The New York Times New York, New York Monday, January 11, 1971 - Page 28
Fischer's Routine Unusual In Victory Over Rubinetti by Al Horowitz
An attack by pawns on opposite wings usually insinuates excitement in the common Sicilian Defenses. When Grandmaster Bobby Fischer of Los Angeles played the white side against Jorge Rubinetti of Argentina , however, he shattered orthodox routine. The game is from the recent Palma, Majorca, event.
Black's plan of deployment was rudely disturbed by 12. B-Q. The offer of a piece cannot be discounted entirely, nor can it be accepted at face value. Yet 12. … PxB entailed some risk. Note, for example, that 13. … K-Q2 was mandatory. If 12. … B-K2; 14. N-B5 would win.
The key move for Fischer was 14. P-QN4. This remarkable cog in the scheme was the prelude to the quiet clincher, 16. P-QB4. Then, resignation was justified. If 24. … QxN; 25. R-Q1ch, or if 24. … KxR; 25. N-N4ch.
Panno and Uhlmann Draw In the Palma event, the King's Indian Defense, Oscar Panno, Argentina, against Wolfgang Uhlmann, East Germany, was one of the most spirited battles during the 24-man round robin. It was also crucial for both of these grandmasters.
Before the start of the tourney, both stars were rated only a long-shot chance to wind up in the 1971 elimination matches. Midway in the event, Panno and Uhlmann usurped positions among the half-dozen leaders. Then, paired with each other, they disdained the “grandmaster” draw, although they did split the point. The issue was in doubt from the bell and the balance shifted from wing to wing and from player to player with every vicissitude.
The result was fortunate for the German. The half-point enabled him to tie for fifth place with Grandmaster Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union, each posting scores of 14-9.
From this midway stance, Panno, on the other hand, slipped behind the front runners and ended in a mediocre spot. This was a sad disappointment for his fans, who consider him the strongest player in South America since the retirement of Miguel Najdorf.
