Spassky – Fischer World Championship Match 1972

dates

11 July–1 September 1972

location

Laugardalshöll, Reykjavík, Iceland

score

8½–12½ (Spassky–Fischer)

winner

Bobby Fischer

Boris Spassky defended the world championship against Bobby Fischer in Reykjavík in 1972. Fischer had qualified through an exceptional Candidates campaign, and the meeting became a major sporting event during the Cold War. The scheduled 24-game match required 12½ points to win; Spassky would retain the title if it finished level.

Spassky won the first game and received a second point when Fischer did not appear for game 2. Fischer returned for game 3, won with Black and began to reverse the score. His victories in games 5 and 6 brought him into the lead. Game 6, in which he began with 1.c4, remains one of the best-known games of the match.

Fischer added wins in games 8, 10 and 13. Spassky answered in game 11, but could not close the gap. Seven consecutive draws followed game 13 before Fischer won the final game. Game 21 began on 31 August and was adjourned; Spassky resigned on 1 September without resuming play. The final score was 12½–8½ to Fischer.

The results table preserves all 21 official rounds, including Fischer’s forfeit in game 2. Twenty games contain moves and are available as exercises from either player’s perspective. The forfeit has its own article section but cannot be trained. The game dates in the PGNs identify when play began, so the last game retains its 31 August date.

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