Clash of the Titans
Fischer and Kortchnoi are both endgame maestros and here they have a titanic struggle in a complicated ending.
Viktor Kortchnoi-Robert Fischer
Sousse Interzonal 1967
1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.d4 d6 6.d5 Ne5 7.Nd2 f5
This game between the two chess giants produces some original play. The text grabs part of the center and gives the Knight a retreat square at f7.
8.Be2 Nf6 9.h3
In order to play 10.f4 without having to worry about 10...Neg4.
9...O-O 10.f4 Nf7 11.g4?!
Very sharp, but now it is not clear where White will put his King. Fischer counterattacks in the center.
11...e5 12.dxe6
Worth considering is 12.g5 followed by Qc2, b3, Bb2, and O-O-O.
12...Bxe6 13.g5 Ne8 14.Bf3 Rb8?!
It was not necessary to defend the b-pawn. According to Kortchnoi,
Black is better after 14...Nc7! 15.Bxb7 Rb8 16.Bg2 d5.
15.a4 Nc7 16.Ra3?!
Kortchnoi gives 16.Nd5, preventing ...d5, as better for White.
16...d5 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.cxd5 Bxd5 19.Rd3 Bxf3 20.Rxd8 Bxd1 21.Rxb8 Bxa4?!
Fischer is always willing to take risks, in order to unbalance the position. However, he likely misjudged the position. 21...Rxb8 is better for Black.
22.Rxf8+
Of course not 22.Rxb7? Bc6.
22...Kxf8
Black seems to have good compensation for the Exchange. He has a queenside majority and the two Bishops.
23.Rh2!
A very strong move, preparing to activate the Rook.
23...Bc6 24.b3 Ke7 25.Kd1 b5 26.Re2 Ke6 27.Kc2
Threatening 28.h4. If immediately 27.h4, threatening 28.h5, is met with 27...h5.
27...Nd6 28.Bb2 Bf8
Retaining the two Bishops, but deactivating the Bishop.
29.Re1 a6 30.Ra1 Bb7 31.h4 Nc8 32.Kd3 Bd6
It seems that Black is trying to prevent 33.e4 by pressuring the f-pawn, but after 40 minutes thought White plays it anyway.
33.e4 Nb6
Played instantaneously by Fischer. 33...Bxf4 is bad after 34.Rf1 Bxd2 35.exf5+ and White will be able to create an outside passed pawn on the kingside.
34.exf5+
According to Fischer, an immediate 34.Be5 would have been stronger.
34...Kxf5 35.Be5 Bf8
35...Bxe5 36.dxe5 Kxe5 allows the Rook to become active after 37.Rf1.
36.Re1 a5 37.Bc7 Nd5 38.Re5+?!
Better is 38.Re8 Be7 39.Nf1 Bc6 40.Ne3+ Nxe3 41.Rxe7 with a large advantage to White. The text only forces Black's King to a better square.
38...Kg4 39.Re8 Nxc7
This move is possible with the King on g4 because White does not play his next move with check.
40.Rxf8 Ne6 41.Rf7 Nxf4+ 42.Ke3 Ng2+ 43.Kf2 Bd5 44.Rxh7 Nf4 45.Ra7 Kxh4 46.Rxa5 b4 47.Ke3 Ng2+ 48.Ke2 Nf4+ 49.Ke3 Ng2+ 50.Ke2 Draw