Fischer's Endgame

I learned so much from writing the series of posts on Fischer's Middlegame, that I decided to summarize the further analysis of his endgame. To recap, the quoted bullets are from the chapter on preparing for the 1972 Spassky match titled 'Fischer's play: An analysis', from 'Russians Versus Fischer' by Plisetsky and Voronkov (1994 edition). Here are extracts from the section on the 'The Endgame' together with links to Chessgames.com for the referenced games.

'1. Even in the simplest positions, which seem absolutely drawn, he does not give up the struggle'

• Efim Geller vs Fischer; Palma de Mallorca Interzonal (1970)
• Fischer vs Mark Taimanov; Candidates Match (1971, g.2)

'2. Fischer draws upon an extensive arsenal of strategic devices'

• Bent Larsen vs Fischer; Monte Carlo (1967)
• Fischer vs Vasily Smyslov; Havana (1965)

'3. Fischer is superb at endgames that provide scope for sharp combinative play, which require that his opponents calculate far ahead'

• Laszlo Szabo vs Fischer; Buenos Aires (1970)

'4. Fischer feels very confident in endgames in which he has some kind of definite advantage'

• Fischer vs Mark Taimanov; Palma de Mallorca Interzonal (1970)
• Fischer vs Mark Taimanov; Candidates Match (1971, g.4)
• Vasily Smyslov vs Fischer; Palma de Mallorca Interzonal (1970)
• Fischer vs Samuel Reshevsky; U.S. Championship (1962)
• Bruno Parma vs Fischer; Rovinj/Zagreb (1970)
• Fischer vs Jorge Alberto Rubinetti; Buenos Aires (1970)

'5. In positions in which his opponent is deprived of opportunities to play vigourously, Fischer plays faultlessly'

• Vlastimil Hort vs Fischer; Palma de Mallorca Interzonal (1970)

'6. In defending difficult positions he displays great ingenuity and staunchness.'

• Fischer vs Viktor Korchnoi; Rovinj/Zagreb (1970)

The Soviet GMs also pounced on some weak spots. 'In Fischer's record there are cases of inferior playing on his part.'

'1. When his opponent plays vigourously, Fischer always feels insecure.'

• Fischer vs Eleazar Jimenez Zerquera; Palma de Mallorca Interzonal (1970)

'2. In endgames difficult to evaluate, where everything cannot be calculated, Fischer's play is not faultless.'

• Efim Geller vs Fischer; Palma de Mallorca Interzonal (1970) [same as above]
• Mikhail Botvinnik vs Fischer; Varna Olympiad Final 1962

'3. If a defensive idea is well camouflaged and does not strike the eye, Fischer may not notice it.'

• Fischer vs Mark Taimanov; Candidates Match (1971, g.2) [same as above]

'4. Sometimes Fischer makes mistakes in the endgame that are not characteristic of him but are, rather, a result of the strain of the struggle.'

• Miguel Najdorf vs Fischer; Buenos Aires (1970)

'5. Fischer is sometimes inaccurate when he is worse off in the endgame'

• Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian vs Fischer; USSR vs. Rest of the World (1970, g.4)
• Boris Spassky vs Fischer; Siegen ol final 1970

What to make of all this? These 'cases of inferior playing' all have a strong psychological quality. Is it really possible to learn anything from them? In future posts I'll take a look at a few of the endgames to see what can be gleaned. The two games mentioned in both the strengths section and the weaknesses section would be a good place to start.