Geller had a plus record against all but one of the six world champions he played: Botvinnik, Fischer, Petrosian, Smyslov and Tal. Only Spassky had a plus score against him.
All of the games between Geller and Fischer were tension ridden, exciting games.
One of Fischer’s wins against Geller came at Bled in 1961. The 18 year old Fischer made a remarkable showing by finishing second a point behind Tal. While Tal won the tournament, it was a moral victory for Fischer who went undefeated and handed Tal his only loss.
Tal and Fischer were neck and neck through the 15th round, but in the final four rounds Fischer only won one game and drew three while Tal drew one and won three.
After 18 rounds Tal was leading by a half point so Fischer had a shot at tying for first if he could win and Tal only drew. But in the last round Tal defeated Najdorf and Fischer drew with Ivkov.
1) Tal 14.5-4.5
2) Fischer 13.5-5.5
3-5) Petrosian, Keres and Gligoric 12.5-6.5
6-7) Geller and Trifunovic 10.5-8.5
8) Parma 10.0-9.0
9-10) Bisguier and Matanovic 9.5-9.5
11-13) Darga, Donner and Najdorf 9.0-10.0
14) Olafsson 8.5-10.5
15-16) Portisch and Ivkov 8.0-11.0
17) Pachman 7.0-12.0
18) Bertok 6.5-12.5
19) Germek 55-13.5
20) Udovcic 4.0-15.0
True to form, when Fischer and Geller met in round 6 Geller took a gamble with 7...Qf6 and looked happy. Fischer sacrificed a Pawn to open up the game, but Geller was unfazed and kept his happy face until Fischer’s 14th move. After half an hour’s thought Geller was forced to remove his happy face and exchange it for a frown when he realized he was in mortal danger. He resigned a few moves later.
[Event "Bled"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1961.9.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Robert Fischer"]
[Black "Efim Geller"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
%Created by Caissa's Web PGN Editor
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O {Frequently seen today, at the
time this was considered inferior. Fischer liked it because it is
noncommittal and he wanted to see what Geller was going to do. } 5... Bg4
{Aggressive, but it somewhat weakens black's K-side, so 5...Nf6 was better.
6.h3 Fischer pointed out that this is necessary or else black plays ...Qf6 and
..Bxf3 weakening white's K-side. } 6. h3 {Fischer pointed out that this is
necessary or else black plays ...Qf6 and ..B.xf3 weakening white's K-side. }
6... Bh5 {As a result of this game 6...h5 became all the rage, but it can be
safely met with either 7.Bxc6+ or 7.d4. But not 7.hxg4 hxg4 and white has to
return the N or else get mated on the h-file. } 7. c3 Qf6 {At this point
Geller was looking quite happy at having lured Fischer into a prepared
variation, but 7...Nf6 is better. } 8. g4 {This weakens his K-side, but
Fischer felt he could take advantage of the log jam on black's K-side before
black could launch an attack. } 8... Bg6 9. d4 Bxe4 {Practically forced
because of the threat of 10.Bg5 and 11.d5 winning a piece. Geller was still
looking pleased...he has just won a P. But, according to Stockfish white has
a winning advantage. } 10. Nbd2 Bg6 {Neither 10...Bxf3 nor Medina's attempt to
strengthen black's play with 10...Bd3 as he tried against Smyslov at Tel Aviv
in 1964 are an improvement. 11.Bxc6+ Excellent. Black's Q-side Ps are wrecked
and his K won't be able to find shelter there. } 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. dxe5 {A
few week after the game Fischer hit on the idea that 12.Qa4 would win, but he
eventually realized that after 12...Kd7 there wasn't any immediate way to
exploit black's exposed K. } 12... dxe5 13. Nxe5 Bd6 {Not 13...O-O-O because
of 14.Qe2 and 15.Nb3 leaving black subjected to a withering attack.} 14. Nxg6
{A surprise because it allow black to open the h-file, but if he does he runs
into a winning white attack. Geller took a half hour to move and his smile
turned upside down into a frown. } 14... Qxg6 {If 14...hxg6 15.Ne4! Qh4
16.Nxd6+ cxd6 17.Re1+ and white is winning. Also bad is 14...fxg6 15.Ne4 Qe6
16.Re1 } 15. Re1+ Kf8 {If 15...Ne7 16.Nc4 and 17.Qa4 with a strong attack. }
16. Nc4 h5 {Fischer commented that Geller is till hoping to rise from the
ashes and fan his attack. This is actually the best try he has though. } 17.
Nxd6 cxd6 18. Bf4 d5 {Makes sense...it saves a P, but in fact it loses
outright. Tal suggested 18...Rd8, but after 19.Qe2 black is out of
constructive moves. } 19. Qb3 {Plunging Geller into a 40 minute think.} 19...
hxg4 {If 19...Ne7 20.Rxe7 Kxe7 21.Qb7 and white has a mate in 9 at most. }
20. Qb7 gxh3+ 21. Bg3 Rd8 22. Qb4+ {Black loses a R and N.} 1-0
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