It’s almost the fiftieth anniversary of the most dramatic game from the Fischer-Spassky match. You won’t find this one in the collections of Fischer’s top games; the positions are complicated and intense, neither player can find the best moves. As I remember 1972, we chess fans knew that our guy was crazy and there was always the chance that his insanity would prevent him from winning the title. He forfeited the second game of the match like he didn’t even care. Nobody does that in a world championship match where every point is precious. Similarly confounding, he previously withdrew from the interzonal tournament while he was leading. There was no guaranty that Fischer would complete the match; even if he was winning, any perceived slight could drive him over the edge. Could he really become the first American to win the World Chess Championship? The thirteenth match game features an unusual unbalanced position, and the desperate Spassky couldn’t find the moves to hold back the final charge of the pawns. Fischer’s victory put him up by three games and took the fight out of his opponent, the remaining games of the match seemed merely played out for the inevitable result.
GM Boris Spassky-GM Robert James Fischer
8/10/72
Game 13
World Championship MAtch
Reykjavik, Iceland
1.e4 Nf6
2.e5 Nd5
3.d4 d6
4.Nf3 g6
5.Bc4 Nb6
6.Bb3 Bg7
7.Nbd2 O-O
8.h3?! +0.10/24
8.exd6 +0.46/22 8...exd6 9.O-O Nc6 10.c3 Re8 11.Re1 Rxe1+
8…a5
9.a4 dxe5
10.dxe5 Na6
11.O-O Nc5
12.Qe2 Qe8
13.Ne4 Nbxa4
14.Bxa4 Nxa4
15.Re1 Nb6
16.Bd2 a4
17.Bg5 h6
18.Bh4 Bf5
19.g4?! -0.73/23
19.Nd4 -0.32/22 19...Bxe4 20.Qxe4 c5 21.Nf3 Qd7 22.Rad1 Qc7 22...Qe6 23. Qxb7 g5 24. Bg3 Nc4 25. b3 Na5 26. Qd7 axb3 27. cxb3 Nxb3 28. Qxe6 fxe6 -1.00 Stockfish 23.c4 Rfd8 24.Rb1 Rd7 25.e6 f5 26.Qc2 Rdd8 27.Bg3 Qc6 28.Be5 Bxe5
19…Be6
20.Nd4
20.Qd3 Rd8 21.Qc3 Nc4 22.b3 axb3 23.cxb3 Nd6 24.Nxd6 cxd6 25.Qb4 Rd7 -1.65 Stockfish
20...Bc4
20...Bxe5 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.c3 Ra5 -2.12 according to Stockfish, but the doubled e-pawns are likely to require some defending.
21.Qd2 Qd7 Stockfish still wants to take the pawn, 21.Bxe5 22. Nc5 Bxd4 23. Qxd4 g5 24. Bg3 Rd8 25. Qe4 Qb5 26. Nxa4 Nxa4 27. b3 Bd5 28. Qxa4 Qxa4 29. bxa4 -1.22 Stockfish
21...Bxe5 22.Nc5 Bxd4 23.Qxd4 g5 24.Bg3 Rd8 25.Qe4 Qb5 Stockfish still takes the pawn -1.23
22.Rad1 Rfe8?! 0.00/22
22...Rfd8 -0.64/22 23.f4 23. Qc1 Bd5 24. e6 Qe8 25. Nc5 f5 26. Bg3 Bc6 27. Nd7 Nxd7 28. exd7 Rxd7 29. Be5 Bxe5 30. Rxe5 -0.52 Stockfish 23...a3 24.bxa3 Rxa3 25.Kh2 Rda8 26.Nc5 Qe8 27.Nxb7
22...Bd5 23.Nf6+ exf6 24.exf6 Rfe8 24...Bh8 25. Re7 Qd6 26. Nf5 gxf5 27. Qxh6 Rfe8 28. gxf5 Rxe7 29. Qg5+ Kh7 30. Qh5+ Kg8 31. Qg4+ Kh7 = 25.fxg7 Kxg7 26.Nf3 Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Re8 -0.75 Stockfish
23.f4?! -0.77/23
23.b3 0.00/22 23...axb3 23...c5 24. Nxc5 Qc7 25. Qb4 Rec8 26. Ne4 Bd5 27. e6 Bxe6 28. c4 axb3 29. Nxe6 fxe6 +0.06 Stockfish 24.cxb3 Bd5 25.Nc5 Qd8 26.e6 Qd6 27.Qc1 Be5 28.Nf3 Bg7 29.Nd4
