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The Chessboard Sun, Dec 12, 1971 – Page 48 · Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) · Newspapers.com
Chess Problem No. 236 by P.F. Copping, 2nd Prize, The Observer, 1960. White mates in 3 moves.
FEN 2nB2N1/4r3/ppQ1P3/6kp/4B2p/2pNnP1b/K2bp3/8 w - - 0 1
Key: ? Next week's paper skipped to the answer for the next problem, #237.
The Chessboard: Russian Plan Fails Again by Harry T. Conover
In the ninth, and what ought to be the final game of the match, Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union again tried to lead the opening into unexplored lines when, as Black, he essayed a little-played variation of the French Defense against Bobby Fischer of the United States.
As in earlier games, however, Petrosian found that well-worn and obscure variants are all the same to Fischer who won in 46 moves.
Along with others before him, Petrosian very likely came away with the impression that the most danger in playing Fischer lies not in poor choice of opening, but in sitting down opposite him in the first place.
Here is the score of the ninth game:
Robert James Fischer vs Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian Fischer - Petrosian Candidates Final (1971), Buenos Aires ARG, rd 9, Oct-26 French Defense: Normal Variation (C10) 1-0 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044354
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Nc6
As in previous games, Petrosian chooses a virtually unplayed line, seeking to lead the game into murky waters, but as before this stratagem turns out badly.
4. Nf3 Nf6
5. exd5 exd5
6. Bb5 …
Fischer serves notice that he is in the mood for aggressive play—as usual.
6. … Bg4
7. h3 Bxf3
8. Qxf3 Be7
9. Bg5 a6
Once again Petrosian allows himself to be saddled with an inferior pawn structure, and the double pawns become targets for Fischer's attack. Now came
10. Bxc6+ bxc6
11. O-O O-O
12. Rfe1 h6
13. Bh4 Qd7
14. Re2 a5
15. Rae1 …
the weakness of Black's position is underscored by the ease with which White takes control of the open lines
15. … Bd8
16. b3 Rb8
17. Na4 Ne4
18. Bxd8 Rbxd8
19. Qf4 …
tying the Black queen down to the defense of the queen bishop's pawn, something which Black cannot tolerate
19. … Qd6 White replied
20. Qxd6 cxd6
21. c4 Nf6
22. Rc1 …
Now regardless of his reply, a line will be opened against Black's glaring weakness, leaving him an all but untenable position.
22. … Rb8
23. cxd5 cxd5
24. f3 Nh5
25. Rc6 …
Black must now lose material, since he cannot defend all the pawns under attack by White's far-ranging rook. There followed
25. … Nf4
26. Rd2 Rfe8
27. Rxd6 Re1+
28. Kf2 Rh1
29. Kg3 Nh5+
30. Kh4 g6 and White played
31. Rxd5 …
White Black vainly chases the White king, White increases his material advantage.
31. … Re8
32. Rxa5 Ree1
33. Nc3 Nf4
Black would like to think he is mounting a mating attack, but White has nothing to fear.
34. Kg4 …
White's aggressive king keeps Black constantly off balance, unable to carry out his supposed mating plans. Black now replied
34. … Ne6
35. Re5 f5+
36. Kg3 f4+
37. Kh4 Kh7
38. Ne4 g5+
39. Kg4 Ng7
40. Nxg5+! …
this move smashes Black's plans and leaves White with an unstoppable array of pawns. Black could not be blamed if he resigned at this point
40. …hxg5
41. Rxe1 Rxe1
42. Kxg5 Ne6+
43. Kf5 Re2
a last hurrah
44. Rxe2 Nxd4+
45. Ke5 Nxe2
46. a4 and Black resigns. Thus Fischer wins the right to meet Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in a title match next spring. Spassky, who may have been whistling in the dark, said he was neither surprised nor impressed by Fischer's victory.
