The story behind the game
The first game of the 1971 Candidates final moves from a sharp Sicilian into a rook-and-knight ending. Fischer uses an active rook and an advancing h-pawn rather than trying to protect every pawn. The recorded play offers several chances to compare practical activity with the stronger alternatives in the saved analysis.
Take these ideas to your next game
- An active rook can create a new target.
- Judge pawn losses against the time gained.
- Advance a passer with its supporting pieces in view.
- A knight’s central square can matter more than a pawn.
Read the complete annotated game
Full game transcript, including the result and the answers. Original explanations by chessgames.info; game score from the sources below.
f4 opens possibilities against the central pawns. Black has just taken on a3, but White does not simply try to regain that pawn. The central break creates play for the rook and knight. Check the queen-trade possibilities and the open c-file when comparing this active approach with slower defence.
Rh3 changes the focus to the kingside. Black can take the e5 pawn, so the rook move involves a concrete trade of targets. White follows with Nf3 and a capture on h7. Compare the saved alternatives before treating the recorded activity as a forced win.
h4 creates a new problem on the kingside. The rook on h7 supports the pawn’s file, while Black’s rook and knight are active in the centre. White must keep checking threats in view. Trace the h-pawn’s advance together with the king’s route and the knight’s defensive squares.
Ne5 improves the knight’s central control with rook support. The rook on e4 supports the knight’s destination. White’s advanced h-pawn continues to restrict Black’s choices, but the recorded result does not prove every earlier move strongest. Compare the saved candidates to see which resources were available in this ending.
Result: 1-0. The recorded score ends here; it does not imply checkmate.
Think through the turning points
Move 21: Challenge the centre
Which f-pawn move challenges the pawn on e5? In the game: f4. f4 opens possibilities against the central pawns. Black has just taken on a3, but White does not simply try to regain that pawn. The central break creates play for the rook and knight. Check the queen-trade possibilities and the open c-file when comparing this active approach with slower defence.
Engine-supported alternatives
f4 Rc8 · +0.06 · depth 19
Ne4 Qxd3 · +0.12 · depth 18
Rd2 f5 f4 f6 h3 h5 fxe5 fxe5 Ne2 Qxd3 cxd3 Rxd5 · -0.49 · depth 18
Move 30: Switch the rook’s target
Which rook move attacks the pawn on h7? In the game: Rh3. Rh3 changes the focus to the kingside. Black can take the e5 pawn, so the rook move involves a concrete trade of targets. White follows with Nf3 and a capture on h7. Compare the saved alternatives before treating the recorded activity as a forced win.
Engine-supported alternatives
Rh3 Rxe5 Nf3 Rxd5 Rxh7 Ne3 Rxf7 a5 Kg1 Rxd3 Kf2 Ra3 · +0.19 · depth 21
Re2 Nd4 · +0.15 · depth 21
Rg3 Rxe5 Kg1 Rxd5 Rh3 Ra5 Rxh7 Rxa2 Rxf7 Ne3 Kf2 Nxg2 · -0.66 · depth 20
Move 33: Start the outside passer
Which pawn move starts advancing the h-pawn? In the game: h4. h4 creates a new problem on the kingside. The rook on h7 supports the pawn’s file, while Black’s rook and knight are active in the centre. White must keep checking threats in view. Trace the h-pawn’s advance together with the king’s route and the knight’s defensive squares.
Engine-supported alternatives
h4 Ne3 Rxf7 a5 h5 Rd6 Kg1 Rh6 Kf2 Ng4+ Kg3 Rxh5 · +0.13 · depth 21
Rxf7 Rd1+ Ng1 Nd4 Rd7 Kc8 Rd5 Kc7 h4 Kc6 Rd8 Kc7 · +0.00 · depth 21
Kg1 Ra3 Rxf7 Rxa2 Rxf5 b5 h4 b4 h5 Ne3 h6 Ng4 · -0.06 · depth 21
Move 40: Centralize the knight at the finish
Which knight move from f3 reaches e5? In the game: Ne5. Ne5 improves the knight’s central control with rook support. The rook on e4 supports the knight’s destination. White’s advanced h-pawn continues to restrict Black’s choices, but the recorded result does not prove every earlier move strongest. Compare the saved candidates to see which resources were available in this ending.
Engine-supported alternatives
Re5 Ra1 Kxg2 Rd1 h6 Rd8 h7 Rh8 Re7 a5 Nh4 Rxh7 · +4.37 · depth 21
Ne5 Rd5 h6 Rd6 Ng4 Ka7 Kxg2 Rd8 h7 Rh8 Nf6 a5 · +4.21 · depth 21
Re8+ Kc7 Re5 Rxe5 Nxe5 Ne3 Kf4 Nd5+ Kg5 Kd6 h6 Kxe5 · +3.08 · depth 20
Every piece has a part to play.
The first game of the 1971 Candidates final moves from a sharp Sicilian into a rook-and-knight ending. Fischer uses an active rook and an advancing h-pawn rather than trying to protect every pawn. The recorded play offers several chances to compare practical activity with the stronger alternatives in the saved analysis.
Look a little deeper
Play on the board or type your move. Strong engine-supported alternatives receive credit.
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Select a key moment to explore legal continuations supported by saved Stockfish analysis.
Accessible evaluation values & provenance
Stockfish 17.1 · 75,000 nodes per position; 1,000,000 at key moments. Actual depth 12–23. Positive centipawns favour White; mate scores remain separate. Selective search is evidence, not proof.
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