The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for March 11: Anand wins Morelia-Linares

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending March 11



Image: Randy Schweitzer, Chess Match (2001)
from the website of Setn Hall University

Contents

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Diagrams and other features
Post 3: Games from Current and Recent Events
Post 4: Bonus Game: Bobby Fischer vs. Boris Spassky, Match for the World Title, Reykjavik 1972

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week ending March 11

Anand wins Morelia-Linares

Grandmaster Vishy Anand of India won the Morelia-Linares Super GM Tournament, which completed yesterday in Linares, Andalucía (Spain).

The first half of the double-round robin, 14-round category 20 event was held in Morelia, Michoacán (Mexico).



Vishy Anand and his wife, Aruna, enjoying gaspacho in Morelia
Photo: ChessBase.com

Anand scored a total of 8½ points out of 14, winning 4, losing one and drawing 9. He finished a full point ahead of the pack. Tied for second were 16-year-old Nowegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and Alexander Morozevich of Russia, who each won 4, lost 3 and drew 7. Anand scored one win from Peter Leko of Hungary, who also had a disappointing tournament, but otherwise defeated the two second place finishers, Morozevich once and Magnus twice. He lone loss was at the hands of Armenian GM Levon Aronian, who finished tied for fourth with an even score.

Unofficial Cross Table
Super GM Tournament
Morelia-Linares

------------------------- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- T- (W)
1 Vishy Anand. . . . . . .-- 11 1½ 0½ ½½ ½½ ½½ 1½ 8½ (4)
2 Magnus Carlsen . . . . .00 -- 1½ ½½ ½½ 11 1½ ½0 7½ (4)
3 Alexander Morozevich . .0½ 0½ -- ½½ ½1 ½1 01 ½1 7½ (4)
4 Levon Aronian. . . . . .1½ ½½ ½½ -- ½½ 0½ ½½ ½½ 7. (1)
5 Peter Svidler. . . . . .½½ ½½ ½0 ½½ -- ½½ ½½ ½1 7. (1)
6 Vassily Ivanchuk . . . .½½ 00 ½0 1½ ½½ -- 1½ ½½ 6½ (2)
7 Veselin Topalov. . . . .½½ 0½ 10 ½½ ½½ 0½ -- ½½ 6. (1)
8 Peter Leko . . . . . . .0½ ½1 ½0 ½½ ½0 ½½ ½½ -- 6. (1)

The Jack Rabbit Unofficial Cross Table uses games won as first tie break

Anand's tournament victory combined with the poor showing of former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaia means that it is expected that Anand will replace Topalov as the world's number one rated player when the quarterly ratings list is released by FIDE on April 1. Anand, who has been second or third on the list for a decade, has never held the top spot. Topalov has held the number one ranking since the retirement of former world champion Garry Kasparov two years ago.

Congratulations are also in order to the two second place finishers, Carlse and Morozevich. Young Magnus was playing his in third elite tournament. Magnus failed to win a game in either of two Category 19 events, the Tal Momorial in Moscow in November or the Corus Group A event in Wijk aan Zee, Holland, in January. Magnus got that monkey off his back in the first round in Morelia by by defeating Morozevich. Magnus also defeated Topalov in Morelia when the former FIDE champion misjudged a drawn position and resigned. In addition, Magnus won both his game from Ukranian GM Vassily Ivanchuk.

Morozevich put a dent in the rap he has of not being able to do well in elite events, while otherwise having lower rated players for lunch in lesser events. Even more dramatically, Moro (as he is known to his fans) had no wins, three losses and four draws in the Morelia half of the tournament and didn't win a game until defeating Leko in round 9. Moro drew his next two games and then took second place the hard way by winning his last three games in a row against Ivanchuk, Topalov and fellow Russian GM Peter Svidler.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Diagrams and other features of the JR Chess Report

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White to move
This position is a theoretical draw

Does this picture make sense to you? If not, or if it looks like a bunch of Wingdings, please click here.

Diagrams used in the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess Merida, a true type font that is available as freeware at the above link.

Also, the JR chess report makes the main variation in annotations more distinct and readable by putting it in red. A secondary variation, is in blue and other colors are used if needed.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Games from current and recent events

Chess Games
Analysis by JR and Fritz

Vishy Anand - Magnus Carlsen, Super GM Tournament, Round 10, Linares
Magnus Carlsen - Vassily Ivanchuk, Super GM Tournament, Round 11, Linares
Alexander Morozevish - Peter Leko, Super GM Tournament, Round 9, Linares

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Anand - Carlsen, Super GM Tournament, Round 10, Linares

Vishy Anand
Photo: website of the 2006 Tal Memorial Tournament

Vishy Anand vs. Magnus Carlsen
Morelia-Linares Super GM Tournament, Round 10
Linares, Andalucía (Spain), March 2007

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Chigorin Defense (Keres Variation)

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 Na5

• The Chigorin Defense is one of the most durable of all chess openings. It brings about unclear positions demanding precise play.

10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Nd7

• The main line of the Chigorin runs 11. -- Qc7 12. Nbd2 cxd4 13. cxd4 when:
• 13. -- Nc6 14. Nb3 a5 15. Be3 a4 16. Nbd2 Bd7 17. Rc1 with equality.
• 13. -- Bb7 14. Nf1 Rac8 15. Re2 d5 16. dxe5 Nxe4 17. Ng3 is unclear.
• The text move is the legacy of the legendary Paul Keres, one of the world's leading grandmasters from the time he debuted on the international scene at the Warsaw Chess Olympiad of 1935 until his death in 1975. In spite of being condemned by Bobby Fischer, who thought it unwise to remove the Knight from the kingside where it is useful in defending against an attack, the variation has enjoyed a solid reputation.

12. d5

• Among examples of other common contuations are:
12. Nbd2 cxd4 13. cxd4 Nc6 14. Nb3 a5 15. Bd3 Ba6 16. d5 Nb4 17. Bf1 with a satisfactory game for both sides.
• If 12. dxc5 is the rejoinder played by Fischer in the game that he used in My 60 Memorable Games to express his disdain for the Keres variation: dxc5 13. Nbd2 then:
• 13. -- Bb7 14. Nf1 Nc4 15. Ng3 g6 16. b3 Nd6 17. Bh6 Re8 18. Qd2 Qc7 is a perfectly level Spanish position, with White working up a kingside attack and Black taking up space on the queenside (Balashov-Romanishin, Moscow 1983).
• After 13. -- Qc7 14. Nf1 Nf6 15. Ne3 Rd8 16. Qe2 Be6 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Bxd5 19. Nxe5 Ra7 20. Bf4 gives White better mobility (Fischer-Keres, Candidates Trmt, Curaçao 1962).

