Sicilian Defense Najdorf Variation Adams Attack

ROBERT JAMES FISCHER vs. MIGUEL NAJDORF
Varna Olympiad Final 1902

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, a6
6. h3 ....

The Adams Attack.

6. .... b5
7. Nd5, Bb7

If 7....Nxe4, 8. Qf3 and White controls the a8-f3 diagonal.

8. Nxf6, gxf6
9. c4, bxc4
10. Bxc4, Bxe4

White gives up the e4 pawn in exchange for control along the e-file.

11. 0-0, d5
12. Re1, e5
13. Qa4+, Nd7

Not 13....Qd7, because of 14. Bb5 axb5, 15. Qxa8+ which is favorable for White.

14. Rxe4 !! .....

A surprise move by Bobby Fischer!  The purpose of this move is to increase the control of the c4 Bishop.

14. .... dxe4
15. Nf5, Bc5
16. Ng7+, Ke7
17. Nf5+, Ke8
18. Be3, Bxe3
19. fxe3, Qb6
20. Rd1, Ra7
21. Rd6, Qd8
22. Qb3 ....

Now, we begin to understand why Fischer placed such importance on the c4 Bishop.

22. .... Qc7

If 22....Rf7, then 23. Ng7+ Ke7, 24. Qa3 .... Black's latest move intends to give room for the Black King at d8.

23. Bxf7, Kd8
24. Be6, Resigns

The Black Knight is pinned, and there is nothing else Black can do to relieve the situation.

A great lesson on material value.

Sicilian Defense, Fischer-Sozin Attack

ROBERT JAMES FISCHER vs. OLICIO GADIA
Mar del Plata (1960)

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. c4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, a6
6. Bc4 ....

The Fischer-Sozin Attack.  Introduced by Veniamin Sozin in the 1930s, this received little attention until Fischer regularly adopted it, and it was a frequent guest at the top level through the 1970s. White plays 6 Bc4 with the idea of playing against f7, so Black counters with 6...e6 7 Bb3 b5. The Sozin has become less popular because of 6...e6 7 Bb3 Nbd7 where Black intends to follow up with ...Nc5 later. It is possible to avoid the Nbd7 option with 7 0-0, but this cuts the aggressive possibility to castle long.  (Source: Wikipedia)

6. .... e6
7. Bb3, b5
8. 0-0, Bb7
9. f4 ....

The e4 is a poisoned pawn. If 9....Nxe4, 10. Nxe4 Bxe4, 11. Re1 Bb7, 12. Bxe6 fxe6, 13. Nxe6 .... White's attack becomes disastrous.

9. .... Nc6
10. Nxc6, Bxc6
11. f5, e5
12. Qd3, Be7
13. Bg5, Qb6+
14. Kh1, 0-0
15. Bxf6, Bxf6
16. Bd5, Rac8
17. Bxc6, Rxc6
18. Rad1, Rfc8
19. Nd5, Qd8
20. c3, Be7
21. Ra1 ....

Fischer prepares for a flank attack.

21. ... f6?

Black seals the f-file, but in so doing opens the a2-g8 diagonal.

22. a4 ....

The flank attack begins.  The intention is to divert Black's attention to the defense of the b5 pawn, and leave the c6 Rook at White's mercy.

22. .... Rb8
23. Nxe7, Resigns

Black loses a piece.  If 23....Qxe7, then 24. Qd5+ ....

Marvelous play by White.

Spanish Game, Morphy - Modern Steinitz Defense

ROBERT JAMES FISCHER vs. EFIM GELLER
Bled, 1961

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6

In the Modern Steinitz Defence (also called the Steinitz Defense Deferred or the Neo-Steinitz Defence), Black interpolates 3...a6 4.Ba4 before playing 4...d6, which was frequently played by Alexander Alekhine, José Raúl Capablanca and Paul Keres. The possibility of breaking the pin with a timely ...b5 gives Black more latitude than in the Old Steinitz Defence; in particular, in the Old Steinitz, White can practically force Black to give up his strongpoint at e5, but in the Steinitz Deferred, Black is able to maintain his centre. Most plausible White moves are playable here, including 5.c3, 5.c4, 5.Bxc6, 5.d4, and 5.0-0. (Source: Wikipedia)

4. Ba4, d6
5. 0-0, Bg4
6. h3, Bh5
7. c3, Bf6
8. g4, Bg6
9. d4, Bxe4
10. Nbd2, Bg6
11. Bxc6 ....

Creating a double-pawn ....

