The night Najdorf turned its back on Najdorf

• In the name of God

• Based on the book "My 60 Memorable Games" by Robert James Fisher

First game
Varna Olympiad (1962)
"Najdorf Variation"
The resistant Najdorf Variation remains Fischer's favorite, and he constantly experiments with it when faced with it. Here, against the creator of this defense, he uses an unconventional continuation. Najdorf responds sharply and launches an early fight.
In order to maintain the initiative, Fischer sacrifices a pawn with the move 7.Nd5.
Najdorf unwisely refuses, but three moves later he is forced to accept it under worse conditions. He loses his way in the twists and turns, allowing Fischer to make a devastating move that pins his king in the center. Najdorf defends carefully, but it is too late to make up for his previous delaying tactics. After 24 moves he finds himself trapped. Rather than prolong his agony, the old grandmaster surrenders.

Second game
Santa Monica tournament (1966)
"Taimanov variation"
In the second game against Fischer, Najdrof uses the Sicilian Defense but not his own variation (perhaps because he had already lost with it!). White quickly chose the Acute Continue, which strangely violated the principles of the opening by attacking three times in a row with the bishop before his other pieces had been developed. Both players somewhat lost their way on the 12th move. The question then becomes whether Najdrof's central double pawn is a strength or a weakness? Fischer patiently exploits his small advantage, gradually increasing the pressure on Black's uncastled king. At the right moment, Fischer offers a stunning pawn sacrifice. Najdrof is forced to accept, resulting in a disappointing endgame.

via Douglas Griffin. Santa Monica 1966.