The last post gave one of John Gibson’s wins from Harrachov 1967, against the Dutch player Gerben van Manen. Curiously, his other win from the event came against the same player, also as Black, in the preliminary rounds.
Though the result was the same, the game itself (which has long been available in databases) could hardly have been more different. J. J. Walsh’s report said that John was “distinctly fortunate to win the first game”, and “The Knight”, writing in the Cork Examiner, similarly remarked that this game “should surely have gone the other way.” Indeed, it was a great escape of the sort that can bring more joy than a hard-fought and well-deserved victory.
25. ?
The diagrammed position shows a critical juncture. White had under three minutes to make move 40, but has such an overwhelming position that it shouldn’t matter. 25. Rxf7+ leads to mate in 6, but 25. fxg6, 25. Qxc5+, and the game’s 25. Rbb7 are all around +8, according to the engine.
After 25… Rh7 26. Qxc5+ Kg7, though, instead of 27. Rxf7+, White erred with 27. Qd5??, and after 27… Kh6! was already lost. If 28. Rxf7 Rxf7 29. Rxf7 c2 30. Rxf6 c1=Q+ 31. Kh2 Qe1 and Black wins. The game finished 28. fxg6? c2 29. gxh7? c1=Q+ 30. Kh2 Bxg3 mate.