12. -- Nb6 13. Nbd2 g6

• A move like this is a common prophylactic maneuver in the Spanish Game aimed at depriving White of outposts on kingside.
• 13. -- f5 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Bxf5 Rxf5 16. Ne4 Qd7 17. b3 Raf8 18. Nh2 Qd8 19. Nf1 Qa8 20. Ne3 Rf4 21. f3 is equal (Leko-Kramnik, Amber Blindf, Monaco 2005).

14. b4 cxb4 15. cxb4 Nac4 16. Nxc4 Nxc4 17. Bb3!?

• White breaks from the book by attacking the forward Knight.
• 17. Bh6 Re8 18. Bb3 Bd7 19. Qe2 Nb6 20. Rac1 Rc8 21. Be3 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 is a position with little life (Leko-Mamedyarov, Tal Mem, Moscow 2006).

17. -- Nb6

• Black responds by retreating his Knight, keeping it prepared for queenside action.
• If 17. -- f5 18. Bh6 Rf6 19. Bxc4 bxc4 then:
• 20. Qc2 fxe4 21. Nd2 Rf7 22. Qxc4 yields to White significantly better piece activity.
• 20. Rc1 a5 21. b5 Bd7 22. a4 Rc8 23. Rc3 gives White more space on the queenside and superior piece activity.

18. Be3 Bd7 19. Rc1 Rc8 20. Rxc8!?

• White takes a small risk to try to stir things up.
• 20. Qd3 f6 21. a3 Rf7 22. Rxc8 Bxc8 23. Rc1 Bb7 24. Rc6 Nc8 25. Rc2 is solid but not very promising.

Black: Magnus Carlsen
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White: Vishy Anand
Position after 20. Rc1c8:R

20. -- Bxc8?!

• There were two ways to recapture the Rook. The other one is the right way.
• If 20. -- Nxc8 then Black retains flexibility to amneuver on the queenside:
• 21. Bh6 Re8 22. Qc2 Nb6 23. Rc1 Qb8 24. a3 Rc8 =
• If White attempts to take control of the c-file as in the actual game with 21. Qc2 then hi is rebuffed by 21. -- f5 22. Rc1 Rf7 23. Qc7 Qxc7 24. Rxc7 Bd8 Rb7 and White's Rook is out of play while Black is expanding on the kingside.

21. Qc2!

• White takes advantage of the discombobulated position of Black's queenside and takes firm control of the c-file.
• If 21. a3?! solidifying the queenside before beginning operations in the c-file, is too slow: 21. -- Bb7 22. Qc2 then:
• 22. -- Na8 23. Rc1 Qd7 and White opportunity in the c-file has passed.
• 22. -- Nd7? keeping the Knight out of the corner, fails miserably to 23. Rc1 Ba8 24. Qc7 Nf6 25. Nd2 when Black is completely tangled.

21. -- Bd7 22. Rc1 Na8

• This is an ugly move, but made necessary by circumstances. Black must keep White out of c7.
• 22. -- Nc8 23. Bh6 Re8 24. Qc7 Qxc7 25. Rxc7 Rd8 26. a3 gives White advantages is space and piece activity.

23. Qd2 Qb8 24. Bg5!?

• Although it costs him his good Bishop, White chooses to direct his pieces on the kingside.
• 24. a3, initiating a plan to breakthrough on the queenside, looks less promising: 24. -- Rc8 25. Rxc8+ Bxc8 26. Qc2 Bb7 27. a4 Bf6 28. axb5 axb5 with little to show.

24. -- Bxg5 25. Nxg5 Rc8 26. Rf1!?

• White preserves his Rook for use on the kingside. The move foreshadows the advance of the f-pawn.
• 26. Rxc8+ Bxc8 27. a4 Qc7 28. a5 h6 29. Nf3 Kg7 30. Qc2 f5 31. Nd2 is approximately equal; Black has the good Bishop, but the Knight is still offsided.

26. -- h6?

• Black weakens his kingside pawns in order to chase the Knight to an ideal square. He never recovers from this inaccuracy.
• Correct is 26. -- Qb6 27. a3 Qa7 28. Rb1 Qc7 29. Qe3 Qc3 when:
• 30. Qa7 Nc7 31. Qb7 h6 32. Nf3 f6 leaves Black wiht the better Bishop; the position is on the whole even.
• 30. Qf3? Be8 31. Qxc3 Rxc3 32. Kf1 Nb6 leaves White with a passive position.

Black: Magnus Carlsen
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White: Vishy Anand
Position after 26. -- h7h6

27. Ne6!!

• The Knight is perfectly safe on this outpost.
• If 27. -- fxe6 28. Qxh6 then:
• 28. -- Be8 29. dxe6 then:
• After 29. -- d5 30. exd5 Rd8 31. e7 Rd6 32. Qf8+ Kh7 33. Re1
• 33. -- Qc8 34. Re4 g5 35. Re2 Qc1+ 36. Kh2 Nc7 37. Rc2 Qf4+ 38. g3 Qd4 39. Rxc7 it will cost Black at least a piece to stop the pawn from promoting.
• After 33. -- Nb6 34. Re4 g5 35. Rxe5 Qc8 36. Rf5 g4 37. Rf7+! Bxf7 38. Qxf7+ the pawn must promote.
• If 29. -- Nb6 30. e7+ Nc4 31. Qf8+ Kh7 32. f4 then:
• 32. -- Qa7+ 33. Kh1 Qa8 34. f5 gxf5 35. Rxf5 Bg6 36. Rf6 d5 37. Bd1 Rxf8 38. exf8Q Qxf8 39. Rxf8 White wins the Rook at c8.
• After 32. -- Qa8 33. f5 gxf5 34. Qxf5+ Bg6 35. Qg5 Qxe4 36. Rf8 White wins the Rook
• After 28. -- Nb6 29. Qxg6+ Kh8 30. dxe6 Be8 31. Qh6+ Kg8 32. f4 Qa7 33. Kh2 Nc4 34. Rf3 Black must give up his Queen to prevent mate.

