Mr. Boris Spassky has been called a universal player by Gary Kasparov in his book "My Great Predecessors - Part III (Petrosian & Spassky)". This is because he played all types of chess - attacking, defensive, tactical, positional equally well as the situation demanded. Spassky also used gambits, exchange sacrifices etc. frequently and thus he comes closer to the group of Tal, Alekhine and Chigorin more than that of Botvinnik, Petrosian etc.
1. A Strong Mobile Centre and Free Development
2. Direct attack on the opponent's King
3. Subtle Manoeuvers
4. Defending Inferior Positions (like isolani in Tarrash Defence)
5. Good Endgame Technique
1. King's Gambit: Applying this opening at the top levels was in itself a revolution. Spassky has a record of 16 wins (including those against Fischer, Bronstein and Karpov), no losses and a few draws with Kings Gambit opening.
2. Revival of the Marshal Attack for black in Ruy Lopez: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5
3. Development of Leningrad variation for white in the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5
4. Spassky variation for black in the Nimzo-Indian
5. Closed variation for white in the Sicilian defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3
6. Spassky line for black in Kings Indian Attack: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 b5!?
7. Spassky variation for black in Grunfeld Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 0-0 8.Ne2 c5
Elements of Spassky System:
1. A Strong Mobile Centre and Free Development
2. Direct attack on the opponent's King
3. Subtle Manoeuvers
4. Defending Inferior Positions (like isolani in Tarrash Defence)
5. Good Endgame Technique
Spassky's Opening Innovations:
1. King's Gambit: Applying this opening at the top levels was in itself a revolution. Spassky has a record of 16 wins (including those against Fischer, Bronstein and Karpov), no losses and a few draws with Kings Gambit opening.
2. Revival of the Marshal Attack for black in Ruy Lopez: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5
3. Development of Leningrad variation for white in the Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5
4. Spassky variation for black in the Nimzo-Indian
5. Closed variation for white in the Sicilian defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3
6. Spassky line for black in Kings Indian Attack: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 b5!?
7. Spassky variation for black in Grunfeld Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 0-0 8.Ne2 c5
Example Game 1: Spassky beats Bronstein with Kings Gambit
Example Game 2: Great Bobby Fischer falls to Spassky's Kings Gambit
References & Suggestions for further study:
1. Gary Kasparov, My Great Predecessors Part III (Petrosian & Spassky), Everyman Chess
2. Thomas Johansson, "The Fascinating King's Gambit" [A thorough detailed Study].
Reshevesky System
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