Bobby Fischer's most instructive games of Chess 1970-1992

Learn about Bobby Fischer's evolving opening repertoire, tactics, and common strategies and general art of war principles as applied to Chess

In this course, Kingscrusher goes over Bobby Fischer's final stage of his career from the 1970 up until 1992, revealing instructive points from each and every game chosen.

Fischer's Opening systems with the White Pieces

Fischer with the White pieces used 1.e4 a lot throughout this time period but shocked the whole world in the "Match of the Century" when he played 1.c4 and was transposing into mainstream 1.d4 opening territory.

In general, Fischer had particularly dangerous systems set up for the Sicilian defense involving his early Bc4 move which even the Russian's feared so much so, that they would not even play the Sicilian Defence against Fischer. But also Fischer towards the 1972 match would play some surprise systems with both Black and White such as the Alekhine's defence and also 1.b3 with White. He was making himself much more of a "moving target" or "Unpredictable enemy" as the Art of War would recommend, and he took on the entire Soviet Chess machine.

In general, against the Ruy Lopez, we see amazing ideas and concepts such as Ne3-d5 being used to liberate the White pieces and gain dangerous imbalances from otherwise seemingly very even positions. We also see on occasion Fischer using the Exchange Ruy Lopez with great effect at the Havana Olympiad.

In general, against the Caro-Kann Fischer would usually adopt the two knights variation. But on occasion have other systems to use such as the exchange variation.

In general against the French defence Fischer, would sometimes play the Winawer variation and sometimes just play a Kings Indian Attack.

Against the Pirc/Modern defence Fischer was particularly dangerous with the Austrian Attack.

Fischer's Opening systems with the Black pieces

Against 1.e4 Fischer was a major exponent of the Sicilian Najdorf and provides plenty of fantastic game examples for any chess player wanting to fight with the black pieces against 1.e4. Fischer played a great influence on Garry Kasparov in also favoring the Sicilian Najdorf.  However Fischer also experimented with the Alekhine's defence which had the effect of making Fischer a more unpredictable opponent. And also other flavours of the Sicilian defence would be employed by Fischer in the 1972 and 1992 matches against Boris Spassky.

Against 1.d4 Fischer mainly played initially the King's Indian defence. But then we see also numerous examples of Ficher playing other openings with black on occasion especially the Nimzo Indian defence and the Modern Benoni defence.

Fischer's Middlegame tactics and strategies

Fischer's tactical and combination abilities are absolutely amazing often resulting in games lasting less than 30 moves where he has literally blown opponents off the board.

Fischer's endgames

Fischer's endgames especially Bishop vs Knight endgames are a wonder to behold and can help give one a lot more confidence in transitioning to such endgames if needed.

Fischer's sheer will to win

Fischer shows he has prepared to play through multiple adjournments if needed even against fellow US players such as Sherwin when playing abroad in his absolute will to win.

Fischer's MAXIMISATION OF WINNING PROBABILITY making tools out of "Art of War" concepts to achieve this

Fischer detects the downsides of the opponent's generally - their openings, style of play, personality, and uses this information to try and find out the kind of "weakness of philosophy" and with knowledge of his own game and philosophies, he is able to maximise his winning probabilities often by simply choosing openings he is strong at and the opponent he feels will be weak at. As the Art of war indicates :

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."

Fischer is the supreme military strategist on the chessboard and defeated essentially singlehandedly the entire Soviet Chess machine. That from a country that was large apathetic towards chess, Fischer emerged and singlehandedly took on the Russians. In this course we see Fischer using various Art of War concepts such as misinformation and making himself a difficult target to prepare for in the 1972 Match. In fact, he had some surprises in store in that epic "Match of the Century" where he made use for the first time of 1.c4 and transposing into d4 territory in key games. Game 6 was an absolute work of art in this regard and even led to Boris Spassky applauding him after the game.

"Put yourself beyond defeat before going on the attack" Art of War interpretation on the chess board

We see many games where Fischer is often locking up one side of the board before going on the attack. Thus Fischer is again making use of a key art of war principle of putting oneself beyond defeat before going on the attack. This is akin to those Zombie movies, where the most intelligent Zombie puts a head helmet on before approaching their victims in order to avoid their brains beyond destruction. Fischer makes use of this in the King's Indian defense quite often locking down the queenside with c5, and launching later a K-side attack. Whilst many Kings indian defense players would have been simply obliterated by the likes of Korchnoi on the Q-side, Fischer, has heeded the art of war and solidified his Queenside prior to attack on the Kingside. And you can bear witness to this in his treatment of the King's Indian defence with black in clear beautiful "Smooth" examples - which are a beauty to behold.