World Chess Championship 1972

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Opponents of the 1972 World Chess Championship
Portraits
Boris Spassky in July 1973
Bobby Fischer in January 1972
Boris Spassky Bobby Fischer
nation Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union United StatesUnited States
status Defending champion
world champion since 1969
challenger
Age 35 years 29 years
Elo rating
(June 1972)
2660 2785

The World Chess Championship 1972 was a match of the century applicable duel between the reigning 35 year old World Champion Boris Spassky and his 29 years old challenger Bobby Fischer for the world title in chess , which caused a stir using the chess world beyond.

From Tuesday, July 11, 1972, to Friday, September 1, 1972, the 21 games of the 24-game competition took place in the Laugardalshöllin exhibition hall in the Icelandic capital Reykjavík . The reigning world champion should have 12 points to defend his title, while the challenger needed 12.5 points to take over the world championship title. Spasski's seconds were Efim Geller , Nikolai Krogius and Iivo Nei , and Fischer was seconded by William Lombardy , whose services he hardly used. Fischer defeated Spasski and became the 11th world chess champion.

Candidate competitions

The candidate competitions at a glance

  Quarter finals Semifinals final
                           
   United StatesUnited States Bobby Fischer 6th        
 Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Mark Taimanow 0  
 United StatesUnited States Bobby Fischer 6th
   DenmarkDenmark Bent Larsen 0  
 DenmarkDenmark Bent Larsen 5.5
   Germany Democratic Republic 1949GDR Wolfgang Uhlmann 3.5  
   United StatesUnited States Bobby Fischer 6.5
   Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Tigran Petrosian 2.5
   Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Tigran Petrosian 4th
 Germany Federal RepublicFederal Republic of Germany Robert Huebner 3 1  
 Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Tigran Petrosian 5.5
   Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Viktor Korchnoi 4.5  
 Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Viktor Korchnoi 5.5
   Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Efim Geller 2.5  
1 given up after the 7th game by Huebner

Course of the candidate competitions

Quarterfinals Taimanow - Fischer, May 1971 in Vancouver
1 2 3 4th 5 6th Points
Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Mark Taimanow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
United StatesUnited States Bobby Fischer 1 1 1 1 1 1 6th
Quarter-finals Korchnoi - Geller, May 1971 in Moscow
1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th Points
Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Viktor Korchnoi 1 ½ ½ 0 1 ½ 1 1
Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Efim Geller 0 ½ ½ 1 0 ½ 0 0
Quarter-finals Larsen - Uhlmann, May / June 1971 in Las Palmas
1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 Points
DenmarkDenmark Bent Larsen 1 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 0 1
Germany Democratic Republic 1949GDR Wolfgang Uhlmann 0 1 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 0
Quarter-finals Huebner - Petrosian, May 1971 in Seville
1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th Points
Germany Federal RepublicFederal Republic of Germany Robert Huebner ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 3
Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Tigran Petrosian ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 4th
Semifinals Fischer - Larsen, July 1971 in Denver
1 2 3 4th 5 6th Points
United StatesUnited States Bobby Fischer 1 1 1 1 1 1 6th
DenmarkDenmark Bent Larsen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Semi-finals Petrosian - Korchnoi, July 1971 in Moscow
1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 10 Points
Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Tigran Petrosian ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½
Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Viktor Korchnoi ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½
Candidate finals Fischer - Petrosjan, October / November 1971 in Buenos Aires
1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 Points
United StatesUnited States Bobby Fischer 1 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1
Soviet Union 1955Soviet Union Tigran Petrosian 0 1 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 0 0

prolog

NATO (blue) and Warsaw Pact (red) in the Cold War

The competition took place during the Cold War , when the United States faced each other in NATO and the Soviet Union in the Warsaw Pact . After the Second World War , only the Soviet Union had provided the world chess champion. Bobby Fischer saw himself as a lone fighter against an overwhelming Soviet superiority, which in his opinion had to be defeated.

The American chess championship of 1970 was also considered a zone tournament and enabled the three winners ( William Addison , Samuel Reshevsky and Pál Benkö ) to take part in the 1970 Palma de Mallorca interzonal tournament . Bobby Fischer, who had boycotted the American chess championship for several years, was therefore not qualified for the interzonal tournament. Only the waiver of Pal Benkös, who received 2000 US dollars from the US chess federation  , enabled Fischer to participate, who then entered the tournament in November and December 1970 in Palma de Mallorca in front of 23 other participants, including Efim Geller , Vasily Smyslow , Vlastimil Hort and Robert Huebner , who actually won by 3.5 points. He managed to win the last seven rounds in a row.

Fischer then fought for the right to challenge the world champion in 1971 with an unprecedented series of victories in the candidate tournaments: 6-0 against Mark Taimanow (May 16 to June 1), 6-0 against Bent Larsen (July 6 to July 20), who had inflicted his only defeat in the previous interzonal tournament and in the final 6.5: 2.5 against Tigran Petrosyan (September 30 to October 26). Taking into account the seven final wins in Palma de Mallorca and the win in the first game against Petrosjan, he achieved 20 wins in a row against colleagues from his grandmasters - a series that has never been achieved since. After beating Petrosian, Bobby Fischer did not play an official game until the start of the 1972 World Cup.

Spassky, on the other hand, had failed his dress rehearsal at the Alekhine Memorial Tournament in Moscow at the end of 1971 : He only finished 7th with 9.5 points from 17 games and lost to Tigran Petrosyan and Viktor Korchnoi . The tournament was won by future world champion Anatoly Karpov . Spassky was chosen by the Communist Party in the match, hyped up by the mass media as a competition of systems , to demonstrate the fundamental superiority of Soviet society in general and that of the Soviet chess school in particular. In support of Spasski, all leading Soviet grandmasters had to prepare dossiers in which they were to analyze Fischer's strengths and weaknesses and make suggestions for the choice of opening . The responsibility on Spassky may have overwhelmed the sensitive athlete, who was presumed to be insufficiently aware of his duty to the Soviet people and who was considered unreliable by many in the Soviet system.

Fischer, on the other hand, could not count on the unreserved support of his compatriots: he was considered arrogant, unpredictable and paranoid , especially in the American media . The US government feared a loss of image due to the irrational, often vulgar and usually little diplomatic demeanor of the ingenious eccentric .

Before the competition both had played against each other five times, three times Spasski was successful with white, twice the opponents were drawn. The two met for the first time at a tournament in Mar del Plata on March 30, 1960 in Argentina - Spasski won. Fischer paid tribute to Spasski's victory by including it in his book, My 60 Memorable Games , published in 1969 . Spasski won the second game in the Piatigorsky Cup in Santa Monica in 1966 . The last encounter between Spasski and Fischer before the competition took place on September 19, 1970 at the Chess Olympiad in Siegen , and again Spasski had the upper hand in a remarkable game.

After a grueling tussle for prize money (Fischer finally succeeded in more than a hundredfold the announced official prize money to 150,000 US dollars compared to the previous world championship match in 1969), playing conditions and venues, where Fischer had threatened to cancel several times the competition, originally scheduled for July 4th, American Independence Day , finally began on July 11th, 1972. Even Nixon's security advisor Henry Kissinger had called in to persuade Fischer to play: “America wants you to go there and beat the Russians!” Ear ​​witnesses on the phone call reported that Fischer was impressed and then gave in to the argument.

Fischer, who received a negative comment on the front page of the New York Times on July 1, 1972 , did not appear at the official opening ceremony, which took place on the same day at the Icelandic National Theater in Reykjavík. The seat next to Spasski remained empty throughout the event, the challenger was still in New York at the time and did not arrive in the Icelandic capital until July 3rd.

Prize money

It was agreed that the winner of the competition would receive $ 78,125 and the loser $ 46,875. In addition, both players should each have a 30 percent share in the expected proceeds from the film and television rights, so a total of around 150,000 US dollars. In the course of the negotiations and in the face of increasing threats from Fischer not to run, the British banker James Slater stepped in at short notice and on July 3, 1972 increased the prize money again by 50,000  pounds sterling (approx. 125,000 US dollars) to a total of around 275,000 U.S. dollar. This was by far the highest combat exchange in chess to date, the previous "record" had been held by the 1921 World Chess Championship at 20,000 US dollars.

match

Game 1 and 2: Fischer's false start

Boris Spasski - Bobby Fischer
1st game of the 1972 World Cup
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Position after Black's 29th move

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In the first game of the match, Fischer, who only appeared six minutes after the official start of the game and Spasski's opening move 1. d2 – d4, made a serious mistake: with his 29th move in a perfectly balanced position (six evenly distributed Pawns with bishops of the same color), ... Bxh2. After capturing the “poisoned” pawn , the bishop was cut off from play after 30. g2 – g3 and was lost a little later. Subsequent analyzes have shown that, with the most accurate play, Black could have kept the game evenly in order to achieve a positional draw . Anatoli Karpov said that Spasski was convinced that he could at least hold a draw with White against Fischer at any time , while Fischer (who, of course, had seen the impending loss of the bishop) by no means wanted to play for a draw and Spasski wanted to prove the opposite - also at the price eventual defeat.

For the second game, Fischer did not even play - he was protesting against three television cameras set up in the auditorium, through which he saw his concentration disturbed. With that he gave up the game without a fight. This victory turned out to be useless for the sensitive world champion; instead of simply crossing in the additional point, Spasski - who valued Fischer's skills very highly - was unsettled by his extreme behavior. Fischer, on the other hand, said that he was terribly afraid of losing and had therefore not started: The fear of losing would outweigh the joy of playing.

It would be wrong, however, to assume that Fischer had deliberately directed his demeanor to throw Spasski off balance with psychological tricks. He behaved just as he had behaved all his life so far. Undeniably, however, Fischer's behavior was intimidating to many of his opponents.

Game 3 to 13: turn

In the third game of the competition Fischer achieved his first ever victory over Spasski. He had just been about to leave because he did not want to accept the television cameras. In the end, the game was not played on stage, but in an adjoining room without an audience. According to Yasser Seirawan , Spassky could not have been blamed if he had rejected this compromise. However, the world champion did not want to win without a fight and decided to play for it. Fischer won the game with the black pieces in 41 moves.

Bobby Fischer – Boris Spasski
6th game of the 1972 World Cup
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Position in front of the sacrifice 38. Rxf6

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After Spasski could not use his advantage in the 4th game, a double strike in the 5th and 6th game initiated the turning point in the world championship fight and put Fischer in the lead, which he did not give up in the further course. A serious mistake Spasski on the 27th move of the 5th game ended this immediately, and in the subsequent 6th game the fisherman, who consistently played for victory, showed all his strength.

After the end of the 6th game, even Spasski got up and applauded Fischer. This was one of Fischer's best games he had ever played.

After Fischer won the 10th game after the 8th game after a precisely managed final and Spasski had only scored 1.5 points in the last eight games, the defending champion succeeded in the 11th game, his challenger (again with White) in To convincingly hit 31 moves in the current pawn robbery variant and to shorten the gap to 2 points.

Boris Spasski - Bobby Fischer
11th game of the 1972 World Cup
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End position after 31st Rxe6

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After this victory, Spassky, who had already been believed lost, regained hope. The 13th game is considered the most dramatic of the competition, but Spasski was unable to decisively attack the aggressively defending fisherman during the 74-move long wrestling. After he had sacrificed his bishop on move 44, Spasski was ultimately unable to stop the black pawn superiority. In the following games Spasski tried unsuccessfully to get his challenger seriously in trouble, winning the 11th match was his last victory as the reigning world champion.

