. Over centuries, decades and even years, the most intelli­ gent creatures earth have constantly been changing, and very often for no apparent reason, their style of haircut, dresses, furniture, homes and ways of life. It could be easy to explain this constant change if it always brought an improvement, progress. But it does not. Nonetheless, the tide of fashion penetrates equally into all intellectual spheres, into all kinds of arts and even, in a special way, into our game of chess. ) It would be difficult to prove that any opening is better than others. Nevertheless, during certain stretches of time, some openings or opening variations are played ; and some are not-just as if some systems alone were good ones; and the rest refuted. One can remember, for instance, the Fifties when it was almost impossible to find one decent Caro-Kann in the grandmasters' praxis­ and the first years of the Sixties when there was a flood of them after Botvinnik's two matches with Tal. Any new fashion in chess, though, does have some sense. It dis­ covers the holes existing in our know ledge or memory of the openings and it inflicts surprise on the opponent. One opening as "the best weap­ on" cannot last too long, of course; and, consequently, a change in taste is logical. Lately, there has been a tendency to try "irregular" openings. On 1 P-K4, Botvinnik, Smyslov and others have preferred to mislead opponents by the early fianchetto of the King Bishop for Black . The following game, however, demonstrates how White can outwit Black very effectively simply by contriving to oppose the Reti System more favorably with colors reversed. on W i j k am Zee 1 969 PIRC DEFENSE Y ef i m Gel ler H . Ree S ovi et U n i o n H o l la nd Black White 1 N-KB3 P-K N 3 O f recent years, Geller's favorite first move has again become P-K4, and the young Dutch master probably expected it and so prepared the fianchetto. Strangely enough, however, it works well against any initial White move, 2 P-K4 This move could just as well have been played first as White now returns t o his favorite King Pawn opening. The only difference is that Whi'te, having blocked his King Bishop Pawn, is limited as to his choice of developing systems. As a matter of fact, Geller may not have cared much. For, after 1 P-K4, P-KN3 2 P-Q4, P-Q3 3 P-KB4, N-KB3 4 N-QB3, B-N2 5 N-B3, Pal Benko as Black tried a new attempt in two games of the same Hoogoven Tournament: 5 . . . P-B4 6 PxP, Q-R4 7 B-Q3, QxBP 8 Q-K2, 0-0 9 B-K3, Q-QR4 10 0-0, with unclear consequences : 1) 10 . . . N-B3 11 P-KR3, B-Q2 12 P-QR3, KR-B1 13 Q-B2, B-K1 14 P-B5 with the initiative for White (Olafsson­ Benko, 3d round ) ; " 2) 10 . . •. QN-Q2 11 P-KR3, P-QR3 12 Q-B2, P- K4 13 PxP, PxP 14 Q-R4, P-QN4 15 B-R6, B-N2 16 N-N5 [ th e pcsitlon Is very reminiscent of the Najdorf Variation after 1 P-K4, P�B4 2 N-KB3, P-Q3 3 P-Q4, PxP 4 NxP, N-KB3 5 N-QB3, P-QR3 6 P-B4, Q-B2 7 B-Q3, P-KN3 8 N-B3, QN-Q2 9 0-0, B-N2 10 Q-K1, P-K4 11 K-R1, 0-0 12 Q--R4, P-QN4 13 PxP, PxP 14 B-R6, B-N2 15 N-N5 ; isn't i t ? ] , Q-N5 17 P�R3. Q-K2 18 P-KN4, KR-K1 19 R-B2, BxB 20 QxB, Q-B1 21 Q-R4, P-R3 22 N-B3, N-R2 23 QR-KB1, P-B3 ( Ree--B enko, 5th round ) , and Black consolidated his position and gained the advantage with 24 P-R4, P-N5 25 B-B4t, K-N2 26 N-Q5, QR-B1 ?:! P-N3, BxN 28 BxB, R-B6. • 8-N 2 3 P-Q4 P-Q3 2 • • • This system was applied in six games of the Hoogoven Tournament this year. Its popularity derives from i.ts elasticity in attacking White's c enter In any of several different ways and in provoking an extremely sharp fight. Black can try to strike with . . . P-QB4 or . . • P-K4 or even to play . . . P-Q4 and then, after P-K5, to exchange his Queen BiSihop for White's King Knight to render White's Q4 and K5 more susceptible to attack. In illustration, here are tw o ddea games : 1) 1 P-Q4, P-KN3 2 P-K4, P-QB3 3 ' P-KB4, P-Q4 4 P-K5, P-QB4 ! ? 5 PxP ! N-QB3 6 N-KB3, B-N5 7 B-K2, P-K3, 8 B-K3, N-R3 9 P-B3, N-B4 10 B-B2, P-KR4 11 QN�2. B-R3 ! 12 Q-R4 ! P-KN4 13 P-KR3 ! BxN 14 NxB, PxP 15 N--Q4 with a clear advantage for White (Gli· gorich-Botvinnik, Hamburg 1965) ; 2) 1 P-K4, P-Q3 2 P--Q4, N-KB3 3 N-QB3, P-KN3 4 N-B3, B-N2 5 B-QB4, P-B3 6 B--N3, 0-0 7 Q-K2, B--N5 ! 8 P-KR3, BxN 9 QxB, P-K3 ! 10 B-N5, P-KR3 11 B--R 4, QN-Q2 12 0--0-0 ? Q-R4 13 Q-K2, P-QN4 14 P-KB4, P-N5 15 N-N1, P-Q4 1 6 N-Q2, P-B4 ! with a strong initiative for Black ( M edina-Bot­ vinnik, Palma de Mallorca 1967 ) . A t any mte, i t i s difficult to name th e defense properly. The Yugoslav grand­ master Pirc pmcticed it with the initial moves, 1 P-K4, P-Q3 [an improvement on tJhe Alekhine Defense ! ] 2 P-Q4, N-KB3 3 N-QB3, P-KN3. Some call 1t Robatsch as the Austrian grandmaster played 1 . . . P-KN3 immediately on 1 P-K4. The Russians call it, for their own reasons, by the name of Ufimtsev. 4 P-QB3 ! Lets think with colors reversed ! After 1 N-KB3, P-Q4 2 P-KN3, P-QB3 3 B-N2, N-KB3 4 0-0, Black would be happy if he were able to play . . . P-K4. With the solid move .in the game, which strength­ ens his center and restricts the activity of Black's King Bishop, Geller obtains ex­ actly such a position with a tem po more, as White. White could not try to transpose into a King's Indian very w ell with 4 P-QB4 as his Queen Pawn would be exposed to an early attack by Black. Nor does he obtain anything special with the modest, developing 4 B-K2 ei­ ther. On 4 . . . N-KB3, there may follow : 1) 5 QN-Q2, 0-0 6 0-0, N-B3 7 P-Q5, N-N1 8 B-B4, P-B3 9 R-K1, QN-Q2 10 Q-K2, N-N3 11 PxP, PxP 12 B-R6, KN­ Q2 13 N-N3, BxB 14 QxB, Q-B1 Drawn ( K eres-Olafsson, Rd. 13, of this same tournament ) . 2 ) 5 N-B3, 0-0 6 0-0, B-N5 7 B--K3, N-B3 ; and 8 P-KR3, BxN 9 BxB, N-Q2 10 Q-Q2, N-N3 11 B-K2, P-K4 12 PxP, PxP 13 QxQ, QRxQ 14 B-B5, KR-K1 1 5 B-N5, R-K3 16 QR-Q1, N-Q5 with an initiative for Black [Chirich-Botvinnlk, Rd. 7 ] ; or 8 Q-Q2, P-K4 [8 . . . N-Q2 is playable] 9 P-Q5, N-K2 10 P-QR4 ! N-Kl 11 P-R5, P-QR3 12 R-R3, B-Q2 1 3 P-KN3, P-KB4 14 N-KN5, P-R3 15 N-K6, BxN 16 PxB, K-R2 17 PxP, NxP 18 N-Q5, N-B3 19 P-QB4, P-B3 20 B-N6, Q-B1 21 N-B7, R-QN1 22 R-Q3, and, in the complications, White completely out­ played his opponent (Benko--Ostojich, 4th Rd. ) . 4 . . . . P-Q83 Another possibility here is 4 . . . P-N3 ! 5 QN-Q2, P-K4 6 PxP, PxP 7 B-B4, Q-K2 8 P-QR4, N-KB3 9 P-R5, 0-0 10 0-0, B-N2 11 R-K1, QN-Q2 1 2 Q-B2, P-KR3 13 P-QN4, P-R3 14 B-R3, P-QN4 15 B-KB1 � N-K1 16 P-B4, P-QB3 17 QR-Q1, N-B2 18 N-N3, N-K3 19 P-B5 the Ruy Lopez. 8 . . . . 9 8-81 Q-82 P-K4 Black cannot afford to let White take even more space in the center and so he has to oppose in this manner. with some pressure for White ( Gligorich­ Minich, Skopje 1968 ) . The text leaves Black's Q 3 weakened 5 QN-Q2 N-83 1 0 P-QR4 A n immediSJte 10 N-B4 wastes time dn view of 10 . . . P-QN4. So White is trying to secure his QB4 as an outpoi!t. 10 . . . . 11 P-R5 6 8-K2 Were White's King Bishop Pawn on B4, he could think more of 6 P-K5 as in Smejkal-Smyslov (Hastings 1969 ) : 1 P-K4, P-KN3 2 P-Q4, B-N2 3 P-QB3, P-Q3 4 P-KB4, N-KB3 5 P-K5 ! N-Q4 6 N-B3, 0-0 7 B-B4, P-QB3 8 P-QR4, N-R3 9 0-0, QN-B2 10 Q-K1, P-B3 11 Q-R4, B-K3 12 N-R3, Q-Q2 13 B-Q2, P-QN4 14 B-Q3, N-N3 15 RPxP, PxNP 16 QR-KI where, after 16 . . . P-QR3 ? White obtained a decisive attack with 17 PxQP, PxP 18 RxB ! QxR 19 P-B5, P-N4 20 NxKNP ! PxN 21 QBxP, Q-Q2 22 P-B6, B-R1 23 B-B5, N-K3 24 Q-N4, K-B2 25 Q-R5 t, K-N1 26 Q-N4, K-B2 27 BxP, K-K1 28 P-B7t, RxP 29 B-N6, N-Q1 3 0 Q-R5, Q-K3 31 QxBt, K-Q2 3 2 BxR, Re­ signs. 6 . . . . 