Classic game replay
A. Swank vs Robert James Fischer, 1956
This replay preserves the complete 86-ply score of Fischer playing Black across 43 numbered moves. The board can be advanced one ply at a time; the notes stick to observable board changes rather than guessing at the players’ intentions.
On this page
- White
- A. Swank
- Black
- Robert James Fischer
- Event
- USA-op
- Year
- 1956
- Result
- 0-1
- Opening
- B20 Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation
Opening reference: Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation (B20).
In this game, 20 half-moves are labelled opening, 34 middlegame and 32 endgame. The score contains 22 captures and 6 checks or mates; before a recorded move, the position offered a median of 25 legal choices. The source score ends after 43...d2 with the recorded result 0-1. Its termination tag was not retained, so this record does not infer whether the game ended by resignation, time or another cause.
Practice positions
The daily trainer uses a short set of positions from this complete score. Each link goes to the exact half-move rather than only the numbered move.
- 11...dxe4 — Recapture on e411...dxe4 was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
- 15...Bxf1 — Exchange on f115...Bxf1 was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
- 23...Rfe8 — Improve the rook23...Rfe8 was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
- 30...Rxd2+ — Capture with check on d230...Rxd2+ was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
- 42...d3 — Advance a passed pawn42...d3 was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
Replay with move-by-move board facts
The board, fact panel and transcript use the same legal score. “Fixed engine check” means Stockfish 17.1, one thread, a fixed 25,000-node search and 3 candidate lines. It compares moves under one reproducible setting; it does not claim to reconstruct a player’s thoughts.
Start position
Use Previous and Next on the board, or select a move in the transcript. The board fact and fixed engine check remain visible until you choose another move.
Opening · 1.e4 to 10...Nxe4
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1.e4
Claim central space
Board fact: White moves the pawn from e2 to e4; from there it controls d5 and f5.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6.
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1...c5
Advance the c-pawn
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from c7 to c5; from there it controls d4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · c5 Nc3 Nc6 Nf3.
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2.Ne2
Develop the knight
Board fact: White develops the knight from g1 to e2; from there it controls d4, c3 and f4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Ne2 g6.
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2...Nc6
Develop the knight
Board fact: Black develops the knight from b8 to c6; from there it controls d4 and e5.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Nc6.
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3.b3
Advance the b-pawn
Board fact: White moves the pawn from b2 to b3; from there it controls c4.
Fixed engine check: Recorded move; Nbc3 ranked higher · b3 Nf6 Nec3 a6.
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3...Nf6
Develop the knight
Board fact: Black develops the knight from g8 to f6; from f6 it attacks White's pawn on e4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nf6.
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4.Nbc3
Develop the knight
Board fact: White develops the knight from b1 to c3; from there it controls d5 and e4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nbc3 e6 Nf4 a6.
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4...e6
Advance the e-pawn
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from e7 to e6; from there it controls d5 and f5.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · e6 g3.
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5.Bb2
Develop the bishop
Board fact: White develops the bishop from c1 to b2; from there it controls c3.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Bb2 d5 exd5 exd5.
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5...d5
Change the pawn structure
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from d7 to d5; the move changes the central pawn contact; from d5 it attacks White's pawn on e4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · d5 d4 dxe4 dxc5.
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6.Ng3
Reroute the knight
Board fact: White moves the knight from e2 to g3; from there it controls e4 and f5.
Fixed engine check: Recorded move; d4 ranked higher · Ng3 d4 Nb1 h5.
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6...Bd6
Develop the bishop
Board fact: Black develops the bishop from f8 to d6; from d6 it attacks White's knight on g3.
Fixed engine check: Recorded move; d4 ranked higher · Bd6 Bb5.
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7.Bb5
Develop the bishop
Board fact: White develops the bishop from f1 to b5; from b5 it attacks Black's knight on c6.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bb5 Bd7 Bxc6 Bxc6.
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7...O-O
Kingside castling
Board fact: Black castles kingside, moving the king to g8 and the rook to f8. The move changes king safety and develops the rook in one turn.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · O-O Bxc6.
