chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
 
Bobby Fischer: Road to the Crown
Compiled by nosuchdude
--*--

In 1971, at the Candidates Matches for the ultimate chess crown, the promising young American grandmaster, Bobby Fischer, made chess history by winning an unprecedented thirteen games in a row with seven extra consecutive games at the Palma de Mallorca Interzonal in 1970, giving him a streak of 20 games in a row and winning every game. Fischer crushed such titans like Mark Taimanov and Bent Larsen with a perfect 6-0 score in both cases. Former world champion "Iron" Tigran Petrosian was the only candidate who was able to put up any resistance, and Fischer crushed even "the Tiger" 6.5-2.5.

Taimanov's knight is "O.K. Corralled" by Fischer's pet bishop.
Fischer vs Taimanov, 1971 
(B47) Sicilian, Taimanov (Bastrikov) Variation, 71 moves, 1-0

Again, Fischer demonstrates how to win bishop+pawn vs. knight.
Fischer vs Taimanov, 1971 
(B44) Sicilian, 89 moves, 1-0

Fischer nurses home his Exchange, even while two pawns down.
Taimanov vs Fischer, 1971 
(E97) King's Indian, 40 moves, 0-1

Fischer's position was difficult until Taimanov blundered.
Taimanov vs Fischer, 1971 
(D80) Grunfeld, 47 moves, 0-1

"To Fischer, a theoretical edge is an extra queen."--Kashdan
Taimanov vs Fischer, 1971 
(E97) King's Indian, 42 moves, 0-1

Fischer's passers decide the match in White's favor.
Fischer vs Taimanov, 1971 
(B44) Sicilian, 43 moves, 1-0

Fischer makes light of Larsen's extra queen.
Fischer vs B Larsen, 1971 
(C19) French, Winawer, Advance, 41 moves, 1-0

Once again, Fischer's pet light-squared bishop rules the day.
Fischer vs B Larsen, 1971 
(B88) Sicilian, Fischer-Sozin Attack, 41 moves, 1-0

The bishop pair's diagonal dexterity once again dominates.
Fischer vs B Larsen, 1971 
(B88) Sicilian, Fischer-Sozin Attack, 46 moves, 1-0

Fischer's cool defense under fire allows him to win the ending.
B Larsen vs Fischer, 1971 
(A30) English, Symmetrical, 54 moves, 0-1

Fischer commendably uses kingside lines to win material.
B Larsen vs Fischer, 1971 
(E97) King's Indian, 33 moves, 0-1

Fischer recovers after an unorthodox opening from Larsen.
B Larsen vs Fischer, 1971 
(A02) Bird's Opening, 40 moves, 0-1

The heavy pieces were quite light in Fischer's hands.
Fischer vs Petrosian, 1971 
(B44) Sicilian, 40 moves, 1-0

Fischer's hogs on the seventh tie Petrosian up.
Fischer vs Petrosian, 1971 
(B42) Sicilian, Kan, 34 moves, 1-0

Fischer effectively exploits the weakness of Petrosian's pawns.
Fischer vs Petrosian, 1971 
(C10) French, 46 moves, 1-0

In fact, even Fischer could lose against "Iron Tigran".
Petrosian vs Fischer, 1971 
(D82) Grunfeld, 4.Bf4, 32 moves, 1-0

Fischer gets active play against Petrosian's imposing center.
Petrosian vs Fischer, 1971 
(D32) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch, 40 moves, 0-1

Prophylactic genius holds out against Fischer's attack.
Fischer vs Petrosian, 1971 
(C11) French, 34 moves, 1/2-1/2

In a deadly dull Maroczy Bind, a quick draw ensues.
Petrosian vs Fischer, 1971 
(A30) English, Symmetrical, 20 moves, 1/2-1/2

Another boring game ends in a quick draw.
Fischer vs Petrosian, 1971 
(C42) Petrov Defense, 38 moves, 1/2-1/2

Petrosian misplays an offbeat opening and gets suffocated.
Petrosian vs Fischer, 1971 
(A04) Reti Opening, 66 moves, 0-1

21 games

 » View all game collections by nosuchdude PGN Download
 » Search entire game collection library
 » Clone this game collection (copy it to your account)
 » FAQ: Help with Game Collections
Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC