(The annotations to this game, by M. N. Tal, are from ‘64’ (№ 11, 1968).

The translation from

the original Russian is by Douglas Griffin.)

Korchnoi - Spassky
2 match-game, Candidates’ Final, Kiev, 8th September 1968
nd

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4 c6 6.e3 Bf5 7.g4
Twenty years ago the commentator would have been horrified at such an ‘anti-positional’ move.
However, now the view of the problems of strategy in general, and of opening strategy in particular,
has become significantly broader. No little role in this belongs to Botvinnik. We may do no
more than recall the second game of his first match with Smyslov (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3
b6 5.Ne2 Ba6 6.a3 Be7 7.Nf4 d5 8.cxd5 Bxf1 9.Kxf1 exd5 10.g4!). The variation met with in the
present game was tested in a series of encounters in the Botvinnik-Petrosian match and it must be
said that in general, the opening stage unfolded favourably for White.

The idea of the move 7.g4 is not at all associated with the idea of an immediate attack on the
king’s flank. White gains space, while the g-pawn can exert indirect pressure on the centre. The
knight will not feel too sure of itself at f6.

7...Be6 8.h3
Commentating on the first moves; to give some recommendation or other during the match - this
is a rather delicate matter: what if an unintentional prompt were given? Naturally, I can state with
a clear conscience: White can be content with the results of the opening.

8...Bd6 9.Nge2
The game enters a little-studied path. White thought for 15 minutes over his 9th move.
Thinking over the reply took Black 12 minutes.

9...Ne7 10.Qb3!
XIIIIIIIIY
8rsn-wqk+-tr0
7zpp+-snpzpp0
6-+pvll+-+0
5+-+p+-+-0
4-+-zP-vLP+0
3+QsN-zP-+P0
2PzP-+NzP-+0
1tR-+-mKL+R0
xabcdefghy
10...Bc8
A sad, but to some extent forced decision. The advance of the b-pawn would have led to the
creation of a static weakness at c6, and moreover, the diagonal for the bishop at g2 would have been
lengthened.

11.Bg2 Ng6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.h4 Na6

Spassky probably rejected 13...h5 on account of the fact that after 14.g5 it is very dangerous for
Black to castle short. Moroever, the g5–pawn could become an object of attack. While to defend
it with ...g7–g6 would have led to the creation of new weaknesses.

14.g5 Ne7
This knight is already making its third move. The light-squared bishop has also completed a
lengthy exercise and returned home (...Bc8–f5–e6–c8). Seemingly, Black has squandered time in
carefree fashion, and this circumstance could become fatal. But White has also spent a lot of tempi
on pawn advances. Black’s last move suggests itself against the positional threat of 15.h5 Ne7
16.h6.

The results of the opening may be summarised: Korchnoi has achieved a definite positional
advantage.

XIIIIIIIIY
8r+l+k+-tr0
7zpp+-snpzpp0
6n+pwq-+-+0
5+-+p+-zP-0
4-+-zP-+-zP0
3+QsN-zP-+-0
2PzP-+NzPL+0
1tR-+-mK-+R0
xabcdefghy
15.Nf4
It is difficult to object to the move played by Korchnoi. At f4 the knight stands well, but I
would have preferred the sharper 15.0–0–0, and on the following move 16.e4. However, it should
be recognised that in positions of this type, the choice to a large extent depends on the taste of the
chessplayer.

In reply to the immediate 15.e4 there could follow 15...dxe4 16.Nxe4 Qb4+.

15...Nc7 16.0–0–0 Bg4! 17.f3 Bd7

 The bishop has again made two moves, but this manoeuvre does not provoke an objection from
even the harshest critic. Firstly, in forcing the advance f2–f3, Black obstructs the bishop at g2.
Secondly, the potential of a threat against the pawn at e3 is created.

It is dangerous to take at b7. After 18.Qxb7 0–0 19.Qb3 Nf5 Black seizes the initiative.

18.Nfe2
I prefer 18.Nd3, since on this square the knight could have displayed greater activity.

18...0–0–0
Black completes development and is ready to meet White’s offensive fully-armed.

19.e4 f6
XIIIIIIIIY
8-+ktr-+-tr0
7zppsnlsn-zpp0
6-+pwq-zp-+0
5+-+p+-zP-0
4-+-zPP+-zP0
3+QsN-+P+-0
2PzP-+N+L+0
1+-mKR+-+R0
xabcdefghy
20.Na4
On the tempting 20.f4 there could follow 20...Bg4 21.e5 fxe5 22.fxe5 Qd7 and Black -
possessing strong squares at e6 and f5 - has a fairly secure position, whereas the weaknesses in
White’s position could with time become very perceptible.

20...Ne6 21.gxf6
The g5 pawn found itself under attack, and Korchnoi goes not like to give up pawns.

21...gxf6 22.Kb1 Kb8

Both kings take shelter in anticipation of the following events. In passing White frees a square
for the rook, and Black - for the bishop.