7 0-0 8 R-K1 0-0 QN-Q2 White's plan of d evelopment reminds one much of the · Ruy Lopez except that the activity of his King Bishop and Queen Knight are concentrated more toward the Queenside, and with good reason. For Black has built up a very solid position on the other wing faster than he can suc­ ceed i n doing in the Closed Variation of R-K1 R-N 1 In order to finish the development of his Queenside, Black aims to make his Queen Knight Pawn mobile without hav­ i ng to spoil his Plawn structure. With the central position almost sym­ metrical, Black hopes to equalize soon. For the more active position of White's Pawn gives him only one advantage, for the moment, the possibility of activating his Queen Knight via QB4. And mack hopes that his counter pressure on the King file will prevent any infiltration by White. 12 N-84 ! Here is the k ey move of Geller's Rtra­ tegic idea. He seems to have left his King Pawn insufficiently guarded. But this is the only correct road to maintain the in· itiative. For, after the preventive 1 2 PxP, PxP 13 N-B4, N-B4 ! White cannot expect much. 12 • . . . P-Q N 4 Against 1 2 . . . P:x: P , W h i t e Is ready with 13 B-B4 ! with deadly pressure on the diagonal housing Black's Queen and Rook : 13 . . NxP 14 NxP ! 1 3 PxP e.p. 14 PxP Px N P Now 'tJhe time tis ripe f1or the penetra· tion by White's pieces. 14 . • . . 1 5 Q-Q6 ! Px P Q-N2 Black does no relish an endgame, for his Queen has been the best guardian of his sensitive squares. 16 Q-R3 17 N-Q6 Q-82 R-81 17 . . . B-B1 fails of course as, on l 8 NxR, Black's Queen is attacked. 18 8-Q84 P-Q N 4 Black's position h a s become v�ry diffi· cult. 18 . . . N-B4 fails against 19 NxBP ! RxN 20 N-N5. With the text, Black hopeF to force simplification with 19 NxB, RxN as any retreat of White's Bishop loses to 19 . . . P-N5. 19 8x Pt l Black has not taken into account this kind of sacrlflce. As a matter of fact, the combination Is simple, and the sacrifice must be avoided : 19 . . . RxB 20 NxR, KxN 21 N-N5t, and White wins on any retreat of Black's King: 21 . . . K-Kl 22 N-K6 ; or 21 . . . K-N1 22 Q-N3t, with ma;ting threats. 19 • • • 20 Nx8 • K-R1 Rx8 21 N-N 5 1 22 N-Q6 R-81 N-N3 The position is restgnable; and, with his next moves, White does his best to evoke such a decision from his opponent. 23 B-K3 ! Black has some chance after 23 N-K6, Q-Q2 24 NxR, BxN since the other White Knight has no good retreat. 23 . . . . 24 8xN P-N5 Qx8 O n 24 . . . RxB, White gets a decisive advantage by 25 Q-R7. 25 N/6-87t 26 Q-N 3 1 K-N 1 Resigns There are odd irresistible threats : 26 . . . PxP 27 N-R6:j:, K-R1 28 Q-N8 t , NxQ and there will be one Knight left to mate on B 7 ; or 26 . . . P-R4 27 NxP§, K-R1 28 NxNP mate! 41 . SO MANY YEARS OF EXPLORAT I O N A GRANDMASTER i s supposed t o have a profound understanding of the laws of chess. For a single position, however, on the chessboard, one can devote years and decades of exploration without becoming cer­ tain of its true nature. It is one of the fascinating sides of the game--th at so many "big brains" put so much energy and time into it­ with such a little result. A very good example of this facet of chess isJthe so-called Mar del Plata Variation. The name of that line in the King's Indian may not be quite justified. For the initial seventh move for Black was first tried by Soviet master Aronin in 1952 and immediately adopted by Bronstein as well. But your commentator had the honor to disclose the most natural scheme of development of Black's forces in Mar del Plata in 1953, and the system has survived that way up to today. The man whose "destiny" it has been to put the whole idea to most serious trial is grandmaster Taimanov. A pianist by profession, he here tried to find the right tune for White over many, many years. He was fascinated by White's strong positional pressure on the Queenside, as was Bronstein over Black's possibility for attacking on the opposite wing. Taimanov played Aronin, Bronstein, Najdorf and many others. He tried this and that. He even refuted one of his own lines in Havana 1967 when Pachman was daring enough to use Taimanov's ideas as White. Then, after seventeen years of deep reflection and general practice, his own and that of many others, Taimanov came to the conclusion that White's King Knight simply should be placed somewhere else! Here is Taimanov's most recent discovery. Venice 1 969 S. Tatai Mark Talmanov Italy Soviet U nion Bl81Ck White 1 P-Q4 2 P-Q84 3 N-Q83 N-KBS P-K N 3 B-N2 4 5 6 7 P-K4 N-83 B-K2 o-o P-Q3 0-0 P-K4 Of late, White has often played 7 P­ Q5 to avoid the Mar del Plata. 7 . . . . N-83 Here ls Aronln's move. After 7 QN-Q2 8 R-K1, White develops more easily and holds a positional advantage (GUgorlch-Tal, Leipzig 1960 ) . Now the pressure on White's Q4 obligates him to declare his intention in the center.· 8 P-Q5 On 8 B-K3, R-K1 ! [Najdorf's idea] 9 PxP, PxP 10 QxQ, RxQ! 11 B-N5, R-Q2 ! Black equalizes easily (Pomar-Gllgorich, Lugano and Palm.a de Mallorca 1968 ) . 8 . . . . N-K2 9 N-Q2! This is a very sharp position because such a Pawn structure very clearly di­ v.Ides the spheres of influence for both sides. Black's Knight stands awkwardly for the moment on K2 but enables Black easily to realize the capture of space on the Kingside with . . . P-KB4. So It Is why White has to be very careful as to how best develop his counter-initiative on the other wing. The first idea which came to Talma.nov was 9 N-K1 and he so played in his in· ltla.l game with Aron.ln (Mosoow 1952) . Aronln led the attack erroneously and lost. But Bronstein wrote: "Watching that game, I was surprised that White allows the advance of Black's Pawn to KB5 as that always gives in positions of that type a. very strong attack against the White King. Even now, I think White's strategic plan is all wrong." His opinion was confirmed in Mar del Plata the next year when Black used the most efficient plan for the first time in Najdorf-Gllgorich : 9 N-K1, N---Q2 10 N-Q3, P-KB4 11 P-B3 [11 PxP, NxP! does not offer too much ] , P�B5 12 B---Q 2, P-KN4 13 P---QN4, N-KB3 14 P-B5, P-KR4 15 N-B2, N-N3 ! 16 R-B1, R-B2 ! 17 PxP, PxP 18 P---QR4, B-B1 ! 19 P-R5, R-N2 20 P-R3, K-R1 21 N-N5, P-N5 .22 BPxP, PxP 23 PxP, P-R3 24 N---QR3, B---Q2 25 N-B4, R-B1 26 N-N6, RxR 27 BxR, B-K1 28 B-R3, B-B2 29 Q-B2, N-R5 with decisive, King-side pressure. In the same tournament and elsewhere in 1953, White tried to speed up his posi­ tional attack on the Queenside with 9 N-K1, N-Q2 10 B-Ka, P-KB4 11 P-B3, P-B5 12 B-B2, P-KN4 13 N---Q3 , N-KB3 14 P-B5, N-N3 15 R-B1, R-B2, but with· out success (See small diagram) : 1) 16 Q-N3, P­ N5 ! 17 PxP, N:xNP 18 BxN, BxB 19 QxP, P-B6 with a vecy dangerous at­ taCk (Eliska.ses-Gll· gorich; Mar del Pla­ ta 1953) ; 2) 16 PxP, PxP 17 N-N5, P-N5 18 Q­ Q2, and Black missed the strongest move, 18 . . . P-N6 ! instead having to fight [successfully] for a. draw with an­ other continuation (Na.jdorf-Trifunovlch, Mar del Plata 1953) ; 3) 16 R-B2, B-B1 17 PxP, PxP 18 Q---Q2, P-N5 19 KR-B1, P-N6 ! 20 PxP, PxP 21 BxP, N-R4 22 B-R2, B-K2 23 N-N1, B---Q 2 24 Q-K1, B-N4 25 N---Q2, B-K6t 26 K-R1, Q-N4 with a winning attack (Taimanov-Najdorf, Zurich 1953 ) . There were many similar attempts for White; • but the fact remained that Black was leading his action against the op· ponent's King • whereby he could br:f.ng Two games between Larry Evans and Taimanov in the USSR-USA Match of 1964 can be counted in the history of this open­ Ing, • off grea.ter ma;terla.l sacrifices than White oould afford in his Queen-side attack. Safer, but not too ambitious was the continuation : [continue from the first diagram plus 9 N-Kl, N---Q 2 ] 10 P-B3, P-KB4 11 P-KN4 ! So Talmanov came to the conclusion not to waste time on any preventive move on the Klngside. But then he him­ self found the simplest refutation of his own idea: [continue from first diagram] 9 P---QN4 ! N-R4 10 P-N3, P-KB4 11 N-KN5 N-KB3 12 P-B3, P-B5 ! 13 P-N5, P-R3 14 N-K6, BxN 15 PxB, BPxP 16 RPxP, Q-B1 ! 