AChess Life and Review, January 1972 - Page 7
Fischer vs. Petrosian: Getting Ahead by Robert Byrne
Continued from December
After his unsettling start in the first three games, the openings of which were clearly to Petrosian's advantage, Bobby slowly began to get under way. It was Petrosian who backed away from the sharpest continuation in game four, either suspecting or discovering over the board that Fischer had a foolproof defense in hand. What it might have been I suggest in my note to White's move 12. Anyhow, Petrosian may have been a little bit rattled, since he made no serious attempt with the White pieces, acquiescing to wholesale liquidation and a quick draw.
The former world champion's super-cautious Petroff Defense in game five gave Bobby the chance for opening advantage for the first time in the match. Unfortunately, he did not follow it up correctly, running into a great deal of trouble, from which he just barely managed to escape. There was still no reason at this point in the series to be confident about Fischer's chances of ending up the victor.
But the sixth game was an altogether different story. Bobby answered Petrosian's offbeat Reti Opening very sharply, gaining a small but perfectly clear advantage. In the face of a lifeless game, in which he could only await possible attacks on both wings, Petrosian panicked, opening the Queenside for no good reason. Bobby immediately jumped at the opportunity, breaking through on the QB file, obtaining a protected passed QP and powerful control of Queenside terrain. After a beautifully played ending, Bobby went ahead in the match for the first time since game one.
Tigran V Petrosian vs Robert James Fischer Fischer - Petrosian Candidates Final (1971), Buenos Aires ARG, rd 4, Oct-12 English Opening: Symmetrical Variation. General (A30) 1/2-1/2 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1106924
Game Four: English Opening
Tigran Petrosian Robert Fischer
1. c4 …
Despite his success with 1. P-Q4 in game two, Petrosian sticks to his favorite strategy of varying his openings as much as possible.
1. … c5
And Fischer stays with the same defense he used in game two of the Larsen match. He does not find it necessary to go for an unbalanced position by … P-K4, but aims for logical equality.
2. Nf3 g6
By playing this way, Bobby indicates once again that he is not the least bit concerned about the Maroczy bind which White can now head directly into.
3. d4 cxd4
There is no way to avoid the exchange, since … P-Q3; 4. PxP PxP; 5. QxQch KxQ leaves Black's King without good shelter in the center, and 3. … P-N3 4. PxP PxP; 5. Q-Q5 compels an unsound pawn sacrifice.
4. Nxd4 Nc6
5. e4 …
Opinions on this Maroczy formation (pawns at K4 and QB4 versus pawn at Q3) are still seesawing. Although Fischer has been very successful pro-Maroczy in the past, lately he has became contentedly anti-Maroczy.
5. … Nf6
6. Nc3 d6
7. f3 Nxd4
Since White's pawn bind restricts Black's space, the exchange of a set of minor pieces is advisable to avoid getting cramped.
8. Qxd4 Bg7
9. Be3 O-O
10. Qd2 Qa5
The big question of this game is why Petrosian did not play 12. N-Q5, which Polugaevsky has been so successful with. His game with Ostojic, Belgrade 1970, went … QxQch; 13. KxQ BxN (… NxN; 14. BPxN and White will land a Rook on the seventh rank). 14. BPxB KR-B1; 15. RxR RxR; 16. P-KN3! R-B2; 17. B-R3 N-Q2; 18. R-QB1 and White has a tremendous endgame.
The answer, I think, is that no one has tried 12. … QxP! which leads to an equal game after 13. NxPch K-R1; 14. B-K2 N-N1! 15. NxN KxN; 16. B-Q4 BxB; 17. QxB Q-R4ch; 18. K-B2 Q-QB4; 19. KR-Q1 KR-Q1. Unless Petrosian had spotted this, he would have had no reason to hold back on 12. N-Q5.
The text move renews the threat of N-Q5 by ruling out the reply … QxP.
11. Rc1 Be6
12. b3 Rac8
13. Be2 a6
Now this move is nothing more than a transparent draw offer, but O-O would be answered by … P-QN4! with a free game. If White wishes to retain any serious chances for complications, he must keep Black bottled up by P-QR4, even though that weakens his own Queenside squares somewhat.