27. -- Kh7 28. f4 Qa7+ 29. Kh2 Be8 30. f5 gxf5

• If 30. -- fxe6 31. dxe6 then:
• 31. -- gxf5 32. exf5 Qc7 33. Rd1 d5 34. Bxd5
• After 34. -- Nb6 35. Be4 Qc4 36. Qe3 Bc6 37. Bxc6 Qxc6 38. Qxe5 Rg8 39. Qe2 Nd5 40. g3 White has three pawns for a Knight. The struggle will be over whether the passed pawns can be blocked.
• 34. -- e4+ 35. Kh1 Bc6 36. f6 Nb6 37. Bb3 Qe5 38. Qe3 then:
After
• 38. -- Na8 39. f7 Kg7 40. Rf1 White two advanced passers decide.
• 38. -- Nd5 39. Qc5 Qxe6 40. Qa7+ Black must give back the pieces to avoid mate (for example, 40. -- Kg6 41. Qg7+ Kf4 Rf1+ Ke5 Qg3+ Kd4 Rd1#).
• After 31. -- Qc7? 32. f6 Bc6 33. Rc1 Nb6 34. e7 Nc4 35. Bxc4 bxc4 36. Rxc4 White passers decide.

31. exf5 f6

• If 31. -- fxe6 32. dxe6 Qc7 33. Rd1 then:
• After 33. -- e4 34. f6 d5+ 35. Kh1 Nb6 36. Bxd5 Nxd5 37. Qxd5 Bg6 38. f7 e3 39. Qf3 White's two passers outweigh Black's one.
• 33. -- d5 34. Bxd5 e4+ 35. Kh1 Bc6 then:
• 36. Rc1 36. -- Rd8 37. Rxc6 Qxc6 38. Bxc6 Rxd2 39. Bxa8 gives White a Bishop and two strong passers for the Rook.
• 36. f6?! is too hasty: 36. -- Nb6 37. Bb3 Qe5 stops White's passers.

Black: Magnus Carlsen
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White: Vishy Anand
Position after 31. -- f7f6

32. Re1!

• This effectively ends the struggle. The Rook will lift to e4 then settle on h4.
• 32. Nf8+ Kg7 33. Ne6+ Kh7 34. Nf8+ Kg7 35. Ne6+ Kh7 draws by repetition.

32. -- Nc7

• After 32. -- Bf7 33. Re4 Nb6 34. Rg4 Rg8 35. Rh4 White wins easily by directing his fire to targets on the h-file.

33. Rc1 Bd7 34. Rc3 e4

• After 34. -- Nxe6 35. dxe6 Rxc3 36. exd7 Qxd7 37. Qxc3 White is a piece to the good.

35. Rg3 Nxe6

• If 35. -- Bxe6 36. dxe6 d5 37. Qc3 Rg8 38. Rxg8 Kxg8 39. Qxf6 then:
• After 39. -- Qb8 40. Qg6+ Kh8 41. e7 Qe8 42. Qd6 White wins the Knight.
• After 39. -- Ne8 40. Qg6+ Kf8 41. f6 Qc7+ 42. Kh1 Qc1+ 43. Bd1 Black must lose material since after 43. -- Qxd1+ 44. Kh2 he cannot prevent mate on either f7 or e7.

36. dxe6 Be8 37. e7 Bh5 38. Qxd6 1-0

• After 38. Qxd6 Re8 39. Qxf6 Qxe7 40. Bg8+ Black loses his Queen.
• Magnus resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Carlsen - Ivanchuk, Super GM Tournament, Round 11, Linares

Magnus Carlsen
Photo: ChessBase.com

Magnus Carlsen vs. Vassily Ivanchuk
Morelia-Linares Super GM Tournament, Round 11
Linares, Andalucía (Spain), March 2007

West India Game: Indian Queen's Gambit (Exchange Variation) (Grünfeld Defense)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3

• In this variation of the Indian Queen's Gambit, Black allows White to obtain a center pawn duo with the hopes that he can undermine it from the flanks.

6. -- Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 0-0 10. 0-0 Na5

• If the more commonly played 10. -- Bg4 11. f3 Na5 12. Bd3 cxd4 13. cxd4 Be6 then:
• After 14. Rc1 Bxa2 15. Qa4 Be6 16. d5 Bd7 17. Qb4 e6 Black is a pawn up.
• 14. d5?! Bxa1 15. Qxa1 f6 16. Rb1 Bd7 gives Black an early material advantage.
• 10. -- Qc7 11. Rc1 Rd8 12. Bf4 Qd7 13. d5 Na5 14. Bd3 e5 is unclear.

11. Bd3 b6 12. Rc1 cxd4

• 12. -- Bb7 13. d5 c4 14. Bc2 e6 15. dxe6 fxe6 16. f4 Qxd1 17. Rcxd1 Rfd8 18. e5 is satisfactory for both sides (Vyzmanavin-Chiburdanidze, IT, Sochi 1989).

13. cxd4 e6 14. Qd2 Bb7 15. h4

• 15. Bh6 Qe7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Rc3 Rac8 18. Rfc1 Qd7 19. f3 Rxc3 20. Qxc3 Rc8 21. Qb2 f6 22. Rxc8 Qxc8 is level (Saric-Sebenik, Mitropa Cup, Brno 2006).

15. -- Qe7

• If 15. -- Qd7 16. Bh6 then:
• 16. -- Rfc8 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. h5 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Rc8 is even, but interesting (Christiansen-Wurzel. Porz Op, Germany 1991).
• 16. -- Bxh6 17. Qxh6 Nc6 18. Bb5 a6 19. Bxc6 Bxc6 20. Qe3 Rac8 is even (Pia Cramling-Andersson. Porz Op, Haninge (Sweden) 1989).

16. h5 Rfc8

Black: Vassily Ivanchuk
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White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 16. -- Rf8c8

17. e5!?

• White tries a new move. This probably won't be the last time we'll see this one, either.
• If 17. Bg5 then:
• 17. -- Qa3 18. e5 Qa4 19. Bf6 Qd7 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Qf4 Qe7 22. Be4 Bxe4 23. Qxe4 Qg5 24. Nf4 is unclear (Lukacs-Schneider, Hungarian Ch, Hungary 1984).
• 17. -- f6 18. Bh6 Nc6 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 draw agreed (Maiorescu-Fecht, corr 1988).
• 17. Rxc8+ Rxc8 18. Rc1 Qd7 19. hxg6 hxg6 20. f3 Rxc1+ 21. Qxc1 draw agreed (Perdomo-Semerene, Pan-Am Ch U16, Bento Goncalves 2000).