11. .... bxc6
12. dxe5, dxe5
13. Nxe5, Bd6

Black's Queen cannot capture the Knight because of the threat 14. Re1.

14. Bxg6, Qxg6
15. Re1+, Rf1
16. Nc4, h5
17. Nxd6, cxd6

If 17....hxg4, then 18. Bf4 gxh3+, 19. Bg3... Here White wins the exchange because the Knight at d6 cannot be captured.

18. Bf4, d5
19. Qb3, hxg4
20. Qb7 ....

It is hard to believe that Fischer was not able to see the winning line 20. Qb4+ but there must a reason for the delay: he wants the Rook as well.

20. .... gxh3+
21. Bg3, Rd8
22. Qb4+, Resigns

Black's Knight and Rook will be lost in later moves, or face immediate mate.

King's Indian Attack

BOBBY FISCHER vs. PETER LAPIKEN
5TH US Open, 1956

1. Nf3, Nf6
2. g3, d5
3. Bg2, Bf5
4. 0-0, e6
5. d3, c6
6. Nbd2, Na6
7. a3, Nc5
8. c4, b5
9. Nd4! ....

Attacking both the c6-pawn and the Bishop at f5.

9. .... Qd7
10. Nxf5, exf5
11. Nb3, h6
12. Be3, Ne6
13. Nd4, g6

If 13....bxc4 dxc4, 14. dxc4 Bxc6! and Black loses his Queen.

14. Qb3, Rb8
15. Nxc6, Qxc6
16. cxd5, Nc5

17. Qc3!!, Qd6

White's pin on the Queen leaves Black has no other choice.  Now, if 18. Nxd5 Bxd5, 19. Qxd5 Qxh8.

18. Bxc5!!, Qxc5
19. Qxf6, Resigns

Black loses one Rook.  If 19....Rg8, then 20. Qe5+ followed by Qxb8.

Wonderful winning combination!

King's Indian Defense of Bobby Fischer

THOMASON vs. BOBBY FISCHER
King's Indian Defense

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3, Bg7
4. e4, d6
5. Nf3, 0-0
6. Bd3, Bg4
7. 0-0, Nc6
8. Be3, Nd7
9. Be2, Bxf3
10. Bxf3, e5
11. d5, Ne7

All prior moves are standard lines for King's Indian Defense.  Black's last move is a preparation for the eventual f5! which is aimed at dismantling White's central pawn structure.

12. Be2 ....

White also prepares for f4.

12. .... f5!
13. f4, h6
14. Bd3, Kh7
15. Qe2, fxe4!
16. Nxe4, Nf5!

The reason for Black's 15th move.  He is seeking a good post for his Knight.

17. Bd2, exf4
18. Bxf4, Ne5
19. Bc2, Nd4!

Excellent horsemanship.  The two knights are working in tandem to render White's Bishop Pair ineffective.

20. Qd2 ....

White has no choice.  If 20. Qf2, the game proceeds as in move 21.

20. .... Nxc4!
21. Qf2, Rxf4!!

Excellent play!  if White declines the offer, another piece (Bishop) will go down.

22. Qxf4, Ne2+
23. Kh1, Nxf4

White resigns.  He has lost his Queen.

Avoiding Oversights

A seasoned grandmaster, in the heat of battle, may commit an oversight:  a small but fatal mistake that would cost him the game.   Bobby Fischer, playing against so many in a simultaneous exhibition tour, clearly made a small flaw -- he forgot his King.

BOBBY FISCHER vs. E. BOBE
Fischer Simul Exhibition Tour
Houston, 1964
French Defense

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, Nf6
4. Bg5, Be7
5. e5, Nfd7
6. h4 ....

Intending to keep open the h-file as an avenue of attack.

6. .... a6
7. Qg4, f5
8. Qh5+, g6
9. Qh6, Bxg5
10. hxg5, Qe7

Black protects the g7 square.

11. Nh3, Qf8
12. Qh4, c5
13. Nf4, Qf7
14. 0-0-0, cxd4
15. Ncxd5, exd5
16. e6!! ....


16. .... Qg8
17. Nxd5 ....

Black loses his Queen after 17....Qxe6, 18. Nc7+ ....

17. .... Kd8
18. exd7, Qxd5
19. Rxd4, Qxa2
20. Ra4, Qe6
21. Qd4, Qe1+

White resigned.

Black's Bishop would escape death after 22. Qd1 Qxd1, 23. Kxd1 Bxd7 ....

With his last move clearly an oversight, Fischer nevertheless played brilliantly in the entire game.  

