One of the main themes of this game is how Fischer strongpoints key squares, first e4 and later f3.
Nikolic-Fischer
Vinkovci 1968
1.c4 g6 2.Nc3 Bg7 3.g3 e5 4.Bg2 d6 5.e3 Nf6 6.Nge2 O-O 7.O-O
It is not good to commit the King so early if White intends to play d4.
7...c6 8.d4
Fischer-Both Kings are now safe behind their fianchettoed Bishops. You should try this setup, too. It will prevent a quick checkmate even against a very strong player! Things look pretty even, but do you notice that White's Knight has no place to go? Also, that Bishop at c1 isn't very active, is it? Poor planning on White's part.
8...Re8 9.Rb1 e4
Advancing the pawn to e4 and strongpointing it. Fischer and others have won many games with this pattern. With the center blocked, White can't coordinate his pieces to reach the kingside quickly enough to defend against a sudden, sacrificial attack.
10.b4 Bf5 11.h3 h5 12.Nf4 Nbd7 13.a4 Nf8 14.c5
This blocks the position, making Black's attack even stronger. According to Fischer, 14.b5 was better. White's position was already difficult.
14...d5 15.b5 N8h7 16.Bd2 Ng5 17. Rb2 Qd7 18.Kh2 Bh6
A very important move. The Bishop indirectly attacks the
Knight on f4 and creates a square for the King on g7.
19.a5
Fischer-Now Black has built up maximum force with five pieces zeroed in with more to come. The question is, how to break through? Should I now move 19...h4 or 19...Bg4 or 19...Nf3+?
I thought a long time about this. 19...h4 didn't pose an immediate threat but it's not a bad move. 19...Nf3+ was also a possibility with 20.Bxf3 exf3 21.Qxf3 Bxf4 22.gxf4 cxb5 and Black gets his pawn back with a very good game, because if White takes on b5, then ...Bd3! wins the Exchange. But 19...Bg4! leads to a series of forced moves and now my Rooks come to the attack along the h-file.
19...Bg4!
The decisive breakthrough is made by placing the light-squared Bishop en prise. Black's idea is to strongpoint the f3-square.
20.hxg4
White will not survive long after 20. Qb3 Nf3+ 21.Bxf3 (21.Kh1 Bxf4) 21...Bxf3 22.bxc6 bxc6 23.Qb7 Qf5 24.Qxc6 Bxf4 followed by ...Ng4+.
20...hxg4 21.Rh1
If 21.Bh1, then 21...Nf3+ 22.Kg2 Bxf4 23.exf4 Qf5 24.Rg1 Qh5 25.Kf1 Qh2 26.Bxf3 exf3 26.Be3 Rxe3 28. fxe3 Qxb2, winning.
21...Nf3+ 22.Bxf3 gxf3 23.Kg1 Bxf4 24.exf4 Kg7
White has no defense to Black's occupation of the h-file.
25.f5 Rh8
Black must still be careful. Not 25... Qxf5, as 26.Bh6+ shuts down the h-file.
26.Bh6+ Rxh6 37.Rxh6 Kxh6 28. Qd2+
If 28.a6, then Fischer gives the following finish: 28...Qxf5! 29.axb7 Rh8 30.bxc6 Kg7 31.b8=Q Rh1+! 32. Kxh1 Qh3+ 33.Kg1 Qg2 mate.
28...g5 29.bxc6 Qxf5 30.Nd1 Qh3 31.Ne3 Kg6 0-1