[Event "Sveti Stefan"] [Site "?"] [Round "11"] [White "Fischer"] [Black "Spassky"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B31"] [Opening "Sicilian: Rossolimo, 3...g6 4.Bxc6"] 1. e4 c5 {After the disaster of the previous Spanish Inquisition, Spassky slides into Sicilian territory.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {Somewhat of a surprise. Fischer usually prefers the well-traveled paths of more topical lines, enjoying the theoretical duels.} 3... g6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 { Theory prefers 4...dxc6, but there is nothing wrong with this choice.} 5. O-O Bg7 6. Re1 e5 {A critical advance, which prevents White from playing e4-e5 or d2-d4. But the blocking of the long diagonal creates an interesting opportunity for White. Spassky consistently rejects previous praxis, but opts for 6...f6 in game 13.} 7. b4 {A typical example of a move which is trivial when played prematurely (at move 2) but which can be quite effective if delayed until an appropriate moment.} 7... cxb4 8. a3 { This gambit underlines the defects of 6...e5.} 8... c5 {8...d6 9.axb4 Ne7 10. h3 O-O 11.d3 gives White a slightly better position, because there are some weaknesses in Black's position. But 8...bxa3 9.Bxa3 d6 gives White sufficient compensation for the pawn, but how much more?} 9. axb4 cxb4 10. d4 { 10.Bb2 d6 11.d4 exd4 would transpose back to the game.} 10... exd4 { 10...d6?! 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Bd2! regains the pawn with interest.} 11. Bb2 d6 {Now the long diagonal can be the site of some tactical operations.} 12. Nxd4 {12.Bxd4 Nf6 would be roughly equal, with the bishop pair working to Black's advantage.} 12... Qd7 {12...Qb6 13.Nd2 Bxd4 14.Nc4 Bxf2+ 15.Kh1 Qc5 16. Nxd6+ Ke7 17.Nf5+! wins for White.} 13. Nd2 Bb7 {13...Ne7 would have been more cautious but White would have had a strong position in any case.} 14. Nc4 Nh6 { Now the White knight makes a brilliant leap.} 15. Nf5 Bxb2 {15...Nxf5 16.exf5+ Kf8 17.Bxg7+ Kxg7 18.f6+ Kg8 19.Qxd6 Qxd6 20.Nxd6 Bc6 21. Ra6! Bd5 22.Rxa7! would lead to a rapid White victory.} 16. Ncxd6+ Kf8 17. Nxh6 f6 { The losing move.} 18. Ndf7 Qxd1 19. Raxd1 Ke7 20. Nxh8 Rxh8 21. Nf5+ { A reprise of the main theme. This time, it is decisive.} 21... gxf5 22. exf5+ Be5 {The only way to avoid losing a rook. 22...Kf8 23.Rd8+ Kg7 24.Re7+} 23. f4 Rc8 24. fxe5 Rxc2 { 24...fxe5 25.Rxe5+ Kf6 26.Rb5 and Black has no counterplay at all.} 25. e6 { The protected passed pawn will remain a pain in Black's side for some time.} 25... Bc6 26. Rc1 {This forces the exchange of rooks.} 26... Rxc1 {26...b3 27. Rxc2 bxc2 28.Rc1 Be4 29.g4 a5 30.Kf2 a4 31.Ke3 and Black can give up.} 27. Rxc1 Kd6 28. Rd1+ Ke5 {28...Ke7 29.Ra1 and the a-pawn goes.} 29. e7 a5 { Black's last gasp. 29...Kxf5 30.Rd6 Ba4 31.Ra6} 30. Rc1 Bd7 31. Rc5+ Kd4 32. Rxa5 {The rest is simple.} 32... b3 33. Ra7 Be8 34. Rb7 Kc3 35. Kf2 b2 36. Ke3 Bf7 37. g4 Kc2 38. Kd4 b1=Q 39. Rxb1 Kxb1 40. Kc5 Kc2 41. Kd6 { and Black resigned, since a losing endgame is inevitable:} 41... Kd3 42. Kd7 Ke4 43. e8=Q+ Bxe8+ 44. Kxe8 Kf4 45. Kf7 Kg5 46. Kg7 {etc.} 1-0