Boris Spasski - Bobby Fischer
13th game of the 1972 World Cup
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Position after Fischer's bishop sacrifice 44.… e6 – e5

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ritual

In the hall, which was always filled with chess-loving spectators long before the game started at 5 p.m., the following exemplary ritual had developed in the course of the duel between the two players : shortly before 5 p.m. Boris Spasski appeared, greeted the audience with a bow, shook the German referee Lothar Schmid shakes hands and sits down in his black leather armchair. Lothar Schmid then steps to the edge of the stage, asks the audience again for absolute silence and starts Boris Spasski's chess clock at 5 p.m. sharp. He thinks about it for about 15 seconds, then plays the first move, e2 – e4, leans back again and after about a minute leaves the game room leisurely through a side door. The board remains orphaned for five minutes, then Fischer, accompanied by the friendly applause from the audience, hurries to the gaming table with long strides, examines the position briefly, the move c7 – c5 while standing, then rocking back comfortably in the chair. It is now up to Fischer to wait for his opponent. After two or three minutes Spasski reappears in the side door, shaking hands with Fischer, the game can begin.

Up to the 6th game, the world champion had to make do with a simple upholstered chair with a non-adjustable backrest and wooden armrests, while the challenger used a luxury swivel armchair made of leather. From the 7th batch onwards, Spasski had exactly the same model, imported from the USA by the same manufacturer.

The End

Boris Spasski - Bobby Fischer
21st game of the 1972 World Cup
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Final position of the last game of the World Championship after 40 ... h5

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After the hard-fought draw in the 15th game, in the course of which Boris Spasski could not maintain the advantage gained from the opening, the encounter subsided noticeably. From now on, Bobby Fischer contented himself with half points and Spasski was unable to turn the tide despite the fighting game.

After the 20th game, the challenger still needed one point to reach the final victory. The 21st and final game of the competition was canceled on August 31, 1972 after Spasski's 41st move (Be6 – d7) as a hanging game . The following day, however, Spasski no longer appeared to resume the fight, but informed the German referee Lothar Schmid by telephone that the game had been abandoned.

The 2500 spectators in the game room were deprived of an exciting finale. Spasski's position was bad, but not hopeless; at least he still had the prospect of reaching a draw if the game was accurate. (According to the chess program Stockfisch 11, however, White's position is completely lost.) As soon as Fischer arrived at the venue to continue the game, Lothar Schmid announced Spasski's task by telephone.

For the closing ceremony on Sunday, September 3rd, in the Laugardal Hall in Reykjavík, Fischer was almost an hour late. He sat down next to Spasski and opened the envelope with the winner's check. He did not give a closing speech.

In the House of Culture in the city center of the Icelandic capital Reykjavík the original chess table , the figures and the chess clock used are on display.

Lots

1st game

Spasski – Fischer, game 1
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End position after 56. Kd6

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Spasski − Fischer 1-0
Reykjavík, July 11, 1972 - July 12, 1972
Nimzo-Indian Defense , E56
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e3 0–0 6. Bd3 c5 7. 0–0 Nc6 8. a3 Ba5 9. Ne2 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Bb6 11. dxc5 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 Bxc5 13.b4 Be7 14.Bb2 Bd7 15. Tac1 Rfd8 16. Sed4 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Ba4 18.Bb3 Bxb3 19.Nxb3 Rxd1 + 20.Rxd1 Rc8 21. Kf1 Kf8 22. Ke2 Ne4 23.Rc1 Rxc1 24. Lxc1 f6 25.Na5 Nd6 26. Kd3 Bd8 27.Nc4 Bc7 28.Nxd6 Bxd6 29.b5 Bxh2? 30.g3 h5 31. Ke2 h4 32. Kf3 Ke7 33. Kg2 hxg3 34. fxg3 Bxg3 35. Kxg3 Kd6 36. a4 Kd5 37.Ba3 Ke4 38.Bc5 a6 39. b6 f5 40. Kh4 f4 41. exf4 Kxf4 42. Kh5 Kf5 43.Be3 Ke4 44. Bf2 Kf5 45. Bh4 e5 46. Bg5 e4 47. Be3 Kf6 48. Kg4 Ke5 49. Kg5 Kd5 50. Kf5 a5 51.Bf2 g5 52. Kxg5 Kc4 53.Kf5 Kb4 54. Kxe4 Kxa4 55. Kd5 Kb5 56. Kd6 1: 0

2nd game

Fischer – Spasski 0: 1
Reykjavík, July 13, 1972
Not played
Fischer lost due to no-show.

3rd game

Spasski – Fischer, game 3
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4th Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess qlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess qdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess bdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess blt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 41 ... Bd3 +

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Spassky – Fischer 0: 1
Reykjavík, July 16, 1972 - July 17, 1972
Modern Benoni , A61
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Nd2 Nbd7 8. e4 Bg7 9. Be2 0–0 10. 0–0 Re8 11. Qc2 Nh5 12. Bxh5 gxh5 13.Nc4 Ne5 14.Ne3 Qh4 15. Bd2 Ng4 16.Nxg4 hxg4 17. Bf4 Qf6 18.g3 Bd7 19.a4 b6 20.Rfe1 a6 21.Re2 b5 22.Ra1 Qg6 23.b3 Re7 24.Qd3 Rb8 25. axb5 axb5 26.b4 c4 27.Qd2 Rbe8 28.Re3 h5 29.R3e2 Kh7 30. Re3 Kg8 31.R3e2 Bxc3 32.Qxc3 Rxe4 33.Rxe4 Rxe4 34.Rxe4 Qxe4 35.Lh6 Qg6 36.Bc1 Qb1 37. Kf1 Bf5 38. Ke2 De4 + 39.De3 Qc2 + 40.Qd2 Qb3 41.Qd4 Bd3 + 0: 1