23...Bd5
23...a3 24.b3 c5 25.Nxc5 Qc7 26.Ne4 Bd5 27.Nb5 Qc8 28.c4 Bxe4 29.Rxe4 Nd7 30.Qxd7 Qxd7 31.Rxd7 a2 32.Re1 a1=Q 33.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 34.Kf2 -0.43 Stockfish
24.Nc5 Qc8
25.Qc3
25.e6 Nc4 26.Qe2 Ra5 27.b4 Rxc5 28.bxc5 fxe6 29.f5 e5 30.Nb5 c6 31.Nc3 gxf5 32.gxf5 Qxf5 33.Nxd5 cxd5 34.Rxd5 Qf4 = Stockfish
25...e6
25...a3 26.bxa3 c6 27.Qd3 Na4 28.Nxa4 Rxa4 29.f5 Bc4 30.Qe4 g5 31.Bf2 Rxa3 -1.77 Stockfish
26.Kh2
26.Nb5 Nc4 27.Ne4 a3 28.Nxa3 Nxa3 29.bxa3 Ra4 30.Rd4 Qa8 31.Rxa4 Qxa4 -1.21 Stockfish
26...Nd7
26...c6 27.Bf2 Qc7 28.Ra1 Red8 29.Nd3 Nd7 30.Nb4 Rdc8 31.Re2 Nb6 32.Nxd5 Nxd5 -.2.60 Stockfish
27.Nd3?! -1.49/25
27.Nb5 -0.90/24 27...Nxc5 28.Qxc5 Ra5 29.c4 Bc6 30.Qb4 b6 31.Nd4 Qb7 Stockfish spots a much stronger line -2.62 here. 31...Qa8 32. Qa3 Bf8 33. Qd3 a3 34. b3 Be7 35. Bxe7 Rxe7 36. Nxc6 Qxc6 32.Rd2 Bf8 33.Qc3 a3 34.b3 Rea8 35.Ra2 Be8
27.Nxd7 Qxd7 28.Qd3 Ra5 29.Bf6 Bxf6 30.exf6 Qd6 31.Qe3 b5 32.h4 a3 33.bxa3 Rxa3 34.Qe5 Rc3 35.Qxd6 cxd6 -1.91 Stockfish
27…c5
28.Nb5 Qc6
29.Nd6 Qxd6
30.exd6 Bxc3
31.bxc3 f6
32.g5
32.Ra1 g5 33.Bf2 b6 34.h4 gxh4 35.Ra3 Kf7 36.Bxh4 Rg8 -4.82 Stockfish
32.Bf2 b6 33.g5 hxg5 34.fxg5 Kf7 35.gxf6 e5 36.Bg3 Bf3 37.Ra1 e4 -4.82 Stockfish
32...hxg5?! -1.91/28
32...c4 -2.28/27 33.Nb4 hxg5 34.fxg5 f5 35.Nxd5 exd5 36.Rxe8+ Rxe8 37.Rxd5 Ra8 37...Re2 38.Kg1 Rc2 39.Ra5 Rc3 40.Ra4 Kf7 41.Be1 Bc1 -6.64 Stockfish 38.Bf2 a3 39.Rd1 Kf7 40.h4 a2 41.Ra1 Ke6 42.Kg3 Kxd6 43.h5
32...Bf3 33.Ra1 c4 34.Nb2 b5 35.gxf6 Kf7 36.Bf2 Red8 37.Nd1 Nxf6 38.Be3 Rxd6 -5.66 Stockfish
33.fxg5 f5
33...c4 34.Nf4 Bf3 35.Ra1 Kf7 36.gxf6 Bc6 37.Ne2 e5 38.Ng3 Rh8 39.Bg5 Ke6 40.Ne2 Kxd6 41.Rad1+ Kc7 -4.68 Stockfish
34.Bg3 Kf7
34...a3 35.Ne5 Nxe5 36.Bxe5 Red8 37.Rd3 a2 38.c4 Bxc4 39.Rf3 b5 40.Rf4 Ra3 41.Ba1 Kf7 -4.94 Stockfish
35.Ne5+ Nxe5
36.Bxe5 b5
36...Red8 37.c4 The point of this move is to make the passed d-pawn more powerful with the rook behind it. 37...Bxc4 38.h4 a3 39.h5 gxh5 40.g6+ Kxg6 41.Rg1+ Kh6 42.Rg7 Be2 43.Re1 Bg4 44.Re7 f4 45.Bxf4+ Kg6 46.Be5 a2 47.Rg7+ Kh6 48.d7 Ra4 49.Bf6 Rda8 50.Be5 Rd4 51.Bxd4 cxd4 52.Re7 Rd8 53.Ra1 Kg6 54.Rxa2 Kf6 55.Re8 Rxd7 56.Rf8+ Ke5 57.Ra1 Bf5 58.Re8 Kd5 -4.00 Stockfish
37.Rf1
37.c4 Bxc4 38.d7 Red8 39.Bf6 a3 40.Rd6 b4 41.Kg3 a2 42.h4 Bb5 43.Rb6 Bxd7 44.Bxd8 a1=Q 45.Rxa1 Rxa1 46.Bf6 Rd1 -0.12 Stockfish
37...Rh8?! -0.89/29
37...Red8 -1.22/28 38.Rb1 Bc4 39.Rf4 Ke8 40.Rh4 Kd7 41.Rh7+
37...a3 38.Ra1 Rg8 39.Rf4 Ke8 40.Rh4 Kd7 41.Rh7+ Kc6 42.Rc7+ Kb6 43.h4 a2 44.Rh7 f4 45.Bxf4 Rgf8 46.Bg3 Be4 47.d7 Kc6 48.Re7 Bxc2 -4.74 Stockfish
38.Bf6?! -1.17/28
38.Bxh8 -0.89/29 38...Rxh8 39.Rfe1 Rd8 40.Rb1 Rb8 41.Kg3 a3 42.Rbd1 Ra8 43.Kf4 a2 44.h4 Rh8 45.Kg3 Bc4 46.Re5 Rd8 47.Ree1 Bd5 48.Rd2 Re8 49.Rg1 Rh8 50.Re1 Rd8 51.Ra1 Ra8 52.Rdd1 If Spassky goes into this variation, the likely result is a draw, which is bad for his match situation; probably why he doesn't play this line, opting to try and make something of his d-pawn.