17 N---Q 5, QxP 18 NxP, Q-R6 19 NxR, Qxpt, and Black had a draw by perpetual check (Pachman­ Taimanov, Havana 1967 ) . So, after seventeen years of hard think· ing over the board, Taimanov has de­ cided that the best move must be an­ other route for White's King Knlght; hence, that 9 N---Q2 ! After an immediate 9 P--:QN4, N-R4, White has ' to spend a tempo on 10 P­ KN3 ; but now a similar idea will be reaLized with a gain of time and the White King Knight will be able to ex· ercise stronger activity from QB4 or QN3 than in the line with 9 N-K1. Indeed, 9 N---Q2 ! was played before. 9 • . • • B-R3 Suetin has recommended the text. The disappearance of the black-bound Bishops ought to favor the weak spots on the Black Queenside. The text has its draw­ backs though : it throws away some preci us time and also makes Black's Kingside more sensitive to any White counter on that wing. Another possibility is 9 . . . P-B4 try­ ing to block ·the Queenside a.s much as possible. But it does not agree with the principle not to touch the side on which one feels weaker. � A serious alternative is the standard llne, 9 . . . N---Q 2 10 P---QN4, P-KB4 (see small diagram) : 1) 11 N-N3, N­ KB3 12 Q---Q 3 , P-B5 [: . . P.xP is play­ able] 13 P-B5, P­ KN4 14 P-B3 (Udov· ohich-BulaJt, Bel­ grade 1960) but 14 . . . P-N5 looks ra.tlh­ er promising; 2) 11 P-B3, N-KB3 12 P-B5, P-B5 13 N-B4, P-KN4 14 B-R3, N-K1 15 P-N5, and White has more initla.tive (Levlt­ Zhuhovitsky, Rostov-on-Don 1962) . In Shamkovich-Nezhmetdinov (Baku 1961 ) , Black tried 9 . . . N-K1 the better to protect his Queenside. After 10 P-QN4, P-KB4 11 P-B3, P-B5 12 P-B5, P-KN4 13 N-B4, R-B2, there were chances for both sides. 10 P-QN4 P-QR4 The text allows an open fight on the wing on which Black ought better to keep quiet. In a later game, Gligorich­ Vukich (Sarajevo 1969 ) , Black played 10 . , . N-K1 [10 . . . N-Q2 is playable, too] 11 P-B5, P-KB4 ; but, after 12 KP:x:P! [on 12 N-B4, B:x:B 13 R:x:B, P:x:KP 14 QN:x:P, N-B4, White has less potent threats than with his Knight still on K4 ] , P:x:KBP [ 1 2 . . . NxBP 1 3 N/2-K4 i s more favorable for White] 13 N-B4, BxB 14 R:x:B, N-N3 15 B-R5 ! Q-K2 16 BxN, P:x:B 17 P-B4, P:x:KBP 18 RxP ! P:x:P 19 PxP, QxPt 20 K-R1, Q-K2 21 Q-Q2 ! N-Q3 22 NxN, PxN 23 R-K1, Q-B3 24 R-B3, B-Q2 25 N-K4, White had decisive pressure for the sacrificed Pawn. 1 1 PxP 12 N-N3 13 Qx8 17 P-K5 1 8 Qx K P PxP P-83 This move is a part of Black's plan to curb White's initiative. 19 Q-84 20 N-N5 P-NS WJUte is trying hard not to ponent live in peace. 20 • • • • 21 8-Q3 22 N-Q2 whole let hJs � N-84 N/4-Q3 RxP 8x8 13 NxR, B-N7 offers White nothing. 13 . . . • 1 4 P-QR4 the black squares, on the Kingside and in the center as well. R-R1 White is in no hurry to play 14 P-KB4 ; for, after 14 . . . P:x:P 15 Q:x:P, Black can answer 15 . . . N-Q2 16 P-B5 ! N-K4 ! maintaining the balance somehow. Black does not feel safe on either wing, and that ·is why White captures space on the Queenside in the meantime. 22 • • • B-RS • Black parries the threat of 23 N-K4 which brea.ks the blockade m the center with decisive effeot since White has a passed Pawn and much more space. Hence, Black has to trade his Bishop for one of White's Knights. 22 . . . P-B4 creates dangerous holes for White's pieces on his K5 and KN5. 23 P-R4 Now White tries to create new weak­ nesses in ·th e . opponent's camp, along the diagonal of the White Bishop. 23 • • • • 24 RPx8 8xN Rx R 25 Rx R 26 P-P5 27 Q-1 1 3 White defends and atta.cks at time. 27 • • • • 28 N-K4 14 . . • • P-84 Black is trying to secure his position on one wing at least; but White gains a new motif by which to break through on the other side. 15 P-K 84 16 QxP PxP N-K1 Black has no other choice on_ account of th e weakness of his Q3, but he hopes to succeed in blocking the position on K-N2 Q-K2 N-K82 N-K4 the same 29 Px P 30 R-R6 PxP 'Black has partially achieved what he wanted but has permanent worries be­ cause of his weak KN3 and QN3 and White's more act:J,ve pieces. N-Q3 30 . . . . And here is his first serious mistake. He has to play 30 . . . Q-QB2. 31 N x N 3 2 8xPI QxN · N-82 Bla�k blundered away a Pawn perhaps because h e realized too late that 32 . . • NxP fails against 33 R-R7t. The end· game arrives by force. NxQ 33 QxQ 34 8-Q3 3 5 K-82 R-Q N 1 P-84 Black thus obtains precious space for his King, and a new weakness. After the passive 35 . . . K-B2 36 K-B3, K-K2 37 K-B4, K-B2 38 R-R7t, R-N2 39 R-R8 ! White builds up new threa.ts to pene­ trate with his King. 36 K-83 37 K-84 K-83 R-N 1 Another blunder � n a difficult position. Black is hoping for 38 RxP, R-N5t 39 K-B3, K-K4 with oounterplay. 38 8x P I Once more, and with th e same Bishop! After 3 8 . . . NxB 39 Rxpt, White wins easily. I n the text, Black's King remains passive, a decisive factor. Nx8P 4 3 R-86 38 . • • . NxP 39 8-Q3 N-Q3 44 K-K5 ! R-Q1 40 RxP K-K2 45 R-85 N-Q3 41 P-N4 P-85 46 R-87f K-81 42 8-85 P-86 47 B-K6 1 Resigns 42. T H E S EARC H FOR WEAPO N S The late Dr. Vidmar had good reason t o regard the past with nostalgia, naming it "the golden chess times." The great ones of that era, with an appreciably lesser burden of competition on their backs, could afford to defend some principles, to create their theories or even to evolve a definite philosophy in chess. Nowadays, thousands and thousands of important tournament games are neing played every year; and, paradoxically enough, in the forest of lines and improving moves, the noble ambition of seeking "the final truth" has had to be replaced by a pragmatic approach to the problem. Not "how one should play," but "how one can win" has become the task imposed by this day. It is strange that broadened experience has influenced chess practice in such a way. But, for any of the contempor· ary grandmasters, that outcome is quite natural. For the number of strong opponents and of major tournaments has increased immensely, too. So long as any system brings in points, one cannot sneer at it. Thus, Larsen often prefers to open with 1 P-QN3 ; and Korchnoy would use any of the openings in order to make it more difficult for his oppo­ nent to produce forty good moves in two and a half hours. Considering the present knowledge of all crucial lines, there are not many surprises left. Among the few possible and if played on a shrewdly chosen occasion, Alekhine's Defense could be one. Sarajevo 1 969 A L E KH I N E DEFENSE D ragolj ub J a n osevich Yugoslavia V i ctor K o rc h n oy Soviet U n io n Black White 1 P-K4 N - K B3 This "anti-dogmatic" reply may be two centuries old ; but Alekhine had the merit to be the first, before Lasker, Retl and others, to give it official recognition in modern master praotice. Although there is no known refutation of Black's idea of provoking a premature advance of White's center Pawns, the de­ fense is seldom played today. That is one QR4, P-QR4 7 P-Q4, P-Q3 8 PxQP, QxP more reason for it to become a favorite 9 N-B3, PxP 10 N-N5, Q-B4 ! 1 1 B-R3. weapon of Korchnoy, Larsen, Hort and Q-K4t 12 Q-K2, QxQt 13 NxQ, N-R3 14 other international competitors. KNxP, P-K4, Black had the strategically superior position for the endgame. 2 P-K5 N-Q4 A playable possibility is to improve ( See d i agram, next col u m n ) the development with 3 N-QB3. On the 3 P-Q4 normal 3 . . . NxN and then 4 QPxN, Mestrovich-Janosevich (Sarajevo 1969 ) Black came out again with better chances displayed a naive attempt to snare I n the endgame in Sarapu-Hort ( Sousse Black's Knight: 3 P-QB4, N-N3 4 P-QN3 1967 ) : 4 . . . P-Q3 5 N-B3, PxP ! 