Bobby Fischer's best games

Few names carry as much weight as Bobby Fischer. Here are his best games, starting with the one that made him famous at just 13 years old. Open it in the viewer above: it’s one of the most studied games in history.

The Game of the Century (Byrne – Fischer, 1956)

Imagine being 13 years old and playing this against an established master. Fischer, with Black, seems to make a mistake by leaving his queen hanging… but he’d calculated everything. In exchange for the queen, he builds a mating net with both rooks, both bishops and the knight. Perfect coordination.

Follow the viewer and notice an idea I repeat often: activity is worth more than material. Fischer gives up his strongest piece because his minor pieces, all together, are worth more in that specific position. It’s the same lesson as The Opera Game, but pulled off by a child.

Why you should study him

• Clarity. Fischer didn’t play “weird” moves: he always looked for the best square for each piece.
• Technique. He converted minimal advantages into wins, especially in endgames.
• Attack. When the position called for blood, he calculated like a machine.

Keep exploring

• His place in history: world chess champions and best players in history.
• The opening of the Game of the Century: a Grünfeld Defense.
• More masterpieces: Kasparov’s best games and Carlsen’s.

Replay the game a couple of times. It’s hard to believe a 13-year-old calculated it… but he did.