Bobby Fischer Challenge

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from my Bobby Fischer Challenge.  I had this idea that, since I was not playing in the 2012 US Championship and actually eligible for the $64,000, I would create my own Bobby Fischer Challenge.

In 1963-64, Bobby Fischer went 11-0 in the US Championship.  Not only did he win the title of best chess player in the US for that year, he also did it without losing or drawing a game.  This feat is possibly the greatest achievement in organized sports.

Sure the Miami Dolphins went 17-0 in 1972.  However, avoiding a drawn game in football is far easier than in chess, especially since playoff games in football cannot end in draws.

My Bobby Fischer Challenge included two 5 round events (Wednesday & Thursday Panera) and a 3 round event (club Quad).  Therefore, I would have to win 11 games and take 2 byes.  It would be a record for me to win more than 8 USCF-rated games in a row.  So, 11 was definitely going to be a challenge, but I thought I had a good shot as these one-game-a-week, G90 Panera events have been good for me.  The risky part was going to be the G30 Quads, where upset are a regular occurrence.

My Wins/Games since 2011

25.5/40=63.75% quick (<30min)
51.5/72=71.53% regular (30min-60min)
29.0/35=82.86% 90+min

Well, the difficulties began early.  In round 1 of the Thursday Panera, I found myself in this position with a weak and feeble brain.  I decided not to put any thought into my move and just trust my instincts.  Can you find the tactic?

White to move

If you said Nxf5, you are as crazy as I am.  Yes, the d pawn is pinned by the rook to the black King when the white Knight is moved with discovery.  However, these tactical ideas have no value, as the Knight isn't attacking anything defended by the pinned pawn.  Sure, I removed the defender of the d pawn but trading a higher value piece for a lower value one is generally not a good idea.  Oh wait, that is a tactic:  sacrifice.  That's the ticket.  I was playing a sacrifice.

In any case, the challenge was over.  I am now even more impressed with what Bobby Fischer did.  It is no wonder he is still the icon of American chess.

Bobby Fischer Challenge

[Event "May Panera Thursday"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2012.05.03"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Anderson, Paul"]
[Black "Carson, Anthea"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2015"]
[BlackElo "1724"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2012.05.03"]
[TimeControl "5400"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. Bxf6 gxf6 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nc3 Qxc5 6. Qd5 e6 7. Qxc5 Bxc5 8. Ne4 Be7 9. O-O-O d5 10. Nc3 Bd7 11. e3 a6 12. Nf3 Nc6 13. Na4 Bd6 14. Nb6 Rd8 15. Kb1 Ke7 16. Nxd7 Rxd7 17. Nd4 Rc8 18. Be2 Ne5 19. Rd2 Nc4 20. Bxc4 Rxc4 21. Rhd1 Rdc7 22. f4 f5 23. Rd3 Kd7 24. Rf1 h5 25. Rf3 Be7 26. Rd2 h4 27. Nxf5 exf5 28. Rxd5+ Ke6 29. Re5+ Kf6 30. c3 b5 31. a3 Rd7 32. Kc2 Re4 33. Rxe4 fxe4 34. Rh3 Kf5 35. b3 Kg4 36. a4 f5 37. Kc1 Rd3 38. axb5 axb5 39. Kc2 Bf6 40. c4 bxc4 41. bxc4 Be7 42. Kb2 Rd2+ 43. Kb3 Rxg2 44. Rxh4+ Kxh4 45. Ka4 Rb2 0-1

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=65978

This Week In Chess

On June 5th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club held a Speed event.  The participants played in an unrated, Round Robin tournament (RR, G5).  NM Josh Bloomer showed up to lead the field.  Here are the results:

Score, Player

10.0 Josh Bloomer
7.5 Josh Divine
7.5 Peter Grigg
7.0 Nate Winterfield
6.5 Alex Torres
6.0 Jeff Fox
5.0 Mark McGough
5.0 Joe Pahk
4.0 Mike LaCombe*
3.0 Mike Madsen
3.0 Eugin Pahk
1.5 Katrina Eidolon

* Paul Anderson substitution in 5th round