17. -- Rxc1

• Black responds to the novelty with a natural exchange of Rooks.
• 17. -- Qd7 18. Rfd1 Nc6 19. Be4 Nd8 20. Bxb7 Nxb7 21. Nf4 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Rd8 is satisfactory for both sides.

18. Rxc1 Rc8 19. Rxc8+ Bxc8 20. Bg5

• White is using his initiative to scatter Black's forces, but there is no basis for a serious attack at this time.
• 20. Bh6 Bxh6 21. Qxh6 Nc6 22. Qc1 Bb7 23. a3 a6 24. hxg6 hxg6 is level.

20. -- Qc7?

• This does not proctect sufficiently the complex of dark squares around Black's King.
• Necessary is 20. -- Qf8 21. Nc3 when:
• After 21. -- Nc6 22. Nb5 Bd7 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Bc4 Na5 25. Be2 Bxb5 26. Bxb5 Black has a playable game.
• Black has sufficient defensive resources after 21. -- Bb7 22. Bf6 Bxf6 23. exf6 Nc6 24. d5 exd5 25. Nxd5.

21. Bf6!

• White finds the move to get the victory march rolling.
• 21. hxg6? hxg6 22. Bf6 Bxf6 23. exf6 Qd8 24. Qc1 Nb7 gives Black the initiative.

21. -- Nc6

• Other moves lose faster.
• If 21. -- Bxf6 22. exf6 Qd8 23. Qg5 then:
• 23. -- Qe8 24. Nf4 h6 25. Qxh6 Qf8 26. Qg5 Nc6 27. hxg6
• After 27. -- Qb4 White mates as follows: 28. gxf7+ Kxf7 29. Bg6+ Kf8 30. Qh6+ Kg8 31. f7#
• 27. -- Bd7 28. gxf7+ Kh8 29. Qh5+ Qh6 30. f8Q#
• After 23. -- Qf8 24. hxg6 hxg6 25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Nf4 Qf7 27. Nxg6 the threat of 28. Ne5+ is deadly.
• After 21. -- Bf8 22. Qg5 Qd7 23. Nf4 h6 24. Qg3 Qa4 26. Nxg5 Black is mated if he plays 26. -- hxg6 and just loses otherwise.

22. Qg5 h6

• If 22. -- Nb4 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Qf6+ Kf8 25. Bxg6 then:
• After 25. -- hxg6 26. h6 Nd5 27. Qg7+ Ke7 28. h7 the pawn cannot be stopped.
• After 25. -- Nd5 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. Qxh7 Black is toast.

Black: Vassily Ivanchuk
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White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 22. -- h7h6

23. Qc1!

• The text move ties up Black's pieces with a pin.
• Also winning for White is 23. Qe3 Nb4 24. hxg6 Nxd3 25. Qxd3 Bb7 26. gxf7+ Qxf7 27. Qg3 leaving him ready to exchange to a simple minor piece ending while a pawn to the good.

23. -- g5

This leads to the loss of a piece, but Black is lost in any event.
• If 23. -- Bb7 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. Bxg6 Qd7 then:
• 26. Qf4 Ne7 27. Qg4 +-
• 26. Qa3 a6 27. Qg3 Qc7 28. Be8 +-

24. Bb5 Bd7 25. d5 exd5 26. Nd4 Bxf6 27. exf6 Qd6 28. Bxc6

• Black could have resigned here. Little comment is required for the rest.

28. -- Qxf6 29. Bxd7 Qxd4 30. g3 Qc5

• If 30. -- Qe4 31. Qe3 Qb1+ 32. Kg2 then:
• 32. -- Qxa2 33. Qe8+ Kg7 34. Qe5+ Kf8 35. Bf5 Kg8 36. Qf6 has the Black King in a net.
• 32. -- d4 33. Qe8+ Kg7 34. Qe5+ Kg8 35. Bc6 Qxa2 36. Bd5 is lights out.

31. Qxc5 bxc5

• 31. -- d4 32. Qe7 f6 33. Be6+ Kh8 34. Qe8+ Kg7 35. Qg8#.

32. Bc6 d4 33. Bb5 Kf8 34. f4 gxf4 35. gxf4 1-0

• After 35. gxf4 White can use the Bishop to control the tempo.
• Ivanchuk resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Morozevich - Leko, Super GM Tournament, Round 9, Linares

In the first eight rounds at Morelia-Linares, Morozevich had no wins, 3 losses and 5 draws, bring up the rear with 2½ points. In the final six rounds, Moro scored 4 wins and 2 draws to finish tied for second prize with Magnus Carlsen.

This is Moro's first win in Linares. He also won three games in a row in the last three rounds.



Alexander Morozevich
Photo: ChessBase.com

Alexander Morozevich vs. Peter Leko
Morelia-Linares Super GM Tournament, Round 9
Linares, Andalucía (Spain), March 2007

East India Game: Queen's Indian Defense (Timman Variation)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6

• The Queen's Indian Defense, like its "East India" sister, the Nimzo-Indian, is the legacy of the great strategist Aron Nimzovich (1886-1935). Like the Nimzo-Indian, Black's idea is to control the center with piece pressure from the flanks.
• The old main line, often played by Nimzovich himslef, is 4. -- Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. 0-0 0-0 7. Nc3 d5 8. Ne5 c6 9, cxd5 cxd5.

5. Qb3

• If 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3 d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 0-0 12. 0-0 Rc8 13. e4 b5 14. Re1 then:
• 14. -- bxc4 15. bxc4 dxc4 16. Qa4 Bb5 17. Qc2 Re8 18. a4 Ba6 gives Black an extra pawn, albeit a weak one.
• 14. -- dxe4 15. Bxe4 bxc4 16. bxc4 c5 is satisfactory for both sides.

5. -- Be7

• If 5. -- Nc6 6. Nbd2 Na5 then:
• 7. Qc3 c5 8. dxc5 bxc5 9. e4 Bb7 10. e5! Ne4 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Bg2 Be7 13. 0-0
• After 13. -- Nc6 14. Re1 Bg6 15. Bf4 0-0 16. Rad1 Rb8 17. Rd2 Qc7 18. Bg5 Bxg5 19. Nxg5 White's e-pawn calls the tune (Riazantsev-Anisimov, Russian Ch Prelim, Tomsk 2006).
• 13. -- 0-0 14. Bd2 Nc6 15. Qe3 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Nd4 17. Bc3 Black is still cramed due to the pawn at e5, but the Knight on d4 is a compensating factor (Bareev-Gelfand, Russian TCh, Sochi 2004).
• 7. Qa4 Bb7 8. Bg2 c5 9. dxc5 bxc5 10. 0-0 Be7 11. Ne5 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 0-0 13. Ndf3 Qc7 14. Bd2 Nb7 15. Bg5 Rfc8 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Nd3 is even (Korchnoi-Bakre, Op Trmt, Gibralter 2006).

