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Lajos Portisch vs Boris Spassky
Spassky - Portisch Candidates Semifinal (1977), Geneva SUI, rd 12, Aug-12
English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense. Queens Indian Formation (A17)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Oct-26-05  Scarecrow: This was the 12th game of a 15-game WCh candidates match between Spassky and Portisch (final result 8,5-6,5) and it required an adjournment. At first Portisch intended to play 58. Bd5! but later he changed his mind because he didn't want to allow 58. ... Qd4 59. Be6 h4. However, 60. Qc2 or 60. gxh4 (Qxh4 61. Qe3!) would have favoured white.
Jul-12-14  whiteshark: <47.Bh3!!> would have been the winning move.


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One idea is to trade-off ♗x♘ and thereafter start a devasting combinative play of ♕♖♘ starting with Nd6. Another plan is to double ♕♖ on the 8th rank. In any case black will lose to much material.

Jul-12-14  Howard: Kavalek covered this match quite well in Chess Life and Review, in 1977, as as an on-site journalist. He argued that White's position was won, and then at one point in the game, he decided to leave the playing hall to go.....play tennis. Apparently, he didn't think there would be much left to see.

But then in his CL&R article, he went on to say that he couldn't believe it when Spassky later showed up at the tennis court all smiles, for he had drawn the game !

Dec-30-14  poorthylacine: 58.Bd5! was really still a winning move, and after 58...Qd4 59.Be6! h4 (59...Kf8 is no help after 60.Qf3+ Ke8 61.Qc6+ and the analysis shows too a forcing win) 60.Qb8 would be even more crushing than 60. Qc2: 60...Nf7 61.Qb7 h3+ 62.Kxh3 Qxf2 63.Qxf7+ Qxf7 64.Bxf7 Kxf7 65.a4 ...

Really a pity that Portisch missed a nice win twice in this game, even I am more fan of Spassky I must acknowledge it!

May-21-17  edubueno: BS se salvó. Es difícil entender 28...dxe5? Parece más decente 28...Axe5! y la partida es tranquila.
Dec-27-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  woldsmandriffield: Spassky had a lot of options on move 25. While his choice (25..Rf8) was not exactly a mistake, at his disposal was the more dynamic 25..Rxe4! In a number of career encounters, Spassky sacrifices the exchange against Portisch at this would have been a good plan here. Afer 26 Rxe4 Qf5 27 Ne7+ Nxe7 28 Rxe7 Rf8 29 Be3 Bf6 30 Rxa7 Qe4 Black has great compensation.

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