38…a3
39.Rf4?! -1.54/29
39.Ra1 -1.13/27 39...a2 40.Rfd1 Rhb8 40...Rhd8 41. Bxd8 Rxd8 42. Rxd5 exd5 43. Rxa2 Rxd6 44. Kg3 Re6 45. Kf2 Rb6 46. Kf3 Ke6 -0.35 Stockfish 41.d7 Rd8 42.Bxd8 Rxd8 43.Rxd5 exd5 44.Rxa2 44. Kg3 Rxd7 45. Rxa2 Re7 46. Kf2 f4 47. Kf3 Re3+ 48. Kxf4 Re4+ 49. Kf3 Rc4 -0.08 Stockfish 44...Rxd7 45.Ra5 Rb7 46.Kg3 Re7 47.Kf3 Re4 48.Rxb5 Rc4 49.Rb3 Ke6 50.Ke2 f4 51.Kd3 Kf5 52.Rb6 Re4 53.Rd6 Re5 54.Rc6 c4+ 55.Kd4 Re6 56.Rc8 Kxg5 57.Kxd5 Re3 58.Rc5 Rxh3 59.Kxc4+ Kg4
39…a2
40.c4 Bxc4
41.d7 Bd5
41...e5 42.Bxe5 Rhd8 43.Bf6 Be2 44.Re1 Rxd7 45.Rxe2 a1=Q 46.Bxa1 Rxa1 47.Rh4 Kg7 48.Rf4 Rad1 49.Rff2 Kf7 50.Kg3 R7d5 51.Re3 Rg1+ 52.Kh2 Rxg5 -6.66 Stockfish
42.Kg3 Ra3+
43.c3 Rha8
44.Rh4 e5
45.Rh7+ Ke6
46.Re7+ Kd6
47.Rxe5 Rxc3+
48.Kf2 Rc2+
49.Ke1 Kxd7
50.Rexd5+ Kc6
51.Rd6+ Kb7
52.Rd7+ Ka6
53.R7d2 Rxd2
54.Kxd2 b4
55.h4 Kb5
56.h5 c4
56...gxh5 57.g6 c4 58.Ra1 h4 59.g7 h3 60.Kc1 h2 61.Kb2 f4 62.Be5 Kc5 63.Bxf4 Re8 64.Rh1 Re2+ 65.Ka1 Rg2 66.Rxh2 Rxg7 67.Kxa2 Ra7+ 68.Kb1 Kd4 -0.15 Stockfish
57.Ra1 gxh5
58.g6 h4
59.g7 h3
60.Be7?! -4.14/31
60.Kc1 -2.50/30 The Hiarcs software comes to the wrong conclusion. Stockfish looks deeper and says that 60.Kc1 was Spassky's first chance to hold the position. 60...h2 61.Kb2 b3 61...f4 62. Be5 Kc5 63. Bxf4 Re8 64. Rh1 Re2+ 65. Ka1 Rg2 66. Rxh2 Rxg7 67. Kxa2 Ra7+ 68. Kb2 c3+ 69. Kb1 Rd7 70. Be5 Kc4 71. Bxc3 bxc3 = Stockfish 62.Be5 Rd8 63.Ka3 Rg8 64.Kb2 f4 65.Rh1 Rd8 66.Bxf4 66. Bd6 f3 67. Bxh2 Rd2+ 68. Ka3 Rg2 69. Be5 f2 70. Rf1 Rg1 71. Ba1 b2 72. Kxb2 Rxf1 73. g8=Q Rb1+ 74. Kc2 Rc1+ 75. Kb2 c3+ 76. Kb3 Rb1+ 77. Kxa2 Rxa1+ 78. Kb3 Rb1+ 79. Kxc3 Rc1+ 80. Kb2 f1=Q 81. Qb8+ Kc6 = Stockfish 66...Kb4 67.Be5 Rd2+ 68.Ka1 Rg2 69.Bd4 Rg4 70.Kb2 Ka4 71.Rxh2 Rxd4 72.g8=Q c3+ 73.Kxc3 a1=Q+ 74.Rb2 Qc1+ 75.Kxd4 Qxb2+ 76.Kc4 Qc2+ 77.Kd4 Qd2+ 78.Kc4 Qc1+ 79.Kd4 b2
60…Rg8
61.Bf8 It looks like five pawns for a rook but the bishop still controls some important squares that could allow White to hold. If it really was the five pawns versus the rook, Black on the move, would win by 61...c3 62.Kd3 h2 63.Kd4 c2 64.Kd3 Ka4 65.Ra2 Kb3 66.Ra1 Kb2 67.Rh1 c1Q 68.Rh2 Kb3 69.Rg2 Qe1 If, in this hypothetical ending, it were White's move instead, the position could be held 62.Ra2 f4 63.Kc1 Kc5 64.Rf2 h2 65.Rxh2 Kd4 66.Rh3 c3 67.Kd1 b3 68.Rf3 b2 69.Kc2 Ke4 70.Rf1(also drawing is71.Rc3 f3 72.Kb2 f2 73.Rc1 Kf3) Ke3 71.Kxc3 Ke2 72.Rb1 f3 73.Rxb2+ Ke3 74.Rc2 f2 75.Rc1 Ke2 76.Kc4 f1=Q
61...h2
61...c3+ 62.Kd3 h2 63.Rf1 f4 64.Rh1 f3 65.Rf1 f2 66.Rd1 c2 67.Rf1 67.Kc2 loses to 67... Kc4 68. Kb2 b3 69. Rc1+ Kd3 70. Rh1 Ke4 71. Rf1 Kf3 72. Bc5 Kg3 73. Bxf2+ Kg2 74. Ra1 Rxg7 75. Kxb3 Rb7+ 76. Kc4 h1=Q 77. Rxh1 Kxh1 67...b3 68.Kc3 Kc6 69.Kxb3 Kd5 70.Kxc2 Ke4 71.Kb2 Ke3 72.Bc5+ Kd3 73.Kxa2 Rxg7 -0.10 Stockfish This is a theoretical draw after the two pawns come off.
