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Boris Spassky vs Bobby Fischer · 1972 · move 22.
Which advance by the c4-pawn attacks both the queen on b6 and the knight on d6?
Game eleven of the 1972 match is a useful antidote to judging development by forward moves alone. Spassky first retreats a knight to clear the c-pawn’s path, then advances pawns with attacks on Fischer’s queen. Black creates threats against the king, so every gained tempo must be checked against the counterplay.
Before reaching for a move, identify the opponent’s immediate threat and the piece you most want to improve. Then compare checks, captures and quiet moves. The complete interactive lesson will let you test your answer without revealing the historical continuation first.
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