New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, December 23, 1971 - Page 22
Chess: A Victory by Fischer at 13 Is Called Game of Century by Al Horowitz
Bobby Fischer's victories are legion. Yet his triumph in a Gruenfeld Defense, as Black, against Donald Byrne in the Rosenwald tournament of New York in 1956, was awarded the first brilliancy prize and acclaimed the game of the century. The accolade was that of Hans Kmoch, eminent authority, analyst and historian.
This game, a masterpiece of chess combination, was played when Bobby was only 13 years old. And it heralded a new United States champion in a year to come and for eight years afterward.
Right from the start, with move 5 … P-Q4, accent was on combination. Black effected a blending that required accuracy and courage. White declined. For after 6. PxP NxP; 7. NxN QxN; 8. BxP N-R3; 9. B-N3 B-B4; 10. P-QR3 QR-B1, with a strong pressure for his pawn.
Black's Move Deceptive
On move 11. … N-R5, Black's move looks like the crassest blunder ever made. It has, however, academic and psychological overtones. And 13. … NxP is another surprise follow-up, continuing to tap Black's resources. Again, after 15. … NxQBP — another beautiful move — the point is, if 16. QxN KR-K1, Black recovers the piece with a pawn to the good.
Yet, the best is to come.
With 17. … B-K3, Black mounts an irresistible onslaught. It is stunning, charming, and reduces the position to a material success.
With two bishops and a rook, White has triumphantly concluded his combination. There were various ways of finishing off. But the mating combination that followed was tempting.
Possibly, Fischer might have mated sooner. But the loss of a tempo or so was pardonable.
