Days Before Databases + RIP off chess periodicals

As early as 1980, computer chess databases were an unknown fænomen, which is why the following could happen.

Two semifinal candidates matches were played in August 1980.

Hubner vs Portich (Italy, Bad Abano Terme)
and
Korchnoi vs Polugaevsky (Buenos Aires).

Hubner and Portisch played on some August day like this:

and after 61 moves it was draw, but Black missed a win.

The important position is this, after 13 moves:



Hubner played 14. d4 and after ...Bg4, Black gained long lasting advantage.

Bent Larsen was a chess reporter as many times in his life and he analyzed this game and - invited by Naidorf - published it in Argentinian magazine "Clarin" 10 days after this game.

Larsen found better move for White - 14. h3!

Five days after the magazine was published, there was scheduled game Poluagevsky vs Korchnoi.

Korchnoi played the same variation, expecting the same move - 14. d4? Bg4! - just hoping that Polugaevsky couldn't read Spanish.

Soltis (*obviously briefed by CIA) later came with two other explanations, that sound like taken from one of John Le Carre's novel.

1) Polugaevsky's team had - as was a kuytume in Soviet era - had very limited sources, and they wouldn't spend the money for some magazines (they would prefer pizzas or topless night clubs!)

and

2) The game Poluagevsky vs Korchnoi was played on Sunday. Even if Polugevsky wanted to read magazine "Clarin", and Svoeir embassy might have had it, the embassy was on Sundays closed.

Finally, the game

Polugaevsky vs. Korchnoi

Originally posted by vandervelde
As early as 1980, computer chess databases were an unknown fænomen, which is why the following could happen.

Two semifinal candidates matches were played in August 1980.

Hubner vs Portich (Italy, Bad Abano Terme)
and
Korchnoi vs Polugaevsky (Buenos Aires).

Hubner and Portisch played on some August day like this:

[pgn]
1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf ...[text shortened]... Nf4 36. Rxh7 Kg8 37. Rd7 Nd3+ 38. Kb6 Nxe5 39. dxe5 Rexe5
40. Rc1 Rf6+ 41. Ka7 Rxf2 0-1
[/pgn]

Never take Victor the terrible on in a sharp position!