YouRang: A rare opportunity to learn from a Bobby Fischer mistake! In this game, Fischer (white) was clobbering Mr Bone. The game progressed to this position after <17...Kd8>
 click for larger view
Here, Fischer played <18.exd7?>, which certainly isn't a losing move, but it gave black's pitiful queen a "get out of jail free card", and a chance to counter-attack with <18...Qxd5> (perhaps Fischer expected black to take the pawn with B or N, and then 19.Qxd4 would have been crushing). Granted, Fischer lost it later with the great blunder <21.Qd4?>, but he should never have been in position to come under attack to begin with. Back to Fischer's 18th move, he should have played <18.e7+>, forcing <18...Ke8>
 click for larger view
Now Fischer has <19.Qxd4!>
 click for larger view
White has a wealth of murderous threats. Best play probably goes something like this:
<19...Nc6 20.Nf6+! Nxf6 21.Qd8+!>
 click for larger view
<21...Kf7> (21...Nxd8? 22.exd8Q+ Kf7 23.Qxf6+ Ke8 24.Rd8#) <22.Bc4+ Be6 23.Bxe6 Kxe6>
 click for larger view
<24.e8Q+!> and the threat of Qxf6# forces <24...Nxd8 25.Khe1+ Kf7> (25...Ne5? 26.Qd7#) <26.Rd7+>
 click for larger view
And it's either 26...Kf8 27.Rxe8#, or 26...Ne7 27.Qxe7# But the real point here is to be less kind to cats (metaphorically). When they are in a bag, keep them there! ~~~~
Granted, this was only a simul. From the game, I gather that Mr. Bone was not such a strong player. It makes me wonder what might have happened had Fischer continued to play? It would likely continue 21...Qe1+ 22.Qd1 Qxd1 23.Kxd1 Nxd7
 click for larger view
Fischer would be down a knight, but being the vastly superior player, I should not be surprised if he could still hold the draw or even win. Then again, sometimes when you're disgusted with yourself, the motivation to play on suffers. |