A Fischer vs Geller Encounter

    Yefim Geller (1925-1998) was born in Odessa, Ukraine and died in Moscow. From the end of the Second World War until the early 1970s Geller was among the elite group who missed out on the world championship despite the fact that he was undoubtedly among the world's top ten players for over 20 years. 

    Take a look at his record against the world's leading players: Mikhail Botvinnik (+4 -1 =7), David Bronstein (+5 -4 =12), Tigran Petrosian, (+5 -3 =32), Vasily Smyslov (+11 -8 =37). 

    Against Mikhail Tal his record was +6 -6 =23.The only players against whom he did not fare well were Viktor Korchnoi (minus 5), Boris Spassky (minus 4) and Lajos Portisch (minus 2). Among his most interesting encounters were those against Bobby Fischer. Geller scored 5 wins, three losses and only two were drawn. 

    At Skopje, 1967, Fischer lost his third game in a row to Geller prompting Yugoslav GM Bojan Kurajica to write that Fischer just couldn't play against Geller. Yugoslav, GM and journalist Dr. Petar Trifunovic opined that Geller was in no way inferior to Fischer when it came to opening preparation and Fischer chose to play sharp opening variations because he was always playing to win. 

    In this game Fischer succeeded in outplaying Geller in the opening, but his play was tactically flawed and Geller, who was a superb tactician, was quick to take advantage of it. 

    Fischer had just recently come out of hiding and Skopje was an important warm-up for his participation in the Sousse Interzonal later in the year. As it turned out, Sousse was to become famous because of the Fischer Affair. 

    The tournament schedule was modified to fit Fischer and Reshevsky's religious obligations. After a dispute with the organizers over scheduling Fischer walked out while he was leading. 

    After nine rounds at Skopje he was tied for first with Russia’s Ratmir Kholmov. It was at that point Fischer once again revealed himself to be the loathsome snot face he really was. He announced he would withdraw from the tournament unless the chess sets were vhanges and the spectators were removed from further rounds. 

    The organizers could not meet the second demand so Fischer forfeited his tenth round game against Yugoslav master Milorad Knezevic who then showed he was quite a sportsman when he didn't want to accept a free point and allowed the game to be re-scheduled. After that, Fischer found his form and went on to finish first by a half point ahead of Geller and Milan Matulovic.