Game of the Century

Thirteen-year-old Bobby Fischer beats Donald Byrne after 17...Be6, offering the queen to keep a knight and bishop attacking the uncastled king. The rest is a series of checks that pick the position clean.

White: Donald Byrne
Black: Bobby Fischer
Event: Rosenwald Memorial, New York
Year: 1956
Result: 0-1

Critical position

After 17. Kf1. Black to move.

Take over as Black vs Maia

Step through

17. Kf1

Annotated score

1. Nf3 (excellent) Nf6 (excellent)
2. c4 (good) g6 (good)
3. Nc3 (best) Bg7 (best)
4. d4 (excellent) O-O (good)
5. Bf4 (inaccuracy) d5 (good)
6. Qb3 (good) dxc4 (excellent)
7. Qxc4 (best) c6 (best)
8. e4 (best) Nbd7 (good)
9. Rd1 (best) Nb6 (excellent)
10. Qc5 (excellent) Bg4 (best)
11. Bg5 (inaccuracy) Na4 (best)
Na4: 11...Na4 hits the queen and the c3-knight at once.
12. Qa3 (excellent) Nxc3 (best)
13. bxc3 (best) Nxe4 (best)
Nxe4: The e-pawn falls and White’s king is stuck in the center.
14. Bxe7 (best) Qb6 (inaccuracy)
15. Bc4 (inaccuracy) Nxc3 (good)
16. Bc5 (good) Rfe8+ (mistake)
17. Kf1 (mistake) Be6 (blunder)
Be6: 17...Be6 leaves the queen en prise. Taking it walks into a discovered check.
18. Bxb6 (blunder) Bxc4+ (best)
19. Kg1 (best) Ne2+ (best)
20. Kf1 (mistake) Nxd4+ (mistake)
Nxd4+: The knight windmill wins the queen back with interest.
21. Kg1 (mistake) Ne2+ (mistake)
22. Kf1 (inaccuracy) Nc3+ (good)
23. Kg1 (good) axb6 (best)
24. Qb4 (best) Ra4 (excellent)
25. Qxb6 (mistake) Nxd1 (good)
26. h3 (inaccuracy) Rxa2 (mistake)
27. Kh2 (inaccuracy) Nxf2 (best)
28. Re1 (best) Rxe1 (best)
29. Qd8+ (good) Bf8 (best)
30. Nxe1 (best) Bd5 (inaccuracy)
31. Nf3 (inaccuracy) Ne4 (excellent)
32. Qb8 (inaccuracy) b5 (inaccuracy)
33. h4 (mistake) h5 (inaccuracy)
34. Ne5 (inaccuracy) Kg7 (best)
35. Kg1 (mistake) Bc5+ (inaccuracy)
36. Kf1 (best) Ng3+ (mistake)
37. Ke1 (best) Bb4+ (blunder)
38. Kd1 (best) Bb3+ (best)
39. Kc1 (best) Ne2+ (best)
40. Kb1 (best) Nc3+ (best)
41. Kc1 (best) Rc2# (best)
Kc1: The last check forces mate on c2.