4th game

Fischer-Spasski, game 4
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess blt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess bdt45.svg Chess plt45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 45. c5 +

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Fischer – Spasski ½: ½
Reykjavík, July 18, 1972 - July 19, 1972
Sicilian Defense ( Sosin Variation ), B88
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 Be7 8. Be3 0–0 9. 0–0 a6 10. f4 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. a3 Bb7 13.Qd3 a5 14.e5 dxe5 15.fxe5 Nd7 16.Nxb5 Nc5 17.Bxc5 Bxc5 + 18.Kh1 Qg5 19.Qe2 Rad8 20.Rad1 Rxd1 21.Rxd1 h5 22.Nd6 Ba8 23.Bc4 h4 24.h3 Be3 25.Qg4 Qxe5 26.Qxh4 g5 27.Qg4 Bc5 28.Nb5 Kg7 29.Nd4 Rh8 30.Nf3 Bxf3 31.Qxf3 Bd6 32.Qc3 Qxc3 33. bxc3 Be5 34.Rd7 Kf6 35.Kg1 Bxc3 36.Be2 Be5 37. Kf1 Rc8 38.Bh5 Rc7 39. Rxc7 Bxc7 40. a4 Ke7 41. Ke2 f5 42. Kd3 Be5 43. c4 Kd6 44. Bf7 Bg3 45. c5 + ½: ½

5th game

Spasski – Fischer, game 5
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess qdt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 6th
5 Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess bdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess ndt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess qlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess plt45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess blt45.svg Chess blt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 27.… Bxa4

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Spassky – Fischer 0: 1
Reykjavík, July 20, 1972
Nimzo-Indian Defense, E41
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 Nc6 6. Bd3 Bxc3 + 7. bxc3 d6 8. e4 e5 9. d5 Ne7 10. Nh4 h6 11. f4 Ng6 12. Nxg6 fxg6 13. fxe5 dxe5 14. Be3 b6 15. 0–0 0–0 16. a4 a5 17. Rb1 Bd7 18. Rb2 Rb8 19. Rbf2 De7 20. Bc2 g5 21. Bd2 De8 22. Be1 Qg6 23. Qd3 Nh5 24. Rxf8 + Rxf8 25. Rxf8 + Kxf8 26. Bd1 Nf4 27. Qc2 ?? Bxa4 0: 1

6th game

Fischer – Spasski, game 6
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess qdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 6th
5 Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess blt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess qlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 41. Qf4

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Fischer – Spasski 1-0
Reykjavík, July 23, 1972
Queen's Gambit declined ( Tartakower Defense ), D59
1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 0–0 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 b6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Rc1 Be6 12. Qa4 c5 13. Da3 Rc8 14. Bb5 a6 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. 0–0 Ta7 17. Be2 Nd7 18. Nd4 Qf8 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. e4 d4 21. f4 De7 22. e5 Rb8 23. Bc4 Kh8 24. Qh3 Nf8 25.b3 a5 26.f5 exf5 27.Rxf5 Nh7 28.Rcf1 Qd8 29.Qg3 Re7 30.h4 Rbb7 31. e6 Rbc7 32. De5 De8 33. a4 Qd8 34. T1f2 De8 35. T2f3 Qd8 36. Bd3 De8 37. Qe4 Nf6 38.Rxf6 gxf6 39.Rxf6 Kg8 40.Bc4 Kh8 41.Qf4 1: 0

7th game

Spasski – Fischer, game 7
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess nlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 5
4th Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess ndt45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess plt45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 49th Kg1

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Spassky – Fischer ½: ½
Reykjavík, July 25, 1972 - July 26, 1972
Sicilian ( Najdorf variant ), B97
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Dd2 Qxb2 9. Nb3 Qa3 10. Bd3 Be7 11. 0–0 h6 12. Bh4 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Bxh4 14.f5 exf5 15.Bb5 + axb5 16.Nxd6 + Kf8 17.Nxc8 Nc6 18.Nd6 Rd8 19.Nxb5 De7 20.Qf4 g6 21.a4 Bg5 22.Qc4 Be3 + 23.Kh1 f4 24.g3 g5 25. Tae1 Qb4 26.Qxb4 + Nxb4 27.Re2 Kg7 28.Na5 b6 29.Nc4 Nd5 30.Ncd6 Bc5 31.Nb7 Rc8 32.c4 Ne3 33.Rf3 Nxc4 34.gxf4 g4 35.Rd3 h5 36. h3 Sa5 37. S7d6 Bxd6 38.Nxd6 Rc1 + 39. Kg2 Nc4 40. Ne8 + Kg6 41. h4 f6 42. Re6 Rc2 + 43. Kg1 Kf5 44. Ng7 + Kxf4 45. Rd4 + Kg3 46. Nf5 + Kf3 47. Tee4 Rc1 + 48. Kh2 Rc2 + 49. Kg1 ½:

8th game

Fischer – Spasski, game 8
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess ndt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 5
4th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess bdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess blt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess plt45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 37. Rc6

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Fischer – Spasski 1-0
Reykjavík, July 27, 1972
English opening , A39
1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. 0–0 0–0 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d6 10. Bg5 Be6 11. Qf4 Qa5 12. Tac1 Tab8 13. b3 Rfc8 14. Qd2 a6 15. Be3 b5 16. Ba7 bxc4 17. Bxb8 Rxb8 18. bxc4 Bxc4 19. Rfd1 Nd7 20. Nd5 Qxd2 21. Nxe7 + Kf8 22. Rxd2 Kxe7 23. Rxc4 Rb1 + 24. Bf1 Sc5 25. Kg2 a5 26. e4 Ba1 27. f4 f6 28. Re2 Ke6 29. Tec2 Bb2 30. Be2 h5 31. Rd2 Ba3 32. f5 + gxf5 33. exf5 + Ke5 34.Rcd4 Kxf5 35.Rd5 + Ke6 36.Rxd6 + Ke7 37. Rc6 1-0

Spasski successfully applied for one of the three postponements allowed on Sunday, July 30th.

