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The Chessboard 06 Jul 1969, Sun Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
The Chessboard: Petrosian Fights Back Valiantly by Harry T. Conover
As the Soviet grandmasters Tigran Petrosian and Boris Spassky sat down for the 20th game of their match for the world title, Spassky led by two full points and Petrosian who had suffered three straight set backs could have been excused if he gave way to despair. But the defending champion demonstrated that he is made of sterner stuff.
The setting was one of high chess drama which has been the hallmark of world title matches since the days of Anderssen. Spassky, the challenger, with a comfortable lead, brimming with confidence as play begins. Petrosian, who has seen almost everything go wrong for him in this match, facing the unenviable prospect of having to play for a win, or else virtually give up hope of retaining his crown.
As it turns out, Petrosian forces the play, leaving Spassky with a purely defensive game, and goes on to win the point. All in vain, one might say, since Spassky won the title three games later, but Petrosian's valiant stand as the end neared lifts the match to a high place in the annals of chess.
Here is the score of the 20th game:
Tigran V Petrosian vs Boris Spassky
Petrosian - Spassky World Championship Match (1969), Moscow URS, rd 20, Jun-09
Queen's Gambit Declined: Anti-Tartakower Variation (D55) 1-0
1. c4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 Be7
Ordinarily one expects N-KB3 here, but subtle transpositions in the opening today are a grandmaster's stock in trade.
4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 h6 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. Qd2 b6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. b4!
A timely stroke, preventing Black's usual freeing maneuver P-QB4. As the game stands, White has given up the bishop pair in exchange for an advantage in space and added mobility for his pieces.
10. … Bb7
Unfortunately, this bishop, usually well-posted here must take a purely defensive role in guarding the weak Black queen's pawn.
11. Rb1 c6 12. Bd3 Nd7 13. O-O Re8 14. Rfc1 a5
Black's only hope is to break out on the queenside, a maneuver not without peril.
15. bxa5 Rxa5 16. Bf5
Threatening 17. BxN QxB; 18. RxP.
16. … Ra6 17. Rb3 g6 18. Bd3 Ra7 19. Rcb1
White now has induced a weakness in the Black pawn position which he proceeds to exploit.
19. … Bg7 20. a4 Qe7 21. Bf1 Ba6 22. h4 Bxf1 23. Rxf1 h5 24. Re1 Raa8 25. g3 Qd6 26. Kg2 Kf8 27. Reb1
Pressure is to be kept up on the weakling queen knight's pawn.
27. … Kg8 28. Qd1 Bf8 29. R3b2 Bg7 30. Rc2 Ra7 31. Rbc1 Nb8 32. Ne2 Rc7 33. Qd3
White has succeeded in tying up most of Black's pieces in the defense of his pawns. Now he is ready to maneuver against other weaknesses in the Black camp.
33. … Ra7 34. Qb3 Ra6 35. Nf4 Rd8 36. Nd3 Bf8 37. Nfe5 Rc8 38. Rc3 Be7 39. Nf4
Petrosian is making the most of the mobility of his two
39. … Bf6 40. Ned3 Ra5
knights which is in sharp contrast to the static stance of Black's minor pieces.
Position After Black's 40th Move41. Qxb6!
The best way to continue the attack.
41. … Rxa4 42. Rc5!
Threatening the immediate 43. RxQP, winning.
42. … Ra6 43. Rxd5! Qxf4
Suddenly Black realizes he has failed to stop the threat. For example if 43. … RxQ, then 44. RxQ B-K2; 45. R-Q5. And 43. … Q-B is refuted by 44. Q-B5.
44. Qxa6 Qe4+ 45. f3 Qe6 46. Qc4
Black, who has given up the exchange in hopes of holding the game, sees his last chance vanish with this fine move.
46. … Qxe3 47. Ne5 Rf8 48. Rc5 Be7 49. Rb1 Bxc5 50. Rxb8! Resigns
The reply 50. … RxR is impossible because of 51. QxPch, with mate to follow.
Asbury Park Press The Chessboard Sunday, July 06, 1969 Asbury Park, New Jersey Chess Problem No. 112, American Chess...
Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Chess Problem No. 112, American Chess Bulletin, September-October 1941. White mates in 5 moves.
FEN 8/3b4/5RR1/8/8/3p2pp/3N1prk/5Knn w - - 0 1
Key: 1. R-QR6/ B-B; 2. R(N6)-K6 B-N2; 3. R(K6)-QB6. 2. … B-Q2; 3. R(R6)-B6. 1. … B-K;2. R(R6)-QB6. (1. Ra6 Bc8 2. Rge6 Bb7 3. Rec6 Bxc6 4. Rxc6 Ne2 5. Nf3#)
