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Last update: Friday June 3, 2005 9:44
The great Bobby Fischer had a ‘knack’ of putting grandmasters ‘to the sword’ game after game. In several U.S. Championships, international tournaments and matches he stormed through with 100% proving he was in a league of his own. Eventually he did the unthinkable and took the World Championship crown away from the might of the Soviet Union by beating Boris Spassky in 1972. Here is an example of his work:
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R.Byrne-Fischer
USA Ch New York 1963/4
Black had made a speculative piece sacrifice a few moves before. In a room set aside for commentaries on the games in progress, two grandmasters were stating for the benefit of the spectators, that Byrne had a won game. His reply to Fischer's last move (21...Qd8-d7!) must have been jaw-dropping.
0-1!!
White resigned based on
22 Qf2
Or 22 Ndb5 Qh3+ 23 Kg1 Bh6! wins.
23...Qh3+ 24.Kg1 Re1+!! 25.Rxe1 Bxd4
Black
forces mate.
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Hector-Hillarp Persson
Reykjavik
1998
White to play and mate in three, the solution is visually appealing.
Solution: 32 Qh3+ Qh5 33 Qe3+ Qg5 34 Qxg5#.
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Gershon-Vaisser
New York 1998
Just when White can expect some piece and quiet on the home front, have thoughts of harassing the Black king and have some fun of his own, Black produces a stunner. Black to play and mate in four.
Solution:35...Bxg3+!! 36Kxg3
Or 36 fxg3 Qc2+
37 Kh3 Qg2+ 38 Kh4 Qh2# or 36 Kh3 Qh1+ 37 Kxg3 Qg2+ 38 Kh4 Qh2#
36...Qg1+ 37.Kxf3
Black also mates after 37
Kh3 Qg2+ 38 Kh4 Qg4#
37...Qg4#.
In the following position White must have expected to have had good chances of converting his position for the full point or at least making Black ‘suffer’ on the back-foot for some time. Black’s cool, calm and calculated response to the task at hand must have left White a little flabbergasted! Can you find Black’s plan?
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Solution: 1...Ra1+ 2.Rf1 Rxf1+ 3.Kxf1 Bh3!!
Amazingly the position is drawn. White cannot avoid ending up with bishop and rook’s pawn(s), with the wrong bishop for the queening square, in a position where the defending king covers the vital h8 square.