9th game

Spasski – Fischer, game 9
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 29. hxg5

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Spassky – Fischer ½: ½
Reykjavík, August 1, 1972
Queen's Gambit ( Improved Tarrasch Defense ), D41
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nc6 9. Bc4 b5! N 10. Bd3 Bb4 + 11. Bd2 Bxd2 + 12. Qxd2 a6 13. a4 0–0 14. Dc3 Bb7 15. axb5 axb5 16. 0–0 Qb6 17. Tab1 b4 18. Qd2 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Qxd4 20. Rxb4 Qd7 21 . Qe3 Rfd8 22. Rfb1 Qxd3 23. Qxd3 Rxd3 24. Rxb7 g5 25. Rb8 + Rxb8 26. Rxb8 + Kg7 27. f3 Rd2 28. h4 h6 29. hxg5 ½: ½

10th game

Fischer – Spasski, game 10
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess bdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 56th Rb1

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Fischer – Spasski 1-0
Reykjavík, August 3, 1972 - August 4, 1972
Spanish part (Breyer system), C95
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0–0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 0–0 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. b4 Bf8 14. a4 Nb6 15. a5 Nbd7 16. Bb2 Qb8 17. Rb1 c5 18. bxc5 dxc5 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Qxe5 21. c4 Qf4 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. cxb5 Ted8 24. Dc1 Qc3 25.Nf3 Qxa5 26.Bb3 axb5 27.Qf4 Rd7 28.Ne5 Qc7 29.Rbd1 Re7 30.Bxf7 + Rxf7 31.Qxf7 + Qxf7 32.Nxf7 Bxe4 33.Rxe4 Kxf7 34.Rd7 + Kf6 35.Rb7 Ta1 + 36. Kh2 Bd6 g3 b4 38. Kg2 h5 39. Rb6 Rd1 40. Kf3 Kf7 41. Ke2 Rd5 42. f4 g6 43. g4 hxg4 44. hxg4 g5 45. f5 Be5 46. Rb5 Kf6 47. Texb4 Bd4 48. Rb6 + Ke5 49. Kf3 Rd8 50.Rb8 Rd7 51.R4b7 Rd6 52.Rb6 Rd7 53.Rg6 Kd5 54.Rxg5 Be5 55. f6 Kd4 56.Rb1 1: 0

11th game

Spasski – Fischer, game 11
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess bdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess bdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess qlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess ndt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess nlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess nlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess plt45.svg 2
1 Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 31st Rxe6

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Spassky – Fischer 1-0
Reykjavík, August 6, 1972
Sicilian (Najdorf variant), B97
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Dd2 Qxb2 9. Nb3 Qa3 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Be2 h5 12. 0–0 Nc6 13. Kh1 Bd7 14. Nb1 !! Qb4 15. De3 d5 16. exd5 Ne7 17. c4 Nf5 18. Qd3 h4 19. Bg4 Nd6 20. N1d2 f5 21. a3 Qb6 22. c5 Qb5 23. Qc3 fxg4 24. a4 h3 25. axb5 hxg2 + 26. Kxg2 Rh3 27 Qf6 Nf5 28. c6 Bc8 29. dxe6 fxe6 30. Rfe1 Be7 31. Rxe6 1: 0

12th game

Fischer – Spasski, game 12
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 6th
5 Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess blt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess bdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 55 ... Bxe1

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Fischer – Spasski ½: ½
Reykjavík, August 8, 1972 - August 9, 1972
Queen's Gambit Rejected (Orthodox Defense), D55
1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 0–0 7. e3 Nbd7 8. Rc1 c6 9. Bd3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 b5 11. Bd3 a6 12. a4 bxa4 13.Nxa4 Qa5 14.Nd2 Bb4 15.Nc3 c5 16. Nb3 Qd8 17. 0–0 cxd4 18. Nxd4 Bb7 19. Be4 Qb8 20. Bg3 Qa7 21.Nc6 Bxc6 22. Bxc6 Rac8 23.Na4 Rfd8 24. Bf3 a5 25. Rc6 Rxc6 26. Bxc6 Rc8 27. Bf3 Qa6 28. h3 Qb5 29. Be2 Qc6 30. Bf3 Qb5 31. b3 Be7 32.Be2 Qb4 33.Ba6 Rc6 34.Bd3 Nc5 35. Qf3 Rc8 36. Nxc5 Bxc5 37. Rc1 Rd8 38. Bc4 Qd2 39. Rf1 Bb4 40. Bc7 Rd7 41. Qc6 Qc2 42. Be5 Rd2 43. Qa8 + Kh7 44. Bxf6 gxf6 45. Qf3 f5 46. g4 De4 47. Kg2 Kg6 48. Rc1 Ba3 49. Ra1 Bb4 50. Rc1 Be7 51. gxf5 + exf5 52. Re1 Rxf2 + 53. Kxf2 Bh4 + 54. Ke2 Qxf3 + 55. Kxf3 Bxe1 ½: ½

13th game

Spasski – Fischer, game 13
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess blt45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess pdt45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 74 ... f2

75.Rf4 is followed by ... Rxd4! 76. Rxd4 Ke2 and wins; 75.Be5 Rd1 76. Kxb3 Re1 also wins for Black.

