Sicilian Defense: Fischer-Sozin Attack Flank Variation

LARRY CHRISTIANSEN vs. ALEKSANDER WOJTKIEWICZ
US Championship 2006

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, a6
6. Bc4, e6
7. Bb3, b5

The Flank Variation of Fischer-Sozin Attack, Sicilian Defense.

8. Qf3, Qc7
9. Bg5, Nbd7
10. 0-0-0, Be7
11. e5 ....

Attacking the Rook at a8. Black has no choice but to defend it.

11. .... Bb7
12. Qg3, Nxe5
13. Bxe6, fxe6
14. f4 ....

White keeps the pressure, controlling most of central squares.

14. .... Ng6
15. Nxe6, Qd7
16. Rhe1! ....

White could have moved 16. Nxg7 but then Black's reply Kf7 would have the Knight stranded.

16. .... Kf7
17. f5, Nf8
18. Bxf6!! ....

White begins an all-out attack. If 16.....gxf6, then 17. Qg7+ Ke8, 18. Qxh8.

18. .... Bxf6
19. Rxd6!, Qc8

Black's Queen has nowhere to go. If 19....Qe8, then 20. Ng5+ enabling Queen's capture.

20. Ng5+, Kg8

The exchange 20....Bxg5, then 21. Qxg5 Qc7, 22. f6!! favors White.

21. Rxf6!, gxf6
22. Nge4+, Ng6

Of course not 22.....Kf7, 23. Nd6+ double-check.

23. fxg6, Resigns

Black's King cannot escape White's onslaught. If the game continues 23....h6, then 24. g7!! Rh7, 25. Nf6+ Kf7, 26. g8=Q+! Qxg8, 27. Nxg8 Rxg8, 28. Re7+ Kxe7, 29. Qxg8 and White is assured of victory.

Sicilian Defense: Fischer-Sozin Attack

ROBERT JAMES FISCHER vs. EFIM GELLER
Skopje, 1967

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, Nc6
6. Bc4, e6
7. Be3, Be7
8. Bb3, 0-0
9. Qe2, Qa5
10. 0-0-0, Nxd4
11. Bxd4, Bd7
12. Kb1, Bc6
13. f4, Rad8
14. Rhf1, b5

The Fischer-Sozin Attack. Promoted by Fischer, but ironically now used against him. Normally, Black prepares for the attack by ....a6 followed by ....b5. In this case, however, the pawn is fully supported.

15. f5, b4
16. fxe6, bxc3
17. exf7+ ....

Typical of Fischer, who sacrifices pieces in order to achieve the desired position.

17. .... Kh8
18. Rf5, Qb4
19. Qf1 ....

Threatening 20. Bxf6.

19. .... Nxe4
20. a3, Qb7
21. Qf4, Ba4
22. Qg4 ....

White attacks Black's weakest link. Definitely not 22. Qh6 because of 22....Bf6, 23. Rxf6 Nxf6, 24. Bxf6 Rxf7.

22. .... Bf6
23. Rxf6, Bxb3

White resigns. Black's threat at b2 and f6 would be too much. If 23. Bxc3 Nxc3+, 24. bxc3 Bc4+, 25. Ka1 Rb8! and mate follows.