The story behind the game
The final recorded game of the 1972 match reaches a rook-against-bishop ending with different pawn counts and very different piece activity. Fischer first uses an intermediate bishop check to recover a rook, then invades the second rank and brings his king forward. The recorded score ends with resignation; no unplayed continuation is presented as part of the game.
Take these ideas to your next game
- An isolated pawn can still support an active break.
- Check intermediate captures before completing a recapture.
- An active rook can attack several pawns in succession.
- Bring the king into an ending when the concrete threats permit it.
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.
c4 changes the queenside structure while the d5-pawn is under pressure. White answers by capturing on d5 with the knight. The next exchanges lead to a rook on d5, which becomes the target of an intermediate bishop check. The pawn break is part of a concrete sequence rather than proof that the isolated d-pawn is harmless.
Bxh2+ inserts a forcing capture before Rxd5. After the king takes the bishop, Black’s d8-rook captures the rook on d5. Black has not simply given away a bishop: the checking move changes the move order of a liquidation in which both sides must count the pieces and pawns.
Rd2 attacks c2 and makes White’s queenside pawns vulnerable. White captures the a6-pawn with the bishop, while Black takes c2. A later rook exchange leaves a rook against a bishop. Compare activity and accessible targets instead of relying on a simple count of the remaining pawns.
Kf4 brings the king closer to White’s kingside pawns. The king on f4 restricts the white king and supports further play against the kingside. Black’s rook can change ranks while the bishop must watch targets on both wings. The position demonstrates active coordination; the historical result is not a substitute for calculating White’s defensive resources.
Result: 0-1. The recorded score ends here; it does not imply checkmate.
Think through the turning points
Move 18: Advance with tempo against a piece
Which c-pawn advance attacks White’s pawn on b3? In the game: c4. c4 changes the queenside structure while the d5-pawn is under pressure. White answers by capturing on d5 with the knight. The next exchanges lead to a rook on d5, which becomes the target of an intermediate bishop check. The pawn break is part of a concrete sequence rather than proof that the isolated d-pawn is harmless.
Engine-supported alternatives
c4 Nxd5 Bxd5 Rxd5 Bxh2+ Kxh2 Rxd5 Bxc4 Rd2 Re2 Rxe2 Bxe2 · -0.16 · depth 19
Be5 Na4 c4 Nc5 Bf5 bxc4 Bc3 Rf1 dxc4 Rxd8+ Rxd8 Nxa6 · -0.03 · depth 19
Bc7 Bxa6 Ba5 Re3 c4 Ne2 Bb6 Nd4 Bxd4 Rxd4 Ra8 Bb5 · -0.02 · depth 19
Move 20: A check changes the recapture order
White’s rook has arrived on d5. Which bishop capture gives check first? In the game: Bxh2+. Bxh2+ inserts a forcing capture before Rxd5. After the king takes the bishop, Black’s d8-rook captures the rook on d5. Black has not simply given away a bishop: the checking move changes the move order of a liquidation in which both sides must count the pieces and pawns.
Engine-supported alternatives
Bxh2+ Kxh2 Rxd5 Bxc4 Rd2 Bd3 Rxf2 Rd1 Rc8 Kg3 Rfxc2 Bxc2 · -0.16 · depth 21
cxb3 axb3 Bxh2+ Kxh2 Rxd5 Bxa6 Rd2 Bd3 Rxf2 Rd1 Rd8 Bxh7+ · -0.01 · depth 21
Bb4 · +1.53 · depth 21
Move 22: Invade the second rank
Which rook move attacks the c2-pawn along White’s second rank? In the game: Rd2. Rd2 attacks c2 and makes White’s queenside pawns vulnerable. White captures the a6-pawn with the bishop, while Black takes c2. A later rook exchange leaves a rook against a bishop. Compare activity and accessible targets instead of relying on a simple count of the remaining pawns.
Engine-supported alternatives
Rd2 Bd3 Rxf2 Rd1 Rc8 Kg3 Rfxc2 Bxc2 Rxc2 a4 Rc3+ Kh2 · -0.01 · depth 20
Ra5 a4 Rd8 Re7 Rc8 Re4 Rh5+ Kg1 Rd8 g3 Rd2 Bxa6 · +0.11 · depth 20
Rh5+ Kg1 Re5 Ra1 a5 f3 Rd8 Bd3 h5 f4 Red5 Kf2 · +0.19 · depth 20
Move 36: The king joins the rook
Which king move advances toward the kingside and attacks the pawn on f5? In the game: Kf4. Kf4 brings the king closer to White’s kingside pawns. The king on f4 restricts the white king and supports further play against the kingside. Black’s rook can change ranks while the bishop must watch targets on both wings. The position demonstrates active coordination; the historical result is not a substitute for calculating White’s defensive resources.
Engine-supported alternatives
Kf4 Bd7 Rb1 Be6 Rd1 Bc4 Ra1 Be6 Ra2 Bd7 Rb2 Be6 · -1.27 · depth 22
h5 Kg3 · -0.41 · depth 22
Rd1 Kg3 h5 Kh4 Rh1+ Kg3 h4+ Kg4 h3 Kg3 Ke4 a5 · -0.16 · depth 21
Every piece has a part to play.
The final recorded game of the 1972 match reaches a rook-against-bishop ending with different pawn counts and very different piece activity. Fischer first uses an intermediate bishop check to recover a rook, then invades the second rank and brings his king forward. The recorded score ends with resignation; no unplayed continuation is presented as part of the game.
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Accessible evaluation values & provenance
Stockfish 17.1 · 75,000 nodes per position; 1,000,000 at key moments. Actual depth 13–22. Positive centipawns favour White; mate scores remain separate. Selective search is evidence, not proof.
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