Bobby Fischer's Sicilian Dragon

BOBBY FISCHER vs. E. STEPHANS
Cleveland US-Open 1957
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, g6
6. Be3, Nc6
7. f3, Bg7
8. Qd2, 0-0
9. Bc4 ....

The Yugoslav Attack of the Dragon Variation.  This opening results in extremely tactical and decisive battles. White keeps a firm grip on the center while advancing aggressively towards the enemy king with f2-f4-f5 and even g2-g3-g4. However, danger exists in overextending and allowing Black to gain the initiative with a deadly counter-attack. Black's strategy is centered around the half-open c file and his ability to push the a and b pawns. Throughout the entire course of the battle, Black will be looking to break the center with an advance from d6-d5. Black can even sometimes obtain a winning endgame even after sacrificing the exchange, because of White's h-pawn sacrifice, doubled isolated c-pawns and most importantly the lack of mobility of the white Rooks compared to the Black minor pieces.  (Source:  Wikipedia)

9. .... a6
10. 0-0-0, Qc7
11. Bb3, b5
12. Nxc6, Qxc6
13. Nd5, Kh8

White threatens 14. Nxe7 double-check. 

14. Nxf6!! ....

Far more powerful than 14. Nxe7 Qb7, 15. Nxc8 Raxc8, and Black gains control of the open c-file.

14. .... e6

Blocking 15. Bd5.  Now, White has gained a piece!

15. Bh6, Bb7
16. Bxg7+, Kxg7
17. Ng4, f5
18. exf5, Rxf5
19. Qxd6, h5
20. Qe7+, Rf7
21. Qxf7, Kxf7
22. Ne5+, Ke7
23. Nxc6+, Bxc6
24. Rhe1, Bd7
25. Rxd7+, Resigns

With material and strategic advantage, White will ultimately capture Black's remaining pawns.

Ruy Lopez Opening: Exchange Variation

ROBERT JAMES FISCHER vs. BORIS SPASSKY
$5 million match, 1992

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Bxc6 ....

The moves so far comprise the Exchange Variation of Ruy Lopez.

4. .... dxc6

This move is almost always chosen at master level. Black has gained the bishop pair at the cost of a weakened pawn structure, due to his doubled pawns on c6 and c7. In the Exchange Variation, by exchanging the 'Spanish Bishop', White aims to reach an endgame in which he has the superior pawn structure, which may become an important factor. Thus Black is compelled to strive for an active position, generally avoiding piece exchanges.

5. 0-0, f6
6. d4, exd4
7. Nxd4, c5
8. Nb3, Qxd1
9. Rxd1, Bg4
10. f3, Be6
11. Nc3, Bd6
12. Be3, b6
13. a4, 0-0-0
14. a5, Kb7
15. e5, Be7

If 15....fxe5, then 16. axb6 cxb6, 17. Ne4 Be7, 18. Rxd8 Bxd8, 19. Nexc5 bxc5, 20. Nbxc5... and White gets more than enough compensation.

16. Rxd8, Bxd8
17. Ne4, Kc6
18. axb6, cxb6
19. Nbxc5, Bc8

If 19....bxc5, then 20. Rxa6+ Kd7, 21. Nxc5+!!...

20. Nxa6, fxe5
21. Nb4+, Resigns

If 21....Kb7, 22. Nd6+ Kc7, 23. Nf7!.

Black loses after 21....Kb5, 22. Nd6+ Kxb4, 23. Ra3!! Be7, 24. c3+ mate.

Black loses material after 21....Kd7, 22. Ra7+ Ke6, (if 22....Ke8, then 23. Nd6+) 23. Ng5+ followed by 24. Ra8 or 24. Nf7.

Black also gets nowhere after 21....Kc7, 22. Ra7+ Bb7, (if 22....Kb8, then 23. Nc6+ mate) 23. Rxb7+ Kxb7, 24. Nd6+ Kc7, 25. Nf7!.

King's Indian Defense

The King's Indian Defense was already discussed in previous postings. It is a hypermodern opening, where Black deliberately allows White control of the centre with his pawns, with the view to subsequently challenging it with the moves ...e5 or ...c5. It is a dynamic opening, exceptionally complex, and a favourite of players such as former world champions Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, and Mikhail Tal.

RENE LETELIER MARTNER vs. ROBERT JAMES FISCHER
Liepzig Olympiad Prelim 1960

King's Indian Defense

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, g6
3. Nc3, Bg7
4. e4, 0-0

The normal continuation is 4....d6.  Fischer decided to complicate the opening in order to break loose White's central pawn structure.