6 QxQt, [ 4 P-B5, N-Q4 5 N-QB3, NxN and 6 . . . KxQ 7 NxP, K-K1 8 B-QB4, P--K3 9 P-Q3 gains equality] , P-N3 5 Q-B3 ? ! P-B4, N-Q2 10 NxN, BxN 11 B-K3, B-Q3 Naive because, after 5 . . . P-QB4 6 P- 12 0-0, K-K2 13 QR-K1, KR-Kl. Recapturing toward the center in this Une, however, changes the complexion of th e hors e : 4 NPxN, P-Q3 5 P-KB4, N-B3 [5 . . . PxP 6 PxP, B-B4 is simpler] 6 N-B3, PxP 7 PxP, Q-Q4 8 P-Q4, B-N5 9 B-K2, P-K3 10 0-0, B-K2 11 N-N5, BxB 12 QxB left White with the pressure in Bilek-Larsen (Soussa 1967 ) . And there is a n original Larsen at· tempt with 4 . . . P-QN3 5 P-KB4, B-N2 6 N-B3, P-K3 7 P-Q4, P-Q3 8 B-Q3, B­ K2 9 0-0, N-B3 10 Q-K1 [more aggres· sive than 10 Q-K2, Q-Q2 11 PxP, QxP 12 N-K5, 0-0 13 P-QR4, NxN 14 BPxN, Q-Q4 15 R-B4, P-QB4 16 B-K3, QR-B1 17 QR-KB1, PxP 18 PxP, R-B6 19 B-K4, Q-Q2 20 BxPt, KxB 21 Q-R5t, K-N1 Drawn (Padevski-Larsen, Lugano 1968 ) ] , Q-Q2 11 PxP, QxP 1 2 N-N5, P-KR3 13 N-K4, Q-Q2 14 P-B5, 0-0-0 15 PxP, QxP 16 Q-B2, NxP 17 N-N3 which was won by White ( R. Byrne-Larsen, Monte Carlo 1968) but in which one suspeots Black can improve his game somewhere. 3 . . . . P-Q3 4 N-KB3 NxP, Black had a strong attack and Pawns for the sacrificed piece ( Suttles­ Korchnoy, Soussa 1967 ) . And, after 7 . . . 0-0 instead, White was outplayed i n Gipslis-Larsen (Sousse 1967) : 8 B-K2, N-B3 9 N-B3, B-N5 10 P-QN3, B-B3 11 0-0, P-Q4 ! 12 P-B5, N-B1 13 P-QN4, N/1-K2 14 P-N5, N-R4 15 P-KR3, BxN 16 BxB, P-B3 17 Q-Q3, N-B5 18 B-B4, N-KN3 19 B-R2, B-N4 20 PxP, PxP. Also on 6 N-KB3 in this line, Black captured the initiative with 6 . . . B-K2 7 B-K2, 0-0 8 0-0, B-B3 9 N-B3, R-K1 10 P-KR3, N-B3 11 B-B4, B-B4 12 R-B1, P-KR3 13 P-QN3, R-K2 14 Q-Q2, Q-Q2 15 KR-Q1, QR-K1 16 B-B1, P-N4 ! 17 B-N3, B-- K5 18 NxB, RxN 19 B-Q3, R/5K2 20 B-N1, B-N2 21 R-K1, RxRt 22 RxR, RxRt 23 QxR, P-B4 ( Matanovich­ Larsen, Palma de Mallorca 1968 ) . This is the up-to-date continuation. Hort once was asked by an expert friend after his win as Black in Skopje 1968 : "What would you play against the Four Pawns Attack ?" Hort replied : "I do not know ; but who plays that?" As a matter of fact, White seldom tries 4 P-QB4, N-N3 5 P-B4, PxP 6 BPxP, N-B3 7 B-K3, B-B4 8 N-QB3, P-K3 9 B-K2, B-K2 10 N-B3, 0-0 11 0-0 as Black has prospects of equalizing with 11 . . . P-B3 ! Indeed, i n Letzelter-Hort (Monte Carlo 1968 ) , Black had the bet­ ter game after 12 N-KR4 ! ? PxP 13 NxB, PxN 14 P-q_5, N-Q5 15 BxN, PxB 16 QxP, N-Q2 17 Q-Q2, B-B4t 18 K-R1, Q-R5. And, in Matanovich-Allan (Lugano 196 8 ) , Black saved the draw in the endgame after 12 PxP, BxP 13 Q-Q2, Q-Q2 14 QR-Q1, QR-Q1 15. P-KR3, Q-K1 16 Q-K1, R-Q2 17 Q-N3, Q-N3 18 QxQ, BxQ 19 R-Q2, KR-Q1 20 P-B5, N-Q4 21 NxN, PxN 22 B-QN5, R-K2 23 BxN, PxB 24 B-B4, B-K5 25 N-K5, R-K3. And, from this same line but with 13 _ . . Q-K2 1 4 QR-Q1, QR-Q1 15 Q-B1, K-R1 16 K-R1, R-Q2 17 R-Q2, KR-Q1 18 KR-Q1, B-N5, Black had no problems ( Kostro-Gheor­ ghiu, Lugano 1968 ) . Nor does a n early exchange variation with 4 P-QB4, N-N3 5 PxP, KPxP fright­ en Black either. On 6 N-.Q B3, B-K2 7 B-K3, N-B3 8 R-)U ! ? 0-0 9 P-KR4 ! ? B-B3 10 P-KN4, R-Kl 11 B-K2, BxNP ! 12 BxB, NxBP 13 N-Q5, NxB 14. NxN, 4 . . . • B-N5 Here Black has a playable, though less consequent, continuation i n 4 . . . P-KN3. I n Janosevich-Gheorghiu (Skopje 1968 ) , White secured excellent chances for the Exchange : 5 B-K2, B-N2 6 P-QB4, N-N3 7 PxP, BPxP 8 N-B3, B-N5 9 B-K3, N-B3 10 P-QN3, 0-0 11 0-0, P-Q4 12 P-B5, N-B1 13 P-QN4, P-QR3 14 R-N1, BxN 15 BxB, P-K3 16 P-QR4, N/1-K2 17 P-N5, PxP 18 PxP, N-R4 19 B-N5, P-KR3 20 BxN, QxB 21 Q-Q3, Q-N4 22 R-N4, N-B 5 ? 23 RxN ! PxR 24 QxP. And, in Parma-Gheorghiu (Skopje 1968 ) , a d raw was agreed after 5 B-QB4, N-N3 6 B-N3, B-N2 7 N-N5, P-Q4 8 0-0, 0-0 9 R-K1, N-B3 10 P-·QB3, P-B3 ! 11 PxP, PxP 12 N-K6, BxN 13 RxB, Q-Q2 14 R-K1, QR-K1 15 RxR, RxR. White ex­ pended too much time in obtaining the Two Bishops_ 5 B-K2 6 P-QB4 P-K3 This game was played in Round 4 and gives an example of the exact, yet elastic treatment to be expected from Korchnoy_ Warned by it, White ( Matulovich-Janos- evich in Round 1) tried 6 Q-0, B-K2 7 P-KR3, B-R4 8 P-QB4, N-N3 9 PxP,_ PxP 10 QN-Q2 ! the better to support his Knight a.nd control of the vital Q4 and K5. Then, after 10 . . . N-B3 11 P-QN3, 0-0 12 B-N2, P-QR4 13 P-QR3, P-Q4 14 P-B5, N-Q2 15 B-B3, BxN 16 NxB, P-K4 17 P-QN4 ! PxNP 18 PxNP, Black had to worry over equalizing. He tried 18 . . . PxP 19 NxP, B-B3 20 Q-Q2, BxN 21 BxB, Q-R5 22 B-B3, BxR 23 RxR, N-B3 ; and, it may be, he missed somewhere in there the saving of half a point. 6 . • • 7 PxP • N-N 3 PxP 8-K2 8 0-0 9 8-K3 9 QN-Q2 is more cautious here. But White is blindly f-ollowing the recommen· dation of theory. He hopes for 9 . . . B-B3 10 N-B3, N-B3 11 P-QN3, P-Q4 12 .P-B5, N-Q2 13 P-N4 ! NxP 14 R-N1, N-B3 15 RxP, BxN [ not 15 . . . NxBP 16 PxN, BxQN 17 Q-R4, Q-B1 18 B-QN5 winning] 16 BxB, NxBP 17 NxP ! with a surprisingly favorable outcome for White. 9 . . . . 0-0 Simple and strong. Now the 10 QN-Q2 to support White's King Knight is met by 10 . . . P-B4. So White has to settle for a standard method of development with insufficient control of the vital cen­ ter squares. 10 N-83 P-Q4 ! Herewith, Black immobilizes White's Queen Pawn and makes it the main weakness of White's position. 11 P-85 1 2 8x8 8x N ! N-85 Already, Black almost stands better. Hts Pawn center is firm and limits the activity of White's minor pieces. And White's center is a target for attack. 13 P-QN4 White is losing his sense of direction, g-oing for "all or nothing" and relying on his Queen-side majority. As it proves readily possible for Black to render that immobile, White ought rather to consider trying to hold the balance with 13 B-K2, NxB [ 13 . . . NxP 14 Q-N3 is not attrac­ tive for Black] 14 PxN, P-QN3 15 P-QN4, PxP 16 NPxP. P-QR3 13 . . . • 1 4 Q-N3 This mistake gives Black a lasting ini­ tiative. The Queen is badly posted here, and there is still time enough for 14 B-K2. B-N4 ! 14 • • • • Black is shooting to set up an unpro­ tected White Queen Pawn. 15 K R-K1 1 6 QR-Q1 N-83 P-Q N 3 ! This blow is decisive positionally. Black th·reatens 17 . . . PxP and 18 . . . R-Nl. White cannot stand tha.t, a.nd his whole strategy is defeated. - 17 PxP 1 8 B-K2 N/5xP 8-83 19 P-QR3 20 8-K 8 1 2 1 N-K2 P-N3 Q-K2 21 N-R4, NxN 22 QxN looks more nat­ ural; but, after 22 . . . Q-N2 [intending 23 . . . Q-N3] 23 P-N5, PxP 24 QxP, KR-N1, Black has a great advantage. 21 • • • • 22 K-R1 K R-81 P-Q R4 ! 23 P-N5 24 Q-R2 25 8-Q2 P-R5 N-R4 Now White has three weak Pawns, all on the Queenside, a.nd his position logi­ cally is lost. 25 • • • • 26 B-N4 27 Q-N 1 N-N6 Q-Q2 N-85 27 . . . QxP at once is met effectively by 28 N-B3 and 29 B-N5, etc. 28 R-Q3 White's pieces instead of mutually col­ laborating are in complete disarray. 28 • • • • 29 N-83 QxP Q-N2 30 N x R P 31 N-85 NxQP Q-R2 White continues merely on inertia. The position is ripe for resigna.tion. 32 N-N3 33 R-K 83 N-N4 N/4xP 34 Q-R2 35 P-R4 Reaigna B-N2 N-K4 43. TARRASCH R E D I S COV ERED There is no bad opening-if it is well played. There are periods, however, in which certain systems are disregarded. They lapse because of an opinion established more on an impression from one or several games than on any deep judgment. The tendency of chess minds to lean upon the experiences of others is a natural or, Jet's say, practical response to the enormous welter of possible ideas. But those experiences also constitute a convenient field in which the best thinkers can find precious weapons in moments of great necessity. So it is not accidental that the world championship matches have led to altered attitudes on opening developments. Botvinnik neutralized Tal's aggressiveness with the till then little recognized Caro-Kann De­ fense. Petrosyan discouraged Botvinnik's ambitious approach with the not so popular Queen's Gambit Accepted. And now, after the experi­ ence in the first match, Spassky built his strongest defenses with Black against a surprised Petrosyan mostly with the rather discarded Tarrasch Defense. No wonder that already, since April, that is, many participants in international tournaments (including this commentator) have had to meet the same problems as Petrosyan. The following game is an example of the Tarrasch, as played in the World Championship match, which has encouraged other defenders of · the Black pieces to adopt the new "Spassky" style. True, this game ended as a draw (the first ever presented in this column) and thus is not the most impressive choice. But, in it, the opening was treated more accurately than in the other games of_ the match. And so it illustrates best how Black exploits the bases in the center offered by his isolated Pawn, even though he does not enjoy the advantage of the Two Bishops. M oscow 1 969 time when h e was leading. In such a situation, otherwise, he would employ some more modest variation in the Queen's Gambit Declined. E i g hteenth M atch Game TAR RASCH D E F E N S E T i g ra n Petrosya n Cha m p i o n B o r i s S passky Challenger Black White 1 P-QB4 With this move, Petrosyan has often invited and evoked from the Challenger his favorite, double-edged reply, 1 "P-K4. But not in this match. 