Fischer-Rossolimo, U.S. Championship 1965-1966

In the May 1989 issue of Chess Life, Elie Agur claims in his Fischer Snapshots column that Bobby Fischer made an analytical error in My 60 Memorable Games in the notes to Fischer-Rossolimo, U.S. Championship 1965-1966.

The diagrammed position arises in Fischer's notes. Fischer was of the opinion that Black is lost.

Agur maintains that "31...Qf3 casts doubts on Fischer's conclusions." After 31...Qf3, Agur gives 32.Bf1 Bc8 33.Bg2 Qg4 34.Qxg4+ fxg4 35.Nf4+ Kf5 36.Nxd5 Rd8, when "Black retains his slight material advantage."

But, instead of playing 33.Bg2?!, White wins with 33.Qe7!, as follows:

a) 33...h5 34.Be2 Qe4 35.Qg5+ Kh7 36.Qxh5+ Kg7 37.Ng5!;

b) 33...f4 34.Bd3+ Kh5 (34...Bf5 35.Qf6+) 35.Be2!;

c) 33...Qg5 34.c3 f4 35.Qf6+ Kh7 36.Bd3+ Rg6 37.Qxg6+ Qxg6 38.Bxg6+ Kxg6 39.Nxf4+;

d) 33...Qe4 34.Bg2 Qxd4 35.Bxd5! Rg7 36.Qd6+.

{This article, with the exception of line d, originally appeared in Atlantic Chess News in 1990}