The New York Times New York, New York Sunday, February 01, 1971 - Page 28
Chess: Fischer Paired With Taimanov For Opening in Challenge Play
The first pairings for the world challenge elimination matches after the Palma, Majorca, knockout round-robin tournament will bring together Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union, a former world champion, and Robert Huebner, the 22-year-old surprise qualifier from West Germany, and Viktor Korchnoi of the Soviet Union and Yefim Geller of the Soviet Union.
Bent Larsen of Denmark is matches with Wolfgang Uhlmann of East Germany and Bobby Fischer [temporary house guest of Lina Grumette, ‘Chess Mom’ whom herself is a resident of California] with Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union.
Examples of Taimanov's play are sparse. Of the four Soviet stars competing, it is Taimanov who could give Fischer the most trouble. Taimanov's psychological approach is more relaxed than the other contenders. He never experiences clock trouble. Varied and assured, his style is a refreshing sporting contrast to more orthodox play.
Skopje Tie Recalled Two Taimanov victories are appended from the 1970 Skopje, Yugoslavia international tournament. Here, Taimanov tied with a countryman, Vasiukov, for first place, with 11 or 15 points.
In the Slav Defense, Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, against Taimanov, Black's strongly placed queen-knight imposed tactical equality after 12 … O-O. White, however, was first to play too rashly. Note 17. P-N4. The kingside assault was premature. With 23. … P-KB4, Black balanced the pawn tension.
With 25. R-N2, White went wrong, banking on a futile attack along the king-knight file. Correct was 25. P-N5. A serious error was 31. PxP. In this way, White only activated the enemy men. Hence, with 35. … Q-B6, Black retained the edge on both wings.
Edge Gained Early The Nimzo-Indian Defense, Taimanov against Florin Gheorghiu of Rumania, evolved in White's favor after 8. N-QR4. White's 9. P-QR3 forced a favorable swap of pawns in the center.
After 15. R-QB1, White controlled more terrain and threatened a queen-side attack. Black lacked valid counter as 18. … B-KB1 was innocuous. An attempt at simplification by 18. … N-R4 was in order.
With 23. P-R5, White completed his initial strategy. The threat was 24. PxP NxP; 25. N-R5, followed by 26. P-B5. Black hastened his own downfall with 28. … P-K4. This collapsed his predicament in favor of his foe. After 35. RxRch, Black could not recapture without losing a piece.
