The Game of the Century: Byrne vs Fischer (1956)

Donald Byrne vs. Bobby Fischer (1956)

In the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament of 1956, a 13-year-old boy named Bobby Fischer announced his arrival to the world with a game so brilliant that Hans Kmoch famously dubbed it "The Game of the Century."

Playing the black pieces against International Master Donald Byrne, Fischer unleashed a stunning Queen Sacrifice on move 17 (17...Be6!!) that led to a decisive windmill attack and checkmate. It remains one of the most instructive and beautiful games in chess history.

Watch the Video Analysis

The Key Moment

The critical turning point occurred when Byrne played 17. Kf1 (hoping to safeguard his king). Fischer ignored the threat to his Queen and played 17... Be6!!. If Byrne takes the Queen with 18. Bxb6, Fischer initiates a sequence of checks that decimates White's position.

Game Notation (PGN)

You can follow the moves of the game below:

[Event "Rosenwald Memorial"] [Site "New York, NY USA"] [Date "1956.10.17"] [Round "8"] [White "Donald Byrne"] [Black "Robert James Fischer"] [Result "0-1"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. d4 O-O 5. Bf4 d5 6. Qb3 dxc4 7. Qxc4 c6 8. e4 Nbd7 9. Rd1 Nb6 10. Qc5 Bg4 11. Bg5 Na4 12. Qa3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Nxe4 14. Bxe7 Qb6 15. Bc4 Nxc3 16. Bc5 Rfe8+ 17. Kf1 Be6!! 18. Bxb6 Bxc4+ 19. Kg1 Ne2+ 20. Kf1 Nxd4+ 21. Kg1 Ne2+ 22. Kf1 Nc3+ 23. Kg1 axb6 24. Qb4 Ra4 25. Qxb6 Nxd1 26. h3 Rxa2 27. Kh2 Nxf2 28. Re1 Rxe1 29. Qxe1 Bd5 30. Qd1 Bf8 31. Nxe1 Bb4 32. Qb1 Qb3 33. Qd3 h5 34. h4 Kh7 35. Kg1 Bc5+ 36. Kf1 Ng4 37. b4 Bb6 38. Ke2 Bb5+ 39. Kf3 Ne5+ 40. Kg3 Bf2+ 41. Kf4 Nd3+ 42. Kg5 Be3# 0-1