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Spassky – Fischer 0: 1
Reykjavík, August 10, 1972 - August 11, 1972
Alekhine Defense , B04
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 Bg7 7. Nbd2 0–0 8. h3 a5 9. a4 dxe5 10. dxe5 Sa6 11. 0–0 Nc5 12. Qe2 Qe8 13. Ne4 Nbxa4 14. Bxa4 Nxa4 15. Re1 Nb6 16. Bd2 a4 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bh4 Bf5 19.g4 Be6 20. Nd4 Bc4 21.Qd2 Qd7 22.Rad1 Rfe8 23. f4 Bd5 24.Nc5 Qc8 25.Qc3 e6 26.Kh2 Nd7 27.Nd3 c5 28.Nb5 Qc6 29.Nd6 Qxd6 30. exd6 Bxc3 31. bxc3 f6 32.g5 hxg5 33. fxg5 f5 34. Bg3 Kf7 35. Ne5 + Nxe5 36. Bxe5 b5 37. Rf1 Rh8 38. Bf6 a3 39. Rf4 a2 40. c4 Bxc4 41. d7 Bd5 42. Kg3 Ta3 + 43. c3 Tha8 44. Rh4 e5 45. Rh7 + Ke6 46. Re7 + Kd6 47. Rxe5 Rxc3 + 48. Kf2 Rc2 + 49. Ke1 Kxd7 50. Texd5 + Kc6 51. Rd6 + Kb7 52. Rd7 + Ka6 53. R7d2 Rxd2 54. Kxd2 b4 55. h4 Kb5 56. h5 c4 57.Ra1 gxh5 58.g6 h4 59.g7 h3 60. Be7 Rg8 61. Bf8 h2 62. Kc2 Kc6 63. Rd1 b3 + 64. Kc3 h1D 65. Rxh1 Kd5 66. Kb2 f4 67. Rd1 + Ke4 68. Rc1 Kd3 69. Rd1 + Ke2 70. Rc1 f3 71. Lc5 Rxg7 72. Rxc4 Rd7 73. Re4 + Kf1 74 0: 1

Spasski took his second break.

14th game

Fischer – Spasski, game 14
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 5
4th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess plt45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 40th… Ke6

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Fischer – Spasski ½: ½
Reykjavík, August 15, 1972
Queen's Gambit declined, D37
1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 0–0 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Nc6 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Be2 Bxc5 10. 0–0 Be6 11. Rc1 Rc8 12. a3 h6 13. Bg3 Bb6 14. Ne5 Ne7 15. Sa4 Ne4 16. Rxc8 Bxc8 17. Nf3 Bd7 18. Be5 Bxa4 19. Qxa4 Nc6 20. Bf4 Qf6 21. Bb5 Qxb2 22. Bxc6 Nc3 23. Qb4 Qxb4 24. axb4 bxc6 25. Be5 Nb5 26.Rc1 Rc8 27.Nd4 f6 28. Bxf6 Bxd4 29. Bxd4 Nxd4 30. exd4 Rb8 31. Rxc6 Rxb4 32. Kf1 Rxd4 33. Ra6 Kf7 34. Rxa7 + Kf6 35. Rd7 h5 36. Ke2 g5 37. Ke3 Re4 + 38. Kd3 Ke6 39. Rg7 Kf6 40. Rd7 Ke6 ½: ½

15th game

Spasski – Fischer, game 15
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess kdt45.svg Chess bdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess qlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess nlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg 2
1 Chess qdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 43 ... Qa1 +

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Spassky – Fischer ½: ½
Reykjavík, August 17, 1972 - August 18, 1972
Sicilian (Najdorf variant), B99
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. 0–0–0 Nbd7 10. Bd3 b5 11. The1 Bb7 12. Qg3 0–0–0 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Qxg7 Rdf8 15. Qg3 b4 16. Na4 Thg8 17. Qf2 Nd7 18. Kb1 Kb8 19. c3 Nc5 20. Bc2 bxc3 21. Nxc3 Bf6 22. g3 h5 23. e5 dxe5 24.fxe5 Bh8 25.Nf3 Rd8 26.Rxd8 + Rxd8 27.Ng5 Bxe5 28. Qxf7 Rd7 29.Qxh5 Bxc3 30. bxc3 Qb6 + 31. Kc1 Qa5 32. Qh8 + Ka7 33. a4 Nd3 + 34. Lxd3 Rxd3 35. Kc2 Rd5 36. Re4 Rd8 37. Qg7 Qf5 38. Kb3 Qd5 + 39. Ka3 Qd2 40. Rb4 Qc1 + 41. Rb2 Qa1 + 42.Ra2 Qc1 + 43. Rb2 Qa1 + ½: ½

16th game

Fischer – Spasski, game 16
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess kdt45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 5
4th Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess klt45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 60 ... Ra4

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Fischer – Spasski ½: ½
Reykjavík, August 20, 1972 (The game was played in a single session.)
Spanish game ( exchange variant ), C69
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. 0–0 f6 6. d4 Bg4 7. dxe5 Dxd1 8. Rxd1 fxe5 9. Rd3 Bd6 10. Nbd2 Nf6 11. Nbd2 Nf6 11. Nc4 Nxe4 12. Ncxe5 Bxf3 13. Nxf3 0–0 14. Be3 b5 15. c4 Tab8 16. Rc1 bxc4 17. Rd4 Rfe8 18. Nd2 Nxd2 19. Rxd2 Re4 20. g3 Be5 21. Rcc2 Kf7 22. Kg2 Rxb2 23. Kf3 c3 24. Kxe4 cxd2 25.Rxd2 Rb5 26.Rc2 Bd6 27.Rxc6 Ta5 28. Bf4 Ta4 + 29. Kf3 Ta3 + 30. Ke4 Rxa2 31. Bxd6 cxd6 32.Rxd6 Rxf2 33.Rxa6 Rxh2 34. Kf3 Rd2 35. Ta7 + Kf6 36. Ta6 + Ke7 37. Ra7 + Rd7 38. Ra2 Ke6 39. Kg2 Re7 40. Kh3 Kf6 41. Ra6 + Re6 42.Ra5 h6 43.Ra2 Kf5 44.Rf2 + Kg5 45.Rf7 g6 46.Rf4 h5 47.Rf3 Rf6 48.Ra3 Re6 49.Rf3 Re4 50. Ra3 Kh6 51. Ra6 Re5 52. Kh4 Re4 + 53. Kh3 Re7 54. Kh4 Re5 55. Rb6 Kg7 56. Rb4 Kh6 57. Rb6 Re1 58. Kh3 Rh1 + 59. Kg2 Ra1 60. Kh3 Ra4 ½: ½

