Spassky vs Fischer
Reykjavik | ? | Round 5
519
[Event "Reykjavik"] [Site "?"] [Round "5"] [White "Spassky"] [Black "Fischer"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E21"] [Opening "Nimzo-Indian: Three Knights"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 Nc6 6. Bd3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 d6 8. e4 e5 9. d5 {White has taken a fundamental decision to close the center and try to exploit his spatial advantage.} 9... Ne7 {This may seem to go against the conventional strategy of deploying the knight on the flank to attack the P at c4, but in this position such a strategy will not be effective, so the N is transferred to the kingside where it will be useful.} 10. Nh4 {White aims at an early f2-f4, a logical plan. 10.Nd2 is also sensible, but Black can get a good game without difficulty by bravely placing his King on the queenside.} 10... h6 {This keeps the White bishop from getting to g5 where it can cause trouble, and paves the way for the eventual advance of the g-pawn.} 11. f4 Ng6 {A bold move, permitting White to cripple the pawn structure on the kingside. But Fischer knew what he was doing.} 12. Nxg6 fxg6 {The g-pawn will be able to advance, but in the meantime it sits and prevents f4-f5.} 13. fxe5 { A very poor move, though history has shown that Black has a good game anyway.} 13... dxe5 14. Be3 b6 15. O-O O-O 16. a4 {When the White pawns are locked on light-squares in the center this is usually a bad idea, because the P can be cemented to the light square by a7-a5, after which it becomes a target.} 16... a5 17. Rb1 Bd7 18. Rb2 Rb8 19. Rbf2 Qe7 20. Bc2 g5 {Both of White's bishops have been rendered harmless. Black is preparing to establish a knight outpost on f4.} 21. Bd2 Qe8 { The queen will be redeployed at g6 and the e-pawn will come under fire.} 22. Be1 Qg6 23. Qd3 Nh5 24. Rxf8+ Rxf8 25. Rxf8+ Kxf8 26. Bd1 Nf4 {"Nimzowits ch would have loved this position -- restraint, blockade, doubled P complexes and an outpost in an open." -- Keene (Aron Nimzowitsch -- A Reappraisal).} 27. Qc2 {A simply awful move for a World Championship game. 27.Qb1 and White could have continued the battle.} 27... Bxa4 { and here Spassky resigned, rather than face} 28. Qxa4 Qxe4 0-1
0-1
Loading embedded game viewer...