Anatoly Karpov vs Boris Spassky (1980)

Anatoly Karpov vs Boris Spassky
Tilburg 1980 · Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation. Keres Attack (B81) · 1-0

To move:

Last move:

Given 24 times; par: 50 [what's this?]

explore this opening	find similar games	42 more Karpov/Spassky games
	PGN: download \| view	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

TIP: Some people don't like to know the result of the game in advance. This can be done by registering a free account then visiting your preferences page, then checking "Don't show game results".

For help with this chess viewer, please see the Pgn4web Quickstart Guide.

Feb-13-05		Albertan: An interesting game in the Keres Attack variation of the Sicilian Defense:Scheveningen Variation. 6.!? is known as the Keres Attack (named for GM Paul Keres). The move 8...d5!? is interesting.GM's suggest that when black is able to play ...d5 he or she has gained equality.

Feb-13-05		Albertan: Albertan: The move 15.Nf5! is beautiful creating the obvious threat of 16.Qxd5 (so this threat forced Spassky to give up the two bishops). I am sure Spassky must have contemplated playing 16...Qd7!? instead of 16..a6. If he had played 16...Qd7!? play might have continued: 17.Qxd5 Qxd5 18.Rxd5 a6 19.Bxc6 bxc6 20.Rd3 Rd8 21.Ra3 Ra8 and Karpov would have an advantage in the endgame due to his better pawn structure.

Feb-13-05		Albertan: Karpov's move of 17.Bxc6! is quite instructive, simplying the position and creating more weaknesses in the Black position. Spassky's move of 22...Bg5 ?is an error. He should have played 22..Qb8 or 22...Qf8 If Spassky had played 22...Qf8 play might have continued: 23.Qa5 Qb8 24.Rd2 !? Bg5 25.Re3!? Bxe3! 26.fxe3 Qe5 27.cxd5 cxd5 28.e4!? Qa1+ 29.Kc2 [] Rb8 30.Rxd5

Feb-13-05		Albertan: The move 24.cxd5 is effective, threatening 25.dxc6+ (with a forced checkmate in 10 according to Shredder 8!!). I wonder why Spassky did not try the move 26...Qb3+ ? then after 27.Qc3 Qb5+ 28.Qc4 Bh4 29.Rg1 Bf6 30.d6 Re8 he Black seems to be okay. 32.f6! is threatening 33.Ra7+

Jul-28-06		Ulhumbrus: Instead of 12..Be7, on 12..Bb4+! 13 c3 Be7 Black has induced White to disturb his Queen side pawns, and White can castle only on the Queen side.

Jul-28-06		Ulhumbrus: 13...Bxh4 opens the h file. Instead of this, 13...Bb4+ 14 c3 Be7 may still be correct, despite the loss of time.

Aug-27-08		ToTheDeath: Good god this is a beautiful game. Karpov at his peak, fresh from destroying Korchnoi and dominating every tournament in sight.

Apr-23-11		Everett: Karpov's interpretations of some aggressive lines is really interesting. He simply smothers his opponent instead of trying to blow him off the board.

Apr-23-11		goldenbear: 17.Bxc6? throws away the win. Spassky should have played 19.Kd7 with equality.

Jun-06-12		LoveThatJoker: Guess-the-Move Final Score: Karpov vs Spassky, 1980. YOU ARE PLAYING THE ROLE OF KARPOV. Your score: 61 (par = 50) LTJ

Aug-16-12		harrylime: Spassky played the opening extremely lame... and was dutifully punished...

Nov-29-12		perfidious: A significant improvement in Spassky's play was introduced in the correspondence game G Timmerman vs Ulf Andersson, 1994.

Times Chess Twitter Feed

NOTE: You need to pick a username and password to post a reply. Getting your account takes less than a minute, totally anonymous, and 100% free--plus, it entitles you to features otherwise unavailable. Pick your username now and join the chessgames community!

If you already have an account, you should login now.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
No spamming, advertising, or duplicating posts.
No personal attacks against other users.
Nothing in violation of United States law.

See something which violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform an administrator.

NOTE: Keep all discussion on the topic of this page. This forum is for this specific game and nothing else. If you want to discuss chess in general, or this site, you might try the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.

Spot an error? Please submit a correction slip and help us eliminate database mistakes!
This game is type: CLASSICAL (Disagree? Please submit a correction slip.)

Featured in the Following Game Collections [what is this?]

Chess Informant Best Games 2
by koinonia

92
from Anatoly Karpov - My Best 300 Games by jakaiden

karpov-spassky duke it out in 1980
from positionalgenius' favorite games by positionalgenius

How Karpov Wins 2nd Edition
by BntLarsen

Anatoly Karpov's Best Games
by KingG

Round Nine, Game #51
from Tilburg Interpolis 1980 by suenteus po 147

Karpov vs. the World Champions Decisive Games
by visayanbraindoctor

Karpov Tournament Champion - I
by amadeus

Game 6
from Karpov : Chess At The Top 1979-1984 by refutor

Game 362
from Guess-the-Move Chess: 1980-1989 (Part 1) by Anatoly21

83
from OMGP V by keypusher

Anatoly Karpov's Best Games
by Sui Generis

Basic Instinct
by Imohthep

1980 - Sicilian, Scheveningen, Keres Attack (B81)
from Favorite Karpov games by Cinco