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Efim Geller vs Robert James Fischer
Curacao Candidates (1962), Willemstad AHO, rd 2, May-03
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf. Opocensky Variation Traditional Line (B92)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Kibitzer's Corner
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Dec-21-08  notyetagm: <Eyal: ... This was a second consecutive loss for Fischer, following his loss to Benko in the 1st round; after winning the Interzonal a few months earlier with no losses and by a margin of 2.5 points, these two games must have come as a cold shower in Fischer's face.>

Wow, I did not know that Fischer started Curacao 0-2, with losses to Benko and Geller.

A cold shower indeed. In the Arctic. In the winter time. Outdoors.

Dec-22-08  AnalyzeThis: I think he was 'only' a top 10 player then, at the age of 19. He did finish with a plus score in the tournament.
Jan-02-09  WhiteRook48: Fischer loses!? Wow.
Aug-18-10  sevenseaman: Bravo Geller!
Jan-07-11  jmboutiere: Bashful Bob: I will never understand this game.
Answer : We, normal people, never completely understand a game between first 10 - 20 chess players
Jan-07-11  jmboutiere: After 11 moves chances are equal. White has more space on the queen side and a weak pawn at b7
Jan-07-11  jmboutiere: 18...Cb4 better than 18...Bd6
29...Qe7 better than 29...Bd7
+0.90 Rybka 3
31...Ra3 better than 31...Qb7
34...Qc2 better than 34.Bf5
final pozition Rybka 3 + 2.06
May-18-12  Birthday Boy: I don't understand 17.b4. What are the consequence if Black takes the pawn(cxb4) maybe 18.Bb6 followed by Qb3 ?
May-18-12  King Death: < Birthday Boy: I don't understand 17.b4. What are the consequence if Black takes the pawn(cxb4) maybe 18.Bb6 followed by Qb3 ? >

After 17...cb 18.Bb6 and 19.c5 would have given Geller a monster pawn roller. White can pick up the pawn at b4 after that, it's more important to grab space in the center and constrict Black's pieces.

May-18-12  Birthday Boy: Thank you so much!! <King Death>!
Jul-25-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: A great strategical win
Jul-26-13  birthtimes: A very Karpov-like game here played by Geller. It is important to remember that had Fischer played Karpov in 1975, he also knew he would be playing against Geller!!! And Karpov-Geller would have been far more effective than Spassky-Geller in 1972!!!
Jul-26-13  birthtimes: Geller owned Fischer!!! Geller used Lasker's strategy against Fischer!!!
Jul-27-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: Move 34 Kh2 was a blunder from an engine perspective. It was necessary to play Bf1 instead:

Efim Geller - Robert James Fischer, Curacao Candidates 1962


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Analysis by Houdini 3 x64:

1. (2.59): 34.Bf1 Bf5 35.d6 Qd1 36.c5 Kg7 37.Qxa6 Qd4 38.Qc4 Qd2 39.g4 Bd7 40.c6 Qxd6 41.cxd7 Qxd7 42.Qe4 Qe7 43.Kg2 Qg5 44.Bc4 Qf6 45.Bd5 h6 46.h4 Qd6 47.g5 hxg5 48.hxg5 Kf8 49.Qc4 Qd7 50.Qb4+ 2. = (0.00): 34.Kh2 Qc2 35.Qd8+ Kg7 36.Qxd7 Qxe2 37.Qe8 a5 38.f3 Qe3 39.Qa4 Qf4+ 40.Kg1 Qe3+ 41.Kf1 Qc1+ 42.Kf2 Qd2+ 43.Kg1 Qe3+ 44.Kf1

(Doe, 27.07.2013)

Jul-27-13  ughaibu: How about if white answers 34...Qc2 with 35.c5 Qe2, 36.c6?
Jul-27-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: <ughaibu> Either Bf5 or Qxf2 draws

Efim Geller - Robert James Fischer, Curacao Candidates 1962


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Analysis by Houdini 3 x64:

1. = (0.00): 36...Bf5 37.d6 Qxf2 38.d7 Bxd7 39.cxd7 Qf4+ 40.Kh1 Qf1+ 41.Kh2 Qf4+ 42.Kh1 2. = (0.00): 36...Qxf2 37.cxd7 Qf4+ 38.Kg1 Qe3+ 39.Kh2 Qf4+ 40.Kg1

(Doe, 27.07.2013)

Jul-27-13  ughaibu: Okay, thanks.
Jul-27-13  ughaibu: Does Timman mention it?
Jul-27-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: I don't have Timman's book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Curacao-196...

It would be interesting to see if he mentioned Kh2 as a mistake or not.

Jul-27-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: My video annotation of this game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DAE...

Jul-27-13  denopac: <kingscrusher: It would be interesting to see if [Timman] mentioned Kh2 as a mistake or not.>

<Timman, Curacao 1962: 34. Kh2. Obvious; White has created an escape hatch for his king, and this is now utilised. Kasparov nevertheless gives the text a question mark, and observes that White has thrown away the win. This, I believe, is incorrect -- after the text move White is still winning. At the same time, 34. Bf1 was probably simpler, e.g. 34... Bf5 35. d6, and 35... Bd3 fails to 36. d7.>

Jul-27-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: <denopac> thanks for that. I personally think kh2 draws with best play (qc2)
Aug-14-13  ChessYouGood: Fischer tries his best in this game but is beaten by a stronger player
Jan-05-21  Gaito: Maybe the game was adjourned, and the analysis done during the night showed that White would win. A likely continuation could have been: 41.d6 a4 42.c7 a3 43.Bc6a2 44.d7 Bxd7 45. xd7 Kg7 46.c8=Q a1=Q 47. Qc4, reaching this position with Black to move:


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It was a tense struggle where both masters played high-quality chess. A computer analysis shows very few improvements. Perhaps the most important improvement found by the engine (Stockfish 12) is on move 31. Instead of the capture 31.Rxb7, the engine suggests the very strong move 31.Qe7! (see diagram) with an evaluation of +4.01.


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Apr-19-25  Jyrki: Keres commented Bobby´s performance generally in the tournament. He told : "I do not know if Bobby agrees with me,but in my opinion his placement (4th after three soviets-my comment) corresponds his playing strength." Keres continued : "in Bobby´s games his opponents,including I, took advantage about his moves" . I tend to agree with Keres. Bobby was one of the best players in world,but Petrosian,Keres,Geller were simply stronger at that moment. Petrosian was in his prime,according chessmetrics he was #1 in 1961-63. Bobby hinted that Victor the terrible was losing games in purpose to give points to other soviets.But Petrosian won deservedly. :)
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