62.Kc2 Kc6?? -0.01/30
62...f4 63.Kb2 b3 64.Rf1 Kc6 65.Rd1 f3 66.Rd6+ It is this use of the bishop to protect the rook that allows the position to be held. 66...Kc7 67.Rd1 f2 68.Kc3 Kc8 69.Kb2 Kb7 70.Kc3 Ka6 71.Rd6+ Ka7 72.Rd7+ = Stockfish
63.Rd1?? -4.14/39 A bad evaluation by Hiarcs. As the note to the next move shows, White can still draw.
63.Kb2 -0.01/30 63...b3 64.Rh1 Kd5 64...f4 65. Rxh2 Kd5 66. Rh3 Ke5 67. Ka1 Ke4 68. Rc3 f3 69. Rxc4+ Kd3 70. Rf4 Ke2 71. Re4+ Kd2 72. Rf4 = Stockfish 65.Rxh2 c3+ 66.Ka1 Ke4 67.Rh8 Kd3 68.Rh4 Kd2 69.Rh2+ Ke3 70.Rh8 c2 71.Rh1 Kd2 72.Kb2
63...b3+
63...f4 64.Kb2 b3 65.Rd6+ The bishop helps again! 65...Kb7 66.Rd1 f3 67.Rd7+ Kb8 68.Rd8+ Kc7 69.Rd1 f2 70.Kc3 Kb7 71.Rd7+ Kc8 72.Rd1 Kc7 73.Kb2 Kc6 74.Rd6+ Kb5 75.Rd1 Ka5 76.Rf1 Kb6 = Stockfish
64.Kc3 h1=Q
64...Kb6 65.Rh1 Kc6 66.Kb2 Kd5 67.Rxh2 c3+ 68.Ka1 Ke4 69.Rh8 Kd3 70.Rh4 Kc2 71.Rh2+ Kd1 72.Rh1+ Ke2 73.Rh3 c2 74.Rh2+ Kf1 75.Rh1+ Kg2 76.Rc1 f4 77.Kb2 f3 78.Kxb3 f2 79.Kxa2 f1=Q 80.Rxf1 Kxf1 81.Kb2 c1=Q+ 82.Kxc1 = Stockfish
64...f4 65.Kb2 f3 66.Rd6+ Kc7 67.Rd1 f2 68.Kc3 Kc6 69.Rd6+ Kb5 70.Rd5+ Kb6 71.Rd6+ Ka7 72.Rd1 = Stockfish
65.Rxh1 Kd5
66.Kb2
66.Rd1+ Ke4 67.Re1+ Kf3 68.Kb2 Kg2 69.Rc1 f4 70.Rxc4 f3 71.Rg4+ Kh3 72.Rf4 Kg2 = Stockfish Also a draw is 72...Kg3 73. Rf7 Kg2 74. Bc5 Kh1 75. Ra7 Kg2 76. Kxb3 f2 77. Rxa2 Rxg7 78. Rxf2+
66…f4
67.Rd1+
67.Rh3 Kd4 68.Rf3 c3+ 69.Ka1 c2 70.Rxf4+ Kc3 71.Rf3+ Kd2 72.Ba3 Rxg7 73.Rxb3 c1=Q+ 74.Bxc1+ Kxc1 75.Rb2 = Stockfish
67…Ke4
68.Rc1 Kd3
69.Rd1+?? -15.99/31 This is the blunder that decided the game and, some might say, the match.
69.Rc3+ 0.00/39 69...Kd4 70.Rf3 c3+ 71.Ka1 c2 72.Rxf4+ Kc3 73.Rf3+ Kd2 74.Ba3 Rxg7 75.Rxb3 Rc7 76.Rh3 c1=Q+ 77.Bxc1+ Kxc1 78.Kxa2 Rb7 79.Rh2 Rb5 80.Ka3 Rb6 81.Ra2 Rb7 82.Rh2 Rb5 83.Ra2 Rb7
69…Ke2
70.Rc1 f3
71.Bc5
71.Rxc4 f2 72.Re4+ Kf3 73.Rb4 a1=Q+ 74.Kxa1 f1=Q+ 75.Kb2 Ke3 76.Kxb3 Qd3+ 77.Ka4 Qa6+ 78.Kb3 Kd3 79.Kb2 Qf6+ Black can now give up the rook next 80...Rg7 81.Bg Qg7 and win this well known ending.