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8.Bd3
Reposition the bishop
Board fact: White moves the bishop from b5 to d3; from there it controls e4 and c4.
Fixed engine check: Recorded move; Bxc6 ranked higher · Bd3 d4 Nb5 Bf4.
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8...Ne5
Create pressure on d3
Board fact: Black moves the knight from c6 to e5; from e5 it attacks White's bishop on d3.
Fixed engine check: Playable; d4 ranked higher · Ne5 Be2.
-
9.Be2
Reposition the bishop
Board fact: White moves the bishop from d3 to e2; from there it controls c4, d3 and f3.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Be2 d4.
-
9...Ng6
Reroute the knight
Board fact: Black moves the knight from e5 to g6; from there it controls e5 and f4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Ng6 d3 Be5 O-O.
-
10.Nb5
Create pressure on d6
Board fact: White moves the knight from c3 to b5; from b5 it attacks Black's bishop on d6 and Black's pawn on a7.
Fixed engine check: Playable; d3 ranked higher · Nb5 Bf4 exd5 exd5.
-
10...Nxe4
Exchange on e4
Board fact: Black's knight takes the pawn on e4; from e4 it attacks White's knight on g3 and White's pawn on d2; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Recorded move; Bxg3 ranked higher · Nxe4 Nxe4 dxe4 Nxd6.
Middlegame · 11.Nxe4 to 27...Qxd3+
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11.Nxe4
Recapture on e4
Board fact: White's knight recaptures the knight on e4; from e4 it attacks Black's bishop on d6 and Black's pawn on c5; white is ahead by 2 conventional material points after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nxe4 dxe4 Nxd6 Qxd6.
-
11...dxe4
Recapture on e4
Board fact: Black's pawn recaptures the knight on e4; the move changes the central pawn contact; Black accepts doubled pawns on the e-file; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · dxe4 Nxd6 Qxd6 d3.
-
12.Nxd6
Exchange on d6
Board fact: White's knight takes the bishop on d6; from d6 it attacks Black's bishop on c8 and Black's pawn on b7; white is ahead by 2 conventional material points after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nxd6 Qxd6 d3 Rd8.
-
12...Qxd6
Recapture on d6
Board fact: Black's queen recaptures the knight on d6; from d6 it attacks White's pawn on d2 and White's pawn on h2; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qxd6 d3.
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13.g3
Advance the g-pawn
Board fact: White moves the pawn from g2 to g3; from there it controls f4.
Fixed engine check: Playable; d3 ranked higher · g3 Rd8.
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13...e5
Claim central space
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from e6 to e5; from there it controls d4 and f4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · e5 d3 Rd8 Qd2.
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14.c4
Advance the c-pawn
Board fact: White moves the pawn from c2 to c4; from there it controls d5.
Fixed engine check: Recorded move; Bf1 ranked higher · c4 Bf5 Qc2 Ne7.
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14...Bh3
Develop the bishop
Board fact: Black develops the bishop from c8 to h3; from there it controls e6 and f5.
Fixed engine check: Playable; Bf5 ranked higher · Bh3 Qc2 Rad8 O-O-O.
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15.Bf1
Create pressure on h3
Board fact: White moves the bishop from e2 to f1; from f1 it attacks Black's bishop on h3.
Fixed engine check: Playable; Qc2 ranked higher · Bf1 Bxf1.
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15...Bxf1
Exchange on f1
Board fact: Black's bishop takes the bishop on f1; from f1 it attacks White's pawn on c4; black is ahead by 4 conventional material points after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bxf1 Rxf1 Rad8 Qe2.
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16.Rxf1
Recapture on f1
Board fact: White's rook recaptures the bishop on f1; from f1 it reinforces the pawn on f2; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxf1 Rfd8 Qe2 Qd3.
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16...f5
Advance the f-pawn
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from f7 to f5; from there it controls e4.
Fixed engine check: Playable; Rad8 ranked higher · f5.
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17.Qc2
Create pressure on e4
Board fact: White moves the queen from d1 to c2; from c2 it attacks Black's pawn on e4.
Fixed engine check: Playable; Qe2 ranked higher · Qc2.
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17...Ne7
Reroute the knight
Board fact: Black moves the knight from g6 to e7; from there it controls d5, c6 and f5.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Ne7 O-O-O Rad8 Qc3.
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18.O-O-O
Queenside castling
Board fact: White castles queenside, moving the king to c1 and the rook to d1. The move changes king safety and develops the rook in one turn.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · O-O-O Rad8 g4 fxg4.
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18...Nc6
Improve the knight
Board fact: Black moves the knight from e7 to c6; from there it controls d4 and e5.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nc6 d3 exd3 Qxd3.
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19.Bc3
Create pressure on e5
Board fact: White moves the bishop from b2 to c3; from c3 it attacks Black's pawn on e5.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Bc3 Rad8 g4 Nd4.
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19...Nd4
Create pressure on c2
Board fact: Black moves the knight from c6 to d4; from d4 it attacks White's queen on c2 and White's pawn on b3.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Nd4 Bxd4 cxd4 Rde1.
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20.Bxd4
Exchange on d4
Board fact: White's bishop takes the knight on d4; from d4 it attacks Black's pawn on c5 and Black's pawn on e5; white is ahead by 2 conventional material points after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bxd4 cxd4 f3 exf3.
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20...exd4
Recapture on d4
Board fact: Black's pawn recaptures the bishop on d4; the move changes the central pawn contact; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · exd4 Rde1 Rae8 f3.
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21.Kb1
Reposition the king
Board fact: White moves the king from c1 to b1; from b1 it reinforces the queen on c2.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Kb1 Rae8 Rde1 g6.
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21...Rae8
Improve the rook
Board fact: Black moves the rook from a8 to e8; from there it controls e4, e5 and e6.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rae8 Rde1 Re5 Kc1.
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22.Rfe1
Rook on the semi-open e-file
Board fact: White moves the rook from f1 to e1; the rook now works on a semi-open e-file; from e1 it attacks Black's pawn on e4.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Rfe1 Qh6 d3 Qc6.
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22...Re5
Improve the rook
Board fact: Black moves the rook from e8 to e5; from there it controls d5, e4 and c5.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Re5 f3 Rfe8 Rf1.
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23.d3
Change the pawn structure
Board fact: White moves the pawn from d2 to d3; the move changes the central pawn contact; from d3 it attacks Black's pawn on e4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · d3 Rfe8 Qd2 b6.
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23...Rfe8
Improve the rook
Board fact: Black moves the rook from f8 to e8; from there it controls e5 and e6.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rfe8 Qd2 h6 Qf4.
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24.Qd2
Reposition the queen
Board fact: White moves the queen from c2 to d2; from there it controls c3, d3 and e3.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qd2 R5e7 h4 e3.
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24...exd3
Exchange on d3
Board fact: Black's pawn takes the pawn on d3; the pawn is now passed; the move changes the central pawn contact; Black accepts doubled pawns on the d-file; black is ahead by 2 conventional material points after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · exd3 Rxe5 Qxe5 Qxd3.
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25.Rxe5
Exchange on e5
Board fact: White's rook takes the rook on e5; the rook now occupies the open e-file; from e5 it attacks Black's rook on e8 and Black's pawn on c5; white is ahead by 3 conventional material points after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxe5 Qxe5 Qxd3 Qe4.
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25...Qxe5
Recapture on e5
Board fact: Black's queen recaptures the rook on e5; from e5 it attacks White's pawn on g3; black is ahead by 2 conventional material points after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qxe5 Qxd3 Qe4 a3.
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26.Qxd3
Exchange on d3
Board fact: White's queen takes the pawn on d3; from d3 it attacks Black's pawn on d4 and Black's pawn on f5; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qxd3 b6 Kc2 h6.
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26...Qe2
Create pressure on d3
Board fact: Black moves the queen from e5 to e2; from e2 it attacks White's queen on d3 and White's rook on d1.
Fixed engine check: Playable; b6 ranked higher · Qe2 Qxe2 Rxe2 b4.
