This is an interesting game. Not just because Fischer played it when he was 13, but because I wonder if you will see why his opponent resigned. Should he have resigned?

1. e4

Opening for the Queen, Bishop, King, Knight, and moving towards the center where pieces have the most mobility. “Controls”/”attacks” d5 and f5. What will Fischer play against his favorite opening move when he is playing White?

1… c5

The Sicilian Defence. “Attacks b4 and d4. Gets the pawn out of the way so that the Knight on b8 can come to c6 without blocking the pawn. Makes White think twice about playing a move like d4.

2. Nf3

Develops a piece towards the center. Attacks d4, e5, g6, and h4. He can now play d4 without worrying about capturing back with the Queen.

2… Nc6

Develops the Knight towards the center, attacking a5, b4, d4 and e5. Supports the pawn in putting pressure on b4 and d4.

3. d4

Fights for control of the central d4 square. If the pawns and Knights are exchanged, White would have a Queen on d4, pawn on e4. Black would have to pieces or pawns in the center of the board. This move opens for the Queen, King, both Knights, and the Bishop on c1.

3… cxd4

Fischer decides to exchange pawn. One reason could be to prevent it from advancing to d5 where it would chase away his Knight. He could have played e6. Of course, I will not go into the merits of that move if White went ahead and played d5.

4. Nxd4

White takes back with the Knight. (Of course taking back with the Queen would lose!)

4… Nf6

Instead of capturing the Knight on d4, which would get rid of his only developed piece, Fischer decides to develop another piece! (This is a good lesson for beginners). The newly developed Knight, on f6, attacks the pawn on e4. So instead of White thinking about just one thing (if Fischer had captured the Knight on d4), he will be thinking about several things: should he initiate the exchange of Knights? Should he defend the pawn? How should he defend the pawn. The more you make your opponent think about a lot of things, the better.

5. Nc3

White decides to protect the pawn on e4 and do so while developing a piece (towards the center). He could have played Nd2 defending the pawn, but this would have blocked all those pieces that the pawn had opened for.

5… d6

White opens for the Bishop on c8, the Queen, and the King. The pawn attacks e5 and c5. These squares become crucial as the game progresses.

6. Be2

White develops a piece, clearing the way for castling. Playable is Bc4; but it exposes the Bishop to attacks like Na5 which would force white to address the attack. Another possibility is Bb5 which would exert a lot of pressure on the Knight on c6.

6… e5

This opens for the f8-Bishop, the Queen and King, the Knight on c6 if it wants to move over to g6 for whatever reason. It attacks f4 and d4 (and the White Knight happens to be on the latter square).

7. Nb3

White decides to keep his Knight instead of exchanging in. He could have gone back to f3, but that would have blocked the pawn on f2, the Bishop on e2. I should have mentioned that the Bishop on e2 is preventing moves like Bg4 and Ng4.

7… Be7

White develops his last Kingside minor piece, so he can castle next move. The bishop move renders White moves like Bg5 harmless, (otherwise it the Knight would have been pinned).

8. O-O

This protects the King and brings the Rook into play.

8… O-O

Black castles and has similar advantages to White’s previous move.

9. f4

White launches a Kingside attack with this move. He would like to dislodge the black pawn from e5. This move opens the f-file for the Rook to get into the game. A possibility is f5, Rf3, Rg3 or Rh3, and somehow get the Queen and Bishop involved.

9… a5

Black starts a counter-attack on the Queenside. “The best form of defense is counter-attack” – especially if you can meet the attack HEAD ON. (Apply it directly where it hurts!)

10. a4

White decides to neutralize Black’s attempts to create an attack on the Queenside, before he continues with his own attack. Another good lesson here… knowing when to stop and look and see if you can take care of other business first before your wishes/dreams are carried out.

10… Be6

Black develops his last minor piece. He puts in a position where it can go to the Queenside or the Kingside as need be. Note that if Black captured the Knight on b3, White would have to capture with the c-pawn. The pawn would move away from the center, which is usually a disadvantage. If Black had not played a5, forcing a4, after the Bishop captures the Knight, White could capture with the a-pawn, towards the center. So the a5 move was not just a counter-attacking move, it had other “strategic considerations” to it.

