Both methods win. Fritz or Rybka may say you chose the best way, I don't know. In terms of calculation/pattern recognition, the idea of g8/Q+ first to lure the king to the back rank which allows white to queen with check seems the most standard way to calculate this as this idea comes up quite often and is most forcing.

As usual, i'm looking for sexy sacrifices. So i can't help thinking about 46. Bxd6 +.

What for?

As i was focused on the queen side, i was annoyed by the fact that the Bd6 (after 46.Bxd6 + Bxd6) was still guarding the b8 square.

Fortunately it takes few seconds to notice the g6 pawn ...

Cardoso plays the opening somewhat timidly. Practice has shown that Black cannot afford to let White mass his attack with impunity as Bobby does here. In more modern games, Black often pressures White early on via b5 and b4.

Cardoso prefers to play 7. Bd7 and 8. Nc6 rather than the more active b5, Bb7 and Nd7 setup. As a result, he doesn't waste a tempo castling since the ensuing activity will take place in the middle of the board anyway. Objectively, I prefer casting even with my opponents bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal. Here, Cardoso takes the road less traveled.

10. ... Qc7 is a slight slip in which Black commits his queen prematurely and all but ensures that he will have to play e5 in response to the looming f5. Since f5 and Black's response of e5 and b5 are waiting in the wings, Black's queen rook will have to move off the exposed diagonal anyway. Given Black's decision to settle matters in the middle first, Rc8 is more in keeping with his strategy.

After Black's 13. ... e5, he is left with a "hole" on d5 and a backward pawn that hems in his bishop. While these elements are a problem, they are generally not considered fatal provided Black can exchange such that White leaves a pawn on d5 which, in effect, plugs the hole. Cardoso does his level best but Fischer doesn't bite. One of the subtleties of Fischer's play is the way he creates space for his pieces to move. He often sacrificed material for greater mobility, though not in this game.

21. a4 is a brutal, though obvious move that effectively ends the game. At this point, all Cardos can do is hope for a draw, or a blunder on Fischer's part since Black is already running out of useful moves.

The resulting endgame is a study in piece mobility. Although material is equal, White's greater piece mobility prevents Black from mounting any counterplay. After the rooks are exchanged, its just a matter of time before Black finds himself in a zugzwang. This actually occurs on move 43 when Cardoso played Ke7. After 44. Kc6, White has a number of ways to win, though 46. Bxd6+ is the most forcing and efficient.

Probably the only reason Cardoso did not resign sooner was that he was hoping the young Fischer would blunder the game away. Besides, I doubt he enjoyed being crushed by a 13 or 14 year old.

Consequently, I ended up jumping at a bunch of moves that all look winning. First I looked at 46.g7 which looks winning, then I saw 46.b6 which looks winning, and even 46.Bxd6+ looks winning.

The way I heard it, you needn't be very concerned as long as you're only talking to yourself - it's when you start answering yourself too, that you may start worrying.

I didn't get it.

To me a puzzle is about finding the strongest move or idea in the position.

Is it madness to talk to yourself?
No.

Is it madness if you answer yourself?
Maybe.

Um, I may have a little problem then... :s

<YouRang: <<YouRang> <Once> <Annie K.> Interesting.

Is it madness to talk to yourself?
No.

Is it madness if you answer yourself?
Maybe.

Is it madness to be insulted by your answer?
Hey, what is this? The Spanish Inquisition?! >:-( >>

Good stuff!!! :D

<pulsar> thanks for the appreciativeness. ;)

White to play (46.?) "Easy"