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27.Rd2
Rook on the semi-open d-file
Board fact: White moves the rook from d1 to d2; the rook now works on a semi-open d-file; from d2 it attacks Black's queen on e2.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Rd2 Qe1+ Kb2 b6.
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27...Qxd3+
Capture with check on d3
Board fact: Black's queen takes the queen on d3; the move checks White's king; from d3 it attacks White's rook on d2 and White's pawn on b3; black is ahead by 10 conventional material points after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Playable; Qe6 ranked higher · Qxd3+ Rxd3.
Endgame · 28.Rxd3 to 43...d2
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28.Rxd3
Recapture on d3
Board fact: White's rook recaptures the queen on d3; the rook now works on a semi-open d-file; from d3 it attacks Black's pawn on d4; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxd3 a5 Rd2 Kf7.
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28...Re1+
A forcing check
Board fact: Black moves the rook from e8 to e1; the move checks White's king; the rook now occupies the open e-file; from there it controls e4, e5 and e3.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Re1+ Kc2 Re2+ Rd2.
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29.Kc2
Answering the check
Board fact: White answers the check by moving the king from b1 to c2; from there it controls c3 and d3.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kc2 Re2+ Rd2 Rxd2+.
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29...Re2+
A forcing check
Board fact: Black moves the rook from e1 to e2; the move checks White's king; the rook now occupies the open e-file; from e2 it attacks White's pawn on f2.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Re2+ Rd2 Rxd2+ Kxd2.
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30.Rd2
Answering the check
Board fact: White answers the check by moving the rook from d3 to d2; the rook now works on a semi-open d-file; from d2 it attacks Black's rook on e2 and Black's pawn on d4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rd2 Rxd2+ Kxd2 Kf7.
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30...Rxd2+
Capture with check on d2
Board fact: Black's rook takes the rook on d2; the move checks White's king; the rook has reached the opponent’s second rank; from d2 it attacks White's pawn on f2; black is ahead by 6 conventional material points after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxd2+ Kxd2 Kf7 f4.
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31.Kxd2
Recapture on d2
Board fact: White's king recaptures the rook on d2; the reduced material makes this king activation practical; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kxd2 Kf7 f4 Ke6.
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31...f4
Change the pawn structure
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from f5 to f4; the move changes the central pawn contact; from f4 it attacks White's pawn on g3.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · f4.
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32.Kd3
Create pressure on d4
Board fact: White moves the king from d2 to d3; from d3 it attacks Black's pawn on d4.
Fixed engine check: Recorded move; gxf4 ranked higher · Kd3 fxg3 fxg3 Kf7.
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32...Kf7
Activate the king
Board fact: Black moves the king from g8 to f7; from there it controls e6 and f6.
Fixed engine check: Playable; fxg3 ranked higher · Kf7 gxf4 Kg6 Ke4.
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33.a3
Advance the a-pawn
Board fact: White moves the pawn from a2 to a3.
Fixed engine check: Playable; g4 ranked higher · a3 fxg3 fxg3 Ke6.
-
33...Kf6
Activate the king
Board fact: Black moves the king from f7 to f6; from there it controls e5, e6 and f5.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kf6 Ke4 fxg3 fxg3.
-
34.b4
Create pressure on c5
Board fact: White moves the pawn from b3 to b4; from b4 it attacks Black's pawn on c5.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · b4 fxg3 fxg3 b6.
-
34...b6
Advance the b-pawn
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from b7 to b6; from there it controls c5.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · b6 Ke4 fxg3 fxg3.
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35.Ke4
Create pressure on d4
Board fact: White moves the king from d3 to e4; from e4 it attacks Black's pawn on d4 and Black's pawn on f4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Ke4 fxg3 fxg3 Kg5.
-
35...Kg5
Activate the king
Board fact: Black moves the king from f6 to g5; from there it controls f4, f5 and f6.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Kg5 gxf4+ Kg4 a4.
-
36.gxf4+
Capture with check on f4
Board fact: White's pawn takes the pawn on f4; the move checks Black's king; the move changes the central pawn contact; White accepts doubled pawns on the f-file; material is level after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · gxf4+ Kh4 Kd3 Kh3.