6. Nc3 0-0

• 6. -- Bb7 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. 0-0 Na5 9. Qa4 Ne4 10. Nxe4 Bxe4 11. Ne5 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 0-0 13. Nxd7 Re8 14. c5 c6 Black will playe either 15. -- b5 or 15. -- c6 forcing White to retreat (Sargissian-Jobava, IT, Abu Dhabi 2003).
• 6. -- d5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bg5 c6 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Bh3 0-0 11. 0-0 Re8 12. Rfe1 Bc4 13. Qa4 b5 14. Qc2 b4 15. b3 gives White a slight edge in development (Dao Thien Hai-Bui Vinh, Can Tho 2006).

7. e4 c5!?

• After 7. -- Bb7 8. d5 exd5 9. exd5 c6 10. Bg2 Na6 11. 0-0 Nc5 12. Qd1 cxd5 13. cxd5 Fritz calls it equal, but if White can keep the pawn at d5 fortified, he has the edge (Lautier-A. Sokolov, French Ch, Aix les Bains 2003).

8. d5!

• This will result in a better position for White than in the Lautier-Sokolov game just quoted. The pawn at c4 makes a difference.

8. -- exd5 9. exd5 Re8 10. Bd3

• The pawn at d5 cramps Black's game while White keeps the c-pawn protected in order to maintain the pawn at d5.
• 10. Bh3 Bb7 11. 0-0 a6 12. Re1 d6 13. Bg5 would also make it difficult for Black to free his game.

10. -- Bf8+ 11. Kf1

• It is easier for White to "castle by hand" than block the check in order to keep the possiblity of castling open.
• If 11. Be3 Ng4 12. Be4 Qf6 then:
• After 13. Nd2 Nxe3 14. fxe3 Bb7 15. Ne2 a5 16. Qc2 Qh6 Black is getting some counterplay against White's center.
• 13. Qc2 Nxe3 14. fxe3 Bxc4 15. Bxh7+ Kh8 16. Be4 Bd6 has Black seemingly working up threats, but his position is still cramped and it will be awkward to develop the queenside and still allow the Bishops to retreat if needed.

11. -- d6 12. Kg2 Nbd7 13. h4

• White is condident in his center advantage and seeks to expand on the kingside.
• 13. Bf4 Ne5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Rad1 solves some of Black's spatial problems by exchanging pieces.

13. -- g6

• Black sets up a roadblock to slow White's kingside designs.

14. Qa4 Bb7 15. h5?!

• White runs the roadblock.
• 15. Bg5 a6 16. Rhe1 Qc7 17. a3 Bg7 18. Bd2 Rac8 19. Rad1 gives Black some chances to maneuver out his his cramped quarters.

15. -- Nxh5

• The pawn is free, sort of.
• If 15. -- a6 then:
• 16. Bg5 Bg7 17. Rae1 Qc7 18. hxg6 fxg6
• After 19. Bf4 Rxe1 20. Rxe1 Re8 21. Rxe8+ Nxe8 Black's cramped position is less of a problem with Rooks off the board.
• 19. Bc2 Rxe1 20. Rxe1 b5 21. cxb5 axb5 22. Qxb5 Nxd5 23. Bb3 Black has liquidated White's pawn center, but White's pieces show greater activity.
• 16. hxg6 fxg6 17. Bg5 Bg7 18. Rae1 Qc7 19. Bc2 Rxe1 20. Rxe1 b5 21. cxb5 Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 23. Re7 also gives White better piece activity.

Black: Peter Leko
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White: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 15. -- Nf6h5:p

16. Rxh5!?

• With Black's queenside difficult to mobilize, White sacrifices the exchange to completely ruin Black's kingside pawn structure.
• 16. Bg5? Nhf6 17. Rh2 a6 18. Rah1 Qc7 19. Qc2 Bg7 20. Rh3 h5 gives Black an extra pawn and more space on the kingside.
• Before realizing any advantage from the sacrifice, White must first weather a dangerous storm.

16. -- gxh5 17. Ne4 f5?!

• Black makes a target of his f-pawn.
• Better is 17. -- Be7 when:
• After 18. Bf4 Nf8 19. Rh1 Ng6 20. Rxh5 Nxf4+ 21. gxf4 Bc8 22. Neg5 Bf6 Black maintains his material edge, while both side have pawn weaknesses on the kingside.
• 18. Be3 h4!
• If 19. Rh1 then Black increases his material edge with 19. -- hxg3 20. Nxg3 Nf8 21. Qc2 Ng6 22. Nf5 Bf8.
• Black maintains his advantage after 19. gxh4 Nc5 20. Nxe5 dxe5 21. qd1 f5 22. Ng3 Bxh4 23. Bxf5 Re7.

18. Neg5 h6 19. Nh3 Ne5

• Black has the material edge and there seeks to exchange pieces, thus magnifying the advantage.
• If 19. -- Bg7 then:
• 20. Bxf5 Ne5 21. Nxe5 Rxe5 22. Qc2 Bc8 23. Bh7+ Kh8 24. Bf4 Re7 Black maintains his material plus, but continues to have problems with his weak pawns.
• Black takes advatage of his better pieces after 20. Qc2 Ne5 21. Nxe5 dxe5 22. Bxf5 h4 23. Be3 hxg3 24. fxg3 b5 threatening to weaken White's center and queenside.

20. Nxe5 dxe5 21. Bxf5

• White takes the f-pawn without compromising his kingside pawn structure. Black's advantage now melts away.

21. -- Qf6 22. Be4 Re7

• Black is scrambling trying to keep his weak pawns safe. While he enjoys a material edge, his pawn weaknesses prevent him from doing much with it.
• If 22. -- Bg7 23. Be3 h4 24. g4 a5 then:
• White launches a kingside attack with 25. g5 Qd6 26. Qd1 Ba6 27. Rc1 a4 28. Qh5.
• The pedestrian 25. Rh1?! takes less of a punch: after 25. -- Rad8 26. g5 Qf8 27. Ng1 hxg5 28. Bxg5 Bf6 29. Bxh4 Bxh4 30. Rxh4 Re7 Black has withstood White's initiative and remains an exchange up.

