Lesson
White to move. Main line: 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 b6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Rc1 Be6 12. Qa4 c5 13. Qa3 Rc8 14. Bb5 a6 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. O-O Ra7 17. Be2 Nd7 18. Nd4 Qf8 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. e4 d4 21. f4 Qe7 22. e5 Rb8 23. Bc4 Kh8 24. Qh3 Nf8 25. b3 a5 26. f5 exf5 27. Rxf5 Nh7 28. Rcf1 Qd8 29. Qg3 Re7 30. h4 Rbb7 31. e6 Rbc7 32. Qe5 Qe8 33. a4 Qd8 34. R1f2 Qe8 35. R2f3 Qd8 36. Bd3 Qe8 37. Qe4 Nf6 38. Rxf6 gxf6 39. Rxf6 Kg8 40. Bc4 Kh8 41. Qf4
Fischer’s 20.e4 is the strategic hinge. After 20...d4, Black’s central pawns become fixed targets while White gains space for e5 and f4-f5. The attack grows from the pawn structure rather than from a sudden tactical mistake.
The quiet manoeuvres from moves 29 to 36 are part of the point. Fischer improves the queen, doubles the rooks and waits until every attacking piece is ready. Black’s queen shuffles between d8 and e8 but cannot create counterplay.
Only then comes 38.Rxf6. The exchange sacrifice opens the g-file and leaves the remaining rook, queen and bishop around the king. Spassky resigned after 41.Qf4 because the attack continues with threats such as Qxh6 and Rg6+.