ANew York Times, New York, New York, Monday, December 13, 1971 - Page 35
Chess: Spassky Is Seeing Action In Alekhine Memorial Play by Al Horowitz
The Alekhine Memorial Tournament, now in progress in Moscow, brought together the chess champion of the world, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, and his compatriot, Mikhail Tal, a former world titleholder. The antagonists employed a Sicilian Defense, the time of which is a favourite with Bobby Fischer, the American chess genius who is slated for a title match with Spassky some time before June, 1972.
Up to move 6 … B-K2, this branch is known as the Scheveningen Variation, after a Dutch city that held a tournament in 1923.
Typically, Tal, playing Black, introduced 14. … P-Q5, the sacrifice of a pawn to pen the long diagonal. Immediately thereafter, Black seized the initiative and was able to give vent to his imagination.
With 17. … R-B1, Black prepared 18. … R-B2; 19. … R-Q2 with pressure on the queen file.
Then it was White's turn. And he dreamed up 23. R-R2. How this move was to further an incursion was a problem. But there was a way. It followed after 25. … BxR; 26. PxB, and the later occupation of the king knight file.
In a few more moves, both players put one over on each other. Then they were content with a draw by perpetual check.
One of Fischer's greatest victories was over Rene Leterlier of Chile at the Leipzig Olympiad of 1960.
Fischer, as Black, employed a hypermodern system, provoking his opponent into taking control of the center.
Letelier was stubborn so with 5. P-K5, Letelier rushed in to gain a tempo. And before long, he managed to wrangle a pawn.
Soon enough, his entire position was crumbling. Not only did White lose his median control, but his king also was a potential target.
With move 15, White's king was still seeking security, and with 19. … RxP, material was in balance.
Who would believe that in a few deft moves, the game would be over? With 23. QxPch came the denouncement. For on 24. KxQ B-R3 mate. After 24. K-B2, Black would also give up the ghost.
Boris Spassky vs Mikhail Tal Moscow (1971), Moscow URS, rd 7, Dec-03 Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation. Matanovic Attack (B82) 1/2-1/2 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1128868
Rene Letelier Martner vs Robert James Fischer Leipzig ol (Men) qual-D (1960), Leipzig GDR, rd 8, Oct-24 King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation (E70) 0-1 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1008397
