Fischer vs Spassky, 1972

Game 6 of the 1972 match. Fischer, who almost always opened 1.e4, plays 1.c4 and beats Spassky’s Tartakower in a clean squeeze. After 41.Qf4 Spassky resigned and joined the applause.

White: Bobby Fischer
Black: Boris Spassky
Event: World Championship, Reykjavik, game 6
Year: 1972
Result: 1-0

Critical position

After 20... d4. White to move.

Take over as White vs Maia

Step through

20... d4

Annotated score

1. c4 (excellent) e6 (best)
c4: 1.c4. Fischer had almost never opened this way in a serious game.
2. Nf3 (best) d5 (excellent)
3. d4 (best) Nf6 (best)
4. Nc3 (best) Be7 (good)
5. Bg5 (excellent) O-O (excellent)
6. e3 (best) h6 (best)
7. Bh4 (best) b6 (best)
8. cxd5 (good) Nxd5 (best)
9. Bxe7 (best) Qxe7 (best)
10. Nxd5 (best) exd5 (best)
11. Rc1 (best) Be6 (good)
12. Qa4 (inaccuracy) c5 (best)
13. Qa3 (best) Rc8 (best)
14. Bb5 (best) a6 (excellent)
15. dxc5 (excellent) bxc5 (best)
16. O-O (best) Ra7 (best)
17. Be2 (best) Nd7 (good)
18. Nd4 (best) Qf8 (excellent)
19. Nxe6 (best) fxe6 (best)
20. e4 (best) d4 (mistake)
e4: 20.e4 is the break. Black’s hanging pawns stop moving.
21. f4 (excellent) Qe7 (best)
22. e5 (good) Rb8 (good)
23. Bc4 (best) Kh8 (good)
24. Qh3 (best) Nf8 (excellent)
25. b3 (best) a5 (good)
26. f5 (good) exf5 (excellent)
f5: 26.f5 opens a file toward the king.
27. Rxf5 (best) Nh7 (good)
28. Rcf1 (excellent) Qd8 (good)
29. Qg3 (inaccuracy) Re7 (inaccuracy)
30. h4 (inaccuracy) Rbb7 (mistake)
31. e6 (inaccuracy) Rbc7 (inaccuracy)
e6: 31.e6 ties Black’s pieces to the blockade.
32. Qe5 (good) Qe8 (inaccuracy)
33. a4 (good) Qd8 (good)
34. R1f2 (inaccuracy) Qe8 (inaccuracy)
35. R2f3 (excellent) Qd8 (good)
36. Bd3 (good) Qe8 (mistake)
37. Qe4 (blunder) Nf6 (blunder)
38. Rxf6 (best) gxf6 (best)
Rxf6: 38.Rxf6 rips the last cover. Spassky resigns a few moves later.
39. Rxf6 (best) Kg8 (best)
40. Bc4 (best) Kh8 (inaccuracy)
41. Qf4 (best)