Spassky vs Fischer
674
[Event "Belgrade"] [Site "?"] [Round "30"] [White "Spassky"] [Black "Fischer"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E70"] [Opening "King's Indian: 4.e4 d6"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Nge2 a6 8. h4 h5 9. Nc1 Nd7 {Fischer decides to innovate, using a less direct method of placing pressure at d4. Eventually, he will move the knight from c6 and play c7-c5.} 10. Nb3 {This seems logical, but as we will see it turns out to be a dubious idea. 10.Qd2 e5 11.d5 Nd4 12.Nb3 would have been stronger.} 10... a5 { This is another component of Fischer's new plan. He threatens to advance the pawn and drive away the knight at b3, thus indirectly undermining the support of the d4-square.} 11. a4 {A direct reply, but it weakens b4 and allows Black to establish a strong outpost there. The knight should have retreated to c1, even though that would amount to a waste of time. Still, b5 would be a target. 11.Nc1 e5 12.d5 Nd4 13.Nb3} 11... Nb4 12. Be2 b6 {This prepares the important advance of the c-pawn to c5, adding to the pressure at d4.} 13. g4 {Spassky, in a desperate situation in the match, tries to play sharply but this is a premature break. In game 20, it succeeded, but only because the center was closed. 13.Qd2! was correct, e.g., c5 14.Rd1 Bb7 15.O-O Here White would have had a very good game.} 13... hxg4 14. fxg4 c5 15. h5 cxd4 16. Nxd4 {A mistake, although Black is already gaining the upper hand because White's king is stuck in the center and the pawn at e4 is becoming a liability. 16. Bxd4 Nc5! 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 and in this unclear position Black has good chances.} 16... Nc5 17. Nd5 {This is an empty gesture which only weakens the pawn at e4. Still, it is hard to find anything convincing for White. 17.h6 Be5 17.Qd2 e5! 18.Bh6 Bh8 19. Bxf8 Qxf8 20.hxg6 exd4?? 21.Qg5 f6 22.Rxh8+} 17... Bb7 {17...Nxe4? 18.Nxb4 axb4 19.hxg6 fxg6 20.Qc2 Ng3 21.Qxg6 Nxh1 22.Bd3 White will win.} 18. Nf5 { This may have some psychological effect, but objectively Fischer has nothing to worry about. 18.Bf3 The idea is to pave the way for the queen to get to e2.} 18... gxf5 19. gxf5 Bxd5 20. exd5 {Now 20...Bf6 is a solid defense, but Fischer calculated that he could afford to grab the pawn at b2.} 20... Bxb2 21. Kf1 Qd7 {An important component of Black's defense. He attacks the pawn at f5 and ties down White's pieces. 21...Bxa1 22.Qxa1 f6 23.Rg1+ Kh8 24.Rg6 and White has serious threats.} 22. Qb1 Bxa1 {Now the rook can be safely captured.} 23. Rg1+ {23.Qxa1 Qxf5+} 23... Kh8 {23...Kh7? would have been dangerous for Black. 24.f6+ Kh8 25.Bg4! and if 23... Bg7 then 24.Bh6!} 24. Qxa1+ f6 25. Qb1 { The f-pawn is once again protected.} 25... Rg8 26. Rg6 Rxg6 27. hxg6 Kg7 { Spassky resigned the game, and the match comes to an end. Final Score: Fischer 10, Spassky 5, 15 draws.} 0-1
0-1
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Players
WhiteSpassky
BlackFischer
Game
Moves27
OpeningE70 — King's Indian: 4.e4 d6
Result0-1
Date
Tags
Tournament
TournamentBelgrade
Location?
Round30