1 • • • • 2 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 P-K3 P-Q4 P-QB4! This last move was a surprise in the second game of the match, but not now. Still, the new World Champion adopted the Tarrasch Defense here for the first 4 B Px P 5 N-83 6 P- K N 3 K Px P N-QB3 This. the Rubinstein Variation is a kind of Gruenfeld Defense reversed (with a tempo up) and naturally more enter· prising than 6 P-K3, N-B3 7 B-K2, PxP ! 8 NxP, B-Q3 9 0-0, 0-0 10 N-B3, P-QR3 1 1 P-QN3, R-K1 12 B-N2, B-KN5 13 R-B1, R-QB1 14 P-KR3, B-R4 15 N­ KR4, B-N3 ! 16 NxB, RPxN 17 Q-Q3, P­ Q5 ! 18 PxP, NxP 19 B-B3, NxBt Drawn (Larsen-Gligorich, Palma de Mallorca 1968 ) . Larsen later (in the same tour­ nament) tried to improve against Gheor­ ghiu with 13 P-KR3, B-R4 14 N-R4 and succeeded somehow after 14 . . . BxB 1 5 NxB, B-K4 16 Q-N1, N-K5 1 7 N-KB3, BxB 1 8 QxB, Q-B3 19 QxQ, NxQ 20 KR­ Q1, QR-B1 with a slightly better end­ game for WhHe. 6 . . . . 7 B-N2 N-83 B- K2 It i s rather premature to try to get rid of the isolated Pawn by 7 . . . PxP 8 NxP, Q-N3 9 NxN, PxN 10 0-0, B-K2 11 N-R4 [ or 11 P-K4 as in one game be­ tween Gligorich and Keres ] , Q-N4 1 2 B-K3, 0-0 13 R-QB1, B-KN5 1 4 P-B3, B-K3 15 B-B5 with strong pressure for White on the Queen Bishop file. A similar choice i s 8 . . . B-QB4 9 N-N3, B-QN5 10 0-0, BxN 11 PxB, 0-0 12 B-N5 with advantage for White (Rubinstein-Marshall, Breslau 1 9 12 ) . 8 0-0 9 B-N 5 pal is maintained by the classical con­ tinuation : 9 . . . PxP 1 0 NxP, Q-N3 11 NxN, PxN as in that case White's Queen Bishop cannot remain on its proper diag­ onal. For a long time, the following line was very fashionable : 9 PxP, BxP [ the gam­ bit answer: 9 . . . P-Q5 10 N-QR4, is not sound enough] 10 N-QR4 [10 B-N5 is inferior : 10 . . . P-Q5 11 N-K4, B-K2 12 NxNt, BxN 13 BxB, QxB 14 Q-R4, B-K3 15 Q-N5, QR-N1 (Capablanca­ Lasker, 9th game of the 1921 match ) ] , B-K2 [ 10 . . . B-N3, although playable, is less adequate than after the inter­ polated moves : 9 B-N5, B-K3 1 0 PxP, BxP and s o on, because of 1 1 NxB, PxN 12 B-K3] 11 B-K3 [a similar line i s 11 N-Q4, B-Q2 1 2 NxN, BxN 13 B-K3, Q-R4 14 N-B3, N-K5 15 B-Q4, B-N5 16 Q-Q3 ( Szabo-Stoltz , Zandaam 1946) with little strategical difference from the present game] , N-K5 1 2 R-B 1, Q-R4 13 N-Q4, B-Q2 whereupon Levenfish analyses 14 BxN, PxB 1 5 N-N3, QxN 16 QxB, QxP 17 QxP, QR-N1 1 8 QxN, QxN 19 BxP, R-N5 with equality-but matters are not _so clear after 19 QxP. If so, then in this l ine, 10 . . . B-N3 should s till b e Black's best choice. 0-0 This is the quickest method of creat­ ing threats on Black's center Pawns. Of course, this Bishop can stay more safely on its long diagonal; but after 9 P-N3, N-K5 10 B-N2, B-B3, Black has the up­ per hand. Other moves with this Bishop are less effective : 1) 9 B-K3, N-KN5 1 0 B-B4, B-K3 1 1 PxP, BxP 12 Q-B2 [or 12 N-K1, B-Q5 ! 13 N-Q3, N-B3 with a good game for Black (Flohr-Lasker, Moscow 1935 ) ] , P-KR3 1 3 QR-Q1, R-B1 1 4 Q-N1, Q-N3 15 P-K3, KR-Q1 16 P-KR3, N-B3 17 N-QR4, Q-R4 18 NxB, QxN 19 N-K5, N-K5 20 NxN, QxN with a solid position for Black (Larsen-Sarapu, Sousse 1967 ) ; 2) 9 B-B4, B-K3 10 R-Bl, R-B1 11 PxP, llxP 12 N-QR4, B-N3 13 P-QR3, N-K5 14 P-QN4, Q-B3 1 5 Q-Q3 ! B-B2 1 6 BxB, RxB 17 P-N5, N-K4 18 NxN, RxR 19 RxR, QxN 20 P-B4 ! whereafter, in order not to let White's Rook penetrate to the seventh rank, Black had to yield a Pawn after 20 Q-N1 21 BxN, PxB 22 QxP, R-K1 23 Q-Q4 (Korchnoy-Keres, Curacao 1 9 6 2 ) -but the matter of princi- 9 . . Px P ! The text was played i n Spassky-Kor­ chnoy (24th USSR Championship) in which Black saved a draw ; but credit still goes to Spassky for the present re­ habilitation of the line. By increasing the tension in the center, Black is able to chase White's Queen Bishop from its active position. Earlier, 9 . . . B-K3 was routine. But, after 10 R-B1 , R-B1 1 1 PxP, BxP 12 BxN ! Black is obliged to create a seri­ ous weakening with 12 . . . PxB, and White has exploited his positional advan­ tage ( Gligorich-Sarapu, Sou sse 1967 ) . In this last line, the immediate 1 0 PxP, BxP is less dangerous for Black. For 11 N-QR4, B-N3 ! 12 NxB, PxN 13 N-Q4, P-R3 14 B-B4, Q-Q2 ! 15 P-QR3, B-R6 16 Q-Q3, KR-K1 17 KR-K1, BxB 1 8 KxB, R-K5 19 N-B3, QR-K1 giyes him a clear initiative ( Tal-Keres, Challengers Tour­ nament, Yugoslavia 1959 ) . And , after 1 1 BxN, QxB 1 2 NxP, Q x P 13 N-B7, QR­ Q 1 14 Q-B1 ! QxQ 15 QRxQ, P-QN3 16 NxB, PxN 17 R-B4, N-Q5, White has not sufficient advantage to achieve more than a draw (Petrosyan-Spassky, 1 6 th galhe of this match ) . 1 0 NxP P- K R 3 ! Both sides have achieved some sort of goal. Black has minimized the threats on his isolated Pawn. And White has in· creased the activity of his King Bishop without loss of time, as i n the Gruen­ feld Defense with colors reversed. Earlier, Dr. Euwe recommended 10 . . . NxN [10 . . . Q-N3 11 NxN, PxN 12 N-R4, Q-N4 13 Q-B2, B-K3 14 KR-B1, KR-B1 15 N-B5 is bad for Black ( P olu­ gayevski-Khasin, 1961 USSR Champion­ ship) ] 1 1 QxN, B-K3, but the simplifica· tion is not very promising for Black : 12 QR-B1, Q-R4 13 P-QR3, KR-Q1 14 Q-Q3 ! etc. ( Fiohr-Euwe, 11th game of the 1932 match ) . 1 1 8- K 3 Obviously, 1 1 BxN, B x B offers White no promise; and 11 B-B4 does not prevent 11 . . . Q-N3 as pointed out one note above. The reply in the game is the only good choice. match) is even less prom1smg; but 14 B-Q4 (as in Gligorich-Bajec cited in the next note) deserves attention] , Q-Q2 15 B-B5, QR-B1 16 BxB, QxB 17 P-K3, KR-Q1 leaves Black no difficulties wi'th his good development ( 4 th game of this match) ; 2) 12 Q-R4 ! N-QR4 13 QR-Q 1, N-B5 14 B-Bl, Q-Bl 15 Q-B2, R-Ql 16 P-N3, N-K4 [ 16 . . . N-QR4 is better] 17 B-N2 [at last, White has placed his pieces har­ moniously] , Q-Q2 18 P-B3 ! with advan­ tage for White ( 1 2th game of this match ) . 1 2 R-8 1 B-K3 (Gligorich-A. Zaitsev, Busum 196 9 ) , White missed 13 NxB, PxN 14 B-Q2 which gains a comfortable advantage; 2 ) 12 . . . N-K4 13 R-B2 ! ? [ White wishes to re-organize the pieces as i n the 12th game of this match] , B-QN5 ! [another good idea for activating the pieces to the utmost] 14 B-B4, N-N3 15 B-B1, P-QR3 16 P-N3, Q-Q3 ! 17 B-N2, P-KR4 with very good coun:terplay for Black (Gli­ gorich-Polugayevski, Busum 1969 ) . 1 3 N-N3 11 . . 8-81 Black's last two moves seem very logi­ cal. He has organized an effective pres­ sure on the King file while there has been no time to determine the most suit­ able place for his Queen Bishop. Other moves are less consequen t : 1 ) 12 : . . B-KN5 1 3 N-N3, B-K3 14 B-Q4 ! [an interesting idea for activating the pieces in the center and neutralizing the opponent's pressure on the King file] , N-K5 15 P-K3, B-KB4 16 NxN, PxN 17 B-QB3, R-B1 18 P-KR3 with a definite advantage for White ( Giigorich-Bajec, Ljubljana 1969 ) . Here, after 18 . . . QxQ 1 9 KRxQ, KR-Q l ? 