ANew York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, October 14, 1962 - Page 145
Chess: Flying Start In Olympics
The Chess Olympics—which consists of four-board team matches—began Sept. 16 at Varna, Bulgaria, with the American quarter getting off to a flying start.
The games herewith against the Mongolian foursome are pleasing examples of the American's ingenuity. Very outstanding indeed is the victory of Donald Byrne over Magasuren.
Byrne made an elegant, long-range sacrifice of the exchange which obtained him a lasting pawn-phalanx attack. At one time in the evolving play the American was even a rook behind. But Byrne's rolling pawns and poisonous bishop, the dominance of his queen and rook, prevailed against the stifled position of the black forces.
This sort of positional sacrifice, where there is no immediate reward in violent compensation, depends on its success for absolute certainty along strategic concepts.
In our opinion such a game as Byrne's outranks the usual flashy brilliancy in elegance and instructive points. The attack is logical and relentless.
Note that if Black plays, instead of his text move, 21…QxP, then 22 P-Kt5, locking in the black queen and threatening to win her by uncovering the white bishop. There is no defense to this innocent-looking trap.
The game that Bobby Fischer won from Purevchan illustrates characteristic opposite-win attacks in the dragon variation of the Sicilian.
Fischer proves that the way the opening evolves is more dangerous for Black as the white pawns make the first break. Fischer's opening play is a model against Black's too routine maneuvering.
Note that if Black, instead of the text, plays 18…PxKt, then 19 BxB, followed by Q-Kt3 ch wins.
The wind-up is pleasing and witty. Fischer accepts the Mongolian's offer of a knight. Black has, superficially, an idea to win the white queen. Fischer agrees, for if 21…PxQ, then 22 P-B6 forces mate.
Robert Byrne, playing Black against Momo, adopts his favorite French Defense. White essays the advanced pawn-push variation which seems dubious because Black quickly overcomes the usual French defense drawback: the “problem-child” queen's bishop. Byrne fast deploys this usually inactive piece to QKt4 where it is exchanged for White's king bishop. This is Euwe's idea. After this, Black has the better opening. His pawn skeleton is superior with no targets.
After a succession of counter sorties, Byrne commands the queen's bishop file. White has a very slight weakness on his queen's rook file. Note, White's 6 P-QR3 and then 8 P-QR4.
White holds his fort well until the 27th moves P-Kt3. This is the cause of his subsequent troubles which start with Black's 28…RxB.
The wind-up is very neat, for if 41 QxR, then 41…Kt-B5 mate.
The game Edmar Mednis, U.S.A., won from Chalksuren is studded with exciting plots and counter-plots. In the midgame a combination develops which leaves the American with a rook against two minor pieces.
Mednis, however, sees that he quickly gains two pawns. The conception required delicate judgment and good nerve. In the late stages of the game, the occupation of the seventh rank by Black's rook and pointed use of a passed pawn and threats against a pinned knight bring about an artistic win for the American.
A tricky, thrilling game, stoutly played on both sides.
