Fischer-Spassky 1992 (Game 21)

Bobby Fischer scored his second consecutive victory in a hard fought Game 21 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.  Spassky employed a Sicilian Defense with the black pieces and Fischer answered with the main line variation (3.d4) for the first time in the match.

Fischer also came up with a novelty by playing 8.g3 and 9.Bg2, exerting pressure on the d5 square.  After the first 20 moves, white enjoyed a slight space advantage until Spassky made a play for the center with 23…b5! 24.cxb5 axb5.  Fischer would later respond with 28.Bxe4 dxe4 29.Be5! and close down the c-file.  He would then start an assault on the black king with 36.f5!, to which Spassky was unable to capture for fear of 37.e6! fxe6 38.Qxe6 Kh8 39.Nf7 Kh7 40.Qf5.

Spassky would end up losing his second pawn with 39.Nxb5 Bxb5 40.Qxb5.  Fischer would eventually give both pawns back to advance his passed pawn on the a-file and ultimately maneuvered his king into a controlling position with 67.Ke4.  Spassky immediately resigned after this move.  Fischer leads the match by the score of 8-4.

For an account of the earlier games, visit www.rookhouse.com/blog and type in "fischer spassky 1992" in the search bar located on the right side.