Fischer's Maneuver

The Fischer Plan

“You must have a plan!" – Bent Larsen 

In the middlegame, one needs to create an attacking plan either against the opponent's weaknesses or an assault directed to the opposing King. This is something you have to do for a game to make progress. 

Now let me share with you one of the many favorite games taken from Bobby's arsenal, illustrating an original and highly inventive plan of attack.  

Fischer,R. - Andersson,U. 

Siegen, 1970

1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.c4 Nf6 4.e3 Be7 5.a3 0–0 6.Qc2 Re8 7.d3 Bf8 8.Nf3 a5 9.Be2 d5 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nbd2 f6 12.0–0 Be6 

After the first dozen moves, we reached a typical and very playable hedgehog structure by opening transposition. Both sides have accomplished their opening objectives and looks ahead for the ensuing middlegame battle. 

13.Kh1 (D)

The start of what to became known as the "Fischer Plan". White regroups his forces toward the kingside with the aim to break down Black's very solid position.

Position after Fischer's 13th move

The plan is in operation consisting of three stages: (1st) concentration of forces, (2nd) creation of weaknesses in an opponent's position (3rd) break through the opponent's defense.

13...Qd7 14.Rg1 Rad8 15.Ne4 Qf7 16.g4!? (D) 

White is going to gather his forces diligently on the kingside with Rg3, Rag1, followed by a timely Nh4-f5 bringing all resources into the attack.

16…g6 17.Rg3 Bg7 18.Rag1 

Obviously, White is very insistent with the realization of his plan. He knows very well that for an attack to be successful, one should have more attackers (concentration of forces) than defenders.

18...Nb6 19.Nc5 Bc8 20.Nh4 Nd7 21.Ne4 Nf8 22.Nf5! (D)
The knight cannot be taken by 22...gxf5?? 23.gxf5 (activating connected rooks), is winning on the spot.

22...Be6 23.Nc5 Ne7 24.Nxg7! 
Winning small material (knight for a bishop) and exchanging one of the key defender, thus further weakening Black's castle.

24...Kxg7 25.g5! 
This pawn advance helps White to make use of a bishop without counterpart (dark-squared bishop) maximally and increase his positional advantage.

25...Nf5 26.Rf3 b6 27.gxf6+ Kh8 
Temporarily holding-off the strong pressure along the long a1-h8 diagonal, but there's no escape from the inevitable - break through the opponent's resistance.

The game concluded as follows...
28.Nxe6 Rxe6 29.d4 exd4 30.Bc4 d3 31.Bxd3 Rxd3 32.Qxd3 Rd6 33.Qc4 Ne6 34.Be5 Rd8 35.h4 Nd6 36.Qg4 Nf8 37.h5 Ne8 38.e4 Rd2 39.Rh3 Kg8 40.hxg6 Nxg6 41.f4 Kf8 42.Qg5 Nd6 43.Bxd6+ 1–0