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Bobby Fischer vs Paul Keres
"Detective Story" (game of the day Mar-14-2007)
Curacao Candidates (1962), Willemstad CUW, rd 7, May-12
Spanish Game: Closed Variations. Keres Defense (C96)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Bobby Fischer vs Paul Keres (1962) Detective Story


Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 5 OF 5 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Nov-25-15  Howard: 23...Nb2 wouldn't have helped, either.
Jul-11-16  thegoodanarchist: <Howard: Bit hard to believe that Fischer missed a forced win !>

Fischer was in poor form at this tournament - he also missed a shot against Filip:

Fischer vs Filip, 1962

May-11-17  Chesstorian72: How did Fischer miss 33.Bf8 Wow
May-11-17  dhotts: 19...Ra7 appears to be Kere's downfall, as his back rank becomes a thorn in his side for the rest of the game...19...Bf8 or even 19...Nc6 20.Nxc6 Qxc6 21. Qxe7 Re8!
May-11-17  ChessHigherCat: <harrylime: 21.. g6 looks ugly. . To have to make such a move means the writing is on the wall.>

Yeah, but the reason is he had to make it is that every single black piece is on the wrong side of the board. You can see from the photo that Fischer is focused deeply on moving a magnet under the table.

May-11-17  protonchess: @ dhotts: imagine the sides are reversed, do you see Fischer (as Black) making a cop-out move like Nc6?

These players, unlike today's computer-aided generation, didn't like switching to passive defense until it was absolutely necessary. Which meant that a lot of time it was too late. But then they deserved their prize money with clear conscience.

May-11-17  Amulet: <The article does not answer my question: Who is the balding spectator in the photo? Anyone know? Thanks.>

If I were you I won't concentrate on that thing, It will not help you improve your chess tactics. Mind instead the chess position in the picture. It is black to move on 38.

May-11-17  Retireborn: The bald guy is the score assistant or board assistant. There are a couple of similar photos in the 2005 NiC tournament book. According to the book the score assistant was expected to sit there the whole time and make a note of every move, and other assistants would use the notes to keep the demonstration boards and press up to date.

These assistants were volunteers. A couple of them are identified in the book, but not this one.

May-11-17
Premium Chessgames Member
  tamar: With both players riveted to the board, the spectator sees the sandwich has been left en prise.
May-11-17  Retireborn: <tamar> Might be *his* sandwich, though? Must admit I have no idea if Fischer or GMs in general ate/eat at the board. Observations welcome.
May-11-17  TheFocus: Fischer ate at the board a lot. I have seen many references.
May-12-17  Retireborn: <TheFocus> Thanks. I've recalled an anecdote from the Brussels 1986 tournament book, which relates how Nigel Short once swiped one of the chocolate bars reserved for Kasparov to eat during games.
May-12-17  TheFocus: And remember Karpov's yoghurt.
May-12-17  Retireborn: Good Lord, yes. Petra Leeuwerik had some fun with that!
May-12-17  ChessHigherCat: <Retireborn: <TheFocus> Thanks. I've recalled an anecdote from the Brussels 1986 tournament book, which relates how Nigel Short once swiped one of the chocolate bars reserved for Kasparov to eat during games.>

A friend once told me he was watching Fischer play in NYC (I forget where, maybe the Manhattan Chess Club) where there were a lot of Hasidim kibbitzers. Fischer hated people talking while he was playing and he suddenly stood upand threw his carton of milk at them!

May-12-17
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: I hope the milk was kosher.
Jan-07-18  WorstPlayerEver: That clock looks like a bomb.
Apr-12-19  Ulhumbrus: After 19 Nxe5 the centre has been dissolved but White's pieces are placed better, so much so that Fischer says that this position is too much even for Keres and has indicated that Keres is in trouble.
Dec-04-22  Jyrki: According chessmetrics, Petrosian was best player in world in 1961-63.Petrosian was progressing from year to year,and finally he reached #1 in 1961. I agree with Keres when he commented Curaco :"I donĀ“t know if Bobby agrees with me,but in my opinion his placement (4th place) corresponds his playing strength.The result must have been a cold shower to Bobby" . And Keres also critized Bobby about "lack of objectivity towards his achievements or playing skills of other players" .However, Keres admitted that Bobby had talent.
Dec-04-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  tamar: When chess clocks were built like tanks
Dec-04-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  harrylime:

keres was'nt a COMMIE

Dec-04-22  SChesshevsky: <When chess clocks were built like tanks>

Also love the table setup. Coffee cups, ash trays, sandwiches. Looks like playing at the dining room table. Guessing glass is for Fischer's favorite, milk. Wondering if he also has a grilled cheese sandwich there?

Probably mentioned it before, but great article by Keres on how he developed this variation and his tests at Curacao in the book "How to Open a Chess Game." Think it's still available out there .

Dec-04-22  stone free or die: <tamar: When chess clocks were built like tanks>

That's a chess clock?!?

I thought it was a toaster for the sandwiches!

.

Jul-03-23  Lloyd Gross: 27. Qxc4! Best move of the game.
Dec-09-24  g2Bishop: 39. Rb6 (!) protecting the b2 pawn, preserving the Q-side structure, and preparing to make a passed pawn is a star move, embodying the timeless endgame principles of 'do not hurry', and 'do not grab material in endgames'.

If black moves his king, then 40. Kg3 protecting f2. Otherwise the white rook is going to b7 to paralyze black as in the game.

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