Viktor Korchnoi vs Boris Spassky (1977)

Viktor Korchnoi vs Boris Spassky
Belgrade cm f 1977 · English Opening: Agincourt Defense (A13) · 0-1

explore this opening	find similar games	73 more Korchnoi/Spassky games
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Aug-16-04		offramp: Korchnoi built up a massive position and then went a bit beserk. He seems to have thought that there was some kind of mate on h8.

Aug-16-04		Deck: To understand the horrendous blunder of this game, one must understand the tense and wild circumstances of the match. Spassky was desperate after losing to Fischer several years earlier, Korchnoi was in the heat of the Soviet chess circle, and feeling incredible pressure from the USSR after defecting. This is not even mentioning Spassky's abnormal (and cheating) behaviour which included playing entire games from the rest box behind Korchnoi's back (the "invisible opponent" using the demonstration board onstage), refusing to talk to Korchnoi or come to games on time, wearing ski goggles and a sun visor to several games and trying various other unsound and unsportsman-like tricks. Just how was Korchnoi expected to concentrate when his family and life were being persecuted and he couldn't even play a fair game of chess?!

Aug-16-04		Deck: I just realized that Raymond Keene, the legendary GM and author (not to mention Korchnoi's second in several key matches) kibitzs on this site. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his lasting contributions to the game -- he is a wonderful chess personality who has hit homes across the globe with his valuable insights. Thanks GM Keene! (hopefully we can talk sometime..."

Aug-17-04		chessgames.com: GM Keene might stumble across this game if he keeps up with "Recent Kibitzing", but if you want to contact Ray Keene, go to the Raymond Keene page where he will undoubtedly read your post. He has been very open and friendly with the kibitzers here on a variety of topics.

Aug-17-04		molinov: <offramp>: my guess would be that Spassky didn't realise that the bishop would defend the rook and not that he thought that Rh8+ was checkmate.

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