23. Qd1 h4 24. Qh5 hxg3 25. fxg3 Rg7

• White has fully equalized. Black has no continuation that gives him an edge:
  • 25. -- Rd8 26. Be3 Qd6 27. Nf2 b5 28. Nd3 Rc8 29. b4 bxc4 30. Bxc5 Rxc5 31. bxc5 restores material equality,
  • 25. -- Rf7 26. Be3 Rd8 27. Rh1 then:
  • 27. -- Ba6 28. b3 b5 29. Nf2 Rc8 30. cxb5 Bf5 31. Rd1 Bd7 32. a4 is level.
  • After 27. -- b5 28. Nf2 bxc4 29. Ng4 Qb6 30. Bxh6 Bxd5 31. Bxd5 Rxd5 32. Bc1 Black must contend with White's kingside threats.

Black: Peter Leko
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White: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 25. -- Re7g7

26. Bd2!?

• This is a better post for the Bishop and it frees the Rook, but Black will remain an exchange up.
• White would establish an equalibrium with 26. Bxh6 Qxh6 27. Qxh6 Rxg3+ 28. Kxg3 Bxh6 29. Re1 but the position is drawish and if Leko knows how to do anything, it is draw a chess game.

26. -- Qf7

• Black remains an exchange to the good and brings his forces to bear on the kingside.
• If 26. -- Rf7 27. Bd3 then:
• 27. -- Rd7 28. Nf2 Bg7 29. Ng4 Qd6 30. Kh2 Bxd5 31. Bxh6 Bf3 32. Rxg7 Kxg7 33. Qg5+ Kh8 is unclear.
• 27. -- Re7
• 28. Rf1 Qg7 29. Nf2 Rd8 30. Ne4 Re6
• After 31. Bc3 a6 32. Rf5 Qe7 33. Kh2 Bg7 34. dxe6 Rxd3 35. Rf7 White wins a piece.
• 31. dxe6? voluntarily allows the pin of the Knight at e4 to the King and loses: 31. -- Rxd3 32. Qf7+ Qxf7 33. exf7+ Kh8.
• 28. Nf2 28. -- e4 29. Nxe4 Qxb2 30. Rb1 Qe5 31. Qxe5 Rxe5 32, Nf6+ Kf7 33. Rf1 Re7 34. Bc3 is unclear.

27. Qe2 Bc8 28. Nf2 Bf5 29. Bxf5

• Moro is playing for a win. Again, he eschews the objectively best move that leads to equality.
• If 29. Bxh6 Rg6 30. Bd2 Bg7 then:
• After 31. Rh1 Bxe4+ 32. Nxe4 Qf5 33. Rh4 Rc8 34. b4 cxb4 35. Bxb4 Black's chances of holding a draw look good.
• 31. Bf3 Rd6 32. Re1 a6 33. b4 cxb4 34. Bxb4 Rh6 35. Ng4 Rh7 and Black will hold.

29. -- Qxf5 30. Ne4

• White realizes he won't get enough by taking the poffered pawn. He chooses instead to immpobilize Black's pawns and prevent counterplay.
• If 30. Bxh6 Rg6 31. Bd2 Bg7 then:
• 32. Re1 Rf8 33. a3 a6 34. b4 cxb4 35. axb4 b5
• 36. c5 e4 37. Nxe4 Qxd5 38. Kh3 Re6
• 39. Qg4! Rxe4 40. Rxe4 Qxd2 leads to a forced draw: 41. Qe6+ Rf7 42. Qe8+ Bf8 43. Rg4+ Rg7 44. Qe6+ Kh8 45. Rh4+ Rh7 and White, down piece, repeats checks with the Queen on e5 and e6.
• White drops a piece after 39. Nc3? Rxe2 40. Nxd5 Rxd2 leaving Black a Rook to the good.
• 36. cxb5?! axb5 37. Ne4 Qf7 gives Black better scope for his pieces.
• 32. Rf1 Rf8 33. b4 cxb4 34. Bxb4 Rc8 35. Be7 Qf7 36. Qe4 Rxg3+ 37. Kxg3 Qxe7 maintains the balance.

30. -- Rf7 31. Rh1 Qg6 32. Rh4 Kh8 33. Ng5 Rf5?!

• Black begins to lose his grip on maintaining equality.
• If 33. -- Rf6 34. Nf3 then:
• 34. -- Qc2 35. Nxe5 Qxb2 36. Ng4 Rd6 37. Qe3 Kg8 38. Nxh6+ Bxh6 39. Rxh6 Rxh6 40. Qxh6 Rf8 41. Qe6+ leads to a draw by pertetual check.
• After 34. -- Bg7 35. Nxe5 Qe8 36. Bg5 Rd6 37. Be7 Qxe7 38. Ng6+ White wins.

34. Ne6 h5 35. Bg5 Kg8 36. Rxh5 Re8?

• Perhaps Black is prepared to give back the exchange in return for a less tangible advantage, but it's hard to see what it would be. White will now push Black into a corner.
• Correct is 36. -- Bg7 37. g4 Rf7 38. a3 when:
• Black's game is still playable after 38. -- a6 39. b4 cxb4 40. axb4 Rc8 41. c5.
• After 38. -- Rd7? 39. Bd2 Re8 40. Rg5 Qf6 41. Bc3 White is focusing on g7.

37. g4 Rf7 38. Bh4 Bg7

• White begins focusing on g7.
• If 38. -- Be7 39. Bxe7 Rexe7 40. Rxe5 then:

40. -- Rf6 41. Qe4 Qxe4+ 42. Rxe4 Ref7 43. Re2 Rg6 44. g5 Rf5 45. Rf2 invites an exchange that will be to White's advantage.

If 40. -- Re8? 41. b3 Rh7 42. Qe4 Qh6 43. Rg5+ then:

• 34. -- Rg7 44. Rxg7+ Qxg7 45. g5 Black cannot move his pieces without worsening his position.
• 43. -- Qxg5 44. Qxh7+ Kxh7 45. Nxg5+ Kg6 46. Ne6 White brings his King foreward and advanced the pawns.

39. Rg5 Qh6 40. Qxe5 Kh8

• 40. -- Qh7 41. Bf2 a6 42. a3 Kh8 43. Qe2 Qb1 44. Rh5+ tightens the vise.

