A new move in a Fischer classic, by AJ Goldsby

AJ Goldsby writes from Florida-

I often have analyzed older games of chess. One such case was Bobby Fischer vs. O. Panno, from the Buenos Aries tournament of 1970.

http://www.ajschess.com/lifemasteraj/fisch-panno_ts.html

(My original web page would be close to 20 years old. However, it was originally published on a URL that was part of the "Excite Group." They forever closed their doors in 1998 or 1999, I believe.)

Many times, when looking at these games, I was struck by some move ... yet the analysis of such a move was simply beyond me. I would simply get lost in the thicket of the variations.


Some 25 years ago (or more), at a U.S. Open I mentioned to Andy Soltis the possibility of a new move. I took out one of my little black notebooks, and set up the position. (Given below.)

Ed: Sorry, AJ, the Impala blogsite software can't incorporate chess positions, but the reader can find the position discussed through the link to AJ's website -

http://www.ajschess.com/lifemasteraj/fisch-panno_ts.html

White to play, introduced the thunderbolt of 29.NxP/h7!! However, I suggested to Soltis that 29.Nf5! might also win. We analyzed the position for a few minutes, then we had to abandon our work ... for the round was about to begin. (Soltis analyzed this game in his book, Bobby Fischer, Rediscovered (2003). However, no mention of this (Ed: AJ's) move was ever made.

Back then I was a MUCH weaker player, however - - - given days, or even weeks to push wood about - - - I could often come up with some convincing lines. However, PROVING the win was vastly more difficult!

Fast forward to today: with powerful chess engines and "Quad Four" Pentium processors, working out the win is almost "child's play" in these amazing times!!!


29.Nf5!! exf5;
30.gxf5 Qd7!?;

This seems like a natural move to me, the BQ stays on the second rank and appears (at a first glance) to have all the relevant squares covered in this line.

(White is also winning after the line:

30...gxf5;
31.Bxf5 f6;
32.Be6+ Nxe6;
33.exf6 Qd7!?;
To me, this looks like Black's best try - at least in this position.

{Fritz gives >/= 33...Qf7T; as being forced, however, this move is obviously losing for Black ... hence the try, 33...Qd7.}

34.Nxe6 Qf7;
35.Nd8 Qf8;
36.f7+, "+/-" & White wins.)

31.Bxd5! Qxf5[];
This is forced.

(If 31...Qxf5??; then simply 32.f5-f6, "+/-" and Black will not be able to prevent mate on g7.)

32.Bxf7+ Qxf7[];
Also forced!

(If 32...Kh8??; then White simply plays 33.QxN/f8#, and walks away.)

The rest is computer-generated analysis, if you don't believe mine, you can always check it for yourself. (Black - with three minor pieces for the Queen - seems to be doing OK. However, Black's pieces are un-coordinated, Black's King is under heavy pressure, and White's passed Pawns cannot be stopped.)

33.Nxf7 Kxf7;
34.e6+! Kg8!?;
Seemingly the safest square.

(Black is also lost after: "=" 34...Ke8; 35.d5 Nd6; 36.Qf4, "+/-" etc.)

35.Qg5 Nd6;
36.Qe5 Ne8;
37.h6!, "+/-" and White simply shoves his passers (up the board) to win.

Ed: You can play through the game online on ChessGames -

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044324

AJ seems to have proved his point with the aid of computers.

Bobby didn't include the brilliancy in his 60 Memorable Games for the good reason that Bobby's autobiographical book had been published in the previous year (1969).

Panno was no mean opponent, but then Fischer had reached his peak and would the following year whitewash 6:0 two Candiates (Taimanov and Larsen) on his way to winning the World Championship (in 1972).