Spassky, Boris V – Larsen, Bent

2640 1979 · White wins (resignation, time or agreement)

In 1979 Spassky (2640) met Larsen (2620) in a classical Scandinavian: 2...Qxd5 and 3...Qa5, both sides developing briskly. The engine flags no turning point at all — 100% of moves at least "good" for White and for Black, unusual in a position this open. The game is decided without any identifiable mistake, by accumulation: after 17.O-O-O and 18...O-O-O, the exchange 20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 leaves the black king in the centre, and White presses on with 22.Bxa7 and 27.Nxf5. Black counters with 27...Qxa3+ and 29...Bxb4, but 30.Bb5 and 32.Qxb7 settle it. The lesson: clean play alone doesn’t save you; structure decides.