Robert Ris: Top 10 blunders in World Championship matches

by Robert Ris
4/18/2023 – When tension is at its highest, even the very best players in the world can blunder games in one move. Now that four out of six games have finished decisively at the World Championship match in Astana — with no lack of strategic and tactical errors — let us take a look at the top 10 blunders from World Championship history.

ChessBase 17 - Mega package ChessBase 17 - Mega package

ChessBase is a personal, stand-alone chess database that has become the standard throughout the world. Everyone uses ChessBase, from the World Champion to the amateur next door. It is the program of choice for anyone who loves the game and wants to know more about it.

More...

As tense as it gets

Who made the worst blunder in World Championship history? Even the legendary Bobby Fischer grabbed a pawn on h2, inexplicably allowing his bishop to later be captured by Boris Spassky’s king.

Find below the first three blunders that we looked at. Watch the full video, with all ten blunders presented, at the end of the article.

Mikhail Chigorin vs. Wilhelm Steinitz - Havana, 1892 (Game 23)

 

Chigorin’s 32.Bb4 allowed mate-in-two. Steinitz played 32...Rxh2+ and White resigned, since 33...Rdg2# is coming. Incredible!

Mikhail Botvinnik vs. Vasily Smyslov - Moscow, 1958 (Game 18)

 

This was not an obvious miss like the previous one, but a spectacular idea that was missed by both players. Here Botvinnik played 23.Bh3, failing to realize that 23.Nd4! is a beautiful, winning move. The idea is simply to open the path for the bishop to give a check from d5 — e.g. 23...cxd4 24.Bd5+ Rxd5 25.Re8 Rxe8 26.Rxe8+ Kf7 27.Qf8#. Of course, Smyslov also missed this idea, as he allowed it with 22...Rcd8.

Boris Spassky vs. Robert Fischer - Reykjavík 1972 (Game 1)

 

This is one every chess fan recognizes. Fischer inexplicably played 29...Bxh2, giving Spassky the chance to trap the bishop starting with 30.g3. Unbelievable.

A Complete Black Repertoire against 1.d4, 1.Nf3 & 1.c4

These video courses feature a black repertoire against 1.d4, 1.Nf3 and 1.c4. The recommended variations are easy to learn and not difficult to remember, but also pose White serious challenges.

Links - 2023 World Championship

<< My notes on Nepo-Ding
The new Opening Encyclopaedia 2023 - More content. More ideas. >>
Topics: World Championship
Robert is an International Master who mostly spends his time training and coaching talented youngsters. On the PlayChess server The Fast and the Furious is a popular show where he explains sharp opening lines for a wider audience. He is also a well-known ChessBase author who produced numerous DVDs and regularly contributes to ChessBase Magazine as well. Since 2015 he is the organizer of the Dutch Rapid Championships in his home town Amstelveen. He has started a YouTube channel with chess analysis as well.
Discussion and Feedback Submit your feedback to the editors

See also

World Championship, Playoff - Ding Liren takes the crown!

4/30/2023 – By winning game 4 of the rapid tiebreakers — after three draws — Ding Liren became the 17th undisputed world chess champion! Ian Nepomniachtchi seemed to have things under control in the deciding game, and even a bit of an advantage at times, but he overestimated his chances and allowed Ding to get a dangerous passer. Ding kept his nerves and converted his advantage brilliantly. | Replay the games with computer-assisted analysis. Full report to follow shortly.
More...
 254

See also

Kramnik breaks his silence on the war

3/6/2023 – While a number of Russian chess masters have publicly spoken out in favour of stopping the Russian war of aggression, hardly anything has been heard from others. For example, from Vladimir Kramnik, the 14th World Champion (2000 to 2007). Martin Breutigam, author and International Master, asked Kramnik about the long silence – and received a full answer. | Photo: Guido Kohlen
More...
 98

Video

60m Caro Kann Exchange Variation

The Exchange Variation (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3) is a simple and easy to learn answer to the Caro-Kann. By clarifying the central tension White gives himself a clear plan of attack using the half open e-file and the e5 square. This is far from easy for Black to meet as Bobby Fischer, Jan Timman, Walter Browne and other leading Grandmasters have demonstrated in their games. Black too has his resources but he needs to know what he's doing. On this DVD you will find a clear explanation of the strategy for both sides as well as answers to popular treatments such as 4...Nc6 5.c3 Qc7. Whilst the main focus is on the White side of this opening you will also find ways for Black to defend.