71…Rxg7
72.Rxc4 Rd7
73.Re4+ Kf1
74.Bd4 f2
0-1
Unfortunately for Spassky, 75.Rf4 is no defense, 75...Rd4 76.Rd4 Kg2 77.Rg4 Kf3 78.Rg8 f1Q 79.Rf8 Ke2 80.Rf1 Kf1 81.Ka1 Ke2 82.Kb2 Kd3 83.Ka1 Kd4 84.Kb2 a1=Q+ 85.Kxa1 Kc3 86.Kb1 b2 87.Ka2 Kc2 88.Ka3 b1=Q 89.Ka4 Qb6 90.Ka3 Qa5#
[Event "1972 World Championship Match"]
[Site "Rejkavik, Iceland"]
[Date "1972.08.10"]
[Round "13"]
[White "GM Boris Spassky"]
[Black "GM Robert James Fischer"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 g6 5.Bc4 Nb6 6.Bb3 Bg7 7.Nbd2 O-O 8.h3 $6
{ +0.10/24 } ( 8.exd6 { +0.46/22 } 8...exd6 9.O-O Nc6 10.c3 Re8 11.Re1 Rxe1+
) 8...a5 9.a4 dxe5 10.dxe5 Na6 11.O-O Nc5 12.Qe2 Qe8 13.Ne4 Nbxa4 14.Bxa4
Nxa4 15.Re1 Nb6 16.Bd2 a4 17.Bg5 h6 18.Bh4 Bf5 19.g4 $6 { -0.73/23 } (
19.Nd4 { -0.32/22 } 19...Bxe4 20.Qxe4 c5 21.Nf3 Qd7 22.Rad1 Qc7
{ 22...Qe6 23. Qxb7 g5 24. Bg3 Nc4 25. b3 Na5 26. Qd7 axb3 27. cxb3 Nxb3
28. Qxe6 fxe6 -1.00 Stockfish } 23.c4 Rfd8 24.Rb1 Rd7 25.e6 f5 26.Qc2 Rdd8
27.Bg3 Qc6 28.Be5 Bxe5 ) 19...Be6 20.Nd4 ( 20.Qd3 Rd8 21.Qc3 Nc4 22.b3 axb3
23.cxb3 Nd6 24.Nxd6 cxd6 25.Qb4 Rd7 { -1.65 Stockfish } ) 20...Bc4 (
20...Bxe5 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.c3 Ra5
{ -2.12 according to Stockfish, but the doubled e-pawns are likely to
require some defending. } ) 21.Qd2 Qd7
{ Stockfish still wants to take the pawn, 21.Bxe5 22. Nc5 Bxd4 23. Qxd4 g5
24. Bg3 Rd8 25. Qe4 Qb5 26. Nxa4 Nxa4 27. b3 Bd5 28. Qxa4 Qxa4 29. bxa4
-1.22 Stockfish } ( 21...Bxe5 22.Nc5 Bxd4 23.Qxd4 g5 24.Bg3 Rd8 25.Qe4 Qb5
{ Stockfish still takes the pawn -1.23 } ) 22.Rad1 Rfe8 $6 { 0.00/22 } (
22...Rfd8 { -0.64/22 } 23.f4
{ 23. Qc1 Bd5 24. e6 Qe8 25. Nc5 f5 26. Bg3 Bc6 27. Nd7 Nxd7 28. exd7 Rxd7
29. Be5 Bxe5 30. Rxe5 -0.52 Stockfish } 23...a3 24.bxa3 Rxa3 25.Kh2 Rda8
26.Nc5 Qe8 27.Nxb7 ) ( 22...Bd5 23.Nf6+ exf6 24.exf6 Rfe8
{ 24...Bh8 25. Re7 Qd6 26. Nf5 gxf5 27. Qxh6 Rfe8 28. gxf5 Rxe7 29. Qg5+
Kh7 30. Qh5+ Kg8 31. Qg4+ Kh7 = } 25.fxg7 Kxg7 26.Nf3 Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Re8
{ -0.75 Stockfish } ) 23.f4 $6 { -0.77/23 } ( 23.b3 { 0.00/22 } 23...axb3
{ 23...c5 24. Nxc5 Qc7 25. Qb4 Rec8 26. Ne4 Bd5 27. e6 Bxe6 28. c4 axb3 29.
Nxe6 fxe6 +0.06 Stockfish } 24.cxb3 Bd5 25.Nc5 Qd8 26.e6 Qd6 27.Qc1 Be5
28.Nf3 Bg7 29.Nd4 ) 23...Bd5 ( 23...a3 24.b3 c5 25.Nxc5 Qc7 26.Ne4 Bd5 27.Nb5
Qc8 28.c4 Bxe4 29.Rxe4 Nd7 30.Qxd7 Qxd7 31.Rxd7 a2 32.Re1 a1=Q 33.Rxa1 Rxa1+
34.Kf2 { -0.43 Stockfish } ) 24.Nc5 Qc8 25.Qc3 ( 25.e6 Nc4 26.Qe2 Ra5 27.b4
Rxc5 28.bxc5 fxe6 29.f5 e5 30.Nb5 c6 31.Nc3 gxf5 32.gxf5 Qxf5 33.Nxd5 cxd5
34.Rxd5 Qf4 { = Stockfish } ) 25...e6 ( 25...a3 26.bxa3 c6 27.Qd3 Na4 28.Nxa4
Rxa4 29.f5 Bc4 30.Qe4 g5 31.Bf2 Rxa3 { -1.77 Stockfish } ) 26.Kh2 ( 26.Nb5
Nc4 27.Ne4 a3 28.Nxa3 Nxa3 29.bxa3 Ra4 30.Rd4 Qa8 31.Rxa4 Qxa4
{ -1.21 Stockfish } ) 26...Nd7 ( 26...c6 27.Bf2 Qc7 28.Ra1 Red8 29.Nd3 Nd7
30.Nb4 Rdc8 31.Re2 Nb6 32.Nxd5 Nxd5 { -.2.60 Stockfish } ) 27.Nd3 $6
{ -1.49/25 } ( 27.Nb5 { -0.90/24 } 27...Nxc5 28.Qxc5 Ra5 29.c4 Bc6 30.Qb4 b6
31.Nd4 Qb7
{ Stockfish spots a much stronger line -2.62 here. 31...Qa8 32. Qa3 Bf8 33.
