[Event "Sveti Stefan"] [Site "?"] [Round "4"] [White "Spassky"] [Black "Fischer"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D26"] [Opening "QGA: 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 {Perhaps influenced by the renewed interest in the opening in the 1980s. The Queen's Gambit Accepted is an unusual choice from Fischer, who usually prefers a more hypermodern treatment of 1.d4.} 3. Nf3 {3.e4 is a po pular alternative which has been the subject of much scrutiny lately.} 3... Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. dxc5 {Spassky shows a definite preference for endgames in this match! 7.Qe2 and 7.a4 are the more common moves.} 7... Qxd1 { 7...Bxc5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nbd2 Ke7 10.b3 b6 11.Bb2 Bb7 12.Be2 Nbd7=} 8. Rxd1 Bxc5 9. b3 {9.a3 with the idea of playing b4, is more common here.} 9... Nbd7 10. Bb2 b6 {The cautious approach. The extended fianchetto (10...b5) is riskier because the pawn chain can be undermined by a2-a4.} 11. Nc3 Bb7 12. Rac1 Be7 { 12...O-O? 13.Na4 Be7 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Nxb6} 13. Nd4 Rc8 14. f3 b5 15. Be2 Bc5 { Black has achieved full equality.} 16. Kf1 { A very lame move. 16.Kf2 Ke7 17.a4 bxa4 18.Nxa4 Ba7 maintains equality.} 16... Ke7 17. e4 {A strategic disaster. White weakens the long diagonal without any good reason, allowing Fischer to develop an interesting counterattack. 17.Kf2 was the correct move.} 17... g5 {Black intends to advance the g-pawn, capture at f3, bring a knight to f4 and put a rook on the g-file, a simple and effective plan.} 18. Nb1 { The point of this move is to try to exchange dark squared bishops after Ba3.} 18... g4 { 18...Bd6 might have been more accurate, e.g., 19.Kf2 g4 with at least equality. } 19. Ba3 b4 {It is hard to believe that Fischer overlooked the obvious exchange sacrifice which follows. 19...Bxa3 20.Nxa3 gxf3 21.gxf3 Rhg8 22.Kf2 Ne5 with good play for Black.} 20. Rxc5 Nxc5 21. Bxb4 {Now White's position is superior thanks to his ferocious bishop and the vulnerable Black king. The distance between a very good position and a very bad one is very small indeed!} 21... Rhd8 22. Na3 gxf3 23. gxf3 Nfd7 24. Nc4 {White has already achieved a completely dominating position because all of his pieces are active, while Black lacks any counterplay.} 24... Ba8 25. Kf2 Rg8 26. h4 Rc7 27. Nc2 Rb8 28. Ba3 {This prevents Fischer from countersacrificing the exchange, and maintains the strong pin.} 28... h5 29. Rg1 Kf6 30. Ke3 a5 31. Rg5 { Spassky intensifies the pressure with every move.} 31... a4 {This makes 's task easier, but it is hard to find an alternative. Now White gets a powerful passed pawn.} 32. b4 Nb7 33. b5 Nbc5 34. Nd4 {White's domination is complete. Fischer now embarks on a desperate sacrifice, but it doesn't work.} 34... e5 { A mistake.} 35. Nxe5 Nxe5 36. Rf5+ Kg7 37. Rxe5 Nxe4 { The point of the combination. If Black takes the knight Fischer will escape.} 38. Bd3 {38.fxe4 Rc3+} 38... Rc3 39. Bb4 { Spassky's ship steers clear of the final reef and the game heads for home.} 39... Rxd3+ 40. Kxd3 Nf6 41. Bd6 Rc8 42. Rg5+ Kh7 43. Be5 Ne8 44. Rxh5+ Kg6 45. Rg5+ Kh7 46. Bf4 f6 47. Rf5 Kg6 48. b6 { This modest pawn decides the outcome of the game.} 48... Rd8 49. Ra5 Bxf3 50. h5+ Kf7 {50...Bxh5 51.b7} 51. Ra7+ {Black resigns. The worst game by Fischer in the first half of the match. Spassky played quite well.} 1-0