optimal play: This is the sixth game in the match between Charles Marshall Fisher and Robert Smith played 1873 in Sydney.4.f3 appears to be a novelty by Fisher, though rarely played again.
<Inferior to P takes P>**
4...e6
<P to K 4 is a better move>*
5...Qh4+
<This move of the Q is premature, and in consequence of it, Black acquires a bad position>**
9...Qf6
<Black has lost time in regaining the pawn; here he should have played Q to K 2, followed by P to Q 3, if White moved Kt to Kt 5. In any case he gets a cramped game>*
13.Nd4
<White takes full advantage of the mistake made by his opponent in the opening>**
15.Ng4 !
<White now has a splendid attack, and he prosecutes it with vigour>*
15...Qe7
<Black's Q has been a continual source of trouble for him>**
22.Qxg8
<Q takes R and wins>*
23.f6
<White maintains his advantage in good style throughout>**
After six games, with the race to seven wins, Fisher has opened up a two point lead.
The progressive score was as follows:-
0-1-2-2-3-4 (4/6) Charles Marshall Fisher
1-1-1-2-2-2 (2/6) Robert Smith
*Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW) issue Saturday 25 October 1873 page 21
**The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.) issue Saturday 25 October 1873 page 13