[Event "Herceg Novi blitz"]
[Site "Herceg Novi YUG"]
[Date "1970.04.08"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Viktor Korchnoi"]
[Black "Robert James Fischer"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E97"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "1970.??.??"]
[EventType "blitz"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Nf3 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 {[#] After determining the main outline of the struggle (King's Indian
Defense), White has several options to choose from against this ever-popular
system. 9 b4 (Bayonet Attack) is the most common of these, but White can also
play 9 Ne1 or, as in the game, 9 Nd2.} 9. Nd2 c5 $1 {A strong, practical and
'prophylactic' measure against White's intended expansion on the queenside,
with b4-Nb3-c5, or even b4-c5-Nc4. Fischer comments as: "...I think this is a
logical move. Black takes a tempo from his kingside play to slow down
White’s queenside initiative which usually comes quite quickly with b4, c5,
etc."} 10. a3 Ne8 {Now Black returns to his routine: The knight gives a way to
the f-pawn.} 11. b4 b6 {Holding the c5- square as much as possible, to slow
down White's plan.} 12. Rb1 f5 {[#]} 13. f3 $6 {[#] Maybe, 'standing still'
against the pressure on e4- could have been better. This strategy is quite
common in Bayonet King's Indian structures, as when Black pushes his pawn to
f4-, White can exchange the ever-important light-squared bishops with Bg4. But
apparently Korchnoi firmly believes in his chances on the queenside.} f4 14. a4
g5 {Not only preparing for ...g5-g4, but also clearing the sixth rank for a
possible rook lift.} 15. a5 Rf6 {[#]} 16. bxc5 $2 {Seemingly so natural, this
capture was the beginning of the collapse, as it does not help White's
intentions.} ({According to the engines,} 16. Qb3 $142 h5 {followed by} 17. Ra1
{and several pawn exchanges on the queenside could have been much better.})
16... bxc5 17. Nb3 Rg6 {Just like a player taking the penalty standing behind
the ball, the rook is now more than ready to support the shooting with ...
g5-g4.} 18. Bd2 Nf6 19. Kh1 g4 {[#] It took some time for Black to harrass his
opponent's camp, but this pawn push opens so many lines with a devastating
effect.} 20. fxg4 {This capture was obligatory, since the alternatives
immediately loses, such as} (20. Re1 $2 g3 21. h3 (21. hxg3 Nh5 $1) 21... Bxh3
$1 {This thematic bishop sacrifice shows the importance of light-squared
bishop in Black's attacking plans in the kingside.}) 20... Nxg4 21. Rf3 Rh6 22.
h3 Ng6 23. Kg1 Nf6 24. Be1 {[#] If I were to describe this position as one of
the most unforgettable moments in blitz chess history, would you think I'm
exaggerating a bit? Regardless, Fischer's move, based on the principle of
retreating to attack, follows in the footsteps of his predecessors: 18 Nh1!
(Nimzowitsch-Rubinstein, Dresden 1926); 34 Nb1! (Botvinnik-Flohr, Moscow 1936);
and inspire the future ones: 18 Nb1! (Fischer-Ibrahimoglu, Siegen 1970), 18
Nb1! (Ertan-Erdogdu, Antalya 2009).} Nh8 $3 {One '!' for the strength, one '!'
for the effect! Black retreats his knight to enpower his attack against f3-
and more specifically h3-.} 25. Rd3 Nf7 26. Bf3 Ng5 {[#] Now that the knight
reaches its ideal square, fireworks are about to begin!} 27. Qe2 Rg6 28. Kf1 {
A futile effort, as the h3- pawn can easily be captured as a sacrifice.} Nxh3
$1 29. gxh3 Bxh3+ 30. Kf2 Ng4+ {Clearing the diagonal for Black's queen.} 31.
Bxg4 Bxg4 {Without waiting for his opponent's upcoming ...Qh4+ move, White
resigned.} 0-1
