Byrne-Fischer (1956), The Game of the Century: A 13-Year-Old Prodigy Leaves the World Speechless
Francisco Yepes Barrera
2 min read
Randy Fath - https://unsplash.com/photos/selective-focus-photography-of-chess-pieces-G1yhU1Ej-9A
The Game of the Century refers to a chess game played between Donald Byrne and the 13-year-old Bobby Fischer in New York in 1956. It was nicknamed “The Game of the Century” by Hans Kmoch in Chess Review. Kmoch wrote, “The following game, a stunning masterpiece of combination play performed by a boy of 13 against a formidable opponent, matches the finest on record in the history of chess prodigies.”
Donald Byrne (1930–1976) was one of the leading American chess masters at the time of this game. He had won the 1953 U.S. Open Championship. 13-year-old Fischer decided to sacrifice his queen in the middle game. This chess game is considered the game of the century.
This famous game, played when Bobby Fischer was only thirteen, begins as a fairly standard Grünfeld Defense (D96). For several moves, everything looks normal, but already by 6.Qb3 White steps slightly outside well-established theory. It’s not a blunder, but it concedes some central flexibility and allows Black to play comfortably. Fischer responds calmly and accurately, and from this point on, the initiative slowly starts to drift into Black’s hands.
White continues with 8.e4 and then 9.Rd1, choices that look natural but turn out to be somewhat imprecise. They allow Black to complete development smoothly while increasing pressure on the center. At this stage, the position is still playable for White, but the engine already prefers Black’s activity and coordination.
The real turning point comes with 11.Bg5?, a move that appears logical but completely misses a deep tactical idea. Fischer immediately seizes the moment with 11…Na4!, a move that looks strange at first glance but is in fact the start of a brilliant and forced sequence. After 12…Nxc3 and 13…Nxe4, Black sacrifices material for rapid development, open lines, and a devastating initiative. From here on, White is already in serious trouble.
White tries to fight back, but after 14.Bxe7, the position only gets worse. Fischer keeps the pressure with precise play, and the black pieces work together perfectly. The attempt to simplify with 18.Bxb6? is especially unfortunate: instead of relieving the pressure, it exposes the White king completely and allows Black’s attack to become decisive.
From that moment on, the game turns into a forced hunt of the White King. Fischer drives it across the board with a series of checks and tactical blows, never losing control of the position. The final mating net concluded with 41…Rc2# is both elegant and ruthless.
In short, White’s early imprecision culminates in the serious error 11.Bg5?, after which Fischer demonstrates extraordinary tactical vision and calculation. The game stands as a classic example of how dynamic play, initiative, and piece activity can outweigh material—and why this encounter is remembered as the “Game of the Century.”
