Fischer v. Spassky – Game 4 of 1972 Championship Match
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Fischer-Spassky match for the chess world championship, I am publishing the games of the match on the anniversary date of each of the games.
The first opportunity for Bobby to play with the White pieces (because of his forfeit in the second round, when he would have had White. It is somewhat surprising that Bobby’s first “realistic” chance for a win turns up a draw.
Round 4
Fischer-Spassky
Date: July 18, 1972 (*See note below.)
- 1. e4 c5
- 2. Nf3 d6
- 3. d4 cxd4
- 4. Nxd4 Nf6
- 5. Nc3 Nc6
- 6. Bc4 e6
- 7. Bb3 Be7
- 8. Be3 O-O
- 9. O-O a6
- 10. f4 Nxd4
- 11. Bxd4 b5
- 12. a3 Bb7
- 13. Qd3 a5
- 14. e5 dxe5
- 15. fxe5 Nd7
- 16. Nxb5 Nc5
- 17. Bxc5 Bxc5+
- 18. Kh1 Qg5
- 19. Qe2 Rad8
- 20. Rad1 Rxd1
- 21. Rxd1 h5
- 22. Nd6 Ba8
- 23. Bc4 h4
- 24. h3 Be3
- 25. Qg4 Qxe5
- 26. Qxh4 g5
- 27. Qg4 Bc5
- 28. Nb5 Kg7
- 29. Nd4 Rh8
- 30. Nf3 Bxf3
- 31. Qxf3 Bd6
- 32. Qc3 Qxc3
- 33. bxc3 Be5
- 34. Rd7 Kf6
- 35. Kg1 Bxc3
- 36. Be2 Be5
- 37. Kf1 Rc8
- 38. Bh5 Rc7
- 39. Rxc7 Bxc7
- 40. a4 Ke7
- 41. Ke2 f5
- 42. Kd3 Be5
- 43. c4 Kd6
- 44. Bf7 Bg3
- 45. c5+ 1/2-1/2
Match score: Fischer 1 1/2, Spassky 2 1/2.
If you want to download the pgn file for the game, here’s a link.
*Note: See my post of game 1 for a note about the dates of the games in this match.