A new game to discuss: Tal-Fischer '59

Ok kids, here's another game to think about.
First thing to admit, I claim this is my own idea of a puzzle/problem/game for
discussion...so it may suck! (Maybe it's in one of my books, but I couldn't
find it referenced, and think I just came across it when looking at Tal's
games.)

The game is between Mikhail Tal and the Young Bobby Fischer, back when Tal
could still smack thay boy around the chessboard. This was soon to change!

The point for discussion is move 34 on, starting with Bobby's response
34 ...Bxf4.

Running this through Crafty for analysis, this seems the first overwhelming
tactical blunder of the game.

So the questions for people are:

1) without looking at Tal's response to 34 ...Bxf4, how would YOU have
responded? What's the tactical idea Fischer has opened himself up to, which
Tal subsequently takes advantage of?

Hint: (please ignore if you don't want it - and it may not be all that good a
hint!) The killer move is not the next move. It takes just a bit more set up
for Tal to get there...but not much...

2) Also, as a general principle, I'm interesting in what the big boys think of
the further play in this game. Although at this point, Tal seems to have game
in hand, my analysis engine hates many of the moves that follow,ie it appears
BOTH Tal and Fischer's further responses are not the best. Any comment? My
crude feeling is - was Tal just trying to keep cranking up the pressure, even
though his moves weren't all too sound? And being, overwhelmed, did Fischer's
game just crumble? Or was it something as simple as both were under time
pressure? Or is it that my analysis engine (Crafty) sucks?

3) Also, I personally don't know the answers: here - but I thought it was a
good game, between phenomenal players, for discussion. Hope you enjoy.

So here is the game:

[Event Wch candidates]
[Site Belgrade YUG]
[Date 1959.??.??]
[Round 6]
[White Tal, Mikhail N]
[Black Fischer, Robert J]
[Result 1-0]
[ECO E93]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O
6.Nf3 e5 7.d5 Nbd7 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 a6 10.Nd2 Qe8
11.O-O Nh7 12.b4 Ng5 13.f3 f5 14.Bf2 Qe7 15.Rc1 Nf6
16.c5 Bd7 17.Qc2 Nh5 18.b5 fxe4 19.Ndxe4 Nxe4 20.fxe4 Nf4
21.c6 Qg5 22.Bf3 bxc6 23.dxc6 Bg4 24.Bxg4 Qxg4 25.Be3 axb5
26.Bxf4 exf4 27.Nxb5 Rf7 28.Qc4 Rc8 29.Rf3 Be5 30.Rcf1 Kg7
31.a4 Ra8 32.Kh1 Qg5 33.g3 Raf8 34.gxf4 Bxf4 35.Nd4 Qh4
36.Rxf4 Rxf4 37.Ne6+ Kh8 38.Qd4+ R8f6 39.Nxf4 Kh7 40.e5 dxe5
41.Qd7+
1-0

The first thing that occurs to me, without calculating any variations
(since I'm lazy) looking at the position around the 30th move, is that
when Fischer moved his going to g7 to escape the pin, Ne6+ forks the
King f8, and f4. And since the Bishop is going to be on f4 (and no
longer protecting d4) and the rook on f8, Tal is probably going to be
able to fork some pieces. (And I haven't played the game out yet.)

Next, as far as the inferior moves is concerned... the players are
approaching move 40, then end of their first time control, and are
probably running short on time. Tal probably knows he's sure of
victory, and is playing safer or "simpler" moves to meet the time
control. The moves may not be as strong, but they certainly maintain
a winning advantage. It's hard not to win if you're up the exchange
with a good attack going (and your name is Tal). Probably, Tal just
wanted to reach move 40, where he could go home (or go talk to his
seconds) and figure out the best continuation before returning to the
match.

Rein

Some comments based on a quick review - and admitting I am not
trying to answer all your questions nor will I take the fun away from
those who want to answer your specific queries.

Tal had been building up pressure on f7 since move 28 - Bobby's first
major inaccuracy I think was allowing that nasty pin of the Rook - and
continuing with doubling the W Rooks on the f-file. By move 30,
Bobby's pieces are not well-coordinated for counterplay and just
keeping up to defend the W attack points at f7, f4, and c7. It looks
like the real issue is at move 32 where Bobby does not play g5 - a
needed pawn defender for f4. 34.Bxf4 is not good but neither is
34.Rxf4 after Nxc7 and I think you can get the idea from there.

Yes there are some moves which appear to win material more
immediately after move 34 and moves which offer a slightly better
defense for Black but in theory the game is already over. I have no
idea as to whether Tal was or was not in time trouble (noting that this
was near the time control for that tournament).

I would guess that Tal has a winning plan which he knew and
understood and might just have not taken the time to create another.

-ww-

Originally posted by Rein
The first thing that occurs to me, without calculating any variations
(since I'm lazy) looking at the position around the 30th move, is that
when Fischer moved his going to g7 to escape the pin, Ne6+ forks the
King f8, and f4. And since the Bishop is going to be on f4 (and no
longer protecting d4) and the rook on f8, Tal is probably going to be
able to fork some pieces. (And I haven't played the game out yet.)

Rein

I get it now. I was incorrectly looking at the position a few moves
before where Rein meant that white could play Ne6. Sorry Rein!

Mark

Never be afraid to ask a stupid question was what I used to keep
getting told so...

I don't understand Black's 9th move ...a6

There doesn't appear to be any imminent danger of White's knight
coming to b5 (and if it did *then* a6 could be played) nor does it look
like Black would want to follow a6 up with b5 since then cxb5 axb5
followed by Bxb5). It seems like a bit of a waste (which surely isn't
right, there must be some point). Could someone perhaps explain the
thinking behind this move?

Mark

The idea is to be able to play Qe8 and unpin the knight at f6. a6 thus
prevents Nb5 which would attack c7 which, after Qe8, would no longer
be defended by the Queen. Hence 9...a6 & 10...Qe8 & (now free)
11...Nh7.
-ww-

Thankyou wW...I understand now. Seems so simple when you put it
like that!

Mark

Originally posted by T1000
I'm not sure I'm following. Tal's knight is on b5. It's a big (illiegal)
leap over to e6 from there non?

Mark