23.Bh3 Rhg8
A reply which demonstrates that Black does not fear the variation 24.Bxe6 Bxe6 25.Nc5 Bc8, and
that it is already time for Korchnoi to think of the weak square f4, at which the black cavalry is
looking. Also deserving attention is 23...Ng6.
24.Qe3
Over his last move Korchnoi thought for 20 minutes, and on his clock there remained 15
minutes for 16 moves, and therefore Spassky abruptly changes course.
XIIIIIIIIY
8-mk-tr-+r+0
7zpp+lsn-+p0
6-+pwqnzp-+0
5+-+p+-+-0
4N+-zPP+-zP0
3+-+-wQP+L0
2PzP-+N+-+0
1+K+R+-+R0
xabcdefghy
In the press bureau 24...Ng6 was expected, although in this case White can continue 25.Bxe6
Bxe6 26.h5 Ne7 27.Nc5.

24...dxe4 25.fxe4 f5 26.e5

After 26.exf5 Ng7 the pawn is regained.

26...Nd5 27.Qd2
After 27.exd6 Nxe3 28.Rd3 Ng4 Black places his knight actively.

27...Qf8
XIIIIIIIIY
8-mk-tr-wqr+0
7zpp+l+-+p0
6-+p+n+-+0
5+-+nzPp+-0
4N+-zP-+-zP0
3+-+-+-+L0
2PzP-wQN+-+0
1+K+R+-+R0
xabcdefghy
28.Rdf1
Excellently played. In reply to 28.Rhf1 Spassky could have provoked great complications with
the move 28...f4 . For example, 29.Bxe6 Bxe6 30.Nxf4 Bf5+ 31.Ka1 Nb4. With the rook placed
at f1 rather than d1, after this there is the retort 32.Ne6! Nc2+ (or 32...Qe7 33.Nxd8 Nc2+ 34.Kb1)
33.Qxc2, and White is left with an extra pawn.

28...Ne7 29.Qb4 Bc8

Appearing some year ago before students of Moscow State University on the problem of time
trouble, Korchnoi said that the most unpleasant at these moments was not a sharp forcing
continuation, but quiet manoeuvring. In the present case, Spassky follows this recipe to the full.
I will add that already Korchnoi had less than 5 minutes remaining.

30.Rf2 Qf7
More cautious is 30...Ng6 with transposition to an endgame, but Spassky continues to maintain
the tension.

31.Rhf1 Rgf8 32.Bg2

The f5–pawn is sufficiently defended, and therefore Korchnoi intends to rain down a new wave
of attack against the black king.

32...Nd5 33.Bxd5 Rxd5 34.Nac3 Rdd8

XIIIIIIIIY
8-mkltr-tr-+0
7zpp+-+q+p0
6-+p+n+-+0
5+-+-zPp+-0
4-wQ-zP-+-zP0
3+-sN-+-+-0
2PzP-+NtR-+0
1+K+-+R+-0
xabcdefghy
35.d5
Not so much time trouble as excitement. In any blitz game Korchnoi would have played
35.Ne4. In any case, this was the strongest continuation, retaining the initiative for White.
However, nor should Korchnoi’s impulsive decision have led to his defeat.

35...cxd5 36.Nd4
In making his last move Korchnoi offered a draw, but Spassky declined it. In each of their
opinions, both players were right. White should not lose, while Black in this game has never stood
so well.
36...Qc7
XIIIIIIIIY
8-mkltr-tr-+0
7zppwq-+-+p0
6-+-+n+-+0
5+-+pzPp+-0
4-wQ-sN-+-zP0
3+-sN-+-+-0
2PzP-+-tR-+0
1+K+-+R+-0
xabcdefghy
37.Nxf5?
Now the position goes downhill. The cause of this oversight is also of a psychological nature.
After 37.Nce2 White would have had quite definite compensation for the pawn. Also good is
37.Nxd5, on which Black does best to continue 37...Qc5! (unfavourable is 37...Rxd5 38.Nxe6 Qd7
in view of 39.Nc5 or 39.c1). The endgame after 38.Nxe6 Qxb4 39.Nxb4 Bxe6, although
somewhat better for Black, should end in a draw.

37...Qxe5 38.Nb5
XIIIIIIIIY
8-mkltr-tr-+0
7zpp+-+-+p0
6-+-+n+-+0
5+N+pwqN+-0
4-wQ-+-+-zP0
3+-+-+-+-0
2PzP-+-tR-+0
1+K+-+R+-0
xabcdefghy
38...d4!
This move is decisive. White’s pieces have lost co-ordination and one after another disappear
from the board.

39.Re1 Qc5! 40.Qb3

The exchange of queens also led to heavy loss of material.
40...Rxf5
Evidently, in time trouble Korchnoi had reckoned on replying 41.Qg3+ Ka8 42.Rxe6, but then
42...Qxb5 wins.

41.Rc2 Qxb5
and White resigned this exciting game.