Russians versus Fischer
by Dmitry Plisetsky and Sergey Voronkov
Hardcover, 462 pages
Everyman Chess. 2005
http://www.everymanchess.com/
http://www.chess.com/article/view/russians-versus-fischer2
Nostalgia rules.When you think of this kid who set out to conquer the world you are lost in wonder.Remember that pearl of an ending against Smyslov? No, it did not satisfy him .Only a draw.In the third quarter of the tournament the two rivals met again.In his eagerness to win our young hero overreached himself and lost to the former world champion. He was angry with himself. In the last round he was again paired with Smyslov.Yugoslav journalist Bjelica recalled: “Before his game with Smyslov we went to the cinema.Lust for life was on, a film about Vincent Van Gogh’s life.After the scene where the hero cut off his own ear Bobby told me, “I’ll cut off my ear if I don’t beat Smyslov tomorrow.”His victory against Smyslov was really wonderful.So he still has both ears.”
When two geniuses meet
But what about Tal? Not only had Misha beaten him 4-0, he had also teased Bobby mercilessly on that account. Then came the match between the USSR and the USA at the Leipzig Olympiad. On Board 1 Tal and Fischer were both determined to win. Bobby had only dreamed of this encounter when his plane was still flying across the Atlantic.
The game between the Champion of the world and the Champion of the USA was awaited with great interest.A record five thousand people visited the Ringmessehause that day.It was impossible to elbow one’s way to the table at which the game was being played.And the contestants lived up to expectations.
_gegen_Fischer_(USA).jpg)
“You do not play badly” said Bobby.” This is the first time you have conceded that” replied Tal. “But if I had lost I would have played like a genius!”
One year later Bjelica had a television interview with Bobby. His first question was about Botvinnik. “He’s the world champion, but he is so strong.The reason is his age.He is 52.”said Bobby. Bjelica noticed that Bobby had added two years to the world champion’s age, but did not ask him why. After the interview, however, Tal asked him:“Why did you give Botvinnik two extra years?” “I was thinking about when I was likely to be playing a match with him.” “On that basis you might as well say he is seventy!” replied Tal.
Not all these light moments find their way into Russians versus Fischer.It’s a serious work.But fun is never far,with Bobby around and he drove people crazy.Tal recalled the days of Zűrich ’59 Tournament:
....playing against Bobby proved to be by no means easy.His immeasurable thirst for victory … made him a dangerous opponent for any contestant.He disliked easy draws and fought on until the material on the board was completely exhausted. ‘In his game with the oldest competitor, the Hungarian Grandmaster Gideon Barcza
Fischer had no advantage, but, not wishing to let his opponent go in peace, played on to the 103rd move. The game was adjourned three times and the contestants used up two score sheets, but even when there were only the kings left on the board, Fischer made two more moves!Draw! Stunned by such a fanatical onslaught, Barcza could barely get up from his chair, but Bobby nonchalantly suggested:“Let’s have a look at the game from the beginning. I’m sure I could have played better at some point!”Barcza then began pleading:“Look, I have a wife and children. Who’s going to support them in the event of my untimely death!”
There is an element of exaggeration in this story given in the book. As a matter of fact,the game lasted only (!) 95 moves. But it does manage to get a celebrated episode right. Take a look at the picture here.What occasioned the mirth?
Here is good old Bjelica again: ‘The Olympiad had ended.At the closing ceremony Tal and Fischer were centres of attention.Bobby and I were sitting at the same table; he was very cheerful and said, “Wait until I call Tal.” When Tal came to our table,Bobby said to him, “Let me tell your fortune.” He took Tal’s palm and slowly began predicting, “I see that you’re a talented player…” ‘Many grandmasters had gathered at our table.Everyone was listening and watching.’ “Your palm even shows that you play in a combinative style…” Tal,of course was laughing.There was also a smile on the face of Bill Lombardy, who was standing next to him.Meanwhile the grinning Bobby continued: "But I see that in the near future you will lose the title of world champion to a young American grandmaster…” Tal promptly turned to Lombardy and shaking his hand, said, “Bravo, Billy! So it’s you who are destined to succeed me!”
Every one roared with laughter.
To be continued
Links:
1)An interesting collection of Fischer photographs:
http://www.echecs-photos.be/BobbyFischer-photos/index.html
2)The next part of the review may be found here:
http://www.chess.com/article/view/russians-versus-fischerpart-iii
Notes
1)This story about the win against Smyslov is taken from a Bjelca article(August 1965 issue of Chess, Sutton Coldfield Magazine).It is not in the book.
Fischer chose both this win against Smyslov and draw against Tal for his book,
My 60 memorable Games.
2)By this time both Fischer and Tal had become friends notwithstanding rivalry over the board.
3)Fischer beat Tal in Bled 1961. Tal was first, his only loss being to Bobby. Fischer remained unbeaten, and was placed second ahead of Soviets, Keres, Geller and Petrosian.
4)Botvinnik beat Tal in the Return Match 1961 and was world champion again at this time.That joke on his age is also not in the book. It's in the same Bjelica article.
5)Tal won the Zǘrich Tournament.Gligoric was second.Fischer lost to Keller in trying to overtake Tal.But he had the satisfaction of beating Keres and shared third and fourth places with him.
6)The picture is taken from the book, Pal Benko:My Life, Games and Compositions.The comment on Tal here is by Benko.