Fischer vs Spassky
Sveti Stefan | ? | Round 1
705
[Event "Sveti Stefan"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Fischer"]
[Black "Spassky"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C70"]
[Opening "Spanish: 4.Ba4"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {Quite brave of Spassky, to test Fischer in the
latter's favorite opening. But then Spassky is also the master of the Black
side of the Spanish Game!} 3... a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O
8. c3 d6 9. h3 Nb8 {The Breyer System, Spassky's pride and joy.} 10. d4 Nbd7
11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 { 13.b4 a5! prevents the planned advance of
White's a-pawn to a5.} 13... Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bd2 Bg7 17. a4 c5
18. d5 c4 19. b4 {This is an , and perhaps a strong one. It is not just the
move that is new, but the idea of a delayed b4 after Black has advanced to
c4.} 19... Nh7 20. Be3 h5 21. Qd2 Rf8 22. Ra3 {Spassky must have been feeling
a creeping uneasiness, caused by the potential problems on the a-file, where
White's heavy artillery will congregate.} 22... Ndf6 {Black lacks adequate
counterply, since there is no real hope of playing f7-f5. Therefore he tries
to regroup his pieces to prevent a capture at b5, and also prepares to
sacrifice a piece for the dominating central pawns.} 23. Rea1 Qd7 24. R1a2
Rfc8 25. Qc1 Bf8 26. Qa1 Qe8 27. Nf1 Be7 28. N1d2 { 28.N3d2 is an interesting
alternative, intending to advance the f-pawn.} 28... Kg7 29. Nb1 {This
threatens to liquidate a lot of pieces following captures on a5 and a8, after
which Nb1-a3 will win the weak pawn at b5. So Black must try a desperate
sacrifice.} 29... Nxe4 30. Bxe4 f5 31. Bc2 Bxd5 32. axb5 axb5 33. Ra7 Kf6 34.
Nbd2 {The knight has done its duty on the queenside and returns to provide
support for the center and for its fellow steed at f3.} 34... Rxa7 35. Rxa7
Ra8 36. g4 {Fischer strives to open the position, even if this entails
exposing his king to some danger. This is better than exchanging at a8, as the
resulting simplification would not help White's attack.} 36... hxg4 37. hxg4
Rxa7 38. Qxa7 f4 {Well-timed! 38...Qa8 would lead to an easy win for White.}
39. Bxf4 {Fischer's superb technique is evident as he returns his trophy
immediately. If he had tried to hang on to it, victory would have been less
likely. 39.Bb6?! Qa8! 40. Qd7 Bxf3 41.Nxf3 Qxf3 42.Bd8 Bxd8 43.Qxd8+ is
unclear.} 39... exf4 40. Nh4 {Another strong move which is not obvious. The
natural path would lead White astray: 40.Qd4+ Ke6 41.Qg7 Nf8 and Black can
hold on.} 40... Bf7 {The fatal err or. The knight retreat was called for.
40... Nf8! 41.Qd4+ Ke6 42.Nf5 Bf6! 43. Qxf4 Be5 and Black could still put up a
fight. } 41. Qd4+ Ke6 42. Nf5 {There is the threat of a big fork at g7.} 42...
Bf8 { 42...gxf5 43.Bxf5++} 43. Qxf4 Kd7 44. Nd4 { The b5-pawn is unprotected.
Spassky makes one more attempt at counterplay.} 44... Qe1+ 45. Kg2 Bd5+ 46.
Be4 Bxe4+ 47. Nxe4 Be7 48. Nxb5 Nf8 49. Nbxd6 Ne6 { Spassky resigned here,
rather than face...} 50. Qe5 1-0
1-0
http://chessmicrobase.com/microbases/10/games/705?token=d0nc55wq