A
The Game of Kings 08 May 1969, Thu The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
World Championship
Boris Spassky retained the lead, 4-3, over champion Tigran Petrosian in their title match at Moscow by drawing the 7th game. This game was postponed a few days at Spassky's request. Both players are allowed a certain number of days off during the contest, which will last two months.
Following is the first game, an epic struggle with the outcome in doubt down to the wire. Alberic O'Kelly de Galway, Belgian grandmaster, is referee-in-chief.
Boris Spassky vs Tigran V Petrosian
Petrosian - Spassky World Championship Match (1969), Moscow URS, rd 1, Apr-14
Sicilian Defense: Kan. Modern Variation (B42) 0-1
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. O-O d5 8. Nd2 Nf6 9. Qe2 Be7 10. b3 O-O 11. Bb2 a5 12. f4 g6 13. Rad1 Nd7 14. c4 a4 15. f5 exf5 16. exf5 Bf6 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Qf2 axb3 19. axb3 Ra2 20. fxg6 fxg6 21. h3 Qe7 22. Qd4 c5 23. Qf4 Bb7 24. Rde1 Qg7 25. Qe3 d4 26. Qe6+ Qf7 27. Qe2 Re8 28. Qf2 Rxe1 29. Qxe1 Qe8 30. Qxe8+ Nxe8 31. Be4 Rxd2 32. Bxb7 Nd6 33. Bd5+ Kg7 34. b4(a) cxb4 35. c5 Nf5 36. c6 Rc2 37. g4 Nd6 38. Rf4 d3 39. Rd4 d2 40. Bb3 Rxc6 41. Rxd2 Ne4 42. Rd7+(b) Kf6(c) 43. Rxh7 Rc1+ 44. Kg2 Nc5 45. Bf7 b3 46. g5+ Kxg5 47. h4+ Kf6 48. h5 Rc2+ 49. Kf3 b2 50. Ba2 gxh5 51. Rxh5 Rc1 52. Rh6+(d) Ke5 53. Rb6 Na4 54. Re6+ Kd4 55. Re4+ Kc5 56. Rxa4 Ra1(e) Resigns
(a) More or less forced to obtain counter-chances.
(b) If 42. R-Q4 R-B8ch; 43. K-N2 N-B4; 44. RxP? R-QN8 wins a pieces.
(c) If 42. … K-R3; 43. P-R4 with dire threats.
(d) Horowitz in NY Times claims that 52. K-K3 would have given drawing chances.
(e) The winning coup as the relative position of the Ks is the deciding factor now. For if 57. R-R8 RxB; 58. R-QN8 K-B5-B6 etc. will win.
