optimal play: This is the twelfth game in the match between Charles Marshall Fisher and Robert Smith played 1873 in Sydney.Going into this game, Fisher led Smith by 6-5 (no draws), and with victory in the match awarded to the first player to seven wins, Fisher only required one more win, while Smith needed to win or draw this game to keep the match alive.
11.Bg5
<The foregoing moves are similar to those played in the fourth game>*
11...Bf7
Smith played 11...Qe8 in game # 4 C M Fisher vs R Smith, 1873 winning in 61 moves.
12...d5
<A useless move, Black's proper play was B to R 4 with the view of getting rid of the dangerous Knight>*
13.Nf4
<White gets on the right track this time>**
16.Bf6 ! winning the game and the match
<Finely played and decisive, since Black must now be mated or lose his Q in four moves>*
<Capitally played>**
The final score was as follows:-
0-1-2-2-3-4-4-4-5-5-6-7 (7/12) Charles Marshall Fisher
1-1-1-2-2-2-3-4-4-5-5-5 (5/12) Robert Smith
No drawn games.
The match has therefore been decided in favour of Charles Marshall Fisher.
*Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW) issue Saturday 1 November 1873 page 21
**The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.) issue Saturday 8 November 1873 page 13