Memorable chess move: 19.Rf6

Bobby Fischer: Unforgettable... that's what you are

Hello Everyone,

We always have chess games that go down in history and memory as 'that great game'. For example, it may be a tournament upset or, maybe a world championship game.

These games are long talked about and studied. But can you recall a 'memorable move' that was talked-about for years?

Indeed, it is 19. Rf6! Yes, Bobby Fischer played it against Paul Benko! It is said a cake was presented to Fischer on his birthday with the 19.Rf6 position made with icing.

Chess Life, January, 1964, reported:

"In the later stages of the tournament some of Fischer's opponents did almost as much to guarantee his 11-0 score as Bobby did. The building tension worked to Fischer's advantage. On Monday, December 30, Fischer won his last game of 1963-defeating Paul Benko with a neat little combination, after Benko had shown some suicidal tendencies in the management of his defense."

In an introduction to the game, Grandmaster Larry Evans writes in 'My 60 memorable games-Bobby Fischer' : And so, in 21 moves, another Grandmaster is demolished. benko misses a chance to simplify (on move 15) in order to reach an inferior but possibly tenable ending. This is fortunate for the reader, who otherwise would be cheated of White's scintillating 19th move. That alone is worth the price of admission.

You can run the moves in our pgnplayer or watch in flash below. The game's a treat to watch every single time.

PGN: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. f4 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nc6 9. Be3 e5 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. f5 gxf5 12. Qxf5 Nd4 13. Qf2 Ne8 14. O-O Nd6 15. Qg3 Kh8 16. Qg4 c6 17. Qh5 Qe8 18. Bxd4 exd4 19. Rf6 Kg8 20. e5 h6 21. Ne2 1-0

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal blog at

www.chessqueen.com