[Event "Belgrade"] [Site "?"] [Round "15"] [White "Fischer"] [Black "Spassky"] [ECO "A13"] [Opening "English: 1...e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3"] 1. c4 {Something of a surprise, although Fischer did play the English in the first match too.} 1... e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 {The choice of the kingside fianchetto means that we are headed for a Tarrasch, Catalan, English, or Hedgehog. Still a wide choice!} 3... d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 { Now we have a Catalan Opening, and Spassky opts for the closed variation.} 6... Nbd7 7. Nbd2 {This is a fairly popular line, but does not place much pressure at d5, and White can hope for a minimal advantage, at best.} 7... b6 8. cxd5 { The double fianchetto approach.} 8... exd5 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. Ndf3 {10.Ndc4 perhaps makes better use of the long diagonal, exploiting the pin at d5.} 10... Ne4 11. Bf4 Ndf6 {Black has achieved full equality.} 12. Rc1 c5 13. dxc5 bxc5 { Black's hanging pawns at c5 and d5 are strong in this configuration. One can compare game 6 of the first match, where they proved to be weak.} 14. Ng5 Nxg5 15. Bxg5 Ne4 {The excellent coordination of Black's forces lead to simplifications without risk.} 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Bxe4 dxe4 { 17...Qxe5 18.Bf3 maintains strong pressure at d5.} 18. Nc4 e3 {This is a bold attempt to punish White for ignoring Nimzowitsch's principle that central pawns must be blockaded.} 19. f3 { Now the question is whether the pawn at e3 is strong or weak. 19.Nxe3? Qe4} 19... Rad8 20. Qb3 Rfe8 21. Rc3 Bd5 {This preserves the important e-pawn.} 22. Rfc1 { 22.Rxe3 Bxc4 23.Rxe7 Bxb3 24.Rxe8+ Rxe8 25.axb3 Rxe2 with a drawish endgame.} 22... g6 23. Qa3 {23.Qa4 was preferred by Deep Thought.} 23... Bxf3 {Spassky pl ays with youthful vigor. The piece sacrifice is romantic and worthy of consideration, but there was a less interesting drawing line. 23...Bxc4 24. Rxc4 Rd2! 25.Re4 Qd7 26.Qxe3 Rxe4 27.Qxe4 Qd4+! 28.Qxd4 cxd4 with equal chances in the endgame.} 24. exf3 {24.Rxe3? Be4!} 24... e2 25. Re1 Rd1 26. Kf2 Rxe1 27. Kxe1 Qd7 {There are two threats here: Qd1+ and Qh3. Now White must play with extreme caution.} 28. Qb3 { 28.Rd3 Qh3 29.Ne3 Rxe3! 30.Rxe3 Qf1+ 31.Kd2 Qd1+ and a draw will result.} 28... Qh3 29. Ne3 Qxh2 { 29...Rxe3? 30.Rxe3 Qf1+ 31.Kd2 and the d1-square is covered by the Qb3.} 30. g4 Rb8 31. Qd5 {31.Qc2?? would lose to Rxb2!! 32.Qxb2 Qg1+ 33.Kxe2 Qh2+ 34.Kd3 Qxb2 and White's pawns will fall quickly.} 31... Rxb2 { Now White must force the draw.} 32. Qd8+ Kg7 33. Nf5+ gxf5 *