Fischer-Spassky 1992 (Game 25)

After three successive draws and two additional days off due to Boris Spassky’s nagging cold, Bobby Fischer won game 25 of their $5 million dollar match in Yugoslavia.  The game was a Scheveningen Sicilian with Spassky playing the black pieces.  Fischer’s 6.Be3 hinted of a delayed Keres Attack, designed to put pressure on the black king via the g-file.  He followed this up with 8.f3 9.O-O-O 10.g4, laying the foundation for his kingside attack.

Due to Fischer castling on the queenside, Spassky was attempting his own kingside attack on the b-file with 11…b5 and 13…b4.  Fischer responded brilliantly with 14.Na4 Bb7? 15.Nb6! Rb8 (15…Nxb6 16.Qxb4 d5 17.Qxb6 Qxb6 18.Bxb6 dxe4 19.Rb7! would be winning for white) 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.Kb1.  Fischer was finally able to make his move with 22.g6! and opened the lines for his kingside assault.

The game continued 22…Bf6 23.gxh7+ Kh8 24.Bg5 Qe7 25.Rg3 Bxg5 26.Rg5.  Spassky was now in a completely defensive position and finally resigned after Fischer’s 35th move.  Fischer now leads the match by the score of 9-4 and only needs one more victory to claim the $3.35 million dollar winner’s purse.

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.