But until then, we bring you another outstanding game by Boris Spassky.
Spassky vs Vasiukov, Moscow International, 1959
Human analysis by Andrew Soltis and [Igor 3000’s comments in brackets].
The way in which Spassky obtains clear positional
superiority with seemingly tame opening setups never fails to amaze!
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 d6
3. Nc3 e5
One of Spassky’s favorite openings is played against him!
4. Nf3 Nbd7?
[The simple ….ed 5. Nxd4, Be7 is better…from (+.3 to +.6 for
White). But White’s next move cancels that gain.]
5. Bg5 Be7
6. e3 O-O
Spassky is working for a development similar to his
anti-Nimzo line with its concentration on squares e4 and f5.
7. Bd3 Re8
[Black should be challenging the bishop with …..h6. Instead
(+.6)]
8. Qc2 exd4
The alternative 7. ….. e4 is tactically unsound. Vasiukov’s
plan of using the f-file offers him equal play.
9. exd4 Nf8
Perhaps with the intention ……Bg4-Bh5-Bg6.
10. h3 Nd5!?
My little brother, Igor2800 and my friend F. Stock5 agree
with me that 10. …d5 frees Black’s position better than the text by (+.7 to
+.5)]
11. cxd5! Bxg5+
White’s move seems to give up the initiative, the two
bishops and an equal pawn structure for nothing. Yet, Black never quite equalizes
after this very strong idea.
[Actually 11. O-O, Nb4
12. Bxe7, Rxe7 13. Qd2, Nxd3 14.
Qxd3 is stronger (keeps the +.5 instead of the text of +.3). So the exclamation
point is a little over kill. (?!) is closer to the truth. But Soltis is only
human. What does he know?]
12. Kf1 Bd7
[Black is preparing ….c6 but then never plays it. The move
here was Ng6 or c6 to gain space. Now (+.6)]
13. g3 Rc8
White has ‘built a house’ for his King and is about to
regain the initiative. The trouble with Black’s game is the lack of breathing
space, a weakness he should try to overcome wth …..c6. But Vasiukov rejects
that and soon runs out of moves.
14. Kg2 a6?
[Again 14. ….c6 is the move. (+1)]
15. Rae1 Rxe1
White’s superiority in space has come out of nowhere. He
next trades off bishops to exploit the White squares.
16. Rxe1 Bh6
17. Bf5 g6
18. Bxd7 Nxd7
19. Qb3! Rb8
White eyes the next weak point. From now until desperation
time, Black can only try to defend one move at a time.
20. a4 Nf6
21. g4! Qd7?
Even Black’s only good piece, the f6 knight, will be denied
its best squares. Vasiukov sees a strong
sacrifice idea and must have been surprised to see Spassky accept the
gift.
[Spassky accepts because it is the losing idea. 21. …. Bg7
was needed. Now it’s (+2.1)]
22. g5 Nh5?
[Following his plan, but 22. …. Bxg5 lessens the damage. Now
(+3.1)]
23. gxh6 Nf4+
24. Kg3! g5
A forced King move, but very powerful. White regains the
attack now. There is nothing holding up this pawn, but White has a better move
than to take it.
25. Ng1 Qf5
26. Qxb7! Rf8
Spassky’s familiar active defense against the threatened 26.
….Nd3.[(+5.3)]
27. Qxc7 Qd3+
28. Kh2 Qd2
29. Ne4 Resigns
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