The Age Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Thursday, July 13, 1972 - Page 11
A Bishop Puts The Champion Ahead by Bill MacLean of the Melbourne Chess Club
When Bobby Fischer met Boris Spassky in 1970 he played one of his favorite defenses — the Gruenfeld defence.
But with his second move in this first game he showed he would test Spassky's preparation by adopting the Nimzo-Indian defence and played pawn to king three.
In a natural development by both players in the initial moves Fischer tried to apply pressure in the center but weakened his position when he captured pawn with Queen pawn in move nine.
He realized his slight disadvantage and tried to equalize by a Queen exchange on move 11 which took a major piece off the board.
Over moves 16, 18 and 19 Fischer attempted to equalize by exchanging off pieces but, by move 21, when both players started to bring their Kings in for the end game, Spassky was still better situated.
Spassky on move 23 joined Fischer in the exchange ploy by placing his Rook on the same file as Fischer's Rook which the challenger accepted. But Spassky was still in a better attack position because of his control of more board space.
Fischer suddenly changed his mind on what seemed like only drawish play when in move 29 he captured King Rook pawn although knowing he would eventually lose his Bishop.
At the adjourned position we see that Fischer has begun advancing his three combined pawns forward to penetrate Spassky's sole pawn defence.
However, Spassky still has his bishop!
