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The Chessboard 15 Jun 1969, Sun Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
The Chessboard: Petrosian Lets Win Slip Away by Harry T. Conover
When the last move has been made in the world title match between Soviet grandmasters Tigran Petrosian and Boris Spassky, Petrosian may well look back in anger at the 14th game in which he let a clear win slip through his fingers.
In that game, Spassky, the challenger, again showed his willingness to accept a structural weakness in exchange for mobility. As Black in a Queen's Gambit Declined, Spassky early carried the fight into his opponent's territory, seemingly gaining the upper hand.
But after 40-odd moves it appeared that Spassky had overextended himself and his king was in trouble. In order to avoid mate, he gave up the exchange and Petrosian seemed headed for a sure victory.
Then, with the point within his grasp, Petrosian inexplicably lost his way and had to settle for a draw. The point thus thrown away may weigh heavily in the final score, as, after 19 games Spassky leads 10½-8½ with five games remaining.
Here is the score of the fateful 14th game:
Tigran V Petrosian vs Boris Spassky
Petrosian - Spassky World Championship Match (1969), Moscow URS, rd 14, May-19
Queen's Gambit Declined: Traditional Variation (D30) 1/2-1/2
1. c4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3
Weaker than 3. N-QB3, but Petrosian in this match habitually has sought to avoid the Nimzo-Indian Defense, 3. N-QB3, B-N5 etc.
3. … Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7
Of interest here, and quite satisfactory for Black is the Duras Variation, 4. … P-KR3; 5. BxN QxB; 6. Q-N3 P-B3; 7. QN-Q2 N-Q2; 8. P-K1 PxKP; 9. NxP Q-B5; 10. B-Q3 N-B3 with equality.
5. e3 O-O 6. cxd5
Or 6. QN-Q2 P-QN3; 7. B-Q3 B-N2; 8. Q-B2 QN-Q2; 9. O-O P-B4; 10. QR-Q P-KR3, leading to an even game.
6. … exd5 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. Bd3 b6 9. O-O Bb7
Black thus solves the problem of developing his queen's bishop, one of Black's major difficulties in the Queen's Gambit Declined.
10. Rc1 c5 11. Bf5 Re8 12. Re1 Nf8 13. dxc5 bxc5
Spassky again shows that he is unafraid to accept a weakness in his pawn position to gain freedom of movement. He now takes on the burden of the “hanging pawns,” but enhances the scope of his pieces to a certain degree.
14. Na4 Ne4 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Nd2 Nd6 17. Bg4 c4 18. Nf3 f5
In keeping with his familiar style, Black is aggressively carrying the fight to his opponent.
19. Bh3 Nd7 20. g3 Nf6 21. Nd4 g6 22. Nc3 Nde4 23. Bf1 Rac8 24. Rc2 Qb4!
Continuing his aggressive tactics.
25. Nxe4 Nxe4 26. Qe2 Nc5 27. Qd2 a5 28. b3 Qxd2 29. Rxd2 Ba6 30. Red1 Red8 31. Rb1 Kf7 32. Be2 Nd3!
Occupying a strong outpost in the enemy camp.
33. Rdd1 Ke7 34. Kf1 Nb4 35. a3 Na2 36. bxc4 Nc3
Apparently winning the exchange, but White has a way out.
37. Rb6 Rd6 38. Rxd6 Kxd6 39. Rc1 Nxe2 40. Kxe2 dxc4
Black has shaken loose a passed pawn and now threatens 41. … P-B6ch after which the pawn would be hard to stop.
41. Kd2 Rb8 42. Kc3 Kd5 43. Rd1!
With the strong threat of 44. NxP dis ch.
43. … Ke4!?
A daring move quite in keeping with Spassky's fighting style.
Position After Black's 43rd Move44. f3+!
Suddenly Black's king is thrust into deadly peril. Retreat is out of the question, for on 44. … K-K4; 45. N-B6ch wins the exchange, and on 44. … K-Q4; 45. NxPdis ch is deadly. Black has little choice but to press deeper into enemy territory.
44. … Kxe3 45. Rd2 Rb3+
The only way to avoid the threatened mate.
46. Nxb3 cxb3 47. Rd7
And now it appears White has a comparatively easy win.
47. … h5 48. Ra7?
But this is a mistake. Correct was 48. R-Q6 and after the black bishop moves away 49. RxP would break up Black's kingside pawn formation, preventing the curious sequel which now unfolds.
48. … Bf1 49. f4 h4 50. gxh4 Kxf4
Now White's kingside pawns are compromised and a divided point is in the offing.
51. Rxa5 Ke4 52. Kxb3 f4 53. Rg5
The rook belatedly returns to the kingside.
53. … f3 54. Rxg6 Bh3 55. Rg1 f2 56. Rc1 Drawn.
White must give up the rook after the pawn queens. Sharp play by Spassky in a key game of the match.
Asbury Park Press The Chessboard Sunday, June 15, 1969 Asbury Park, New Jersey Chess Problem No. 109 by J.G. Martin,...
Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Monday, November 22, 2021
Chess Problem No. 109 by J.G. Martin, 1st Prize, 1967-68 Tourney No. 117 British Chess Federation. White mates in 3 moves.
FEN 2N5/3KN3/8/3pk1P1/1p2P3/8/4P2n/b4Q1n w - - 0 1
Key: Q-B/Qc1, threat 2. N-B6ch. 1. … KxP; 2. N-Q6ch. 1. … PxP; 2. N-R7; 1. … P-Q5; 2. N-Q6
Spassky Has Dry Chess Eyes Now 18 Jun 1969, Wed Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