11. f5

White decides to dislodge the Bishop from e6. If you take into account my previous comment, this seems ill-advised as it forces Black to exchange the Bishop for the Knight. White gets doubled pawns, backward pawns, pawns that are away from the center. Since the position is a little locked up, Knights may be preferable to Bishops.

11… Bxb3

It seems forced to me from my previous comments. It appears to have advantages than disadvantages. I have already talked about the disadvantages to White for allowing this exchange. Hence Black’s advantages can be found in exploiting White’s disadvantages. What are Black’s disadvantages in playing this move? One major disadvantage is that Black’s pawns are on dark squares, that being the case, it is preferable to have the Bishop of opposite color as it is not blocked by the pawns, and it also complements the pawns in covering squares that are not being covered by them.

12. cxb3

White captures back. Forced.

12… Nb4

If you see a backward pawn, (like in this case) see if you can put a piece in front of them. First, you stop them from advancing any further. Second, you cannot be chased away by the lowly pawns. Third, if you cannot be captured, you can stay there forever and control things.

13. Bg5

White develops his last minor piece, attacks the Knight on f6, and opens for the Rook on a1 to get into the game.

13… Re8

If I had played this move, I would have said… I needed to move something, and this seemed the least evil thing to do. Let’s see. If Black wants to play d5 at some point, he does not want the pawn on e5 to be unprotected. If White somehow attacks the Bishop on e7, he wants some place for the Bishop to retreat to. Lastly, it pays to move the Rooks to the central files. With practice you just know that they become more effective there. (Just like the other pieces.)

14. Bf3

May be Black really wanted to play d5! Let’s stop him!

14… Qb6+

Bringing the Queen out so that the Rooks can be united…. and if you can gain a move by giving a check, do it by all means! (Note tha if the Black Knight moves from b4, the Black Queen is attacking the pawn on b3.

15. Kh1

Looks like the least evil way to take care of the check.

15… Rac8

Bringing the Rook into play via the only open (=no pawns) file. If the Knight on c3 moves, the Black Knight on b4 can go to c2 attacking the Rook for the fun of it! Well, not really, but it is moves like that that you watch out for. (Just saying “bringing the Rook into play” didn’t seem enough!)

16. Rg1

Hmmnnn! Preparing for g4? Really? I am not sure about this move. Is he considering g4, Rg3, Rh3? I would start with g4 right away if that was my idea since the Bishop is protecting the pawn anyway. Why choke my King?

16… Qf2

Since the f2 square is no longer controlled by the Rook, why not go there to attack the pawn on b2? (and also enable Nc2?)

17. Qe2

The Queen seems to be a nuisance, let’s get it off the board by exchanging it with my docile Queen. Remember that when you seek simplification, you may sometimes benefit your opponent. When things become clearer for you, the also become clearer for your opponent!

17… Qxe2

Ok. I have nowhere else better to go, I will give you my Queen for yours.

18. Bxe2

White ought to take back.

18… Nc2

Remember I mentioned this move? But it is not just to attack the Rook. It is to move the Knight to a better post. If you can do it with the initiative (by giving a check or attacking a more valuable piece) then do it by all means!

19. Rac1

If you defend, and you can counter-attack while defending, …. (do so my all means!). The Rook attacks the Knight that attacked it!

19… Nd4

The Knight runs away, but with an attack in mind. It gets to a central, more favorable outpost, with the initiative by attacking the Bishop on e2.

20. Bc4

The Bishop runs away, gets to a more favorable post – generally speaking – on c4. Here, it defends the pawn on b3 – (did I say it was attacked?) – and it blocks the path of the Rook on c8. It cannot be attacked by pawns here. It attacks f7. d5 is almost permanently taken… Whew! But!!! remember when I said on move 6 or 7, that Be2 prevents moves like…

20… Ng4

this! Well, what did I say about choking the King? What’s up with the Bishop on g5? What do you think White did? Well, he resigned! Now, go back to my introduction and answer the questions! Hope you had fun!

If you would like to play (click & play) through this game, click here.

Lincoln ch-US jr 1955 · Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation (B58) · 0-1

1. e4

Nice opening move. Going for the center, opening for Queen, Bishop, and King. Controlling d5 and f5.