-
36...Kg4
Answering the check
Board fact: Black answers the check by moving the king from g5 to g4; from g4 it attacks White's pawn on f4.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Kg4 f5 Kh3 f4.
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37.f3+
A forcing check
Board fact: White moves the pawn from f2 to f3; the move checks Black's king; from there it controls e4.
Fixed engine check: Recorded move; f5 ranked higher · f3+ Kh3 f5 Kxh2.
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37...Kh3
Answering the check
Board fact: Black answers the check by moving the king from g4 to h3; from h3 it attacks White's pawn on h2.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kh3 a4 Kxh2 Kd3.
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38.f5
Advance the f-pawn
Board fact: White moves the pawn from f4 to f5; from there it controls e6.
Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · f5 Kxh2 Kf4 Kg2.
-
38...Kxh2
Exchange on h2
Board fact: Black's king takes the pawn on h2; the reduced material makes this king activation practical; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kxh2 Kf4 Kg2 Ke4.
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39.f4
Advance the f-pawn
Board fact: White moves the pawn from f3 to f4; from there it controls e5.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · f4 Kg3 a4 cxb4.
-
39...Kg3
Create pressure on f4
Board fact: Black moves the king from h2 to g3; from g3 it attacks White's pawn on f4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kg3 a4 h5 a5.
-
40.bxc5
Exchange on c5
Board fact: White's pawn takes the pawn on c5; the move changes the central pawn contact; White accepts doubled pawns on the c-file; from c5 it attacks Black's pawn on b6; material is level after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Playable; Kd3 ranked higher · bxc5 bxc5 Kd3 h5.
-
40...bxc5
Recapture on c5
Board fact: Black's pawn recaptures the pawn on c5; the move changes the central pawn contact; from c5 it reinforces the pawn on d4; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · bxc5 a4 h5 a5.
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41.a4
Advance the a-pawn
Board fact: White moves the pawn from a3 to a4.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · a4 h5 a5 h4.
-
41...a5
Advance the a-pawn
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from a7 to a5.
Fixed engine check: Recorded move; h5 ranked higher · a5 Kd3 Kxf4 Kd2.
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42.Kd5
Create pressure on c5
Board fact: White moves the king from e4 to d5; from d5 it attacks Black's pawn on c5 and Black's pawn on d4.
Fixed engine check: Playable; Kd3 ranked higher · Kd5 d3 Kxc5 d2.
-
42...d3
Advance a passed pawn
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from d4 to d3; the pawn is now passed.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · d3 Kxc5 d2 Kb5.
-
43.Kxc5
Exchange on c5
Board fact: White's king takes the pawn on c5; from c5 it reinforces the pawn on c4; material is level after the capture.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kxc5 d2 Kb6 d1=Q.
-
43...d2
Advance a passed pawn
Board fact: Black moves the pawn from d3 to d2; the pawn is now passed.
Fixed engine check: Ranked first · d2 Kb6 d1=Q Kxa5.
PGN
Sources and checking
Score source: Chess Database, version 1 by Ana Schaigorodsky (2016), licensed under CC BY 4.0. LibreChess selected the exact score identified by sha256:ea0c900394a77e152039cae17a8628a49f3884a459c7776ae4433aaebe6cbb11 and pins it in the selection manifest.
Exact Figshare tags:White="Swank, A"; Black="Fischer, Robert James"; Event="USA-op"; Date="1956.??.??"; Result="0-1".
Reviewed display mapping: white Swank, A → Swank, A.. LibreChess parsed the main line with chess.js and stores normalised SAN. Source comments, side variations and termination detail were not retained.
LibreChess checks every SAN move with chess.js and compares the result and move sequence with a stored reference. The engine comparison was calculated offline from the fixed settings above; it is not a source for historical claims. No termination is inferred where the imported score does not preserve one.
Try today's selected positionsOpen the analysis board
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- Sidney Norman Bernstein vs Robert James Fischer, 1957 · replay record
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