Qd3 a3 34. b3 Be7 35. Bxe7 Rxe7 36. Nxc6 Qxc6 } 32.Rd2 Bf8 33.Qc3 a3 34.b3
Rea8 35.Ra2 Be8 ) ( 27.Nxd7 Qxd7 28.Qd3 Ra5 29.Bf6 Bxf6 30.exf6 Qd6 31.Qe3 b5
32.h4 a3 33.bxa3 Rxa3 34.Qe5 Rc3 35.Qxd6 cxd6 { -1.91 Stockfish } ) 27...c5
28.Nb5 Qc6 29.Nd6 $6 Qxd6 30.exd6 Bxc3 31.bxc3 f6 32.g5 ( 32.Ra1 g5 33.Bf2 b6
34.h4 gxh4 35.Ra3 Kf7 36.Bxh4 Rg8 { -4.82 Stockfish } ) ( 32.Bf2 b6 33.g5
hxg5 34.fxg5 Kf7 35.gxf6 e5 36.Bg3 Bf3 37.Ra1 e4 { -4.82 Stockfish } )
32...hxg5 $6 { -1.91/28 } ( 32...c4 { -2.28/27 } 33.Nb4 hxg5 34.fxg5 f5
35.Nxd5 exd5 36.Rxe8+ Rxe8 37.Rxd5 Ra8
{ 37...Re2 38.Kg1 Rc2 39.Ra5 Rc3 40.Ra4 Kf7 41.Be1 Bc1 -6.64 Stockfish }
38.Bf2 a3 39.Rd1 Kf7 40.h4 a2 41.Ra1 Ke6 42.Kg3 Kxd6 43.h5 ) ( 32...Bf3
33.Ra1 c4 34.Nb2 b5 35.gxf6 Kf7 36.Bf2 Red8 37.Nd1 Nxf6 38.Be3 Rxd6
{ -5.66 Stockfish } ) 33.fxg5 f5 ( 33...c4 34.Nf4 Bf3 35.Ra1 Kf7 36.gxf6 Bc6
37.Ne2 e5 38.Ng3 Rh8 39.Bg5 Ke6 40.Ne2 Kxd6 41.Rad1+ Kc7 { -4.68 Stockfish }
) 34.Bg3 Kf7 ( 34...a3 35.Ne5 Nxe5 36.Bxe5 Red8 37.Rd3 a2 38.c4 Bxc4 39.Rf3
b5 40.Rf4 Ra3 41.Ba1 Kf7 { -4.94 Stockfish } ) 35.Ne5+ Nxe5 36.Bxe5 b5 (
36...Red8 37.c4
{ The point of this move is to make the passed d-pawn more powerful with
the rook behind it. } 37...Bxc4 38.h4 a3 39.h5 gxh5 40.g6+ Kxg6 41.Rg1+ Kh6
42.Rg7 Be2 43.Re1 Bg4 44.Re7 f4 45.Bxf4+ Kg6 46.Be5 a2 47.Rg7+ Kh6 48.d7 Ra4
49.Bf6 Rda8 50.Be5 Rd4 51.Bxd4 cxd4 52.Re7 Rd8 53.Ra1 Kg6 54.Rxa2 Kf6 55.Re8
Rxd7 56.Rf8+ Ke5 57.Ra1 Bf5 58.Re8 Kd5 { -4.00 Stockfish } ) 37.Rf1 ( 37.c4
Bxc4 38.d7 Red8 39.Bf6 a3 40.Rd6 b4 41.Kg3 a2 42.h4 Bb5 43.Rb6 Bxd7 44.Bxd8
a1=Q 45.Rxa1 Rxa1 46.Bf6 Rd1 { -0.12 Stockfish } ) 37...Rh8 $6 { -0.89/29 }
( 37...Red8 { -1.22/28 } 38.Rb1 Bc4 39.Rf4 Ke8 40.Rh4 Kd7 41.Rh7+ ) (
37...a3 38.Ra1 Rg8 39.Rf4 Ke8 40.Rh4 Kd7 41.Rh7+ Kc6 42.Rc7+ Kb6 43.h4 a2
44.Rh7 f4 45.Bxf4 Rgf8 46.Bg3 Be4 47.d7 Kc6 48.Re7 Bxc2 { -4.74 Stockfish } )
38.Bf6 $6 { -1.17/28 } ( 38.Bxh8 { -0.89/29 } 38...Rxh8 39.Rfe1 Rd8 40.Rb1
Rb8 41.Kg3 a3 42.Rbd1 Ra8 43.Kf4 a2 44.h4 Rh8 45.Kg3 Bc4 46.Re5 Rd8 47.Ree1
Bd5 48.Rd2 Re8 49.Rg1 Rh8 50.Re1 Rd8 51.Ra1 Ra8 52.Rdd1
{ If Spassky goes into this variation, the likely result is a draw, which
is bad for his match situation; probably why he doesn't play this line,
opting to try and make something of his d-pawn. } ) 38...a3 39.Rf4 $6
{ -1.54/29 } ( 39.Ra1 { -1.13/27 } 39...a2 40.Rfd1 Rhb8
{ 40...Rhd8 41. Bxd8 Rxd8 42. Rxd5 exd5 43. Rxa2 Rxd6 44. Kg3 Re6 45. Kf2
Rb6 46. Kf3 Ke6 -0.35 Stockfish } 41.d7 Rd8 42.Bxd8 Rxd8 43.Rxd5 exd5 44.Rxa2
{ 44. Kg3 Rxd7 45. Rxa2 Re7 46. Kf2 f4 47. Kf3 Re3+ 48. Kxf4 Re4+ 49. Kf3