20 P-KN4, B-N3 21 N-Q2, Black lost a Pawn. On 12 . . . 8-K 3 R-K 1 ! The text was played in Busum by Polugayevski a bit before Petrosyan and Spassky m et for this game in Moscow. In the earlier games, Spassky had tried the Jess precise 1 1 . . . B-KN5 and had to lose a tempo to post his Queen Bishop properly : 1) 12 N-N3, B-K3 13 R-B 1, R-K1 1 4 R-K1 [ 1 4 N-N5, Q-Q2 15 N/5-Q4, B-KR6 16 NxN, PxN (as in Game 2 of this 14 N-NS White uses the blockading square as a base for this Knight. Tal had the isolated Pawn in the first game of his match with Larsen in Holland, and the Danish grandmas,ter employed a similar plan but did not achieve much. So Lar­ sen then concluded that blockading the isolated Pawn was "old-fashioned" and that it would be necessary not to . block­ ade but to capture i t ! After this game, it is c l ea r thwt White has to look for a more efficient method of fighting the isola;ted Pawn. 14 B-Q4 may be playable as in the Gligorlch­ Bajec game cited above. 14 . . . . 1 5 P- K R3 16 Nj5-Q4 8- K N 5 8-84 White would prefer 16 N/3-Q4 with a direct threa;t on Black's Queen Pawn after 16 . . . NxN 17 BxN and 18 N-B3. But Black may answer 16 . . . B-Q2. Then, after 17 N-QB3, B-B1, the posi­ tion to nearly where i't was a few moves before. NxN 8-Q2 Q-R4 16 17 NxN 18 Q-N 3 Black's Queen Knight Pawn is indi­ rectly defended. Now White has no tar­ gets for any successful attack, and Black with more space under control, Is al­ ready in a more favorable situation. 19 P-Q R3 20 Q-Q3 8-Q3 Q-Q1 21 K R-Q1 22 8-Q2 Q-K2 Because of the threat of 22 . . . BxNP, White has to begin to retreat his forces. His game has become passive. 22 . . . . 2 3 8-K 1 N-K5 8- K4! 8xN 8-83 Q-K 4 ! 24 Q-N 3 25 R x 8 26 P- K R4 White h a s t h e T w o Bishops a n d n o isolated Paw n , b u t the advantage be· longs to Black. Spassky 's conception is instructive. 27 Q-K3 Now Q-83 Black is thr�tening Rx8 Px R 30 8-83 31 R-Q1 32 R-Q6 32 QxQRP loses to 32 . . . P-K6 ! 32 . . . . P-83 33 R-Q4 P-R3 35 P-R4 36 K-N 1 Q-84 R-K 1 K-82 R-K4 37 R-Q6 38 P-N3 39 8-K 1 R-K84 Q-R6 Although the move is not necessary, White wants to have 40 Q-Q4 at his disposal in the event of 39 . . . R-B6 � see next note ) . Q-N 5 Q-R6 39 . . . . 40 8-83 41 8-Q4 Now the time trouble is over, and White realizes that there is no danger in 41 . . . R-B6 42 PxR, PxP because he then has 43 Q-K6t with a drawish end­ game resulting with Bishops of opposite colors. 41 . . . . 42 8-83 P-K R4 K-N 1 43 R-QSt 44 R-Q6 K-R2 Q-N5 With Black's King on R2, the 44 . . . R-B6 stroke fails against 45 PxR, PxP 46 Q-Q3t and 47 Q-Bl. Now Black tries for chances on the opposi,te wing, vainly. 45 P-�5 28 NxNP, and White has begun thinking or holding a draw. 28 8xN 29 RxR Q-N 5 3 4 K-R2 Black may b e eyeing 35 . . . B-N4, but White is not going to allow that. And Black's adva.ntage is not sufficient to ob­ tain more than the half-point. Both sides are now in time trouble. 46 P-Q N 4 4 7 8-Q4 48 8-85 49 8-Q4 50 8-85 51 Q-Q2 Q-N 3 Q-82 Q-85 R-K4 R-K 84 Q-87 Q-N6 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 Q-Q1 Q-Q2 Q-Q1 Q-Q4 Q-84 Q-K6 RxQ Q-N7 Q-RBt Q-K4 Q-K1 B-N4 QxQ R-Q4 Black of course would welcome RxKP, R-Q8t 60 K-R2, B-B3, etc. 59 R-Q6 D rawn 59 44. RAR E D E L I G HT OF TH E S P E CTATORS The excitement of the public in Ljubljana was understandable as its young representative made his way through a strong international tournament which included ten grandmasters. For it seldom happens that, in these days of high professionalism and of greater numbers of experienced and knowing competitors, a master of mediocre results in national championships can create much of a surprise. But, during the first Vidmar Memorial, it was almost the rule that 25-year-old Albin Planinc each day defeated another grandmaster. And the enthusiastic crowd kept cramming the tournament room. Planinc's special gift, illus­ trated hitherto principally by brilliancy prizes in various competitions, was garnering precious full points ; and every one was aware of and elated over his idea of going for "all or nothing." The climax was in the last round when Planinc twice refused a peaceful offer by Gheorghiu. The Roumanian grandmaster claimed, possibly correctly, that he had a winni:n.g game ; but Planinc's fighting spirit brought on time trouble for Gheorghiu and first prize for the little known master. '"Who is Plan inc?" wrote an astonished acquaintance from West Germany to this commentator. A superficial answer is : a very tall, very slim and very quiet young man with large glasses which hide the expression of his face. Planinc interrupted his schooling because of financial straits, tried in vain for a while to be a chess professional and settled lately for a modest position in a bicycle factory. But more can be told from the following game. Lj u b ljana 1 969 R U Y L O P EZ Wolfgang U nzicker A l b i n Plan i nc Y ugoslavia West Germany Black White 1 P-K4 2 N-K B3 P-K4 N-QB3 3 B-N5 4 B-R4 5 0-0 P-Q R3 N-83 P-QN4 The text is considered premature as Black's King Pawn is not yet threatened, but I?Ianinc has his own ideas and likes to try something different from others. 6 B-N 3 B-N2 Here Planinc ignores the entire theo­ retical praxis : 6 . . . B-B4, 6 . . . P-Q3, 6 . . . NxP and 6 . . . B-K2, and, instead, builds up counter pressure on White's King Pawn. ( S e e d i a g r a m , next co l u m n ) 7 P-Q3 The books say that, after 6 . . . B-K2 7 P-Q4, NxQP 8 BxPt, KxB 9 NxPt and 1 0 QxN, Black has no satisfactory play. In a similar try ( R obatsch-Planinc in an earlier round of this tournament ) with 6 . . . B-N2 instead o f t h e "theoreti­ cal continuation, 7 P-Q4, NxQP 8 BxPt, KxB 9 NxPt, K-Nl 10 QxN, P-B4 11 Q-Q1, Q-Kl 12 N-N4, NxN 13 QxN, QxP 14 QxQ, BxQ found White in difficulties. It is clear that neither 7 P-QR4, B-K2 nor 7 P-B3, NxP 8 R-Kl, N-B4 9 B-Q5, B-K2 10 NxP, NxN 11 BxB, N/K-Q6 ! 12 BxR, NxR 13 QxN, QxB 14 Q-K2, 0-0 15 P-Q4, N-K3 16 N--Q2, R-Kl (Lutikov-Planinc, USSR vs Yugoslavia, Skopje 1969, 1st round) gives White any hope of refuting Black's plan of develop­ ment. Unzicker's move Is solld but rather .nodest, wasting a tempo b efore the nec­ essary advance in the center. The only ambitious alternative is 7 R-Kl. Then, on 7 . . . B-K2 (the Une Yugoslav master Trajkovich used with a different order of moves : 5 . . . B-K2 6 R-Kl, P-QN4 7 B-N3, B-N2 ) , Black has tactical possibilities for a Pawn with 8 P-B3, P-Q4 ! ? 9 PxP, NxP 10 NxP, NxN 11 RxN, N-B5. The position looks dangerous for Black after 12 P-Q4, NxP ; but White must find something mors than the mere draw by 13 B-N5, P-KB3 14 BxP, PxB 15 Q-R5t and the perpetual after 15 . . . K-Q2. It is not known Lt Planinc has some other idea for Black in such a Une. 7 . . • • 8 P-83 9 R-K 1 The of the using but in 8-K2 0-0 P-RS text illustrates the fresh approach winner of the tournament. He is a scheme invented by Smyslov, a new and more favorable version. 10 QN-Q2 R-K1 1 1 P-Q4 It is not ideal to move a Pawn twice in the opening. But White realizes that, after 11 N-Bl, B-KBl 12 N-N3, Black wi,th his King Pawn strengthened can easily strike in the center with 12 . . . P-Q4. So the only ambitious choice for White is f-or immediate pressure on ·the center. 