Hans Kmoch, in his article for “Chess Review,” bestowed the title “The Game of the Century” upon this particular chess match. The game took place on October 17, 1956, during the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament held in New York, and featured a face-off between the esteemed chessmaster Donald Byrne and a remarkable 13-year-old prodigy named Bobby Fischer.
In this extraordinary chess match, the young Bobby Fischer showcased his exceptional brilliance as he played with the black pieces, earning it the illustrious title of the Game of the Century. While Donald Byrne, his opponent playing with the white pieces, began with a standard opening, he made a minor blunder on move 11 by moving the same piece twice, thereby wasting valuable time. Seizing the opportunity, Fischer demonstrated his strategic acumen through a series of powerful sacrifices, culminating in a jaw-dropping queen sacrifice on move 17.
Although Byrne captured Fischer’s queen, the young prodigy more than made up for the loss by securing numerous other pieces in return. The game’s conclusion served as a remarkable exhibition of effective coordination among the remaining pieces, ultimately leading to a checkmate in a splendid display of skill and strategy.