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The Chessboard 08 Jun 1969, Sun Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
The Chessboard: Spassky's Opening Boomerangs by Harry T. Conover
The 11th game of the world title match, now nearing its end in Moscow, took a curious turn as the challenger, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, played a line favored by the world champion, Tigran Petrosian, and lost.
As White in a Queen's Indian Defense, Spassky played 4. P-QR3 instead of the usual 4. P-KN3, a procedure recommended by Petrosian.
Just what Spassky had in mind in adopting a line which no doubt has been thoroughly analyzed by the champion is unclear. Possibly he had come to the game with a prepared variation, or with the idea of surprising the titleholder by springing his pet line against him.
In any event, Petrosian was neither surprised nor caught unprepared, as he played brilliantly to win in 56 moves.
Here is the score:
Boris Spassky vs Tigran V Petrosian
Petrosian - Spassky World Championship Match (1969), Moscow URS, rd 11, May-12
Queen's Indian Defense: Spassky-Petrosian Variation 0-1
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3
This move is frequently played nowadays in order to avoid the fighting Nimzo-Indian Defense which can follow 3. N-QB3. The trouble with the text is that it lacks bite and poses no problems for Black.
3. … b6 4. a3
Petrosian's preference for this move is based on the avoidance of 4. … B-N5 which could follow 4. N-B3.4. … Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. e3
Against Reshevsky in the 2nd Piatigorsky Cup Tournament, 1966, Petrosian continued 6. PxP NxP; 7. P-K3 B-K2; 8. B-N5ch P-B3; 9. B-Q3 O-O; 10. B-Q2 N-Q2; 11. NxN BPxN; 12. O-O. White gained a slight edge, but precision play by Reshevsky brought about a draw.
6. … Nbd7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Be2
In the main variation of this defense this bishop is brought to KN2 where he exerts pressure on the center. The text move appears to be too passive.
8. Bd6 9. b4 O-O 10. O-O a6
A precautionary measure intended to avoid any unpleasantness that might follow N-QN5.
11. Qb3 Qe7 12. Rb1 Ne4
The knight obtains a strong outpost where he quite easily can be supported by pieces and pawns. If now 13. NxN PxN; WHite would soon find the Black pawn at K4 intolerable.
13. a4 Ndf6 14. b5
Against Black's action on the kingside, White seeks compensation on the opposite wing.
14. … Nxc3 15. Qxc3 Ne4
His fellow having departed, this knight springs to replace him with the gain of a tempo. Now it is Black who is setting the pace, as White appears to have lost the advantage of the first move.
16. Qc2 Rfc8 17. Bb2 c6
Now, regardless of how he plays, White must accept an isolated rook's pawn.
18. bxc6 Bxc6 19. Qb3 Qd7
Already the isolated pawn is under attack.
20. Ra1 b5
Gaining a passed pawn regardless of how White replies.
21. a5 Bb7 22. Ne5 Qd8 23. Rfd1 Qh4 24. g3 Qe7
The queen's foray has induced a slight weakness in the White king's position.
25. f3 Ng5 26. h4 Ne6
Spassky is fighting back courageously, but in driving off the Black forces he has created lasting weaknesses in his position.
27. f4 f6 28. Nf3
Now it is White's turn to retreat.
28. … Nd8 29. Kf2 Nf7
Black intends to bring this knight to K5 or B5 by way of Q3.
30. Nd2!
Position After White's 30th Move30. … Rc4 31. Qd3 Re8 32. Bf3 Bb4 33. Ba3 Bxa3 34. Rxa3 Nd6 35. Re1 f5
Preparing to bring the knight to K5 with telling effect.
36. Raa1 Ne4+ 37. Bxe4 fxe4 38. Qb1 Qd7 39. Ra2 Rec8
Now Black's pressure on the queen bishop's file is well night unbearable. Hence White is forced to drastic measures.
40. Nxc4
Finally accepting Black's longstanding offer under only slightly better conditions than earlier.
40. … dxc4 41. d5 Bxd5 42. Rd1 c3 43. Rc2 Qh3! 44. Rg1
Of course not 44. RxB?, Q-R7ch and the White queen goes lost.
44. … Qg4 45. Kg2 Qf3+ 46. Kh2 Qxe3
The cleanup begins. White's position is hopeless.
47. f5 Qc5 48. Rf1 b4 49. f6 b3 50. Rcf2 c2 51. Qc1 e3
Black's rolling pawns are unstoppable.
52. f7+ Kf8 53. Rf5 b2 54. Qxb2 c1=Q 55. Qxg7+ Kxg7 56. Rg5+ …
One last try at a “swindle.” If 56. … K-R3; 57. R-B6mate. Here, White resigned.
Asbury Park Press The Chessboard Sunday, June 08, 1969 Asbury Park, New Jersey Chess Problem No. 108 by Nathan Rubens,...
Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Sunday, November 21, 2021
Chess Problem No. 108 by Nathan Rubens, American Chess Bulletin, July-August 1951. White mates in 3 moves.
FEN 8/8/8/5RK1/4p3/4k3/1Q6/8 w - - 0 1
Key: R-R5/Ra5 waiting. 1. … K-Q6; 2. R-R4. 1. … K-B6; 2. R-R2.
Chess Adjourned 10 Jun 1969, Tue Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
Petrosian Wins 20th 11 Jun 1969, Wed Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
Spassky Wins Again 13 Jun 1969, Fri Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
Chessmen Draw In Slow Match 14 Jun 1969, Sat Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
