Why did the message from Ricky Tarr mean Haydon fell into Smiley's trap and why did Haydon go meet Polyakov alone or at all?

Answer 1

Ricky Tarr's message indicated that he had uncovered critical information about Haydon's betrayal, which meant Haydon had unwittingly revealed his vulnerability and fell into Smiley's trap. Haydon likely met Polyakov alone to maintain the illusion of control and secrecy, believing he could manipulate the situation to his advantage. His decision to go solo may have stemmed from overconfidence or a desire to avoid drawing attention, ultimately leading to his downfall.