Rc4 -0.08 Stockfish } 44...Rxd7 45.Ra5 Rb7 46.Kg3 Re7 47.Kf3 Re4 48.Rxb5 Rc4
49.Rb3 Ke6 50.Ke2 f4 51.Kd3 Kf5 52.Rb6 Re4 53.Rd6 Re5 54.Rc6 c4+ 55.Kd4 Re6
56.Rc8 Kxg5 57.Kxd5 Re3 58.Rc5 Rxh3 59.Kxc4+ Kg4 ) 39...a2 40.c4 Bxc4 41.d7
Bd5 ( 41...e5 42.Bxe5 Rhd8 43.Bf6 Be2 44.Re1 Rxd7 45.Rxe2 a1=Q 46.Bxa1 Rxa1
47.Rh4 Kg7 48.Rf4 Rad1 49.Rff2 Kf7 50.Kg3 R7d5 51.Re3 Rg1+ 52.Kh2 Rxg5
{ -6.66 Stockfish } ) 42.Kg3 Ra3+ 43.c3 Rha8 44.Rh4 e5 45.Rh7+ Ke6 46.Re7+
Kd6 47.Rxe5 Rxc3+ 48.Kf2 Rc2+ 49.Ke1 Kxd7 50.Rexd5+ Kc6 51.Rd6+ Kb7 52.Rd7+
Ka6 53.R7d2 Rxd2 54.Kxd2 $6 b4 55.h4 Kb5 56.h5 c4 ( 56...gxh5 57.g6 c4 58.Ra1
h4 59.g7 h3 60.Kc1 h2 61.Kb2 f4 62.Be5 Kc5 63.Bxf4 Re8 64.Rh1 Re2+ 65.Ka1 Rg2
66.Rxh2 Rxg7 67.Kxa2 Ra7+ 68.Kb1 Kd4 { -0.15 Stockfish } ) 57.Ra1 gxh5 58.g6
h4 59.g7 h3 60.Be7 $6 { -4.14/31 } ( 60.Kc1
{ -2.50/30 The Hiarcs software comes to the wrong conclusion. Stockfish
looks deeper and says that 60.Kc1 was Spassky's first chance to hold the
position. } 60...h2 61.Kb2 b3
{ 61...f4 62. Be5 Kc5 63. Bxf4 Re8 64. Rh1 Re2+ 65. Ka1 Rg2 66. Rxh2 Rxg7
67. Kxa2 Ra7+ 68. Kb2 c3+ 69. Kb1 Rd7 70. Be5 Kc4 71. Bxc3 bxc3 = Stockfish
} 62.Be5 Rd8 63.Ka3 Rg8 64.Kb2 f4 65.Rh1 Rd8 66.Bxf4
{ 66. Bd6 f3 67. Bxh2 Rd2+ 68. Ka3 Rg2 69. Be5 f2 70. Rf1 Rg1 71. Ba1 b2
72. Kxb2 Rxf1 73. g8=Q Rb1+ 74. Kc2 Rc1+ 75. Kb2 c3+ 76. Kb3 Rb1+ 77. Kxa2
Rxa1+ 78. Kb3 Rb1+ 79. Kxc3 Rc1+ 80. Kb2 f1=Q 81. Qb8+ Kc6 = Stockfish }
66...Kb4 67.Be5 Rd2+ 68.Ka1 Rg2 69.Bd4 Rg4 70.Kb2 Ka4 71.Rxh2 Rxd4 72.g8=Q
c3+ 73.Kxc3 a1=Q+ 74.Rb2 Qc1+ 75.Kxd4 Qxb2+ 76.Kc4 Qc2+ 77.Kd4 Qd2+ 78.Kc4
Qc1+ 79.Kd4 b2 ) 60...Rg8 61.Bf8
{ It looks like five pawns for a rook but the bishop still controls some
important squares that could allow White to hold. If it really was the five
pawns versus the rook, Black on the move, would win by 61...c3 62.Kd3 h2 63.Kd4 c2 64.Kd3 Ka4 65.Ra2 Kb3 66.Ra1 Kb2 67.Rh1 c1Q 68.Rh2 Kb3 69.Rg2 Qe1
If, in this hypothetical ending, it were White's move instead, the position could be held 62.Ra2 f4 63.Kc1 Kc5 64.Rf2 h2 65.Rxh2 Kd4 66.Rh3 c3 67.Kd1 b3 68.Rf3 b2 69.Kc2 Ke4 70.Rf1(also drawing is71.Rc3 f3 72.Kb2 f2 73.Rc1 Kf3) Ke3 71.Kxc3 Ke2 72.Rb1 f3 73.Rxb2+ Ke3 74.Rc2 f2 75.Rc1 Ke2 76.Kc4
f1=Q } 61...h2 ( 61...c3+ 62.Kd3 h2 63.Rf1 f4 64.Rh1 f3 65.Rf1 f2 66.Rd1 c2
67.Rf1
{ 67.Kc2 loses to 67... Kc4 68. Kb2 b3 69. Rc1+ Kd3 70. Rh1 Ke4 71. Rf1 Kf3
72. Bc5 Kg3 73. Bxf2+ Kg2 74. Ra1 Rxg7 75. Kxb3 Rb7+ 76. Kc4 h1=Q 77. Rxh1
Kxh1 } 67...b3 68.Kc3 Kc6 69.Kxb3 Kd5 70.Kxc2 Ke4 71.Kb2 Ke3 72.Bc5+ Kd3
73.Kxa2 Rxg7
{ -0.10 Stockfish This is a theoretical draw after the two pawns come off.
