The Game of the Century
Donald Byrne vs Bobby Fischer · Rosenwald Memorial, New York, 1956 · 0–1
Start
Press → or tap the arrows to play through the game — the notes appear at the moments that decided it.
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A thirteen-year-old Bobby Fischer, playing Black, produced one of the most famous games in history. He offered his queen on move 17 not to force mate at once, but to unleash his minor pieces and rooks into a storm the great Donald Byrne could not survive. Machine-precise attacking chess from a boy — hence 'the Game of the Century'.
The takeaway
A material count is only a snapshot. Fischer gave up his queen because his rooks and bishops, all attacking with tempo, were worth more than any single piece — coordination and initiative decide attacks.
Now go make your own.
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