The Havana Game Of Vasily Smyslov Analyzed

A talented singer, Smyslov narrowly missed joining the Bolshoi Opera. Opera's loss was the chess world's gain. Here we have a brilliant game of Vasily Vasiliyevich Smyslov from Russia. In Havana, 1965, Vasily Smyslov had a great tournament victory over reputed players like Geller, Fischer, Ivkov and Kholmov.

The 4th Capablanca Memorial International Chess Tournament was held in the capital city of Havana in Cuba. Eighteen grandmasters and six masters participated in the round-robin event at the Habana Libre hotel from August 25 to September 26, 1965. It was one of the best-funded tournaments at the time, due to Ché Guevara's patronage. As the director of the Cuban National Bank and Minister of Industry, he guaranteed a $3000 first prize with more than $4500 to be dispersed among the next five finishers. This edition of the memorial gained worldwide significance because it was the first international tournament in which Bobby Fischer would be participating since the Curacao Candidates (1962), more than three years before. He had agreed to attend for a $3000 appearance fee, but difficulties arose when the US State Department refused him a visa to travel to Cuba. When Fischer suggested playing by telex from the Manhattan Chess Club, the organizers agreed although it would end up costing them over $10,000.

Although Fischer had been playing regularly in US championships in the intervening three years (and winning them all), this tournament would mark the first time Fischer would be facing a number of the strongest Soviet grandmasters since his accusations against them for conspiring to keep him from winning the Candidates Tournament to challenge Botvinnik in 1963. Fischer's main Soviet rivals at this event were former world champion Vasily Smyslov, Efim Geller and Ratmir Kholmov. Smyslov finished first by one-half point, despite losing to Fischer in their individual game. Fischer shared second place with Geller and Borislav Ivkov, and Kholmov joined the top finishers in fifth place.

The opening is Nimzo-Indian, Rubinstein Variation (ECO E54). The game has been analyzed by Stockfish 10 x64 running on an i3 processor for 2 minutes straight. Enjoy!

Thanks to Camila Cabello's song Havana for inspiring me to write this blog article.