17th game

Spasski – Fischer, Part 17
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess ndt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess plt45.svg 3
2 Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 45th T1c2

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Spassky – Fischer ½: ½
Reykjavík, August 22, 1972 - August 23, 1972
Pirc Defense, B09
1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Bd3 Qxc5 8. Qe2 0-0 9. Be3 Qa5 10. 0-0 Bg4 11th Rad1 Nc6 12. Bc4 Nh5 13.Bb3 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Qxc3 15.f5 Nf6 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Sa5 18.Rd3 Qc7 19.Bh6 Nxb3 20.cxb3 Qc5 + 21.Kh1 Qe5 22nd Bxf8 Rxf8 23.Re3 Rc8 24. fxg6 hxg6 25. Qf4 Qxf4 26.Rxf4 Nd7 27.Rf2 Ne5 28. Kh2 Rc1 29. Tee2 Nc6 30. Rc2 Re1 31.Rfe2 Ra1 32.Kg3 Kg7 33.Rcd2 Rf1 34.Rf2 Re1 35.Rfe2 Rf1 36. Re3 a6 37. Rc3 Re1 38. Rc4 Rf1 39. Rdc2 Ra1 40. Rf2 Re1 41. Rfc2 g5 42. Rc1 Re2 43. T1c2 Re1 44. Rc1 Re2 45. T1c2 ½: ½

18th game

Fischer – Spasski, game 18
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess qlt45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess qdt45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess pdt45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess plt45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg 2
1 Chess klt45.svg Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 47 ... Qc6

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Fischer – Spasski ½: ½
Reykjavík, August 24, 1972 - August 25, 1972
Sicilian ( Richter-Rauser variant ), B69
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Sc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. 0–0–0 Bd7 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Bd3 Qa5 13. Kb1 b4 14. Ne2 Qc5 15. f5 a5 16. Nf4 a4 17. Rc1 Rb8 18. c3 b3 19. a3 Ne5 20. Rhf1 Nc4 21. Bxc4 Qxc4 22. Rce1 Kd8 23. Ka1 Rb5 24. Nd4 Ra5 25.Nd3 Kc7 26.Nb4 h5 27.g3 Re5 28.Nd3 Rb8 29. De2 Ra5 30.fxe6 fxe6 31.Rf2 e5 32.Nf5 Bxf5 33.Rxf5 d5 34. exd5 Qxd5 35. Nb4 Qd7 36.Rxh5 Bxb4 37. cxb4 Rd5 38. Rc1 + Kb7 39. De4 Rc8 40. Rb1 Kb6 41. Rh7 Rd4 42. Qg6 Qc6 43. Rf7 Rd6 44. Qh6 Qf3 45. Qh7 Qc6 46. Qh6 Qf3 47. Qh7 Qc6 ½: ½

19th game

Spasski – Fischer, game 19
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 6th
5 Chess rlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 5
4th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg 3
2 Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 40 ... Rc2 +

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Spassky – Fischer ½: ½
Reykjavík, August 27, 1972
Alekhine Defense, B05
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. 0–0 Be7 7. h3 Bh5 8. c4 Nb6 9. Nc3 0–0 10. Be3 d5 11. c5 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Nc4 13.b3 Nxe3 14.fxe3 b6 15. e4 c6 16.b4 bxc5 17.bxc5 Qa5 18.Nxd5 Bg5 19.Bh5 cxd5 20.Bxf7 + Rxf7 21.Rxf7 Qd2 22.Qxd2 Lxd2 23.Raf1 Nc6 24. exd5 exd5 25.Rd7 Be3 + 26.Kh1 Bxd4 27.e6 Be5 28.Rxd5 Re8 29.Re1 Rxe6 30.Rd6 Kf7 31.Rxc6 Rxc6 32.Rxe5 Kf6 33.Rd5 Ke6 34.Rh5 h6 35.Kh2 Ra6 36. c6 Rxc6 37. Ra5 a6 38. Kg3 Kf6 39. Kf3 Rc3 + 40. Kf2 Rc2 + ½: ½

20th batch

Fischer – Spasski, game 20
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess bdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 5
4th Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess ndt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess nlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess nlt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
End position after 54 ... Nd4

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Fischer – Spasski ½: ½

Reykjavík, August 29, 1972 - August 30, 1972
Sicilian (Richter-Rauser variant), B68

