Bobby Fischer

[chuckayoub]

Here is some interesting reading on Bobby Fischer.

Bobby Fischer Chess Page

Chuck

 

[Richard Cribb]

Thanks a lot for the link. It is pure gold and a must for every Fischer-fan.
While not being one myself, I of course consider him one of the greatest players ever, I like many of the fine games he played, and I value highly his importance for making chess popular in the West. I am just old enough to remember all the fuss in '72, where chess even became an issue on the TV-news, although I only learnt to play chess myself several years later.
I also symphatize with him as a person, he has done and said some outrageous things, but I think there are some reasons for it which at least can serve as an explanation if not a full excuse.

 

[stormbind]

These kinds of players scare me. I am unable to recite moves, it makes my head hurt. I don't know how they do it. Even my opening moves are calculated in real time.

I played a game against a Greek champion some years ago, and he beat me with a Brazillian something, to my brain thought: Huh? I don't know any of the pieces were Brazillian. I felt like such a newbie

Here's how my brain sees a chess board... "if white piece goes there, then black piece will probably go there, and if my white piece goes here, then the black... ouch, better try another way."

I don't even know what a Kings Gambit is!

Well, maybe I do... maybe if someone explained it, I would say "Oh, that!"... but as it stands, I can't put a name to piece movement, and I cannot remember games either, which is really what makes the masters so special.

I was told that when masters see the pieces, they can remember that in such a situation to use "movement name no.6" ...

I guess it's like building up a repetoir, but after many years of playing I had a repetoir of... maybe 1 or 2 moves! How can you ever beat people with the ability to remember hundreds, or more? It boggles the mind..

 

[punkbass2000]

King's Gambit:

1. e4 e5
2. f4

That's it. (Mirror image of Queen's Gambit, if you know that, BTW [1. d4 d5 2. c4])

 

[stormbind]

King's Gambit:

1. e4 e5
2. f4

Oh, eh. Thanks, I didn't know that

To which I would probably respond d5. What is the correct response?

 

[Richard Cribb]

These kinds of players scare me. I am unable to recite moves, it makes my head hurt. I don't know how they do it. Even my opening moves are calculated in real time.

Well, my friend, you played rather well against me, so in that case you are quite talented (I hate to brag, but I used to be quite good in my active days). I don't really know what you mean with reciting moves, but I guess that you refer to the fact that strong players know opening variations by heart. This is nothing more mysterious than other theoretical knowledge, you study games and analyze the variations and after a while they stick to your mind.

I played a game against a Greek champion some years ago, and he beat me with a Brazillian something, to my brain thought: Huh? I don't know any of the pieces were Brazillian. I felt like such a newbie

There is really no reason for that, many great players doesn't know every single variaton in every opening, there are simply too many. I must admit that I am not sure myself what this Brazilian reference is, it could be the Rio de Janeiro variation in Ruy Lopez; 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Be7 6.Qe2 Nd6 7.Bxc6 bxc6 8.dxe5 Nb7 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Re1 Nc5 11.Nd4 Ne6 12.Be3 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 c5!?.

Here's how my brain sees a chess board... "if white piece goes there, then black piece will probably go there, and if my white piece goes here, then the black... ouch, better try another way." :

Well, Tigran Petrosian once stated that that was what world championship games really were about... If you want to develop positional judgement, you need to supply your practical games with some studying.

I was told that when masters see the pieces, they can remember that in such a situation to use "movement name no.6" ...

I guess it's like building up a repetoir, but after many years of playing I had a repetoir of... maybe 1 or 2 moves! How can you ever beat people with the ability to remember hundreds, or more? It boggles the mind..

I don't doubt that you can improve greatly. Do you have any chess books? Anyway I understand how you feel, I am usually in that state of mood after having read through some of the articles in the War Academy (Will I ever win on emperor!???)...
In any case, remember that the main thing with any game is to have FUN! [dance]

Oh, eh. Thanks, I didn't know that

To which I would probably respond d5. What is the correct response?

There are many. One of them is your suggestion, the so-called Falkbeers counter-gambit, named after a strong 19th century master.
You can also accept the gambit; 2...exf4 or decline with 2...Bc5. 2...Nf6 is also quite good. And the almost too eccentric German master Stephan Bücker has written a book about 2...Qf6, but that is really a bit over the top for most of us, I guess...
I wish you all the best in the future with your game, just don't be frustrated and you will improve!

Best wishes luceafarul.

 

[stormbind]

Well, my friend, you played rather well against me, so in that case you are quite talented

I was hanging on by the skin of my teeth.

I don't doubt that you can improve greatly. Do you have any chess books?

Well, there might be the problem - I never thought it was possible to really learn from books. Most my knowledge came from getting beat in tournaments.

I used to go along for the free sandwiches