When Fischer smashed Najdorf (in the Najdorf) ⎸1962 Varna Olympiad

One of the most crushing defeats for the Sicilian Najdorf. Bobby Fischer destroyed Miguel Najdorf, the man whom the opening got named after, and he did it in less than 30 moves!

Robert James Fischer vs Miguel Najdorf, Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation, Adams Attack (B90)
1962 Varna Olympiad, Round 2

A fabulous display of Fischer’s strength. He made only one mistake in the game and played with ferocity until Najdorf was forced to throw in the towel. The game was played in the Varna Olympiad. The Soviets won, of course, but there was no other team that could come close, really. Their team were: Botvinnik (board 1), Petrosian, Spassky, Keres, Geller and Tal. Argentina came in 2nd, Yugoslavia 3rd, and the US 4th (with Fischer on board 1).

Fischer went for the Adams Attack on move 6 (h3). A fairly new idea at the time and a move which Najdorf couldn’t have expected. He reacted fiercely as well, perhaps showing he wasn’t intimidated by the American genius, but it didn’t turn out so well. Fischer gave him one chance to equalize and even gain an advantage, but Najdorf missed it. The final 10 moves (out of 24!) were just brilliant. Fischer was like a bull, forcing his was through black’s defenses until they collapsed.

Game moves:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 b5
7. Nd5 Bb7 8. Nxf6+ gxf6 9. c4 bxc4 10. Bxc4 Bxe4 11. O-O d5
12. Re1 e5 13. Qa4+ Nd7 14. Rxe4 dxe4 15. Nf5 Bc5 16. Ng7+ Ke7
17. Nf5+ Ke8 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. fxe3 Qb6 20. Rd1 Ra7 21. Rd6 Qd8
22. Qb3 Qc7 23. Bxf7+ Kd8 24. Be6 1-0