1… c5

Sicilian defense. Avoids direct confrontation at the center. Control/attack b4 and d4. Opening for the Queen – diagonal to a5. The knight usually comes to c6; this move makes sure that the Knight is not blocking the pawn.

2. Nf3

Developing move towards the center. Clearing the way for castling. Fights for control of d4. Attacking e5 and g5 to name a few.

2… Nc6

Developing move towards the center. Another fight for the center. Contests control for d4 and e5. Supports the pawn in attacking b4 and d4.

3. d4

The d4-square is ‘attacked’ 3 times by the white pieces and 2 times by the black pieces. Thus white can afford to make this move. If the pawns are exchanged, white takes away Black’s only pawn at the center. If Knights are exchanged, Black will have no pieces near the center of the board. White will have a pawn and a Queen. This move opens for the Queen, Bishop, King and both Knights. White is also threatening to play d5 dislodging the Knight from c6.

3… cxd4

Black decides to exchange pawns.

4. Nxd4

Of course, don’t take with the Queen!

4… Nf6

A developing move towards the center, attacking the undefended pawn. Black leaves it to White to decide whether to exchange Knights.

5. Nc3

A developing move towards the center and protecting the pawn on e4.

5… d6

This opens for the Bishop on c8 as well as the Queen. Also playable is a6. This move “prevents” e5 (after the exchange of the Knights).

6. Be2

A developing move. Clears the way for castling. Also playable is Bc4 or Bb5.

6… g6

Looks like the Dragon variation to me. Fianchettoing the Bishop is one of the easiest ways to develop a Bishop. In addition to the development, the area around the King after castling is pretty tough to break. The Bishop comes into play once the Knight gets out of the way. Thus the fight for the d4 square is not finished.

7. Be3

Develops a piece towards the center. Adds support to the d4 Knight. If the Queen moves, White can castle short (o-o) or long (o-o-o). Note that if White had not played Be2, Black could have played Knight to g4 at this point. So Be2 was a prophylactic move.

7… Bg7

Develops a piece. Clears the way for castling. If Knight on g6 gets out of the way, the Bishop attacks everything that comes on the diagonal (h8-a1)

8. f3

It seems White is announcing that he may not castle short. In addition to supporting the pawn on e4, this move prepares for g4 to be followed by h4 and so on. Almost the only way to break the protective structure around the King with a fianchettoed Bishop.

8… O-O

Black seems not to mind the oncoming pawn assault. He tucks his King away the same side anyway. This move protects the King(?) and brings the Rook into play.

9. Qd2

Develops the Queen. Gets it out of the way for White to castle long. He is threatening to play Bh6 forcing the exchange of Bishops which would weaken Black’s defenses around the King.

9… a6

Prevents any Knight move to b5, AND prepares for b5. If White is going to attack my King with a kingside pawn storm, I am going to attack his Queenside with my own pawn storm. If the King goes that way, all the better. If the White King castles short, then he will have opened himself up anyway.

10. O-O-O

White castles long. This protects the King, and allows the Q-Rook to join the attack on the White King. I suspect that he things he will get to the Black King quicker than Black can get to the White King.

10… Qa5

This move not only attacks the Queen side, (for example, if the Knight on c3 moves, the Queen can take on a2), but it is a way to get the Queen to the Kingside if need be, to support the King. (if you take out the Knights on d4 and f6, the Black Bishop and Queen are attacking the Knight on c3. That is how dangerous the fianchettoed Bishop is. You always have to be mindful of its potential harm.)

11. Kb1

The King scoots over to protect the pawn on a2 thus freeing the Knight on c3 for other duties.

11… Rd8

If you take out the pawn on d6, the Rook pins the Knight on d4. Usually, when a player brings Rooks behind pawns like this, his intension is to open up the position so that the Rooks can become more effective.

12. g4

Better get on with the attack before Black consolidates his position.

12… Nxd4

Relieving the tension in the center. Getting rid of these Knights will allow Black to attack through the c-file.

13. Bxd4

Better to capture with the Bishop that way you don’t have to worry about a discovered attack (on your Queen).

13… Be6

If the Knight on c3 moves, the Black Queen and Bishop are attacking the pawn on a2. Mate is in sight! This moves also clears the way for a Rook to get to c8. However, it blocks the path for the pawn on e7, (not that it needs to be moved right away.)

