Fischer vs Spassky, game 6

Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky

World Championship, Reykjavík · 1972 · 1-0

Preparing your chess set…

Click or drag to move · Arrow keys + Enter to play

0 / 81 half-moves

Playback speed

Continuous playback · extra time at key moments

Following the game

The story behind the moves

A masterpiece, move by move

Fischer, who almost always opened 1.e4, plays 1.c4 and outplays Spassky in a Queen's Gambit Declined. Spassky was reported to have joined the audience in applauding.

Scroll through every key moment at your own pace. Turn on Follow game to return to the current lesson as playback continues.

Themes to watch

queen's gambit declinedhanging pawnsworld championship

Coming up

1. c4

A flexible first move

The idea

c4 controls d5 from the flank and leaves White’s central pawns flexible. It allows an English Opening structure or a later transition into a queen’s-pawn opening.

Follow the continuation

After ...e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4, the game reaches a Queen’s Gambit structure. White develops naturally and can decide how to resolve the central tension later.

Remember

Opening names do not determine the plan. Follow the pawn structure as moves transpose into a different opening.

Coming up

19. Nxe6

Change the pawn structure

The idea

Nxe6 exchanges White’s knight for the bishop on e6. Black recaptures with the f-pawn, removing a king-side pawn and changing the central pawn formation.

Follow the continuation

After ...fxe6, Fischer plays 20. e4. Black advances ...d4, and White follows with f4 and e5, gaining space and preparing a kingside pawn break.

Remember

An exchange is also a decision about pawn structure. Identify the pawn breaks made possible by the recapture.

Coming up

26. f5

Open a file for the rooks

The idea

f5 challenges the e6 pawn and aims to open the f-file. White’s queen on h3 and bishop on c4 are already active near Black’s king, so opening lines increases their influence.

Follow the continuation

After ...exf5 27. Rxf5 Nh7 28. Rcf1, White doubles the rooks on the f-file. Fischer then improves the queen’s position with Qg3 before advancing the e-pawn.

Remember

Prepare pawn breaks with active pieces. An open file is useful when your rooks can occupy it immediately.

Coming up

31. e6

A passed pawn restricts the defence

The idea

e6 drives a protected passed pawn deep into Black’s position. The bishop on c4 supports e6, and the pawn controls d7 and f7, restricting Black’s defensive coordination.

Follow the continuation

Black replies ...Rbc7. White improves the queen with Qe5, then reorganizes the rooks with R1f2 and R2f3 rather than rushing the attack.

Remember

A strong passed pawn can be a lasting restraint. Use the space it creates to improve your least active piece.

Coming up

38. Rxf6

Remove the knight guarding the king

The idea

Rxf6 captures the knight on f6 and offers a rook to the g7 pawn. Removing that knight and drawing the pawn away exposes the king on h8 to White’s queen and remaining rook.

Follow the continuation

After ...gxf6 39. Rxf6 Kg8 40. Bc4 Kh8 41. Qf4, White’s queen and rook coordinate on the f-file. The advanced e-pawn continues to restrict Black’s position.

Remember

An exchange sacrifice can be worthwhile when it removes a key defender and opens lines for your remaining heavy pieces.

Coming up

41. Qf4

Build an attack that cannot be ignored

The idea

Qf4 puts the queen behind the rook on f6, increasing pressure along the f-file. The bishop on c4 supports the advanced e6 pawn, and Black’s king remains exposed on h8.

Follow the continuation

Spassky resigned after this move; it is not checkmate on the board. The finish shows the result of a long buildup: central space, an open file, a passed pawn, and the removal of the defensive knight.

Remember

Many attacks are prepared by gradual improvements. Connect the final threats to the pawn breaks and piece placement that made them possible.

← Famous games

Fischer vs Spassky, game 6

Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky

World Championship, Reykjavík · 1972 · 1-0

Preparing your chess set…

Click or drag to move · Arrow keys + Enter to play

0 / 81 half-moves

Playback speed

Continuous playback · extra time at key moments

Following the game

The story behind the moves

A masterpiece, move by move

Fischer, who almost always opened 1.e4, plays 1.c4 and outplays Spassky in a Queen's Gambit Declined. Spassky was reported to have joined the audience in applauding.

Scroll through every key moment at your own pace. Turn on Follow game to return to the current lesson as playback continues.

Themes to watch

queen's gambit declinedhanging pawnsworld championship

Coming up

1. c4

A flexible first move

The idea

c4 controls d5 from the flank and leaves White’s central pawns flexible. It allows an English Opening structure or a later transition into a queen’s-pawn opening.

Follow the continuation

After ...e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4, the game reaches a Queen’s Gambit structure. White develops naturally and can decide how to resolve the central tension later.

Remember

Opening names do not determine the plan. Follow the pawn structure as moves transpose into a different opening.

Coming up

19. Nxe6

Change the pawn structure

The idea

Nxe6 exchanges White’s knight for the bishop on e6. Black recaptures with the f-pawn, removing a king-side pawn and changing the central pawn formation.

Follow the continuation

After ...fxe6, Fischer plays 20. e4. Black advances ...d4, and White follows with f4 and e5, gaining space and preparing a kingside pawn break.

Remember

An exchange is also a decision about pawn structure. Identify the pawn breaks made possible by the recapture.

Coming up

26. f5

Open a file for the rooks

The idea

f5 challenges the e6 pawn and aims to open the f-file. White’s queen on h3 and bishop on c4 are already active near Black’s king, so opening lines increases their influence.

Follow the continuation

After ...exf5 27. Rxf5 Nh7 28. Rcf1, White doubles the rooks on the f-file. Fischer then improves the queen’s position with Qg3 before advancing the e-pawn.

Remember

Prepare pawn breaks with active pieces. An open file is useful when your rooks can occupy it immediately.

Coming up

31. e6

A passed pawn restricts the defence

The idea

e6 drives a protected passed pawn deep into Black’s position. The bishop on c4 supports e6, and the pawn controls d7 and f7, restricting Black’s defensive coordination.

Follow the continuation

Black replies ...Rbc7. White improves the queen with Qe5, then reorganizes the rooks with R1f2 and R2f3 rather than rushing the attack.

Remember

A strong passed pawn can be a lasting restraint. Use the space it creates to improve your least active piece.

Coming up

38. Rxf6

Remove the knight guarding the king

The idea

Rxf6 captures the knight on f6 and offers a rook to the g7 pawn. Removing that knight and drawing the pawn away exposes the king on h8 to White’s queen and remaining rook.

Follow the continuation

After ...gxf6 39. Rxf6 Kg8 40. Bc4 Kh8 41. Qf4, White’s queen and rook coordinate on the f-file. The advanced e-pawn continues to restrict Black’s position.

Remember

An exchange sacrifice can be worthwhile when it removes a key defender and opens lines for your remaining heavy pieces.

Coming up

41. Qf4

Build an attack that cannot be ignored

The idea

Qf4 puts the queen behind the rook on f6, increasing pressure along the f-file. The bishop on c4 supports the advanced e6 pawn, and Black’s king remains exposed on h8.

Follow the continuation

Spassky resigned after this move; it is not checkmate on the board. The finish shows the result of a long buildup: central space, an open file, a passed pawn, and the removal of the defensive knight.

Remember

Many attacks are prepared by gradual improvements. Connect the final threats to the pawn breaks and piece placement that made them possible.