14. Nd5 Qxd2+
15. Kxd2 Nxd5
16. cxd5 Bd7
17. Rxc8 Rxc8
18. Rc1 Rxc1
19. Kxc1 Kf8
20. Kc2 e6
1/2-1/2
Robert James Fischer vs Tigran V Petrosian Fischer - Petrosian Candidates Final (1971), Buenos Aires ARG, rd 5, Oct-14 Russian Game: Classical Attack. Closed Variation (C42) 1/2-1/2 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1106927
Game Five: English Opening
Robert Fischer Tigran Petrosian
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nf6
Once again Petrosian switches defenses, although his two previous ones were a success for him. Without question, he could count on running into improvements from Bobby. Besides, he had perfect results with the present defense in his match with Spassky.
3. Nxe5 d6
… NxP is an ancient blunder which loses a pawn after 4. Q-K2 P-Q4; 5. P-Q3 Q-K2; 6. PxN QxN; 7. PxP.
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 …
In the 1969 world championship match, Spassky relied on Lasker's favorite 5. Q-K2, but got nowhere with it after … Q-K2; 6. P-Q3 N-KB3; 7. B-N5 QxQch; 8. BxQ B-K2; 9. N-B3 P-B3; 10. O-O-O N-R3!
5. … Nf6
6. Bd3 Be7
Najdorf criticized this, claiming that Black should hurry with … B-N5 while he still has the chance. However, White would have a small advantage after 7. P-KR3 BxN; 8. QxB as well as after 7. … B-R4; 8. O-O B-K2; 9. R-K1 O-O; 10. QN-Q2 with the idea N-B1-N3.
7. h3 O-O
8. O-O c6
Fischer-Gheorghiu, Buenos Aires 1970, went 8. … R-K1; 9. P-B4 N-B3; 10. N-B3 P-KR3; 11. R-K1 B-B1; 12. RxR QxR; 13. B-B4 B-Q2; 14. Q-Q2 Q-B1; 15. P-Q5 N-QN5; 16. N-K4! with a very strong game for White.
9. Re1 Nbd7
10. Bf4 Re8
11. c4 Nf8
12. Nc3 a6
13. Qb3 …
The Queen is uselessly and awkwardly placed here, since the advance of the QNP cannot be prevented. To carry out his plan of doubling rooks on the K-file, Q-B2 was the move to retain his advantage.
Najdorf was strongly in favor of 13. P-Q5, which admittedly also favors White after … P-B4. But, I think White's winning chances are greater by keeping the center fluid.
13. … Ne6
14. Bh2? …
B-K3 was far better because now the Bishop is out of action here, a matter which becomes increasingly dangerous as the game progresses. At K3 the Bishop would stand in the way of White's projected doubled Rooks on the King file, but that would be only a temporary hindrance, since the Bishop would clear out whenever needed to unblock them.
14. … Bf8
15. Re2 b5
A necessary and good way to free his position, carrying with it the possibility … PxP, then … P-Q4 and … P-QB4!, for a sharp counter-attack at the right moment.
16. Rae1 Bb7
17. Qc2 g6
18. b4 …
Although this compels Black to break his queenside pawn front, in view of the threat to choke the QB by P-B5, it will be seen quickly enough that Petrosian is ready with some of the best defensive play of the match.
18. … bxc4
19. Bxc4 Nc7
Accepting the pawn sacrifice by 19. … P-Q4; 20. B-Q3 BxP is too dangerous, for 21. R-N1, BxN; 22. QxB R-R2; 23. Q-B1 not only leaves Black tied up on the Queenside but threatens a King attack with Q-R6, B-K5, N-N5, etc. Nor would 21. … Q-R4 work any better after 22. Q-N3 BxN; 23. QxQB NxP; 24. RxRch RxR; 25. N-N5 and the Black King cannot be defended since 25. … R-B1 is useless in view of 26. B-Q6.
The text, however, is excellent, preparing ingenious counterplay.
20. Bb3? …
If Fischer were aware of what his opponent is up to, he would have driven back a Knight by 20. RxR.
20. … Rxe2
21. Rxe2 Ncd5!
With an original attack on White's Queenside pawns, Petrosian takes the initiative. It will quickly be seen why he does not fear doubled pawns on the Queen file.
22. a3 a5
23. Nxd5 cxd5
24. b5 …
White has alternatives, but Black's weird pawn formation gives him a grip of steel on the center squares.
24. … a4!
Brilliantly demonstrating just how weak the White Queenside really is. Now 25. BxRP would be dangerous because … Q-R4; 26. B-N3 QxRP leaves the NP critically weak.
25. Ba2 Qb6
26. Qb1 …
The only move, for 26. Q-Q3? R-R4; 27. R-N2 B-QR3 had to be avoided.