14. Qe3

Strategically, this is a move preparing to get to the Kingside. Tactically, White is threatening to play Bb6 winning the exchange! (Where can the Black Queen go? …Qe5?? f4.)

14… Nd7

Preventing Bb6 and opening the way for the Bishop.

15. f4

Carrying on with the pawn attack on the King. If Black wants to trade Bishops, let him make the move!

15… Bxd4

Black trades Bishops. Sometimes the best way to defend is to make things a little clearer through exchanges. This cuts both ways, if it’s clearer for you, it is clearer for your opponent!

16. Qxd4

No choice, she has to take back.

16… Nf6

The White Bishop has been executed, so the Knight does not need to be on d7 any longer. He helps the Bishop on e6 attack the g4 pawn. If the Bishop was not on e6, this would have been an opportune time to play a move like e5, attacking the Queen and busting the pawn armada.

17. f5

One of the best way to defend is to counter-attack! In your face!

17… Bd7

Exchanging pawns by Black would have been dangerous as it would have opened up the g-file. The Bishop wisely decides to step back. He did not go all the way to c8 because he does not want to block the path between the two Rooks.

18. h4

Another pawn to join the attack. Send the foot soldiers first to soften up the target.

18… Bb5

Let’s get rid of another set of pieces so that White does not have enough pieces to attack my position with. The other reason is that the Black Bishop did not have a nice sanctuary, so why not get rid of it?

19. Bf3

Black needs his Bishop. Just to point out, White could not initiate the exchange with the Knight, as Black would have captured with the pawn – and the Queen and Rook would be attacking the pawn on a2.

19… Rac8

Black brings the Rook into play. He may sacrifice the Rook for the Knight in order to generate a Queenside attack and also remove a defender of the King. He may be thinking about bringing the Rook over to help in the attack, but that cannot be successful if the Knight is still on c3.

20. Nxb5

Since the Rook is no longer on the a-file, White decides to take the Bishop with his Knight! It also takes out the threat that Black posed – of giving up the exchange for an attack.

20… axb5

Interestingly, Black goes on to take with his pawn as if the Rook is on a8. This is probably because, he can bring the Rook back in one move. Notice that that move is a big deal for White. Previously, the Rook was already there, so he could not take the Bishop. After the Rook moved, it requires an extra move for Black to achieve the same result/position.

21. h5

Going on with the attack (before defending any attacks that have not yet materialized.)

21… Rc4

I am not sure about this move. The only thing I can think of is that he wants to have the Rook on e8 move to a8 instead of this Rook (that was on c8). Why? May be that way you have all the Rooks involved in the attack? For example, having Rooks on the c-file and a-file within 2 moves allows him to attack both the a2 and c2 pawns within 3 moves. Other than that, I miss the point.

22. Qe3

Gets away from the attack while eyeing h6.

22… Ra8

As previously explained, attacking a2.

23. a3

Easiest way to stop/delay the attack.

23… Qa4

Attacking c2 with Rook and Queen. Attacking e4 with Knight, Rook and Queen.

24. c3

Stopping the attack! Hopefully, you saw that 24.b3 forking Queen and Rook was a blunder… because???)

24… Nxe4

Yummy! On a serious note, apart from the attack on the White King (see next comment) this is a way to defend the Black King by opening the 4th rank so that the Rook and Queen can get to the Kingside.

25. Bxe4

Otherwise, the Knight could be sacrificed on c3.

25… Rxe4

Has to take back.

26. Qh6

Running away? Sort of! More like Attacking away! Threatening hxg6 followed by Qxh7 as it would be supported by the Rook on h1.

26… Re2

If you try to give me mate I will give you mate! Threatening to play Qc2+ followed by Qxb2# How would you defend this?

27. Rd2

Probably because he saw that after Rc1, Black would play Qb3 which might be a little hard to defend! But this does not see even two moves ahead! Aw!

27… Rxd2

Black has to take, because of a bigger winning move awaits!

28. Qxd2

White has to take… otherwise he will be mated sooner than he can checkmate Black.

28… Qe4+

Aw! That’s what Bobby “missed”- may be he should have played 27.Qc1 – May be.