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Fischer – Tal Belgrade 1959 - 2007/07/27 10:40
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 b5 8. f4
Before going through this game, it is essential to know the psychological state of the two players. I t is absolutely clear that the young American GM playing white was only aiming for victory. He was obliged to do so by the score in their preceding games, 0-3, which Fischer’s pride could not endure. Besides, he had nothing to lose (the game was played in the penultimate round, and he was already assured of 6th place in the tournament).
But for Tal the result of this game was of enormous importance. Hard on his heels was Keres, and a draw, and especially a defeat would have reduced the gap. In such a tournament situation, Tal’s decision to go in for such great complications was an extraordinary bold step, although in keeping with his temperament as a chess fighter.
8. … b4
The young Tal could not act otherwise. He wins the pawn and is ready to try and parry the terrible onslaught of the white pieces. Of course quieter was 8. … Bb7, which has earned a good reputation in practice.
9. Na4 Nxe4
here too 9. … bb7 looks sounder, and if 10. e5 dxe5 11. fxe5 Nd5
10. O-O g6 !?
Black is playing with fire. But there is a justification for this : For example, 10. … Bb7 is strongly met by 11. Bxe6! fxe6 12. Nxe6 Qe7 13.Qh5 (vukovic)
11. f5!
Fischer begins a direct attack on the black king caught in the centre
11. … gxf5
12.Nxf5!!
The two players have as though exchanged colours, and both are playing in unaccustomed style. Fischer is impetuously attacking, while Tal is defending seeking the slightest chance for counterplay.
12. … Rg8
The knight at f5 is taboo 12. … exf5? loses to 13. Qd5 Ra7 14. Qd4, when booth rooks are attacked. Even so, 12. … Bb7 would have offered better chances
13. Bd5
Spectacular but irrational. Gligoric’s recommendation would have promised White a simply enormous positional advantage : 13 Qh5 Nf6 14. Qf3 Ra7 15. Ng3 and 16 Be3
13. … Ra7 14. Bxe4
Again not the strongest continuation. The variation suggested by Kevitz would have given better prospect: 14 Be3! Nc5 15. Qh5 Rg6 (15. … Nxa4? 16. bx17 exd5 17. Rae1+) 16. Rae1, and white’s significant lead in development sets his opponent insoluble problems.
14. … exf5 15. Bxf5
Fischer gradually loses the thread and throws away his gains. 15 Bd5! was correct, retaining the attacking bishop. Now, by an unusual rook manoeuvre, Tal demonstrate the potential possibilities of the Sicilian Defence. Black’s position hangs bt a thread, but it holds
15. … Re7 16. Bxc8
A forced exchange, since otherwise 16. … Bb7 is dangerous. White’s light square bishop, after completing quite a journey around the board, is exchanged for Black’s undefended bishop. An unequal exchange
16. … Qxc8 17. Bf4?
And this is an oversight. Fischer fails to see the opponent’s shrewd plan, and falls into a clever trap. In his comment he rightly points out that the best move was 17. c3! and if 17. … Qc6 18. Rf2 maintaining an attacking position.
17. … Qc6 18. Qf3 Qxa4
“Such a surprise that I didn’t dare believe my eyes!”, Fischer admitted
19. Bxd6 Qc6 20. Bxb8 Qb6+ 21. Kh1 Qxb8
This interesting position attracted many commentators, who incorrectly tough that 22. Rae1 would have won the game.
In his analysis Fischer showed that this move is the strongest, but that against Black’s best defence it would only have led to equality.
22. Qc6+
Now white is psychologically lost. The scale begin to tip Black’s way.
22. … Rd7 23. Rae1+
in the variation 23. rad1 Bd6! 24. Rxf7 Qc7! 25. Qxc7 Rxc7! Black defends successfully.
23. … Be7 24. Rxf7 Kxf7 25. Qe6+ Kf8!
25… Kg7? loses to 26. Qxd7
26. Qxd7
Nothing is achieved by 26. Rf1+ Kg7 27. Rf7+ Kh8 28. Qxd7 Rd8 29. Qg4 in view of 29. … Qe5, when Black is able to defend
26. Qxd7 Qd6 27. Qb7 Rg6 28. c3!
The situation has changed sharply, and it is now white who is seeking a draw. On the way to it Fischer again goes wrong, after which he can no longer save the game.
28. … a5
All the same, 28. … bxc3 29. Qc8+ Bd8 30. Qxc3 Bxf6 was more accurate; retaining winning chances.
29. Qc8+?
Fischer considers that he could have drawn by 29 cxb4! Qxb4 (29. … axb4 30. a3! bxa3 31. bxa3 Qxa3) 30 Qf3+ Kg7 31. Qe2, when the exchange of the black a5 pawn at some time in the future is inevitable.
29. … Kg7 30. Qc4 Bd8 31. cxb4 axb4 32. g3
The last and decisive mistake in this ill starred game. 32. We4 would have retained practical saving chances.
32. … Qc6+ 33. Re4 Qxc4 34. Rxc4 Rb6
having kept his important b-pawn, Black easily realises his material advantage.
35. Kg2 Kf6 36. Kf3 Ke5 37. Ke3 Bg5+ 38. Ke2 Kd5 39. Kd3 Bf6 40. Rc2 Be5 41. Re2
in this position the game was adjourned after which Tal demonstrated his technique :
41. Re2 Rf6 42. Rc2 Rf3+ 43. Ke2 Rf7 44. Kd3 Bd4 45. a3 b3
46. Rc8 Bxb2 47. Rd8+ Kc6 48. Rb8 Rf3+ 49. Kc4 Rc3+ 50. Kb4 Kc7 51. Rb5 Ba1 52. a4 b2 0-1
Despite having one leg over the very precipice, Tal courageously stood his ground and his fiery and resourceful defence bore its fruit. But in his duel on the edge of the abyss, the young Fischer was let down by his hot-tempered and impulsive play.
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