Black: Peter Leko
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White: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 40. -- Kh8g8

41. Rxg7!

• White has earned g7 and he is going to occupy it.
• The victory is less clear after 41. Rh5 Bxe5 42. Rxh6+ Kg8 43. b3 Bg7 44. Rh5.

41. -- Qd2+ 42. Kh3 Qd3+ 43. Bg3 Rxe6

• If 43. -- Qf1+ 44. Kh2 Rf2+ 45. Bxf2 Qxf2+ 46. Kh3 Qf3+ 47. Kh4 Qf2+ 48. Kh5 then White wins:
• 48. -- Qd4 49. Rh7+ Kxh7 50. Ng5+ Kg8 51. Qxe8+ Kg7 52. Qf7+ Kh8 53. Qh7#
• 48. -- Rxe6 49. dxe6 Qh2+ 50. Qxh2 Kxg7 51. Qe5+ Kg8 52. e7 Kh7 53. e8Q a6 54. Q5e7#

44. dxe6 Rxg7 45. e7 Qh7+ 46. Kg2 1-0

• White has an easy win after 46. Kg2 Qc2+ 47. Bf2 Qg6 48. e8Q+.
• Leko resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Bonus Game: Fischer - Spassky, World Title Match, Round 10, Reykjavik 1972

Bobby Fischer is 64

Former world champion Bobby Fischer, the greatest American chess player ever, celebrated his 64th birthday Friday. That's one year for each space on a chess board.

Anyone who loves chess loves Bobby Fischer, although Fischer goes out of his way to make loving him as difficult as possible. He is a very sick man. A Freudian would have a field day with this man's psyche. He had issues with his mother from childhood; over the years he has publicly broken with his mother (they reconciled before she died several years ago), rejected first the faith and then the ethnic heritage if his forefathers (resulting in some very ugly anti-Semitic statements in recent years), wished harm on the nation of his bith and the city where he grew up and even expressed an inrrational disdain for Queen's pawn openings.

While his dark side is twisted and warped, Fischer is not without his virtues. When former world champion Mikhail Tal was forced to drop out of the Curaçao candidates tournament in 1962 in order to be treated for kidney disease, he expressed disappointment that his fellow Soviet grandmasters did not come to visit him in the hospital, but was greatly pleased that Fischer did. Susan Polgar says that as long as he is not discussing certain subjects, Fischer is a kind gentleman.


Photo: from ChessBase.de (Germany)

Mostly, there is Fischer's art. Imagine Capablanca with a vicious killer instinct. Whether playing Black or White, Fischer always played for a win. He showed his opponets no mercy, even when letting up would seem sporting, such as in shutting out first Taimanov and then Larsen in the matches of the world championship cycle of 1971. His play was unusually crisp and clear, selecting what he thought to be the best move at all times. Fischer had little patience for chess psychology. He simply overpowered his opposition without respect to personality or individual style. His style was also aggressive; as he said of his opponents' pawns and pieces while in his formative years, "I like to see 'em squirm." A Fischer game is a delight.

Presneted here is a game from the world championship match against Spassky in 1972. I did not select the 6th game, generally (and rightly) regarded as the best in the match, simply because if Fischer is playing White and opens with something other than 1 e4 it is just isn't a Fischer game. Rather, this is the 10th game of the match, a game that I believe underrated in the Fischer canon.

Here's wishing Fishcer enjoyed the day.



Bobby Fischer
Photo: from ChessBase.com

Bobby Fischer vs. Boris Spassky
Match for the World Title, Round 10
Reykjavik, August 1972

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Breyer Defense

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

• The Breyer Defense is a popular alternative to the Chigorin Defense. Black redeploys the Knight to d7 in order to strenthen his point pawn at e5.

10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. b4

• 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. a4 c5 16. d5 c4 17. Bg5 h6 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Qd2 h5 20. Bg5 Be7 21. Ra3 Rb8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ra7 Nh7 24. Be3 Qb6 25. Rea1 Ra8 26. Rxa8 draw agreed (Marjanovic-Balashov, Tirnavia 1989).

13. -- Bf8 14. a4 Nb6

• The text move was intoduced by Mukhin against Savon in the Soviet Championship earlier in 1972. The idea is to expend an unimportant tempo getting White to close the Queenside. Prior to that, the following moves were used in response to 14. a4:
• After 14. -- g6 15. d5 c6 16. c4 Qc7 17. dxc6 Bxc6 18. Bb2 Qb7 19. axb5?! axb5 20. Rxa8 Rxa8 Black is comfortable (Suradiradja-Kinmark, Ol, Havana 1966).
• After 14. -- d5? 15. Nxe5! Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe5 17. Ng5 Ng6 18. Be3 h6 19. Nxf7!! Kxf7 20. Qh5 Qf6 21. f4 White is in full command (Pioch-Terleck, corr 1970).
• Not much better is 14. -- c5?! 15. bxc5 exd4 16. cxd4 dxc5 17. e5 Nd5 18. Ne4 f6 19. axb5 cxd4 20. bxa6 Nxe5 21. Bb3 when Black will have to carelly extricate himself attacks on his Bishop at b7 and his centralized Knights (Balashov-Podgents, Soviet TCh, Moscow 1966).
• 14. -- c6 15. Bb2 Rc8 16. axb5 cxb5 17. d5 Nb6 18. Bb3 Nh5 19. g3 is satisfactory for both sides (Minic-Zuidema, IT, Amsterdam 1971).
• After 14. -- a5 15. axb5 axb4 16. Bb2 bxc3 17. Bxc3 c6 the opponents agreed to a draw (Kavalek-Portisch, IT, Wijk aan Zee 1969).

15. a5 Nbd7 16. Bb2 Qb8

• 16. -- Rb8 17. Rb1 Ba8 18. Ba1 g6 19. c4 exd4 20. cxb5 axb5 is balanced (Planinc-Spassky, IT, Amsterdam 1973).

17. Rb1!?

• This move is Fischer's innovation, parting from the previously mentioned Savon-Mukhin game.
• If 17. c4 bxc4 18. Ba4 c6 19. Nxc4 Qc7 then:
• 20. Rc1 Rac8 21. dxe5 dxe5 22. Qb3 is level (Savon-Mukhin, Soviet Ch, Moscow 1972).
• After 20. dxe5 dxe5 21. Qb3 Re7 22. Rad1 Rb8 23. Bc3 White has command of the d-file and slightly better pawn structure (Koshinen-Rabosee, corr 1973).

