Skip to content
TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • iChess
    • ChessTeacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman`s Chess Lab
    • Foxy Series
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

Bobby Fischer: 4 Best Sacrifices Played

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
03.02.2021
Category: General Information
Tags: Benko, Bobby Fischer, IM Renier Castellanos, Queen Sacrifice, sacrifices, WGM Raluca Sgîrcea,
Bobby Fischer: 4 Best Sacrifices Played

Bobby Fischer, an icon of our sport, is perhaps one of the most studied chess players. Robert James Fischer called Bobby is famous for his universal playing style, excellent endgame technique, and his great contributions to chess in the form of chess writings, new ideas in a number of openings, and a new variant of chess, which is becoming more and more popular today, Fischer Random or 960 chess. Although his chess career was rather short, he left behind many brilliancies and original ideas that are thoroughly studied by every chess aficionado around the world up to this day.

He showed fantastic skills from a very early age, winning the US Championship at only 14 years old and becoming a Grandmaster one year later, aged 15. Around that same time, he played one of the greatest games of his career, a game that has been studied over and over again by chess aficionados. It has been called “Game of the Century”, and it is a beautiful attacking game that 13 years old Fischer played with the black pieces against Donald Byrne in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament in New York City in 1956.

Introduction

This is the first key position of the game, after 11 moves:

Bobby Fischer

White has just played the move 11.Bg5, instead of the natural-looking 11.Be2, continuing the development. The problem with white’s last moves (besides delaying development) is that it makes possible a series of tactical shots that Fischer confidently executed: 11…Na4! When white can’t capture on a4 because of 12…Nxe4 followed by 13…Nxg5 and Bxd1.

The game continued with 12.Qa3, when after 12…Nxc3 13.bxc3 Nxe4 14.Bxe7 the center opened and the white king suddenly found himself in great danger.

But the finest moment of this game came to a few moves later and this is a famous position many of you might have seen before:

Best Sacrifices

In this position 13-year-old, Fischer continued with the move 17…Be6! Looking to distract the light-squared bishop from the f1-a6 diagonal. Byrne took the queen, but after Bxc4 and Ne2 his position was hopeless and Fischer won the game convincingly.

Best Sacrifices 1:

The following game is another favorite of mine. The final tactic in itself is not difficult to spot, but I like the way Fischer prepares it from this position:

Bobby Fischer

Bisguier, A – Fischer, R, New York 1965

White has just played the passive 37.Nh1, defending the g3 point. This move allows black to slowly improve and activate his pieces to prepare the final blow. Here Fischer continued with 37…Rc1 – it makes sense to occupy the 1st rank and keep an eye on that h1 knight that is practically holding white’s position together. The game continued with 38.Rf3 and now 38…g4! Fischer opens the h file against the white king. 39.Qxg4 Qxg4 40.hxg4 and here the key move 40…Kg7! The spider web against the white king is complete. The only missing piece is a rook on h8 and white is getting mated. After 41.Rf5 we reach the following position:

Best Sacrifices

 Black to play and win. How did Fischer finish the game off?

With his last move, white wants to defend against the check on h8 with Rh5. But there are two ways to get on the h file! Fischer played 41…Rxh1! And white resigned. If 42.Kxh1 then Rc1+ 43.Kh2 hxg3 44.Kh3 Rh1 checkmate.

Best Sacrifices Played by Bobby Fischer 2:

Another beautiful attacking game is his win against Myagmarsuren with the white pieces:

Bobby Fischer

Fischer, R – Myagmarsuren, L, Iz Sousse 1967

The majority of white’s pieces are pointing at the kingside and he only needs to find a way to open the king’s position: 23.Bf6! Black can’t take, it since he will get mated after 24.exf6 (see more in the game annotations).

The game continued with 23…g6, when white has a new contact point on h5 and that’s what he played for in the next moves. The final touch though comes right at the end:

Best Sacrifices

White to play and win

31.Qxh7! After this queen sacrifice, black can’t avoid getting mated.

Best Sacrifices 3:

There are many other great sacrifices executed by Fischer, but I will leave you with a last one, a beautiful idea he used against Pal Benko:

Best Sacrifices

Fischer,R – Benko,P, New York 1963
White to play; find the winning sequence

The game continued with 18.Bxd4 exd4 19.Rf6!! and an important in-between move that keeps the f pawn blocked. Now if 19…Bxf6 20.e5 and black is getting mated.

Want to learn more about this topic? Make sure to read this article.

We also recommend reviewing Typical Plans in the Catalan.

Best Sacrifices Played by Bobby Fischer 4:

Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • Sicilian Dragon: Complete GuideSicilian Dragon: Complete Guide
  • Chess: Is it a Sport?Chess: Is it a Sport?
  • Chess Notation: The Complete GuideChess Notation: The Complete Guide
Related Products
5 1 vote
Article Rating
Login
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
TheChessWorld.com
http://pogonina.com/
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz