Cardoso-Fischer Match 1957. Game 3 - Mabuhay!!

Final Annotated game Fischer-Cardoso Match

NEW YORK, 1957
Match Play - Game 3

The Talent is There

Although White ought to have lost this game, it still testifies in his talent because of the perfect way in which he uses his golden opportunity. More such opportunities are coming to talented Cardoso once he has overcome his lack of practice, a grave handicap for him in this match.

Rodolfo Cardoso (Philippines) - R.J. Fischer (United States)

1. P-K4 P-QB4
2. N-KB3 P-Q3
3. P-Q4 PxP
4. NxP N-KB3
5. N-QB3 P-QR3
6. P-KN3 ....

White's decision is not good as the fianchetto serves well only against the Scheveningen System, i.e. after 5... P-K3. The usual continuations, 6. B-KN5 or 6. B-K2, are preferable. Also, 6. B-QB4 as in GAme 2, is at least more in style.

6.... P-K4!

In this line, White's fianchettoed Bishop has no scope. Hence, the extra turn spent for fianchettoing is wasted. Besides, White misses the possibility of P-KB3 which is often useful in this system but which obviously now creates a very awkward White King-side.

7. KN-K2 B-K2
8. B-N2 O-O
9. O-O QN-Q2
10. P-KR3....

It is very difficult to design a workable plan for White. Best seems to be 10. P-QR4. The text move, however, also offers chances, if made with the intention of proceeding with P-KN4 and, possibly, N-KN3 and P-KB4.

10.... P-QN4
11. P-QR4 ....

This attempt to disrupt Black's Queenside Pawn structure is ill conceived and brings White into serious trouble. Instead, White ought to play 11. P-R3, preparing to start King-side action as just mentioned. Black's natural re-action then is to strive quickly for ...P-Qr: e.g., 11. P-R3 B-N2 12. P-KN4 N-N3 13. P-B4! or 11...N-N3 12. P-KN4 B-K3 13. P-B4! By playing P-B4 when ... P-Q4 is threatened, White may still face draw-backs but is doing the best he can under the circumstances.

11.... P-N5
12. N-Q5 NxN
13. QxN ....

White enhances his trouble. 13. PxN is a much better try: e.g., 13...P-B4 14. P-QB4 or 13...N-N3 14. P-N3, Q-B2 15. B-N2 B-N2 16. QB4.

13.... Q-B2!
14. P-QB3

Not 14. QxR because of 14...N-N3.

14... B-N2
15. Q-Q1 N-B4
16. P-B3 P-QR4
17. B-K3 B-R3
18. R-B1 QR-N1
19. P-KB4 NPxP

Black has quickly obtained a strong, positional attack. He now wins a Pawn.

20. RxP ....

After 20. NPxP, there are several ways of winning the Pawn, including simply 20... NxRP.

20.... RxP
21. RxKB2 Q-N3
22. R-QB1 Q-N6
23. N-B3 PxP
24. RXR QxR
25. BxN PxB
26. PxP P-B5
27. N-Q5 B-B4+
28. K-R2 B-N5
29. R-B2 Q-N6

Obviously, Black has a winning advantage.

30. P-K5! ....

White's only dim hope is a sudden King-side attack as the bulk of Black's army is operating on the other side.

30.... QxP

Stricken by juvenile recklessness, Black ignores the looming danger. Correct and decisive is 30...Q-Q6!

31. B-K4+

With several threats, primarily 32. BxP+! KxB 33. Q-R5+ K-N1 34. N-B6+ PxN 35. R-N2 mate. White has a winning attack.

31.... P-N3

Black's has poor choice, particularly as his Rook has no safe square. The alternatives are 1) 31...R-N1 32. N-B6+ winning (32...PxN 33. R-N2+ or 32...K-B1 33. N-Q7+ or 32...K-R1 33. Q-R5 P-R3 34. QxP); or 32...K-R1 33.Q-R5 P-R3 34. QxP); 2) 31... R-Q1 32. N-B6+! 3) 31...R-R1 32. N-N6! 4) 31`...R-B1 32. Q-N4! (threatening both 33. N-N6 and 33. R-KN2); 5) 31...R-K1 32. Q-N4! B-QB1 33. Q-N3, and White must win; 6) 31...K-R1 33. Q-R5 and White mates or wins the Queen Bishop (33...P-R3 34. Q-B5 P-N3 35. Q-B6+ or 33...P-N3 34. Q-R4!); 7) 31...P-R3 (the comparatively best try as it offers chance for complications) 32. Q-R5, however and with threat of 33. Q-B5, wins; e.g. 32...B-B1 33. R-KN2, K-R1 34. P-B5.

32. Q-N4 B-N2
33. N-B6+ K-N2
34. Q-R4 R-B1

Black also loses after 1) 34...R-R3 35. N-R5+; 2) 34...R-KR1 35. N-N4, P-R3 36. Q-B6+ K-N1 37. P-K6 PxP 38. QxNP+ K-B1 39. BxB. The rest is easy.

35.QxP+ K-B1
36. P-K6! R-B2
37. Q-N8! K-K2
38. QxP! K-Q1
39. R-Q2! B-Q4
40. RxB! Resigns