[Event "Sveti Stefan"] [Site "?"] [Round "8"] [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. Qd2 Rb8 {This is the starting position of the hypermodern Saemisch.} 9. h4 { An aggressive move. Alternatives include 9.Nc1, 9.a3, 9.Rb1, 9.Bh6 and 9.O-O-O. } 9... h5 {Black does not allow the h-file to be opened easily with h4-h5.} 10. Bh6 {Probably Spassky thought that his attack will be assisted by the inclusion of the pawn moves on the h-file, but the pawn at h5 is better than at h7.} 10... e5 { Evidently a new idea, though very much in the spirit of the position.} 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. d5 {12.O-O-O is more logical, because with the bishops gone it does not make sense to keep the position closed.} 12... Ne7 13. Ng3 {To stop b7-b5.} 13... c6 {Time to chip away at the central wedge!} 14. dxc6 Nxc6 15. O-O-O { Black could now defend his backward pawn with ...Nd4, but the weakness of White's c-pawn and the presence of the king on the c-file provide options.} 15... Be6 16. Kb1 {16.Qxd6 Qxd6 17.Rxd6 Nd4 and White would have difficulty extricating the rook, while the eventual occupation of the c-file by a Black rook.} 16... Ne8 {Now Black protects the d-pawn and the g5-square against the idea of Nf5+. This disrupts the coordination of Black's rooks but the knight will be redeployed at c7 or f6 at an appropriate moment.} 17. Nd5 b5 18. Ne3 Rh8 {Since there is no possibility of playing f7-f5 without great risk, Fischer supports the h5-square. Fischer is playing in the style of Nimzowitsch here, using prophylactic moves.} 19. Rc1 Qb6 20. Bd3 Nd4 21. Nd5 Qa7 { Black will capture at d5 at a more opportune moment. From a7 the queen can be transferred to e7 and help protect the kingside. 21...Bxd5 22.cxd5 Nf6 23.Rc3 Rbc8 24.Rhc1 with control of the c-file.} 22. Nf1 Nf6 {The knight has done its tour of duty at e8 and now it gets out of the way and reconnects the rooks. But this is a bit risky.} 23. Nfe3 { Spassky could have more aggressively exploited the kingside structure.} 23... Bxd5 24. cxd5 {24.Nxd5 Nxd5 25.cxd5 and the knight is obviously much more powerful than the bishop.} 24... Rbc8 25. Rcf1 {Spassky avoids the exchange of rooks and prepares the advance of the f- pawn. But he never gets a chance to play it.} 25... Qe7 26. g4 { This break turns out to be ineffective. 26.f4!? The idea is to play f5.} 26... Nd7 27. g5 {White gains some space, but his pawn structure will be more vulnerable in an endgame.} 27... Kf8 {This is heavy-duty prophylaxis. Perhaps Fischer re-read Nimzowitsch's My System before the match. But he may have missed the redeployment of White's bishop at h3.} 28. Rf2 Ke8 {Black is m his king to a secure position. It can reoccupy the kingside later. The immediate effect is to discourage f3-f4.} 29. Bf1 Nc5 30. Bh3 Rc7 31. Rc1 { A good move or an oversight? As Spassky handles it, things turn out badly, but perhaps this move is actually very strong! 31.f4? Nxe4 31.Rhf1 intending Bg2 and f4 comes into consideration since Black has no immediate threats.} 31... Ncb3 {A simple but effective combination.} 32. axb3 Nxb3 { This is the critical position.} 33. Rc6 {33.Qc2!? is Kasparov's preference.} 33... Nxd2+ 34. Rxd2 Kf8 35. Rxa6 {35.Rdc2 Ra7 Intending Kg7.} 35... Ra7 36. Rc6 Kg7 37. Bf1 {White could probably have resigned here.} 37... Ra1+ 38. Kxa1 Qa7+ 39. Kb1 Qxe3 {Finally the queen achieves an active position!} 40. Kc2 b4 { White resigned, facing threats of b4-b3 and Qxf3. One of the most dramatic games in the first part of the match. Score: Fischer 3, Spassky 2, 3 draws.} 0-1