Exceso de andrógenos

Monte Carlo 1 967 S I C I L I A N D E F E N S E Robert J. Fischer

U nited States White

1 P-K4

Yefi m. Gel ler Soviet U nion Black P-QB4 Usually, Geller prefers the classical 1 . . . P-K4. With his position in the tournament, however, the Soviet Grand­

master has to fight for a win rather than try solid lines. In the Ruy Lopez, moreover, he cannot expect to reach his favorite Marshall Counter Attack. For, as Fischer-Smyslov had shown a few rounds earlier, Fischer can get the su­

perior endgame from the Exchange Vari­

ation, not the prospect which Geller is seeking.

2 N-KB3 Hear ! hear !

3 P-Q4 4 NxP 5 N-QB3

P-Q3

PxP N-KB3 P-QR3!

Since he started his rise to the stars at thirteen, we have seen this position innumerable times in Fischer's games, but with him on the opposite side of the chess table. Geller is far from being the first to tempt Fischer thus. Even this commentator enters the list of those who did and actually more "rightfully"

since the Najdorf Variation has been his favorite defense for many years whtle Geller as White stubbornly and success­

fully fought against it and Fischer at Curaco with the positional 6 B-K2.

6 8-K N 5 !

I f recollection holds true, this i s the first time that the U. S. Champion has used this, the most crucial move i n the whole variation. He has tried to outplay Tahl, Olafsson and Zuckerman with 6 B-QB4 ; Reshevsky, Najdorf and Julio Bolbochan with 6 P-KR3 ; and this com­

mentator with 6 P-KN3.

6 • • • •

7 P-84 P-K3

Q-N 3 ! T h e exclamation marks have been used here not to stress the value of the moves played but their psychological effect. Till now, it has been the Najdorf Variation ; from now on, it can be called Fischer's line. For the young American Grandmas­

ter is the one who has kept Black's posi­

tion-despite its backwardness in de­

velopment-alive for years. But now what is Fischer, the promoter of Black's line, going to answer as White?

. 1: . . 1: . :1

� -��A

8 Q-Q2

This is the sharpest variant, offer­

ing a Pawn which Fischer himself has accepted many times.

After the cautious 8 N-N3, QN-Q2 9 Q-B3, Q-B2 10 0-0-0, P-QN4 11 P-QN3, B-N2 12 P-KN4, R-QB1 13 R-Q1, P-Q4, Black can hope for good counterplay ( Szabo-Stein, Hamburg 1965 ) . 8 . . . Q­

K6t 9 Q-K2, QxQt 10 BxQ, however, al­

lows White the superior endgame (Stein

-Gligorich, Stockholm 196 2 ) .

8 . . . . Qx P

After Black's seventh move, it is con­

sequent to take less regard for proper development than for weak black squares in White's camp. 8 . . . N-B3 9 0-0-0, QxN 10 QxQ, NxQ 11 RxN seems to de­

velop but actually gave Keres an oppor­

tunity once to win the favorable end­

game for White.

9 R-Q N 1 Q-R6

This critical position was reached in

_ Mazzoni-Fischer several rounds earlier.

After all the analyses, published and unpublished and with the strong preju­

dice that Black ought to be mated be­

cause of his risky attempt to take a Pawn in disregard of development, the spectators were puzzled that Fischer should dare to play it still. But, while others were "refuting" Fischer's innova­

tions in post-mortem analysis, he kept garnering points, always findin

g

sources for Black .

True, closer look into the position shows tha.t White has many weaknesses and that it is not so easy to penetrate to the King in the center surrounded by many Pawns and pieces and that the whole game is constantly on the edge of a loss for either side on the least inaccurate play. Certainly, Geller had good nerves to essay this position against an opponent who had analysed it more·

and knew it better. Still, the Soviet Grandmaster can find encouragement in the estimate that Fischer is not the kind who plays for tricks or attempts any­

thing without assurance that it has real value. So why not try the same?

10 P-85

This commentator, sitting at the next board opposite Smyslov, had a presenti­

ment that White aimed at this continu­

ation, less frequently played and analyzed but not less dangerous.

Dr. Mazzoni, as White against Fischer,

In the meanwhile, Smyslov renounced any ambition to overtake the leader of the tournament and made a quick draw in ten moves with this commentator.

Of course, this action pleased the U. S.

Champion who was now able to play whatever he wanted without jeopardizing his first place. (Gipslis-Korchnoy 31st USSR Champion­

shi p ) . The similar later game, Hartston­ further development. An interesting pos­

sibtlity is 14 R-N3, Q-R4 (Bergln-Zlot­

but, probably, White doesn't care to give Black any opportunity to castle.

15 . . . • PxP

Black cannot breathe without expend­

ing a precious tem po to take this second Pawn.

16 0-0

The tension is at its peak. Black's King has no safe place, the winds are blowing all around along open files and diagonals but still Black's central Pawn mass allows hope for the protection of the sable sovereign.

1 6 • . • . 8-84t At last, a chance to do something

toward proper development.

17 K-R1 R-81

One Rook less, one hope more for the defending state.

18 P-84

It does seem necessary to break the block of central Pawns, but the text does not prove to be efficient for a de­

cisive attack. Another possibility is 18 B-Q3.

18 ^{0 0 0 0} 19 RxR

RxRt White has to bar the way to the King­

side.

19 ^{0 0 0 0} 8-N 2 But now this Bishop takes over the long diagonal, and it is Black who has scored the bigger gain.

20 8-N4

This obvious attacking move garners no fruit. The interpolation 20 B-R5t, P-N3 21 B-N4 only serves to protect Black's KB4 better. And the alternatiye

20 Q-QB2 (with the side idea of mating if Black's Queen departs) , P-K4 is un­

clear. Also, 20 R-B3, Q-N5 21 QxQ, BxQ 22 R-N3, P-QR4 23 P-QR3 fails to win a piece because of 23 . . . P-R3 ! followed by 24 . . . PxP and then 25 . . R-B1.

Playable, however, is 20 PxP, BxP 21 Q-QB2 and 22 B-QB4.

20 ^{0 0 0 •} PxP

The text is Black's only reply, but sufficient. Now the picture changes very quickly.

21 8xP

21 Q-QB2 still yields White some pros­

pects. 21 . . . Q-Q6 allows 22 Q-R4t and 23 QxBP. Probably, 21 . . . B-Q4 is the answer; but, even so, White has more chances than in the game.

21 ^{0 •• 0} Q-Q6

22 Q-K1

T h e ending after 22 B-B7t, K-Q2 2 3 BxP, QxQ 24 BxQ, R-KB1 is hopeless for White.

22 0 0 00 8-K5 ! ! This winning move cuts White off from all important files and diagonals [one threat was 23 B-H5] and reminds one of a solution to a chess problem.

23 8-N4 R-N 1

24 B-Q1 K-Q2

Black avoids the last threat of 25 B-R4t.

25 R-87t 'l Resigns

K-K3 26 RxP walks into 26 . . . BxPt 27 KxB, R-N7t with a mating attack.

Opening analysts have plenty of new material to explore in this short game.

1 8. O N E OF S IX?

Without having proved to be truly more than perhaps a first