The 1972 Fischer – Spassky Times for Game 5

This article lists the times taken by Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky for their moves in Game 5 of their World Championship Chess Match in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 1972.

Game 5, July 20th, 1972

    Spassky        Fischer
    White          Black
 1. d4             Nf6
 2. c4             e6
 3. Nc3            Bb4
 4. Nf3            c5
 5. e3    (0:02)   Nc6   (0:07)
 6. Bd3   (0:04)   Bxc3+ (0:07)
 7. bxc3  (0:04)   d6    (0:07)
 8. e4    (0:09)   e5    (0:07)
 9. d5    (0:17)   Ne7   (0:09)
10. Nh4   (0:20)   h6    (0:16)
11. f4    (0:40)   Ng6   (0:27)
12. Nxg6  (0:55)   fxg6  (0:28)

13. fxe5  (0:57)   dxe5  (0:28)
14. Be3   (0:57)   b6    (0:30)
15. 0-0   (1:05)   0-0   (0:30)
16. a4    (1:05)   a5    (0:34)
17. Rb1   (1:09)   Bd7   (0:37)
18. Rb2   (1:14)   Rb8   (0:41)
19. Rbf2  (1:17)   Qe7   (0:42)
20. Bc2   (1:43)   g5    (0:51)
21. Bd2   (1:44)   Qe8   (0:58)
22. Be1   (1:50)   Qg6   (1:00)
23. Qd3   (1:51)   Nh5   (1:13)
24. Rxf8+ (1:55)   Rxf8  (1:14)
25. Rxf8+ (1:57)   Kxf8  (1:14)
26. Bd1   (2:00)   Nf4   (1:17)
27. Qc2   (2:09)   Bxa4  (1:18)
    0-1   (2:11)

Fischer was 9 or 10 minutes late again; it looks like he started working at move 10. Spassky took a lot of time at moves 11 and 12. Fischer’s last hesitation was at move 23.

Spassky spent 9 minutes at move 27, blundering.

Fischer replied in about one minute, capturing the pawn with his Bishop and pressing his clock. He immediately grabbed his glass of juice, leaned back in his chair and gulped his juice down in about 4 seconds.

He responded instantly with a handshake at the expected resignation, and left as quickly as he could.

Click here for info on other games of this match.

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