26. … Ra5
Najdorf criticized this move, claiming Petrosian's only chance to win lay in … B-KR3, cutting off the White QB from reentering the game and threatening R-QB1-Q8ch. Still, I don't find the situation at all clear after 27. Q-N4! N-K5; 28. B-N1 when White threatens to consolidate by B-Q3 and R-B2.
27. Rb2 Ne4
28. Bf4 Nc3
29. Qc2 Rxb5
As difficult as Fischer's position looks, it seems he can defend it. 29. … NxB; 30. RxN QxNP; 31. R-N2 Q-Q2; 32. Q-N1 B-B3; 33. R-N8 R-N4; 34. QxR! BxQ; 35. B-R6 Q-K1; 36. RxQ BxR; 37. BxB KxB is a dead drawn endgame. On 32. … R-R2, White simply plays 33. R-N6 followed by Q-N4, and any thought of Black winning is a dream.
Also 29. … NxP; 30. B-Q2 R-R1; 31. Q-N1 B-B3; 32. BxP BxB; 33. RxN Q-B3; 34. R-N8 RxR; 35. QxR Q-R1; 36. QxQ BxQ is insufficient to win, although Black's Bishops give him the edge. But Black must not try 34. … BxN? 35. PxB QxP; 36. B-R6.
The text move is virtually a draw offer.
30. Rxb5 Nxb5
31. Qxa4 Qa6
Getting rid of Fischer's only real weapon, the QRP.
32. Qxa6 Bxa6
33. Be3 …
Neither B/2xP? nor P-QR4? nor B-B1? is playable since 33. … N-B6! wins a piece.
33. … Nxa3
34. Bxd5 …
Petrosian offered a draw here, but Bobby insisted on playing a few more moves.
34. … Bc4
35. Bc6 Nc2
36. Bd2 Be2
37. Be4 Bxf3
38. Bxc2 Bd5 1/2-1/2
Tigran V Petrosian vs Robert James Fischer Fischer - Petrosian Candidates Final (1971), Buenos Aires ARG, rd 6, Oct-17 Zukertort Opening: Sicilian Invitation (A04) 0-1 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1106930
Game Six
Nimzovich Opening
Tigran Petrosian Robert Fischer
1. Nf3 c5
2. b3 d5
3. Bb2 …
Petrosian won the ninth game of his match with Korchnoi using this rarely played opening, but the present game will do nothing for its popularity.
3. … f6
This, the most aggressive reply, aims at a wholesale pawn advance in the center to jam the enemy QB. If there is to be a refutation of this opening, it can only be accomplished in this ambitious manner.
4. c4 …
As he did against Korchnoi, Petrosian transposes into a reversed Benoni, without accomplishing anything to improve the situation of the QB.
4. … d4
5. d3 e5
6. e3 Ne7
7. Be2 Nec6
In case of PxP BPxP, Black can bring the QN via Q2 to the powerful QB4 square, the reason for avoiding the routine N1-B3.
8. Nbd2 Be7
9. O-O O-O
10. e4 …
There is no point in maintaining the center tension, since Black is too strong there.
10. … a6
11. Ne1 b5
This advance is a preparation for Black to take the initiative on the Queenside, but what is especially interesting is that Fischer does not bother to prevent the exchange of his better Bishop by … B-K3; 12. B-N4 B-B2; instead relying on the fact that his remaining pieces will be superior to his opponent's because his pawns command more space.
12. Bg4 Bxg4
13. Qxg4 Qc8
14. Qe2 …
The exchange of Queens would give Black a strong endgame since he could then operate immediately with such threats as QN-Q2, KR-N1, B-Q1-R4 and N-N3. In all this the awkward placement of White's QB is the culprit.
14. … Nd7
15. Nc2 Rb8
16. Rfc1 Qe8
17. Ba3 …
This is a typical Petrosian do-nothing move. He wins a lot of games just fooling around, but here he has the wrong opponent for this kind of nonsense. However, his very passive opening makes it difficult for him to come up with any kind of positive plan.
17. … Bd6
18. Ne1 g6
19. cxb5? …
Was this panic at the thought of what Fischer might do on the Kingside, given enough time? Now Black's Queenside qualitative pawn majority is mobilized for a breakthrough at QB5.
19. … axb5
20. Bb2 Nb6
21. Nef3 Ra8
22. a3 Na5
23. Qd1 Qf7
24. a4 …
Best under the circumstances, since it would be absolutely fatal to wait for Black to develop further by KR-B1 before making his breakthrough.