17. -- c5 18. bxc5 dxc5 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Qxe5 21. c4 Qf4 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. cxb5 Red8 24. Qc1 Qc3

• Black is able to take some early initiative with this move, which forks the Knight at d2 and the pawn at a5.
• 24. -- axb5 25. Rxb5 Ba6 26. Rb6 Qc3 27. Nb3 g6 with equality was played a few weeks later (Vasiukov-Smejkal, Rubinstein Mem, Polanica Zdroj 1972).

25. Nf3

• White opts to look to the kingside.
• A less satifactory way out is 25. bxa6 Bxa6 26. Nb3 Qe5 27. Qb2 Qxb2 28. Rxb2 Bc8 when White's Knight will be forced away and Black's Rooks will have greater activity.

25. -- Qxa5

Black: Boris Spassky
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White: Bobby Fischer
Position after 25. -- Qc3xa5

26. Bb3!

• White White sacrifices a pawn and assumes the initiative by attacking f7.
• Taking time to save the pawn allows Black to refuff the attack on f7: 26. bxa6 Qxa6 27. Bb3 Ra7 28. Ne5 Ba8 29. Qf4 Qf6 30. Qxf6 gxf6 31. Nc4 with equality.

26. -- axb5 27. Qf4 Rd7 28. Ne5

• White continues to build pressure on f7.
• If 28. Qf5 Qc72 then:
• 9. Ng5 g6
• After 30. Bxf7+ Rxf7 31. Qxf7+ Qxf7 32. Nxf7 Kxf7 33. Rxb5 Bc6 Black can make progress with his c-pawn.
• After 30. Qg4 c4 31. Bc2 Rd2 32. Re2 Rxe2 33. Qxe2 b4 the pawns continue to make progress.
• After 29. Ne5 Re7 30. Bxf7+ Rxf7 31. Nxf7 Qxf7 32. Qxf7+ Kxf7 33. Rxb5 Bc6 Black can make progress with his c-pawn.

28. -- Qc7 29. Rbd1 Re7

• Black's last move is almost forced. The only playable alternative is 29. -- Rad8.
• If 29. -- Rad8 30. Bxf7+ Rxf7 31. Qxf7+ Qxf7 32. Nxf7 Rxd1 33. Rxd1 then:
• 33. -- Bxe4 34. Ng5 Bg6 35. Rd8 Bf7 36. Nxh7 37. Rxf8 gives White a winning advantage.
• After 33. -- Kxf7 34. Rd7+ Ke6 35. Rxb7 b4 36. f4 White has a powerful position and should win.

30. Bxf7+ Rxf7 31. Qxf7+ Qxf7 32. Nxf7 Bxe4 33. Rxe4 Kxf7 34. Rd7+ Kf6

Black: Boris Spassky
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White: Bobby Fischer
Position after 34. -- Kf7f6

35. Rb7!

• Fischer knows his Tarrasch: he wastes no time in playing his Rook behind the enemy's passed pawn.
• If 35. Kf1 h5 36. g3 b4 37. Ke2 then:
• 37. -- Rb8 38. Rd2 b3 39. Rb2 g5 40. Rc4 stops Black's pawns.
• 37. -- g5 38. h4 Ra2+ 39. Rd2 Rxd2+ 40. Kxd2 puts White is position to liquidate or at least halt the advance of Black's queenside.

35. -- Ra1+ 36. Kh2 Bd6+ 37. g3 b4 38. Kg2 h5 39. Rb6 Rd1 40. Kf3

• If 40. f4 Kf5 41. Rc4 g5 then:
• After 42. fxg5! Kxg5 43. Kf3 Rd5 44. g4 hxg4+ hxg4 Black is running out of good moves.
• White throws away his superiority with 42. Rxd6? allowing Black to equalize with Rxd6 43. Rxc5+ Ke4 44. Re5+ Kd4 then:
• After 45. Rb5! (once agains playing the Rook behind the enemy's passer, but here it only draws) 45. -- gxf4 46. Rxb4+ Ke3 47. gxf4 h4 48. Rb3+ Kxf4 the opponents can shake hands and go home.
• 45. Rxg5? is being too greedy: after 45. -- Rh6 46. Ra5 b3 47. Ra1 b2 48 Rb1 Kd3
Black wins.

40. -- Kf7?

• Chess is a game where the player must always keep in mind the relationship of time and space. Black has taken his king out of reach of the main centers of action. In the endgame, that is usually fatal.
• After 40. -- g5 41. Ke2 Rd5 42. Ke3 Rd1 43. f3 Black's space on the kingside will make it more difficult for White to realize his advantage there.
• If 40. -- Rd5 41. Ke3 g5 42. h4 gxh4 43. Rxh4 then:
• 43. -- Ke6 44. Rb7 Re5+ 45. Re4 forces an exchange of Rooks in a situation advatageous to White.
• After 43. -- Re5+ 44. Kd3 Ke6 45. Kc4 White has all the piece activity.

41. Ke2 Rd5 42. f4 g6 43. g4 hxg4 44. hxg4 g5

• 44. -- Kf6 45. Rb5 g5 46. f5 Kf7 47. Rb7+ forces the King to the back rank out of the action (47. -- Kf6?? 48. Re6#).

45. f5 Be5 46. Rb5 Kf6 47. Rexb4 Bd4

• White is now simply an exchange ahead. The end is near.
• 47. -- cxb4 48. Rxd5 b3 49. Rb5 b2 50. Rb7 Bd4 51. Kd3 Be5 52. Kc4 Zugswang!

48. Rb6+ Ke5

Black: Boris Spassky
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White: Bobby Fischer
Position after 48. -- Kf6e5

49. Kf3!

• White threatens 50. Re5#

49. -- Rd8 50. Rb8 Rd7 51. R4b7 Rd6 52. Rb6 Rd7 53. Rg6 Kd5

• If 53. -- Ra7 54. Re8+ Kd5 55. Rxg5 then:
• 55. -- Ra1 56. Rh5 Rf1+ 57. Ke2 Rf2+ 58. Ke1 Kc4 59. Re2 leaves White with a prohibitive material edge.
• After 55. Ra3+ 56. Kf4 bf6 57. Rgg8 Ra4+ 58. Kf3 Ra3+ 59. Re3 the way is clear for White to advance his pawns.

54. Rxg5 Be5 55. f6 Kd4 56. Rb1 1-0

• After 56. Rb1 Rd6 57. Rd1+ Kc4 58. Rxd6 Bxd6 59. Ke4 Kb3 60. Kd5 It's time to turn out the lights.
• Spassky resigns.