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Bobby Fischer - My 60 Memorable Games - Game #1 - Sherwin [B]

Bobby Fischer - My 60 Memorable Games - Game #1 - Sherwin [B]

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PhilipFry3000
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I am starting a blog post going through the book with the intention of posting all 60 games along with his comments, variations, etc.  Being my favorite player of old I have around fifty different chess books I acquired from a older gentlemen in years past.  There are some great books in the collection, however, almost every single one is written with descriptive notation.  Which makes it very hard to follow along as algebraic notation is the new way and frankly much easier to follow.  (IE: 1.e4   c5 would be written as 1.P-K4   P-QB4).  Thus translating the book to algebraic notation makes it much easier to follow for modern use.  Anyways, I will begin with with game introduction. Followed by the game in its whole.  Then the game with variations and notes.  After I will give my thoughts and impressions as a non master. As not to give away any surprises I will omit any moves stated in the introduction.  

I  Fischer - Sherwin (USA)

NEW JERSEY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 1957

SICILIAN DEFENSE

To little, too late

Although Sherwin makes no serious errors in the opening, he misses several equalizing opportunities.  Demonstrating the technical virtuosity that is to become his hallmark, Fischer, with astonishing maturity, gradually strengthens his grip by accumulating small advantages: the better center and the two Bishops.  Sherwin, meanwhile, attempts to consolidate his position-only to see his 14-year-old opponent shatter it with a thunderbolt.  It brings to mind Alekhine's combinations, which also seemed to spring from nowhere.  Sherwin, lashing back, refuses to fall.  However, his defense finally disintegrates under a series of acute blows to his wobbly King.

Variations and notes from Bobby Fischer himself.
Quite an amazing game, after looking through it a few times its just amazing the sacrifices Fischer is able to come up with.  I would have been happy to take the Rook the first time and Fischer ignored it sensing more was available to him.  Sherwin had a few little "tricks" to try to get some counterplay a lower level player would have happily obliged.  The same tactical ideas flowed throughout the game even within the variations.  Fischer had more space and activity on the Kingside and even when Sherwin seemed like he had it all covered Fischer finds the unbelievable Nxh7.  It was not possible without the play leading up to and following the move.  It seemed like Sherwin didn't play a bad game, he just failed to create any real threats and let Fischer impose his will on him.  It's incredible to think that Fischer was only 14 at the time of this game, and already he had a complex understanding of the position and wasted no moves.