The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Wednesday, July 19, 1972 - Page 1
Spassky's 29th Move Provides Turning Point by Isaac Kashdan
Boris Spassky outplayed Bobby Fischer in the fourth game of their chess match, built up a winning position, and then missed his opportunity by reversing moves at a critical moment.
The diagram below shows the position after Fischer's 29th move. Spassky's queen and two bishops are on long diagonals down on the white king.
Fischer is a pawn ahead, but he would gladly settle for a draw in view of the dangers he can foresee. Spassky played 29. R-R1, after which Fischer could simplify the game. Three moves later he exchanged queens and the danger was over.
The correct plan for Spassky was 29. B-Q3, threatening mate on the next move. Fischer would have no choice but to move his king. Then comes 30. R-R1, the move Spassky made too early.
If Fischer then continued with the same defensive plan, the continuation would be: 31. N-B3 BxN; 32. QxB Q-R7ch; 33. K-B1 R-R3.
The queens would remain on the board, and with the white king exposed, Fischer's game would soon collapse.
Spassky's surprised the experts by adopting the Sicilian Defense, which he rarely plays. It is Fischer's favorite opening, and he is probably more familiar with its ramifications than anyone else.
Spassky had evidently prepared for the variations that Fischer generally uses. On his 13th move he offered a pawn which would open useful lines for his pieces if Fischer accepted.
Fischer rarely refuses such challenges, and he took the pawn. Probably wiser would have been the developing move 14. QR-K1, to maintain his center pawn formation.
With his 17th move Fischer allowed Spassky to dominate two major diagonals with his bishops. Spassky's queen also had an effective post. Fischer might have improved his chances with 17. Q-K3, although he would still have encountered difficulties.
Spassky needed additional force to keep his attack going, and he found it in his king rook pawn, which he advanced on his 21st and 23rd moves. Fischer defended carefully, and was able to hold for a time, even retaining his pawn plus.
Spassky also found the best moves until the slip on his 29th turn. Curiously it was also on the 29th move that Fischer blundered in the first match game.
Spassky has never beaten Fischer with the black pieces. He has won four and lost one when playing white. With black he has drawn three times, including the present game.
