Notable Chess Games
- Lajos Portisch vs László Szabó, Budapest 1958, Grunfeld Defence, Exchange Variation (D85), 1-0 The experienced Szabó, 20 years older, tries the unusual knight retreat to b6, perhaps hoping to confuse young Portisch, but it backfires.
- Lajos Portisch vs Svetozar Gligorić, Madrid Zonal 1960, King's Indian Defence, Orthodox Variation (E99), 1-0 In a very heavily analyzed line, one of the veteran Gligoric's favourites, Portisch proves he has the knowledge to prevail.
- Lajos Portisch vs Leonid Stein, Amsterdam Interzonal 1964, Benoni Defence (A56), 1-0 In what would turn out to be a vital game for eventual qualification, Portisch takes out the Soviet champion.
- Lajos Portisch vs Tigran Petrosian, Moscow 1967, Slav Defence, Exchange Variation (D10), 1-0 Although not really considered a tactician, Portisch proves here in a quiet opening variation that not even the World Champion can be proof against his attacking skills.
- Bent Larsen vs Lajos Portisch, Porec Candidates' match 1968, game 4, Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox Variation (D61), 0-1 Portisch takes up the often thankless defensive task, but grinds out a hard-fought win.
- Lajos Portisch vs David Bronstein, Monte Carlo 1969, Queen's Gambit, Symmetrical Defence (D06), 1-0 Inventive Bronstein pushes the boundaries too far in this game, and pays the price.
- Vasily Smyslov vs Lajos Portisch, Portorož Candidates' Reserve match 1971, game 4, Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation (B92), 0-1 Ex-World Champion Smyslov did not lose very often with the White pieces, but Portisch turns the trick here.
- Lajos Portisch vs Anatoly Karpov, San Antonio 1972, Nimzo-Indian Defence, Rubinstein / Gligoric Variation (E55), 1-0 Karpov would ascend to the World Champion's throne less than three years later.
- Mikhail Tal vs Lajos Portisch, Varese Candidates' Playoff 1976, Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn (B97), 0-1 Portisch had lost his match to Tal 11 years earlier, but gets his revenge here.
- Boris Spassky vs Lajos Portisch, Mexico Candidates' match 1980, game 1, Sicilian Defence, Closed Variation (B25), 0-1 Another revenge tilt sees Portisch open the match by turning back one of Spassky's favourite systems.
- Anthony Miles vs Lajos Portisch, Lucerne Olympiad 1982, Reti Opening / Tarrasch Defence (A04), 0-1 Miles wants to mix it up, but finds the veteran Portisch can answer blow for blow. Portisch had a massive career edge against Miles.
- Nigel Short vs Lajos Portisch, Linares 1990, Ruy Lopez, Modern Steinitz Variation (C75), 0-1 Crafty win over the rising star Short, who is 28 years younger.
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