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White to Play

Pete Tamburro on Mar 10, 2025

This week and next we will pay homage to former World Champion, Boris Spassky, who passed away some days ago. He is inextricably paired with Bobby Fischer for their two historic matches. Contrary to the movie Pawn Sacrifice, the two were actually friends as well.

From Spassky-Lee, Hastings 1965-66.

1.Nxf7 Kxf7 2.Qf5+ Kg7 2…Kg8 3.Qg6+ Kf8 4.Qf6+ Kg8 5.Rxh4 is pretty much the same (Golombek in BCM) 3.Qe5+ Kg8 4.Rxh4 d6 5.Qg3+ Kf8 6.Rf4+ Ke8 7.Qg7 and it's over as the rook goes or there's a mate after Re4+ and Qe7#.

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.

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