The New York Times New York, New York Monday, February 08, 1971 - Page 30
Chess: Fischer Capitalized on Error By Gligoric in Palma Tourney by Al Horowitz
Before the recent Palma, Majorca, interzonal knock-out tournament, Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia was favored to finish in the top six, assuring him of qualification. Gligoric, however, missed the goal by a full point. Particularly galling to him was the Benoni Defense as White, against Bobby Fischer (house guest of Lina Grumette of Los Angeles), the tournament winner.
In a position where complex choices sustained a spirited battle, a fingerfehler, a gross error here, broke the tension. Fischer profited by the mistake, remaining a piece ahead, and won the game after a few moves.
The turning point was 20 N-N5. Undoubtedly, the Yugoslav's knight play was in complete awareness of the consequences.
White's Defense Ingenious
Inventory time arrived after 24. … KxB. The American's two minor men were balanced by the Yugoslav's rook and extra pawn. Now White defended his queen rook pawn in an ingenious manner. The pawn push, 25. P-QN4, enabled White to attain almost tactical equality.
Then disaster struck. Gligoric moved a rook to the wrong square, 29. R-B2. This permitted 29. … N-Q6. The knight was immune to capture; for mate by Black could follow. Hence, Gligoric could have resigned on the spot, without jeopardizing his chances.
Filip Plays to Form
In the Palma event, Grandmaster Miroslav Filip of Czechoslovakia — a long shot for a top score — played to form, making trouble for some favorites and providing an easy mark for others.
Against Fischer, he was Black in a Queen's Fianchetto. this was a tricky tactical struggle, where the result hinged on the vulnerability of the kings. The turning point arrived after 17. … Q-K1. If White traded queens, Black's bishops might prevail in the ending. Fischer evaded the suggestion. The target in Black's camp at … Q4 was much too vulnerable.
Nonetheless, Black seemed to hold a strong position with 33 … Q-B6. White's persistent surveillance of KR8 was enough to crush any Black hope for harrassment of the opposing queen. Black's rooks, so fierce looking, were only paper tigers in mock resistance, which crumbled after 37. R-N8ch, etc.
Svetozar Gligoric vs Robert James Fischer
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal (1970), Palma de Mallorca ESP, rd 22, Dec-10
Benoni Defense: Classical Variation. Czerniak Defense Tal Line (A77) 0-1
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044666
