Larsen vs Spassky
502
[Event "USSR vs. World"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Larsen"]
[Black "Spassky"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A01"]
[Opening "Nimzowitsch-Larsen: 1...e5 2.Bb2 Nc6"]
1. b3 {This is a hypermodern opening which concedes the center to Black. It is
often called the Larsen Attack or Nizmowitsch-Larsen Attack, but this game did
little to further its reputation.} 1... e5 {The correct reply. Not only does
this move occupy important central territory, but it also limits the scope of
the bishop which will be housed at b2.} 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. c4 { A reasonable
alternative is 3.e3, intending 4.Bb5.} 3... Nf6 4. Nf3 {Bobby Fisc her
preferred 4.e3 in a game played the same year. This move is too provocative.}
4... e4 5. Nd4 Bc5 6. Nxc6 {6.e3 Bxd4 7.exd4 d5 The bishop at b2 will be
blocked by the pawn at d4 for a long time.} 6... dxc6 7. e3 {7.d4 exd3 8.Qxd3
Qe7 Black still has a good game, but perhaps not as strong as in the game.}
7... Bf5 8. Qc2 Qe7 9. Be2 {9.d4 exd3 10.Bxd3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Rd8 12.Qc2 O-O
Black has a significant lead in development.} 9... O-O-O 10. f4 {This is a
major mistake, because the king's position is weakened. But Larsen may have
been getting a little desperate, because Black already had the advantage in
development. 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nc3 Qe5 12.O-O h5 Black has a strong attack.}
10... Ng4 {One thing White has to watch out for is an eventual Nxe3, since the
opening of the d-file by dxe3 will limit the escape routes for the White
king.} 11. g3 {Whenever this move is played it weakens the pawn structure on
the kingside. A common reply is the advance of the h-pawn from h7 to h5 and
eventually to h4, where it can be exchanged for the pawn at g3, opening up the
h-file.} 11... h5 12. h3 {Now Spassky unleashes a powerful sacrifice which
brings the game to a quick and brutal conclusion. Unless you are a very strong
player (in which case you are familiar with this game), you probably can't
figure it out yourself.} 12... h4 13. hxg4 {13.Bxg4 Bxg4 14.hxg4 hxg3 15.Rg1
Here 15...Rh2 wins, but Spassky also had a more brilliant option, which he
demonstrated after the game: 15...Rh1 16.Rxh1 g2 17.Rg1 Qh4+ 18.Ke2 Qxg4+ 19.
Ke1 Qg3+ and Black wins.} 13... hxg3 {This passed pawn provides the material
out of which Spassky fashions a brilliant victory!} 14. Rg1 {Now, if you
examined the variation at move 13, you might find the solution that earned
this game its reputation as one of the most brilliant ever. 14.Rxh8 Rxh8 15.
gxf5 Rh1+ 16.Bf1 g2} 14... Rh1 15. Rxh1 g2 16. Rf1 {16.Rg1 Qh4+ 17.Kd1 Qh1 18.
Qc3 Qxg1+ 19.Kc2 Qf2 20.gxf5 Qxe2 21.Na3 And here there is yet another
fantastic move. 21...Bb4 22.Qxb4 Qd3+ 23.Kc1 g1Q+} 16... Qh4+ 17. Kd1 gxf1=Q+
{ White resigned, because checkmate is inevitable.} 0-1
0-1
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