5. e5, Ne8
6. f4, d6
7. Be3, c5
8. dxc5, Nc6
9. cxd6, exd6
10. Ne4, Bf5
11. Ng3, Be6
12. Nf3, Qc7
13. Qb1?? ....

An odd move. It does not help White in any way. It even imprisoned his own Rook!

13. .... dxe5
14. f5 ....

Black's position is unassailable after 14. fxe5 Nxe5, 15. Nxe5 Bxe5.

14. .... e4!!
15. fxe6, exf3
16. gxf3, f5
17. f4, Nf6
18. Be2, Rfe8!
19. Kf2, Rxe6
20. Re1, Rae8
21. Bf3, Rxe3!!

22. Rxe3, Rxe3
23. Kxe3, Qxf4+!!
White resigns (0:1).

White loses if he takes the Queen (24. Kxf4 Bh6+ mate).

If 24. Kf2, then 24....Nd4, 25. Qd1 Ng4+, 26. Kg2 Ne3 double-check, and Black wins.

Fischer Uses the Pirc Defense

ROBERT JAMES FISCHER vs. PAL BENKO
US Championship, 1963

Pirc Defense

1. e4, g6
2. d4, Bg7
3. Nc3, d6
4. f4, Nf6
5. Nf3, 0-0
6. Bd3, Bg4
7. h3, Bxf3
8. Qxf3, Nc6
9. Be3, e5
10. dxe5, dxe5
11. f5!! ....

The move is intended to weaken Black's king-side pawn structure.

11. .... gxf5
12. Qxf5, Nd4
13. Qf2, Ne8
14. 0-0, Nd6
15. Qg3, Kh8
16. Qg4, c6
17. Qh5 ...

Strategically, Fischer wanted this position.  His Queen has to travel from f2 to h5.

17. .... Qe8
18. Bxd4, exd4
19. Rf6 ....

 19. .... Kg8

If 19.... Bxf6, then 20. e5!... with a mating threat at h7.

20. e5, h6
21. Ne2, Resigns

If 21. exd6 Bxf6, 22. Qf5 Qe3+, 23. Kh1 Rfe8, 24. Qxf6 dxc3...and White's attack fizzles out.

Definitely not 21. Rxd6 Qxd5 and Black neutralizes the position.

With his last move, White gains a tempo.  Now if 21....Qe7, then 22. Raf1 Rfe8, 23. exd6 Qe3+, 24. Kh1 Bxf6, 25. Rxf6 Re7, 26. Rxh6!! ... and White wins.

Bobby Fischer

 Robert James "Bobby" Fischer (born March 9, 1943), won the World Chess Championship on September 1, 1972 and lost the title when he failed to defend it on April 3, 1975. He is considered to be one of the most gifted chess players of all time and, despite his prolonged absence from competitive play, is still among the best known of all chess players.

"I am the best player in the world and I am here to prove it." - Bobby Fischer 

Not to be outdone, Fischer has his own Immortal Game.  This game was awarded the 1st Brilliancy Prize in the U.S. Chess Championship (1963-1964), and is considered one of the best games Fischer has ever played.

ROBERT BYRNE vs. BOBBY FISCHER

King's Indian Defense, Fianchetto Variation

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, g6
3. g3, c6
4. Bg2, d5
5. cxd5 ....

Qb3 creates more tension. - Fischer

5. .... cxd5
6. Nc3, Bg7
7. e3, 0-0
8. Nge2, Nc6
9. 0-0, b6
10. b3 .....

White intends to develop his own Bishop at a3.

10. .... Ba6
11. Ba3, Re8
12. Qd2, e5
13. dxe5, Nxe5
14. Rfd1 ....

Fischer thinks that 14. Rad1 is more superior.

14. .... Nd3!!
15. Qc2 ....

White plans to capture the Knight by 19. Rxd3.

15. .... Nxf2!!
16. Kxf2, Ng4+
17. Kg1, Nxe3
18. Qd2 ....

Adding pressure on the d4 pawn.

18. .... Nxg2!!!

This dazzling move came as a shocker.  At this point, two grandmasters who were commenting on the play for the spectators in a separate room believed White had a won game.

19. Kxg2, d4!
20. Nxd4, Bb7+!!
21. Kf1 ....

If 21. Kg1, then 21. .... Re1+, 22. Rxe1 or 22. Qxe1 Bxd4+!! and the power of two Bishops comes into play.

21. .... Qd7 !!

White resigns, for he will lose his Queen after 22. Qf2 Qh3+, 23. Kg1 Re1+!!, 24. Rxe1 Bxd4.