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. 0–0–0 Bd7 9. f4 Be7 10. Be2 0–0 11. Bf3 h6 12. Bh4 Nxe4 13. Bxe7 Nxd2 14. Bxd8 Nxf3 15. Nxf3 Rfxd8 16.Rxd6 Kf8 17.Rd1 Ke7 18.Na4 Be8 19.Rxd8 Rxd8 20.Nc5 Rb8 21.Rd3 a5 22.Rb3 b5 23. a3 a4 24. Rc3 Rd8 25.Nd3 f6 26.Rc5 Rb8 27.Rc3 g5 28. g3 Kd6 29.Nc5 g4 30. Ne4 + Ke7 31. Ne1 Rd8 32.Nd3 Rd4 33.Nef2 h5 34.Rc5 Rd5 35.Rc3 Nd4 36.Rc7 + Rd7 37. Rxd7 + Bxd7 38. Ne1 e5 39. fxe5 fxe5 40. Kd2 Bf5 41. Nd1 Kd6 42. Ne3 Be6 43. Kd3 Bf7 44. Kc3 Kc6 45. Kd3 Kc5 46. Ke4 Kd6 47. Kd3 Bg6 + 48. Kc3 Kc5 Nd3 + Kd6 50. Ne1 Kc6 51. Kd2 Kc5 52. Nd3 + Kd6 53. Ne1 Ne6 54. Kc3 Nd4 ½: ½

21st game

Spasski – Fischer, Part 21
  a b c d e f G H  
8th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 8th
7th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess blt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 7th
6th Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 6th
5 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess pdt45.svg 5
4th Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess kdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 4th
3 Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 3
2 Chess rdt45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess plt45.svg Chess klt45.svg Chess --t45.svg 2
1 Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg Chess --t45.svg 1
  a b c d e f G H  
Final position after 41.Bd7

41.Bd7? was the sealed move to the hanging game, after 41 ... Kg4 Black wins easily.

Template: checkerboard-small / maintenance / new

Spassky – Fischer 0: 1
Reykjavík, August 31, 1972 - September 1, 1972
Sicilian ( Paulsen variant ), B46
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 exd5 9. 0–0 Bd6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11th Bd4 0–0 12. Qf3 Be6 13.Rfe1 c5 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Qxf6 gxf6 16.Rad1 Rfd8 17. Be2 Tab8 18.b3 c4 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.Rxd5 Bxh2 + 21.Kxh2 Rxd5 22nd Bxc4 Rd2 23.Bxa6 Rxc2 24.Re2 Rxe6 25. Bxe2 Td8 26. a4 Td2 27. Bc4 Ta2 28. Kg3 Kf8 29. Kf3 Ke7 30. g4 f5 31. gxf5 f6 32. Bg8 h6 33. Kg3 Kd6 34. Kf3 Ra1 35. Kg2 Ke5 36. Be6 Kf4 37. Bd7 Rb1 38.Be6 Rb2 39.Bc4 Ra2 40.Be6 h5 41.Bd7? 0: 1

Importance of the match

Games 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13, 15, 18 and 19 showed the two players at the height of their skills and met the high expectations of chess fans all over the world. But most people were more interested in Fischer's eccentric personality.

Fischer had actually managed to break the decades-long Soviet rule in chess and to win by far the highest prize bonus that had been paid out at a chess event. He had also succeeded in catapulting chess out of its niche existence and in bringing new followers to the game of kings , even if the many unpleasant accompanying circumstances were not necessarily conducive to the reputation of chess.

The American President Richard Nixon invited Fischer to visit the White House . The visit never took place.

Spasski then said that he had believed to the last that he could successfully defend his title, but Fischer had always "slipped out of his hands like a fish".

Course of the game

1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 10 11 12 13 14th 15th 16 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st Result
Flag of the Soviet Union (dark version) .svg Boris Spassky 1 + 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0
Flag of the United States.svg Robert J. Fischer 0 - 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 12½
opening E56 - A77 B88 E41 D59 B97 A39 D41 C95 B97 D66 B04 D37 B99 C69 B09 B69 B05 B68 B46
date 11.7. 13.7. 16.7. 18.7. 20.7. 23.7. 25.7. 27.7. 1.8. 3.8. 6.8. 8.8. 10.8. 15.8. 17.8. 20.8. 22.8. 24.8. 27.8. 29.8. 31.8.

epilogue

In 1992, exactly 20 years later, the two opponents faced each other again during the Yugoslav war in Yugoslavia with great media interest. Bobby Fischer, who had not played a serious tournament game since the end of the world championship match on August 31, 1972, defeated Boris Spasski, who after the 1972 final only once, when he won the 41st USSR championship in 1973, his old playing strength achieved, with 17.5 to 12.5 (+10 = 15 −5). The prize money this time: 5 million US dollars, two thirds of which for the winner.

Fischer was then by US authorities with a warrant searched because he after their view against the result of the Yugoslavian embargo the UN imposed Executive Order 12810 of George H. W. Bush had failed. This led Fischer to flee for several years. After being imprisoned in Japan, Fischer received political asylum and citizenship in Iceland in 2005 , where he died of kidney disease on January 17, 2008 in Reykjavík .

In 2015, the dramatized feature film Pawns Sacrifice - Game of Kings , which deals with the world championship and its history from Fischer's perspective.

See also

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Fischer-Larsen 1970
  2. Dmitry Plisetsky, Sergey Voronkov: Russians versus Fischer . Chess World, Moscow 1994, ISBN 5-900767-01-9 .
  3. Fischer-Spasski 1966
  4. Fischer-Spasski 1966
  5. ^ Spassky-Fischer 1960
  6. ^ Spassky-Fischer 1966
  7. ^ Spassky-Fischer 1970
  8. Herbert Bastian : It was a draw! - Discoveries and errors in a famous endgame , magazine Schach , 2012/8, pp. 28–39.
  9. Yasser Seirawan: Chess duels . Gloucester, London 2010, ISBN 978-1-85744-587-9 , p. 55.
  10. ^ Fischer-Spasski, 10th competition game
  11. Spasski-Fischer, 11th competition game
  12. Spasski-Fischer, 13th competition game
  13. ^ Full text (reprint) at The American Presidency Project . Order issued June 5, 1992.