Petrosian – Spassky World Championship Match 1966

dates: 9 April–9 June 1966
location: Moscow, Soviet Union
score: 12½–11½ (Petrosian–Spassky)
winner: Tigran Petrosian

Tigran Petrosian in 1962, before he became world champion. This portrait is not from the match. Photo: Harry Pot / Anefo.

Boris Spassky earned a challenge against Petrosian through the Candidates matches. Petrosian was defending the title he had taken from Botvinnik three years earlier.

Petrosian retained the championship by 12½–11½ across the full twenty-four games. He won four games to Spassky’s three, with seventeen draws. This narrow margin makes the order of the decisive rounds especially important.

All 24 played games appear below in match order. The game records preserve the archive’s player names, round numbers and dates, including unknown date components. Select either player in the embedded trainer to work through the decisions from that side. A drawn game remains a complete exercise for both players.

Tigran Petrosian's Profile Boris Spassky's Profile

Match results

Petrosian – Spassky World Championship Match 1966 final standings and game-by-game scores
Player	Game 1	Game 2	Game 3	Game 4	Game 5	Game 6	Game 7	Game 8	Game 9	Game 10	Game 11	Game 12	Game 13	Game 14	Game 15	Game 16	Game 17	Game 18	Game 19	Game 20	Game 21	Game 22	Game 23	Game 24	Points
Tigran Petrosian	½	½	½	½	½	½	1	½	½	1	½	½	0	½	½	½	½	½	0	1	½	1	0	½	12½
Boris Spassky	½	½	½	½	½	½	0	½	½	0	½	½	1	½	½	½	½	½	1	0	½	0	1	½	11½

Each game column shows the score earned by that player. 1 = win, ½ = draw, 0 = loss. Points are out of 24.

Completed 0 / 24

Game 1: Game 1: a draw after 37 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 (ECO B19). The players drew after 37 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 37.Qe5+. The running points score became ½–½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	37	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 2: Game 2: a draw after 50 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6 (ECO D59). The players drew after 50 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 50...f6. The running points score became 1–1 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	50	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 3: Game 3: a draw after 43 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 (ECO D26). The players drew after 43 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 43...Qe1+. The running points score became 1½–1½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	43	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 4: Game 4: a draw after 44 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 (ECO E08). The players drew after 44 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 44.Ke2. The running points score became 2–2 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	44	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 5: Game 5: a draw after 79 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 (ECO B14). The players drew after 79 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 79...Kf8. The running points score became 2½–2½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	79	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 6: Game 6: a draw after 15 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 e6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 (ECO D41). The players drew after 15 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 15...Bxc5. The running points score became 3–3 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	15	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 7: Game 7: Petrosian wins in 43 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Nbd2 Be7 (ECO D03). Tigran Petrosian won with Black after 43 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 43...fxg2+. The running points score became 4–3 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 0-1	World Championship 26th	1966	43	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 8: Game 8: a draw after 23 moves

The opening moves were 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 (ECO A33). The players drew after 23 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 23...Bxd8. The running points score became 4½–3½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	23	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 9: Game 9: a draw after 26 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 (ECO D42). The players drew after 26 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 26.Bxe1. The running points score became 5–4 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	26	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 10: Game 10: Petrosian wins in 30 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O (ECO E66). Tigran Petrosian won with White after 30 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 30.Qh8+. The running points score became 6–4 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1-0	World Championship 26th	1966	30	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 11: Game 11: a draw after 26 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 (ECO C10). The players drew after 26 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 26.Bb5. The running points score became 6½–4½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	26	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 12: Game 12: a draw after 39 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.d4 d6 4.Nc3 Nd7 (ECO A42). The players drew after 39 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 39.Rg7+. The running points score became 7–5 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	39	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 13: Game 13: Spassky wins in 91 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 (ECO B19). Boris Spassky won with White after 91 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 91...Bg7. The running points score became 7–6 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1-0	World Championship 26th	1966	91	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 14: Game 14: a draw after 57 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 b5 3.a4 b4 4.d3 Bb7 (ECO A05). The players drew after 57 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 57.Kd4. The running points score became 7½–6½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	57	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 15: Game 15: a draw after 55 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 (ECO B25). The players drew after 55 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 55...Rc3. The running points score became 8–7 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	55	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 16: Game 16: a draw after 49 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.Be2 e6 (ECO B06). The players drew after 49 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 49.Qe3. The running points score became 8½–7½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	49	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 17: Game 17: a draw after 29 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 g6 4.g3 Bg7 (ECO B25). The players drew after 29 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 29...Qe7. The running points score became 9–8 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	29	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 18: Game 18: a draw after 33 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.Nc3 Bb7 (ECO E12). The players drew after 33 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 33.Kxd1. The running points score became 9½–8½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	33	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 19: Game 19: Spassky wins in 68 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 (ECO C11). Boris Spassky won with White after 68 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 68.h4. The running points score became 9½–9½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1-0	World Championship 26th	1966	68	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 20: Game 20: Petrosian wins in 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O (ECO E59). Tigran Petrosian won with White after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.Qe6. The running points score became 10½–9½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1-0	World Championship 26th	1966	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 21: Game 21: a draw after 39 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 (ECO C11). The players drew after 39 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 39...Kxg5. The running points score became 11–10 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	39	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 22: Game 22: Petrosian wins in 35 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 b5 2.e4 Bb7 3.f3 a6 4.Be3 e6 (ECO A40). Tigran Petrosian won with White after 35 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 35...Qb8. The running points score became 12–10 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1-0	World Championship 26th	1966	35	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 23: Game 23: Spassky wins in 31 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 (ECO C11). Boris Spassky won with White after 31 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 31...Kd8. The running points score became 12–11 (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Boris V Spassky – Tigran V Petrosian 1-0	World Championship 26th	1966	31	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 24: Game 24: a draw after 77 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O (ECO E61). The players drew after 77 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 77.Kf2. The running points score became 12½–11½ (Petrosian–Spassky).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Tigran V Petrosian – Boris V Spassky 1/2-1/2	World Championship 26th	1966	77	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Sources and image credits

By IgniteChess Editorial Published 2026-10-13

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