Spassky vs Fischer
Belgrade | ? | Round 12
686
[Event "Belgrade"] [Site "?"] [Round "12"] [White "Spassky"] [Black "Fischer"] [Result "1-0"] [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 { A very unusual move in this position, but it can lead to more normal lines if White chooses to transpose.} 8... h5 9. Nc1 {This is the real new idea. It is perhaps not an appropriate move in this position, though the real test does not come in the present game. 9.Qd2 Rb8 is also possible.} 9... e5 {9...Rb8!? 1 0.Nb3 Bd7 is more consistent with Black's strategy, aiming for an early break with b5.} 10. d5 Ne7 {10...Nd4 is probably stronger.} 11. Be2 Nh7 {Black prepar es to launch kingside counterplay with f7-f5, after which the pawn at h4 can become very weak. His knights suffer from the lack of entry squares on the kingside, a situation brought about by 8...h5.} 12. Nd3 {White now contr ols f4 as well as g5, so there really is no possibility of kingside counterplay for Black.} 12... f5 13. a4 {White prevents Black from playing a freeing b7-b5. This shuts down any queenside action on Black's part.} 13... Nf6 14. Nf2 { This is the logical continuation of White's strategy, limiting Black's counterplay at each turn and taking control of more squares, in this case g4 and e4.} 14... a5 {A simply horrible move. it prevents a4-a5, but eliminates any chance of getting in b7-b5.} 15. Qc2 c5 {Another error, but a consistent follow-up to the previous mistake. Fischer must have underestimated White's potential energy on the kingside. 15...f4 16.Bd2 Bh6 17. g3 fxg3 18.Bxh6 gxf2+ was a better plan.} 16. O-O-O b6 17. Rdg1 Nh7 18. Nb5 Kh8 {Pointless, since the knight at e7 cannot be brought to h6 because White will plant a pawn at g5. 18...f4 might still be best, for example 19.Bd2 Rf7 20.g4 fxg3 21.Rxg3 Nf8 22. Nh3 Bxh3 23.Rgxh3} 19. g4 {The prelude to a direct kingside attack, which is difficult to counter. The main basis of the attack is the weakness of g6.} 19... hxg4 20. fxg4 f4 {Much too late.} 21. Bd2 {It is now clear that Black has no counterplay, and his king is in danger on the h-file.} 21... g5 { Fischer did not want to endure White's persistent pressure, but this is a desperate sacrifice which only hastens the end.} 22. hxg5 Ng6 23. Rh5 { The threat is 24.Rhg1.} 23... Rf7 24. Rgh1 Bf8 25. Qb3 Rb8 26. Qh3 {White domin ates the entire board and the success of his attack is beyond question.} 26... Rbb7 27. Nd3 { This is a decisive transfer of White's knight to the blockading square f3.} 27... Kg8 28. Ne1 Rg7 {28...Qe8 is possibly a bit more resistant, but there are serious problems anyway.} 29. Nf3 Rbf7 30. Rh6 { Desperation, but well justified.} 30... Qd7 31. Qh5 { Strong and simple. There is no way to save the knight.} 31... Qxg4 32. Rxg6 Qxh5 33. Rxg7+ Rxg7 34. Rxh5 Bg4 {Black is just down a piece here.} 35. Rh4 Bxf3 36. Bxf3 Nxg5 37. Bg4 { A last finesse. Black cannot capture at e4 because of the check at e6.} 37... Rh7 38. Rxh7 Kxh7 39. Kc2 Be7 {39...Nxe4 40.Bf5+} 40. Kd3 Kg6 41. Nc7 Kf7 42. Ne6 Nh7 43. Bh5+ Kg8 { 43...Kf6 44.Be1! and Black's king must worry about getting mated!} 44. Be1 Nf6 45. Bh4 Kh7 46. Bf7 Nxd5 { This regains a little material, but the win is still simple.} 47. cxd5 Bxh4 48. Bh5 Kh6 49. Be2 Bf2 50. Kc4 Bd4 51. b3 Kg6 { Black's king cannot protect his soldiers.} 52. Kb5 Kf6 53. Kc6 Ke7 54. Ng7 1-0
1-0
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