GameKnot: annotated chess game - Bobby Fischer's "Game of the Century"

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ANNOTATED GAME:

Bobby Fischer's "Game of the Century"
Donald Byrne vs. Bobby Fischer
Annotated by: tag1153

(1434)
Chess opening: Reti opening (A05)

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	There is no telling how many copyright infringements I'm breaking right now, and I'm sure RJF would rip my head off for having the audacity to even LOOK at one of his games, but this game is by far one of my favorites and I wanted to share it with the masses. For the record, this game WAS NOT mine (it was played 14 years before I was born!) and the comments I make are strictly MY OWN observations....(I can sense that the thought police are gearing up for a trip to my house!:) This game is simply majestic. Notice how RJF seems to initially decline the center, and then seemingly disregards his own queen's safety. All of this must have totally confused Byrne, but if he had ANY idea what was in store for him he probably would have stayed in bed that morning. My favorite part of this game is the "swinging door" attack Fischer uses to absolutely destroy any play that Byrne had. This is a masterpiece. Enjoy:)

1. Nf3	(Back one for intro)Only a GM playing at this level considers this move normal. Most of us patzers try to stake pawns in the center right away......
	2 comments solkrov (1152) on 28-Mar-08: But when you read books for beginners, there is always the develop your pieces as quickly as possible. Hence, the knight move is but logical. wintervangogh (1307) on 10-Oct-08: You are not breaking any copy rights...believe it or not all chess games are public property... unless you're just copying, some grandmasters book analysis word from word...even then you are aloud to quote them... which you didn't... -


1... Nf6	Repaid in kind. It is noted that with the black pieces, RJF tried to castle kingside early, and this move aids that idea, as well as exerting influence in the middle.
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2. c4	Going for a quick queenside expansion right away. I guess the d and e pawns haven't quite learned to walk yet....
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2... g6	And the plan of RJF is obvious. Bishop to g7 and castling are next....no surprise there.
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3. Nc3	Simple development.
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3... Bg7 4. d4	Finally!
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4... O-O 5. Bf4	More developing, getting the dark squared bishop outside a potential pawn chain.
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5... d5	RJF finally stakes a claim in the center.
	1 comment solkrov (1152) on 28-Mar-08: It is worth noting that had Fischer played the pawn to d6, the opening would be called by another name - King's Indian Defence. -


6. Qb3	I see moves like this when I play stronger players myself. I can only assume the intent is to tie down black's light squared bishop in a protective role, while protecting the c pawn and getting an early line aimed towards black's king.
	1 comment solkrov (1152) on 28-Mar-08: Chessgames.com calls this as the Russian Variation on account of its first appearance in the Leningrad Masters in 1932. -


6... dxc4 7. Qxc4 c6	I guess this is why I will never break 1600. This move makes little sense to me. Black's Nb8 has just lost a potential home.
	2 comments tugger (1707) on 06-Jun-08: c6 is a typical move in some variations of the dutch defence, it's aim to deny the white knight of two attacking squares, as opposed a6, which only covers b5. it can hamper development, though i find this factor is negated by it hampering white also. kv-ly (1268) on 30-Nov-08: Maybe RJF played c6 to control the d5 square. -


8. e4	And it appears that Byrne owns the center.
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8... Nbd7	And now RJF blocks in his light squared bishop. I wonder if he really knows how to play this game;)
	2 comments sarasani (1868) on 13-Sep-08: The blocking is only temporary....the knight is on it's way to b6. ruachessnut2 (1505) on 04-Nov-08: Bobby is only 13. He is still learning. In 16 years he will be the World Champ. -


9. Rd1	Strong....rook to half open file, and protecting the d pawn.
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9... Nb6	And here come the pain....I guess Fischer DOES know a little something about this game!
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10. Qc5	I like Qd3 better........
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10... Bg4	Last piece developed, with a nice little pin to boot.........
	1 comment solkrov (1152) on 28-Mar-08: A pin! As often said over the chess board, "A pin is mightier than the sword." -


11. Bg5	? Mistake....Be2 was far better as it would break the pin.
	1 comment sarasani (1868) on 13-Sep-08: 11.Bg5 loses a tempo, since the bishop now moves twice in the opening. 11.Be2 would break the pin, develop a piece and allow a kingside castle. Now the white king is vulnerable in the centre of the board. -


11... Na4	!! The white queen now has some serious issues.
	2 comments nuntar (1678) on 14-Aug-08: I'd like to see at least a little analysis of what happens after 12. Nxa4. Or if you consider it too obvious to be worth stating, at least acknowledge that the variation exists :) tugger (1707) on 30-Sep-08: 12. Nxa4 Nxe4 (fork exploits the pin) 13. Qc2 Nxg5 and already it looks good for black, then perhaps 14. Nxg5 Bxd1 15 Qxd1 Qxd4 and it looks even better. -


12. Qa3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Nxe4	! This turns out to be a key move in the game. That knight is righteous and will soon cause serious upheaval in white's defenses.....
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14. Bxe7	Practically forced......
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