11 • • • • 8-K 81 ! Black continues to think originally. It is typical of his s tyle to economize to the utmost. He does not fear 12 PxP, QNxP as he then has strong pressure on White's King Pawn. The position is very reminiscent of the line used by this commentator in Moscow 1967, Sousse 1967 and i n Belgrad 1968 against Tal, but with the difference that White lacks a useful P-KR3 and Black threatens to hit the center with . . . P-Q4 with a gain of tem po. 12 P-Q5 Unzicker, the player of twenty pressed by any mitted after the leading West German years, is not easily im­ opponent. But he ad­ game that he could not concentrate well and, though an expert on the Ruy, simply overlooked his oppo­ nent's next move. Now Black can destroy the White cen­ ter. So 12 P-QR3, retaining the tension, is better as happened in a later game (Lutikov-Planinc, USSR vs Yugoslavia, Skopje 1969, 3d round ) . There Black de­ cided after 10ne reflection to sacrifice a Pawn with 12 . . . P-Q4 ! ? instead of playing the more solid 12 . . . P-Q3. After 13 PxQP, KNxP 14 PxP, N-B5, h e found an equally inventive rival i n Luti­ kov who replied : 15 R-K4, N-Q6 16 P-K6, PxP 17 Q-K2 ! and Black had great difficulties after 17 . . . B-B4 [ or 17 . . . N-B4 18 B-B2 ! ] 18 RxP, RxR 19 QxPt, K-Rl 20 N-K4, N-R4 ! 21 N/B-N5 ! 12 . . • • N-Q R4 White had reckoned wrongly that this Knight must retreat. 13 8-82 14 PxP P-83 ! 14 P-QN4, N-B5 15 NxN, PxN sets up similar consequences. 14 • . • • 1 5 N-81 8xP Q-82 Black keeps conserving tem p i . 1 6 N-N3 P-Q4 Now Black proceeds to transform his advantage i n time to one in space. 17 Q-K2 18 N-Q2 Q R-Q1 White is trying by artificial means to maintain control of the center. After 18 PxP, Black's King Pawn is tabu because of the pin on the King file. 18 Black White's merely mass of • • • . P-N3 gradually limits the activity - of pieces. 18 . . . P-Q5 19 PxP diminishes the pressure of his King-side Pawns. 19 N/2-81 20 N-K3 21 Q x N N-85 NxN O n e Knight less was a wish for the defending White side, but his difficulties grow with the increasing mobility of Black's center Pawns. 21 • • • • 22 N x P PxP N-Q4 23 Q-N3 R-K3 24 B-N3 P-841 25 Q-R3 The Black attack is very energetic, and White lacks good posts for his re­ treating pieces. Q-K2 25 . . . . 27 N-81 Q-83 26 N-N3 Rj3-K1 28 Q-N3 K-R2 29 B-Q2 At last, White can finish developing. But his chances are not improved as Black has meanwhile been increasing his control on the Kingside, up to the crLtical point. 29 P-K5 30 N-K3 39 8-82 40 N-83 8-84 N-N3 Here the game was adjourned, and White sealed his move. He has in mind the opponent's killing threat, 4 1 N-B5. Q-83 41 N-Q4 P-K N 5 42 P-Q N 3 Here is t h e start o f the final blows directed against the lonely King. 43 PxP 44 8-R3 45 R-Q2 PxP P-N 6 ! This move represents an attempt at a King escape via Q 1 ; for, after 45 BxB, Pxpt 46 KxP, Q-R5t 47 K-N1, RxPt, the White King is in a mating net. 30 . . . • N-K2 White's pieces are under terrible pres­ sure by Black's Pawns. So Black re-acts naturally to avoid diminishing the num­ ber of pieces on the board. 30 . . . P-B5 does not avail in view of 31 NxN. 31 Q R-Q1 P-N4 Again, 31 . . . P-B5 allows an answer: 34 N-N4. Now, however, White can wait no longer: his Queen is in peril. 32 Q-87 Still, the Queen does not sit well here either, far from the King which needs protection and from other pieces as well. 32 . . . . 33 Q-N 6 34 Q-R5 34 QxRP loses to 34 34 . . . . 35 N-N4 36 P-K R3 R-Q2 N-81 R-R2. P-85 Q-84 In the Ruy, this move usually occurs early i n the game. 36 37 N-R2 38 8-81 P-K R4 8-QN2 R-N2 This Rook now becomes very important i n the attack. 45 . . . 46 Px8 . 8xN ! The Roo� must remain on the second rank to guard against 46 . . . PxPt as mentioned in the previous note. 46 . . . . 47 Q-83 Q-R3 P-N 5 ! Now White has the choice o f deserting his vital KB3 or of losing a piece. 48 8x N P 49 Q-83 N-Q4 Nx8 50 8xPt 51 P-Q5 Resigns K-R 1 NxQP White is a piece down with no com­ pensation and, besides, there is the threat of 52 . . . Q-R7t 53 K-B1, Q-R8t 54 K-K2, RxBt 55 QxR, N-B6t. 45. NOW, PORTI SCH'S CONSTAN CY as the new cycle of FIDE competitions to determine the Chal- lenger next to meet the World Champion is starting, the Hungarian grandmaster, Lajos Portisch, is approaching the best age for peak per­ formances in chess ( according to general data obtained by Professor Elo and other investigators ) . Portisch 's first prizes won in Skopje in 1968 and in Amsterdam this year may be confirmation. Although Bent Larsen ranks only a little above Portisch on the rating scale of the best grandmasters, Pm1isch-very strangely-has never been regarded popularly as an equally dangerous contender for the highest title. That Portisch has an extremely high level of results, even on the average, has passed unnoticed as has the fact that he has incurred no real failures. How does he obtain such results? The truth is that the Hungarian grandmaster is probably today a kind of world champion in hard, sys­ tematic study of our complex game and is usually fully prepared for anything which may come at him across the board. He works eight hours a day, with no days off. His colleague, Istvan Bilek, has con­ fessed that, after one such session together with Portisch, he felt dizzy and wanted to d�part. Portisch was very surprised and asked : "How can you go home when we are just getting to a proper understanding of this variation?" Larsen had guessed at Portisch's zest for always hunting up the best moves. So, in their match last year, he avoided the possibility of ever entering upon a critical position which they had previously played. Another, more naive master, however, had the bad luck to take on just such a position a year later. this position came up three times in the Portisch-Larsen match last year. Budapest 1969 H ungarian Championsh i p 10 Q-Q3 N I MZO-I N DIAN D E F E N S E Lajos Portisch Ervin Haag Black White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 P-QR3 N-KB3 P-K3 3 N-QB3 4 P-K3 B-N 5 P-84 As the text cuts off the Black King Bishop's retreat, it is possible to play for the Two Bishops by 5 N-K2 and 6 P-QR3. Hence, many prefer 4 . . . 0-0. Portisch, as White, however, wants the standard position, anyhow, as he is well prepared for it. 5 B-Q3 6 N-83 P-Q4 0-0 7 0-0 8 BxB P 9 P-QR3 QPxP N-83 B-R4 Black hopes, by keeping pressure on White's Queen Knight and Queen Pawn, to develop his Queenside faster than White. The llne was played before : Lar­ sen revived the method for Black and 11 R-Q1 The endgame with 11 PxP, QxQ 12 DxQ, BxN 13 PxB, N-QR4 14 R-Nl, B-Q2 lost its attractiveness (Taimanov-Lar­ sen, Havana 1967, see page 328, Novem­ ber 1967) after the improvement, 14 . . • R-Q 1 ! Drawn ! (Gligorich-Larsen, Sousse 1967 ) . White can attempt to render th e posi­ tion -of Black's King Bishop futile by 11 N-K4. But, after 11 . . . P-QN4 12 N:x:Nt, QxN 13 Q-K4, B-N2 14 �3, P-N3 16 PxP, N-N5 ! 16 Q-K5 ! Q:x:Q 17 N:x:Q, NxB 18 NxN, KR-Q1 19 N-K5, B-B2 20 N-B3, P-QR4 ! 21 N-Q4, R-Q4 22 P-B6 [on 22 NxNP, B-K4, Black's active pieces secure the balance despite his material Inferi­ ority] , B-B1 23 B-Q2, P-K4 24 N-B3, B-N5 25 P-K4, R-Q3 26 B-K3, RxP, Black recaptured the Pawn with full equality and a draw was agreed (Gll­ gorich-Unzicker, Ljubljana 1969 ) . 11 P-QR4, B-Q2 12 P:x:P [ 1 2 R-Q1 and, if 12 . . . Q-K2, 13 P-Q5, N-QN5 14 P-Q6 may be better] offers nothing after 12 . . . Q-K2 13 P-K4, Q:x:P 14 B-K3, Q-R4 15 B-B4, QR-B1 16 QR-B1, KR­ Q1 (3d game of Portisch-Larsen match, p�J,ge 254, August 1968 ) as Black has harmoniously developed with no weak spots in his position. 11 . • • • 1 2 B-R2 12 · • • • • P-QN4 P-85 Of the possible continuations here, this is the sharpest. It enhances the power of White's Pawn center in return for temporarily disrupting the activation of his Queenside pieces. Larsen tried this in his first match game with Portlsch and, knowing Portisch's propensity for finding improvements, did not repeat It in that match. The Hungarian Interna­ tional master Haag Is bold enough to tempt his great opponent to show what he has In store. In Game 7 of that match (page 270, September 1968 ) , Larsen was clever enough to dodge Portisch's possible Im­ provement by the solid 12 . . . B-N2 (also played In the match, Najdorf-Reshevsky, San Salvador 1952, page 209, July 1952) 13 PxP, BxN 14 Q-B2, Q-K2 15 QxB, KR-Ql [ 15 . . . N-K5 16 Q-B2� NxQBP is less precise as 17 P--K4 favors White ( Reshevsky-Damjanovich, Natanya 1969 ) ] 16 B-Q2, N-K5 1 7 Q-B2, NxQBP 18 B-K1, N-R5 [ or 18 . . . P-K4 ? 19 Q-B5 (Gligorich-Larsen, Dundee, 1967 ) ] , keep­ ing the balance. A new problem for White lies In 12 . . . B-N3 (Portisch-Olafsson, Hoog­ oven 19�9. page 191, June 1969 ) which retains the tension in the center. White replied 13 Q-B2 in order to meet 13 . . . PxP by 14 NxNP ! but, after 13 . . . P-B5, he tried vainly to prepare P-K4 by 14 N-K2 and reached an inferior position after 14 . . . Q-B2 ! 15 N-N3 [15 P-K4 fails against 15 . . . . P-K4 16 P-Q5, N-Q5 17 NxN, P:x:N 18 NxP, Q-K4 regaining the Pawn with a good game] , B-N2 16 B:-Q2, QR-Q1 as Black has more freedom of action after 17 . . . P-K4. 13 Q-K2 Q-K1 This, Larsen's key move justifies the risk of the previous 1 2 . . . P-B5. The more natural 13 . . . Q-K2 fails against 14 P-K4, P-K4 15 N-Q5 ! 14 B-Q2 The usefulness of this good developing move ls 1ndtcatec1 by another line : 14 B-N1, P-K4 15 P-Q5, BxN 16 PxB [here 16 BxB would post White's Queen Bishop ideally], N-QR4 17 P-K4, N-N6 18 R-R2, NxB 19 RxN, B-N5 with an easy game for Black (Gligorich-Tal, 8th match game 1968, page 234, August 1968) . Here it may be noted, also, that Black, with his Queen in security, is ready to meet the main threat of 14 P-K4 with 14 . . . P-K4 15 P-Q5, N-Q5 ! 16 NxN, PxN 17 RxP, Q-K4 ! [17 . . . B-N3 18 B-K3, N-N5 gives White opportunity for the dangerous sacrifice 19 P-K5 ! ] 18 B-K3, N-N5 19 P-B4, Q-N1 ! 20 QR-Q1, B-N3 with plenty of counterplay (Gll­ gorich-Gheorghiu, Skopje 1968 ) . This is why the preventive 14 P-KR3 has also been tried. After 14 . . . P-K4, however [White has a clear advantage after the less energetic 14 . . . B-N2 15 P-K4, P-K4 16 P-Q5, N-Q5 17 NxN, PxN 18 RxP, BxN 19 PxB, NxQP 20 B-Q2, P-B4 21 R-K1 (Ivkov-Wade, Vinkovci 1968 ) ], 15 P-Q5, N-Q1 16 P-K4, N-N2 17 B-N1, N-Q2 18 B-B2, N-Q3, Black h ad sufficient counter chances (Reshev· sky-Larsen, Lugano 1968 ) . 14 . 8-N 3 • • • Here 14 . . . P-K4 permits 15 P-Q5, N-Q1 16 N-K4 with unpleasant conse­ quences. RxB ! KxB 24 Q-H5t, K-N1 25 QxNP with a mating net; or 22 . . . B-Q1 23 RxB ! QxR 24 B-B5 ! or 22 . . . B-R4 23 BxB [ on 23 B-B6, Black stops the killing threat of 24 Q-R5 by 23 . . . B-Q1 ! while 24 B-B5, BxKB 25 QxB, PxN 26 BxPt, KxB 27 QxNPt offers only a draw ] , NxB 24 B-B2 with advantage for White. Px P 15 . • . . 8-N2 16 8xP 1 7 8- K1 Now P-K4 and P-K5 is a constant threat as Black's King is in disaster if left without its sole defending piece. P-K4 17 . • • • This manner of meeting the threat of White's advance in the center is un­ satisfactory as seen in this game. But the question is if Black's position is good at all. 17 . . . R-Q1 to maintain pressure on White';; Queen Pawn is met by 18 B-B2 which also sets Black serious prob­ lems. Nor is' 17 . . . N-QR4 18 B-B2, R-B1 19 P-K4 any better either. N-QR4 18 P-Q5 1 9 8-82 This is the crucial position from the first game of the Portisch-Larsen match in Porec, and never repeated. Portisch has had to wait ever since that spring of 1968 to disclose what he had in mind to try next against another, much more important rival. The pressure on White's Queen Pawn prevents 15 P-K4. 15 P-Q N 3 ! Here is Portisch's essential improve­ ment : he breaks the chain of Black Pawns and activates his King Bishop. In Game 1 of the Portisch-Larsen match ( page 252, August 1968 ) , White played 15 B-N1, and Black replied with the premature 15 . . . P-K4 [15 . . . B-N2 and, if 16 P-QR4, then 16 . . . N-QR4 is correct] . In the sequel, 16 PxP, NxP 17 N-K4 ! N/3xN 18 BxN, N-B3 [else, the Exchange is lost] 19 N-N5, P-R3 [ 19 . . . P-B4 20 B-Q5t, K-R1 21 B-N4 also loses the Exchange] , White went wrong with 20 Q-R5? B-Q1. He could instead have continued the attack w ith 20 Q-B3 ! B­ Q2 [20 . . . B-N2 21 Q-B 5 ! P-N3 22 Q-R3, PxN 23 B-B3, N-Q5 24 RxN ! BxR 25 BxB, P-B3 26 BxB wins for White] 21 B-R7t ! K-R1 22 B-B3 with great difficulties for Black : 22 . . . N--K4 23 BxN, QxB 24 QxR ! or 22 . . . P-B3 23 RxB, QxR 24 B-B5; or 22 . . . PxN 23 19 • • . • N-85 The text provokes White's textual con­ tinuation. 19 . . . R-Ql, if it obliges White to shut off his King Bishop by 20 P-K4, offers a better chance; but White has 20 N-N5, P-KR3 [or 20 . . N-B5 21 P-QR4 as In the game] 21 N/5-K4, NxN 22 NxN with threat of the Exchange�wln­ ning 23 B-N4. . 20 P-QR4 P-K5 In a bad position, Black is seeking complications. On 23 . . N-Q3, White replies with 21 QR-Nl. 21 N-Q4 22 Px P N-Q3 8x N An attempt to save the Pawn. 23 Rx8 NxNP This is what Black desi:ed, a rather blo.cked position with no material disad­ vantage as on 24 NxN, QxN. But there is a disagreeable tactical surprise hidden i n the position. A decisive blow. 2 4 . . . NxR loses to 25 NxNt, P:x:N 26 Q-N4t, K-Rl 27 B-B3 and the consequent mating attack. The rest of the game is hopeless for Black. 29 8-R 5 ! P-R5 Q-K4 24 • • • • 30 P-R3 N-86 Qx N 25 N x N t 3 1 R-K 1 R-84 2 6 R/4-Q1 K R-81 32 Q-Q4 ! P-N3 QxQ 27 Q-Q3 33 PxQ R-N4 P- K R4 28 8-N3 34 P-Q6 ! White employs his advantage sharply. NxP . . . • 39 K-R2 Rx8/6 40 8-86 N-K3 P-Q7 8-83 K-R2 41 Q R-81 P-QS ( Q ) t RxQ 42 P-R4 P-N4 8xR B-N4 43 PxP K-N3 38 8xP N-K7t 44 R-K5 Resigns 34 35 36 37 24 Nx P l I N D EX TO . PLAYERS Bobotsov, 36 Panno, 1 4 Bogdanovich, 8, 22 Parma, 8 Botvinnik, 5, 13 Petrosyan, 2, 6, 36, 37� 43 Brinck-Claussen, 14 Planinc, 44 Damjanovich, 35 Polugayevsky, 29 Donner, 27 Portisch, 12, 18, 27, 31, 39, 45 Fischer, 9, 1 0, 12, 17, 23, 24, 34 Ree, 40 Geller, 16, 17, 19, 28, 30, 39, 40 Reshevsky, 28 Gheorghiu, 3 Schmidt, 32 Ghitescu, 15 Smyslov, 7 Gligorich, 1, 1 1, 26, 35 Sofrevsky, 23 Spassky, 3, 6, 9, 15, 30, 38, 43 Haag, 45 lvkov, 20, 25 Stein, 4, 16, 24 Janosevich, 42 Tahl, 13, 22 Keres, 32 Taimanov, 21, 4 1 Korchnoy, 2, 4, 20, 38, 42 Tatai, 4 1 Larsen, 10, 21, 25, 31, 37 Tolush, 5 Matanovich, 1 Tringov, 1 1 Matulovich, 26, 34 Uhlmann, 7 , 33 Minich, 18 Unzicker, 44 Najdorf, 1 9 Wade, 33 Nikitin, 29 I N D EX TO O P E N I N GS Alekhine's Defense, 42 Benoni Defense, 15, 26 Caro-Kann Defense, 13 Nimzo-Indian Defense, 1, 2, 3, 5, 21, 27, 35, 45 Pirc Defense, 40 English Opening, 25 Queen's Gambit Declined, 14, 20, 36 French Defense, 7, 33 Queen's Indian Defense, 37, 38, 43 Giucco Piano, 18 Ruy Lopez, 12, 24, 39, 44 Grunfeld Defense, 9 Sicilian Defense, 8, 16, 17, 22, 23, 30, 32, 34 �ing's Indian Defense, 4, 6, 10, 1 1, 19, 28, 29, 4 1 Vienna Game, 3 1 Tarrasch Defense, 43 THE CHESS CAREER OF SVETOZAR GLIGORICH 1945 1946 1946 1947 1947 1948 1949 1949 1950 1951 1951 1951 1951 1955 1956 1957 1957 1957 1958 1958 1959 1960 1960 1961 1961 1962 1963 1965 1966 1967 1968 Yugoslav Championship Ljubljana Yugoslav Championship Warsaw Yugoslav Championship Yugoslav Championship match against Gideon Stalberg Yugoslav Championship Mar del Plata Yugoslav Championship Bad Pyrmont (Zonal tournament) Staunton Memorial-London Hastings Yugoslav Championship Yugoslav Championship Dublin (Zonal tournament) Yugoslav Championship Dallas Yugoslav Championship Portoroz (Interzonal tournament) Yugoslav Championship Hastings Madrid Hastings Sarajevo Belgrade Eschende Copenhagen Tel Aviv Dundee Manila · 2nd place 1st place 2nd place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st-2nd place 6)f-5� 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 2nd place 1st place 2nd-3rd place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st-2nd· place 2nd place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st place 1st place 1st-2nd place 1st place 1st place 1st-2nd place Gligorich became an International Master in 1948, and an Inter­ national Grandmaster in 1951. 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