Russsians versus Fischer:Part VI
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chessbibliophile on Fri, 10/16/2009 at 8:57pm.
Russians versus Fischer
by Dmitri Plisetsky and Sergey Voronkov
Hardcover, 462 pages
Everyman Chess.2005
http://www.everymanchess.com/
“Well, I still have my music."
-Taimanov’s comment to Fischer after the Match
Chess is like war.The loser is shorn of all dignity and honour.They took away everything from Taimanov …his music as well.He was a gifted pianist.They told him he could not perform any more.A disgraced player has no right to appear in public.It was only after Larsen was knocked out with the same score(6-0) that Taimanov was rehabilitated.Arguments over Bobby raged in public and private.Bondarevsky complained that Fischer's calculating ability was limited to"counting variations."Kotov wryly retorted that he was also good at counting points: "At least he has become an expert in counting up to six!"Meanwhile another Candidates’ Match, Petrosian-Korchnoi was in progress.The winner was to meet Bobby in the Final.Draw after draw followed in this match.People joked that neither of the players wanted to win the match and fall into Fischer’s hands! In the book we have Karpov’s testimony.According to his version both the combatants were called by authorities and asked who had the better chances against Fischer. Korchnoi said, the generation beaten by Fischer had no practically no chances. Karpov also suggests that there was a deal between the duo that Viktor should throw his match to Tigran. One should be very careful in reading all these unverified assertions in view of Karpov’s long history of hostility with Petrosian and Korchnoi.Even a cursory perusal of the games of that match would reveal that it was a tough encounter.Petrosian played a cat-and-mouse game with Korchnoi and prevailed over him only in the last game of the match.
One problem with this book is its excessive reliance on Averbakh’s testimony.He maintains that both he and Korchnoi were asked to assist Petrosian for the match with Fischer.But when they sat down to work in his dacha, Petrosian left to watch football! This angered Viktor who refused to help Petrosian and returned to Lenigrad.But according to Korchnoi he did visit Petrosian at his villa for two weeks to assist him in his preparations on his request.However, he refused to accompany him to the match with Fischer.The ostensible reason Viktor gave the authorities was that it would be unethical for him as he was also a participant in the candidates’ cycle.In my view they did not press as they were alert to possibilities of adverse publicity.Fischer had already accused the Soviets of collusion. Probably they didn’t want to take chances. But, did this incident narrated by Averbakh really happen? In Chess is my life, his autobiography Korchnoi never misses a chance to criticise his enemy Petrosian.It is surprising that he does not mention this incident to show how “ irresponsible” Petrosian was.In all fairness Petrosian prepared seriously for the match.Unfortunately, hostilities between him and Bobby had begun before, for no fault of his. Petrosian happened to be the editor of 64, a famous Russian chess magazine.An article reviling Fischer appeared in it without Petrosian’s knowledge and consent.The entire piece was in poor taste and it was not even good propaganda.64 was widely read by chess players all over the world.The article gave the impression that the Soviets resorted to abuse because they could not beat Bobby over the board.Tal who happened to be the editor of sahs, the Latvian magazine at that time distanced himself from such views.Petrosian was distressed, but could do nothing about it. Apparently the article had the sanction of some higher-ups.When Bobby came to know about it, he held Petrosian responsible for it and attacked in turn with his own statements.Perhaps if Petrosian had spoken to Gligoric, a mutual friend and asked him to clear up the misunderstanding, it would have done.But those were days of tension for Petrosian as well.Any way unlike Taimanov Petrosian was quite assertive of his rights and saw to it that Bobby did not dictate terms over everything. In any case the Soviets had a powerful presence in FIDE, and they could hardly be called underdogs in this situation.Petrosian prepared seriously for the match. He was the last barrier before Bobby came knocking at the gates of the Soviet citadel.He was ably assisted by Averbakh and his long-time second Suetin.
The Candidates’ Final, Fischer-Petrosian Match was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Petrosian was accompanied by Rona, his wife, seconds, Averbakh and Suetin.Baturinsky, the boss also joined them.When the draw was held to decide the colours for the first game Bobby chose White.He was pleased and smiled.Petrosian also smiled… as a bomb was ticking for Bobby when he faced Black in the first game.When Bobby opened with e4, the bomb exploded. It was a stunning pawn sacrifice in the same Sicilian, Taimanov had lost with in his match with Bobby.Everything went according to Petrosian’s preparation.Unfortunately, lights went out in the hall just when he was about to make a powerful move 16…Rxg2!.For five minutes the two players sat motionless in semidarkness. Petrosian felt something was amiss and when the lights came on, chose a weaker continuation.Gradually he lost control as Bobby regained his composure and won.But in the second game Petrosian beat Bobby’s Grünfeld Defence and ended his successful run.The audience gave a standing ovation.In the third game Petrosian again outplayed Bobby with French Defence and won a pawn.If the game had been adjourned he and his seconds would have analysed it at leisure and won.Now yet another miracle took place. Bobby claimed draw by repetition of moves.In the fourth game Petrosian took an easy draw with White.After the exertion of three days he just wanted some rest. In the fifth game once again he obtained a promising position with Black, but only drew.The honours were even in the first half of the match.The tide turned in the second half.In the sixth game of the match Petrosian chose the same irregular variation of Rei with which he had beaten Korchnoi in the final game of their match.Bobby has always punished Hyper-modern excess in classical style.Petrosian ought to have known better as both he and Smyslov were beaten by Bobby the previous year.But all these years he had been successful with this policy as White.Bobby overran him, and only a problem-like move would have led to a clear draw on adjournment.Petrosian sealed a weaker move.The Soviets spent a sleepless night.No matter how they tried they could find no way of saving the ending.*
It was lost after a long struggle of 66 moves.The game broke Petrosian's spirit.In the seventh game, a Sicilian, he was unrecognisable and lost without a fight.It was in the eighth game that he made his last serious attempt to level the scores in the match.
A great game worthy of the occasion.The last game was more like a skittles game in a coffee house, with Petrosian trying to checkmate his opponent in a rook and knight ending.Bobby sacrificed his knight for three pawns and soon it was all over.The final result was 6½-2½, in favour of Fischer. How Petrosian survived this defeat when he returned to Moscow is not clear.Surely, the authorities took a dim view of the debacle.Now they had to reckon only on Spassky to defend the title.
To be continued
*Note:Petrosian's nightmare over the adjourned position and his account of the match along with Averbakh's make this chapter worth reading.The ending of the sixth game is a delight for connoisseurs.
Link:http://www.chess.com/article/view/russians-versus-fischerpart-v
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