Tame the Larsen with Tactics

Chessorb Classic, Issue #117 -- GOTM #87

Bent Larsen was a Danish GM, prominent in the Fischer, Spassky, Petrosian era. He was famous for his sharp, tactical style reminiscent of the Romantic Era. Many of his games against the greats of his day are well known.

This month's game is one of the most famous. Larsen faced the World Champion Boris Spassky in Belgrade in 1970. He had the White pieces. He played his signature opening move with White, 1.b3. Today this opening is known as the Larsen Opening.

Larsen researched 1.b3 extensively and found many resources for attack with it. He used it many times in competition with much success. But nothing works 100% of the time. On this day in Belgrade Larsen met an opponent with the tools to take down his pet line.

Spassky had Black and gave a great demonstration of how to meet the energy of the Larsen Opening with sound, crisp responses and then when the time is right, some tactical maneuvers of his own. The final breakthrough is quite eyecatching.

Tame the Larsen with Tactics

Larsen, Bent (2650) - Spassky, Boris (2670) [A01]

GotM #87 Belgrade, 1970
[Connaughton, Ken]

The game Larsen-Spassky is probably the most famous real short game (under 20 moves) among the absolute world elite.

1.b3

Larsen Opening (Ken Connaughton)

1...e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nf3

Game position after 4.Nf3

This provocative move ultimately backfired and was therefore criticized.

4...e4 5.Nd4 Bc5 6.Nxc6 dxc6Black's approach is aimed at rapid development.

7.e3 Bf5 8.Qc2 Qe7 9.Be2 0-0-0 10.f4?

Game position after 10.f4?

Undoubtedly, White also faces a difficult defense after other moves. The pawn move is probably the losing move.

10...Ng4!

Game position after 10...Ng4!

11.g3?!

(The “normal move” 11.0-0? doesn't work either: 11...Rxd2! 12.Nxd2 Nxe3-+; After 11.Bxg4? Qh4+ 12.g3 Qxg4 White's position is very full of holes.; 11.Qc1 h5 12.Nc3 Rd7-/+)

11...h5

(The sacrifice 11...Rxd2 was an option, but not necessary. 12.Nxd2 Nxe3 13.Qc3 Rd8?)

12.h3

(12.Nc3 Rxd2!-+)

12...h4!

Game position after 12...h4!

Until now Spassky had only made normal moves, but now he is starting to play brilliantly.

13.hxg4

The previous exchange of Bishops on g4 would not change anything.

13...hxg3 14.Rg1 Rh1!!

Game position after 14...Rh1!!

A small flaw in this beautiful move is that someone else also wins:

(14...Qh4 15.Rg2 Qh1+ 16.Bf1 Bxg4 17.Qxe4 (17.Nc3 Bf3 18.Rxg3 Rh2) 17...Rhe8 18.Be5 f5-+)

15.Rxh1 g2 16.Rf1

(16.Rg1 Qh4+ 17.Kd1 Qh1-+)

16...Qh4+ 17.Kd1 gxf1Q+

Game position after 17...gxf1Q+

Source: "The World's Greatest Chess Games" by Burgess, Nunn and Emms, Robinson London 1998

(Of course the forced # 17...gxf1Q+ 18.Bxf1 Bxg4+ 19.Kc1 (19.Be2 Qh1#) 19...Qe1+ 20.Qd1 Qxd1# was coming. (Ken Connaughton))

0-1

Larsen, Bent (2650) - Spassky, Boris (2670) [A01]

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See you next month.

Ken

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