24. … bxa4
25. bxa4 c4!
Obtaining a passed QP as against White's weak isolated RP.
26. dxc4 Naxc4
27. Nxc4 Nxc4
28. Qe2 …
The best defense because Black must now hurry his attack before having to contend with the strong consolidating N-K1-Q3.
28. … Nxb2
Maybe Fischer would have done better to keep up the pressure by 28. … KR-B1, since 29. N-K1 B-N5; 30. N-Q3 fails against 30. … NxB! and if 31. NxB NxP should be an easy win.
29. Qxb2 Rfb8
30. Qa2 …
Again the best defense because now Black can only play for a win by allowing White counterplay.
30. … Bb4
31. Qxf7+ Kxf7
32. Rc7+ Ke6
Now 33. RxP? loses to … B-B6; 34. R-KB1 RxP, followed by the exchange of Rooks and the victorious march of the QP.
33. g4! …
Opens air for the King, restrains … P-KB4 and even threatens P-N5 in some variations. Petrosian is defending himself with might and main.
33. … Bc3
34. Ra2 Rc8
35. Rxc8 …
Najdorf and Suetin claim that 35. RxP draws, giving … R-B5; 36. R-QN7 R5xP; 37. RxR RxR; 38. R-N6ch K-B2; 39. P-N5 P-Q6; 40. R-Q6! But 35. … P-Q6; 36. R-QN7 B-R4; 37. R-N5 (not R-N3? R-B7), R-B5; 38. R-Q5 RxKP; 39. RxP RxPch; 40. K-B1 R-QB1 is terrifically strong for Black.
35. … Rxc8
36. a5 Ra8
37. a6 Ra7
38. Kf1 g5
While the King runs after the QRP, he eliminates a pawn breakup by P-N5.
39. Ke2 Kd6
40. Kd3 Kc5
41. Ng1 Kb5
42. Ne2 …
This was the sealed move, leading to a fascinating endgame. The tricky point for Black is that he can never exchange Rooks without permitting White a foolproof blockade of the position by bringing the Knight to Q3.
42. … Ba5
43. Rb2+ …
In my analysis at adjournment, I never even considered this move, but spent all my time on 43. N-B1 RxP; 44. N-N3 R-R1 (but not 44. … K-N5; 45. N-R1 R-B3; 46. N-B2ch K-N6; 47. NxPch and draws. In this line, 46. … K-N4; 47. N-R3ch, K-B4; 48. N-B4 B-B6; 49. R-R7 also leaves Black tied up) 45. R-R1 R-R2; 46. R-R2 K-N5; 47. N-R1 R-QB2; 48. N-B2ch K-N6; 49. RxB R-B6ch; 50. K-Q2 RxNch; 51. K-K1 P-Q6 and wins.
43. … Kxa6
44. Rb1 Rc7
45. Rb2 Be1
Simpler, I thought, was … R-B4 to break through to the sixth or eighth rank by … B-N3, when the lone White Rook cannot guard both the Rook and Knight files. The reply 46. R-B2 R-N4; 47. R-B6ch K-N2; 48. RxP fails against R-N6ch; 49. K-B4, P-Q6!
46. f3 Ka5
I still think this is needlessly complicated and stick by my suggestion in the previous note.
47. Rc2 Rb7
48. Ra2+ Kb5
49. Rb2+ Bb4
50. Ra2 Rc7
51. Ra1 Rc8
52. Ra7? …
This gives Fischer just what he was playing for. White had nothing to do but hold his ground and wait for Black to reveal his plan.
52. … Ba5
53. Rd7 Bb6
54. Rd5+ Bc5
55. Nc1 Ka4
56. Rd7 Bb4
57. Ne2 Kb3
58. Rb7 Ra8
59. Rxh7 …
This move is a preparation for resignation. He must have been counting on 59. N-B1ch K-N7; 60. N-K2, and saw at the last moment that 60. … R-R6ch! 61. K-B4 P-Q6; 62. RxBch K-B7 queens the pawn by force.
59. … Ra1
60. Nxd4+ …
N-N3 was useless—60. … R-R7; 61. N-B1 R-KB7 and it's all over.
60. … exd4
61. Kxd4 Rd1+
62. Ke3 Bc5+
63. Ke2 Rh1
64. h4 Kc4
65. h5 Rh2+
66. Ke1 Kd3 0-1
To be concluded