} ) 62.Kc2 Kc6 $4 { -0.01/30 } ( 62...f4 63.Kb2 b3 64.Rf1 Kc6 65.Rd1 f3
66.Rd6+
{ It is this use of the bishop to protect the rook that allows the position
to be held. } 66...Kc7 67.Rd1 f2 68.Kc3 Kc8 69.Kb2 Kb7 70.Kc3 Ka6 71.Rd6+ Ka7
72.Rd7+ { = Stockfish } ) 63.Rd1 $4
{ -4.14/39 A bad evaluation by Hiarcs. As the note to the next move shows,
White can still draw. } ( 63.Kb2 { -0.01/30 } 63...b3 64.Rh1 Kd5
{ 64...f4 65. Rxh2 Kd5 66. Rh3 Ke5 67. Ka1 Ke4 68. Rc3 f3 69. Rxc4+ Kd3 70.
Rf4 Ke2 71. Re4+ Kd2 72. Rf4 = Stockfish } 65.Rxh2 c3+ 66.Ka1 Ke4 67.Rh8 Kd3
68.Rh4 Kd2 69.Rh2+ Ke3 70.Rh8 c2 71.Rh1 Kd2 72.Kb2 ) 63...b3+ ( 63...f4
64.Kb2 b3 65.Rd6+ { The bishop helps again! } 65...Kb7 66.Rd1 f3 67.Rd7+ Kb8
68.Rd8+ Kc7 69.Rd1 f2 70.Kc3 Kb7 71.Rd7+ Kc8 72.Rd1 Kc7 73.Kb2 Kc6 74.Rd6+
Kb5 75.Rd1 Ka5 76.Rf1 Kb6 { = Stockfish } ) 64.Kc3 h1=Q $4 ( 64...Kb6 65.Rh1
Kc6 66.Kb2 Kd5 67.Rxh2 c3+ 68.Ka1 Ke4 69.Rh8 Kd3 70.Rh4 Kc2 71.Rh2+ Kd1
72.Rh1+ Ke2 73.Rh3 c2 74.Rh2+ Kf1 75.Rh1+ Kg2 76.Rc1 f4 77.Kb2 f3 78.Kxb3 f2
79.Kxa2 f1=Q 80.Rxf1 Kxf1 81.Kb2 c1=Q+ 82.Kxc1 { = Stockfish } ) ( 64...f4
65.Kb2 f3 66.Rd6+ Kc7 67.Rd1 f2 68.Kc3 Kc6 69.Rd6+ Kb5 70.Rd5+ Kb6 71.Rd6+
Ka7 72.Rd1 { = Stockfish } ) 65.Rxh1 Kd5 66.Kb2 ( 66.Rd1+ Ke4 67.Re1+ Kf3
68.Kb2 Kg2 69.Rc1 f4 70.Rxc4 f3 71.Rg4+ Kh3 72.Rf4 Kg2
{ = Stockfish Also a draw is 72...Kg3 73. Rf7 Kg2 74. Bc5 Kh1 75. Ra7 Kg2
76. Kxb3 f2 77. Rxa2 Rxg7 78. Rxf2+ } ) 66...f4 67.Rd1+ ( 67.Rh3 Kd4 68.Rf3
c3+ 69.Ka1 c2 70.Rxf4+ Kc3 71.Rf3+ Kd2 72.Ba3 Rxg7 73.Rxb3 c1=Q+ 74.Bxc1+
Kxc1 75.Rb2 { = Stockfish } ) 67...Ke4 68.Rc1 Kd3 69.Rd1+ $4
{ -15.99/31 This is the blunder that decided the game and, some might say,
the match. } ( 69.Rc3+ { 0.00/39 } 69...Kd4 70.Rf3 c3+ 71.Ka1 c2 72.Rxf4+ Kc3
73.Rf3+ Kd2 74.Ba3 Rxg7 75.Rxb3 Rc7 76.Rh3 c1=Q+ 77.Bxc1+ Kxc1 78.Kxa2 Rb7
79.Rh2 Rb5 80.Ka3 Rb6 81.Ra2 Rb7 82.Rh2 Rb5 83.Ra2 Rb7 ) 69...Ke2 70.Rc1 f3
71.Bc5 ( 71.Rxc4 f2 72.Re4+ Kf3 73.Rb4 a1=Q+ 74.Kxa1 f1=Q+ 75.Kb2 Ke3 76.Kxb3
Qd3+ 77.Ka4 Qa6+ 78.Kb3 Kd3 79.Kb2 Qf6+
{ Black can now give up the rook next 80...Rg7 81.Bg7 Qg7 and win this well
known ending. } ) 71...Rxg7 72.Rxc4 Rd7 73.Re4+ Kf1 74.Bd4 f2
{ Unfortunately for Spassky, 75.Rf4 is no defense, Black finally plays RXB
to force a queen. 75...Rd4 76.Rd4 Kg2 77.Rg4 Kf3 78.Rg8 f1Q 79.Rf8 Ke2
80.Rf1 Kf1 81.Ka1 Ke2 82.Kb2 Kd3 83.Ka1 Kd4 84.Kb2 a1=Q+ 85.Kxa1 Kc3 86.Kb1 b2 87.Ka2 Kc2 88.Ka3 b1=Q 89.Ka4 Qb6 90.Ka3 Qa5# }
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