Bobby Fischer was not only a tactical genius. His positional play was also incredibly clear, practical, and powerful. In this lesson, we’ll analyze a game Fischer played vs. Svetozar Gligoric in 1970. I’ll 10 simple positional rules that helped Fischer slowly take control of the game.

There were no flashy sacrifices or wild attacks. Fischer simply improved his pieces, restricted Black’s counterplay, created small weaknesses, and made the position easier for himself with every move.

You’ll learn how to improve your pieces with purpose, stop your opponent’s counterplay, create and attack weaknesses just by following these:

• Control the center, control the game
• To take is a mistake. Avoid unmotivated exchanges, they only help your opponent
• A bishop for a knight is not an equal trade. Before chess engines, StockFischer evaluated knights = 3 but bishops =3.25
• Knights hate going backward
• Barricade their Bishop with pawn chains (either your or theirs
• Gain space advantage to restrict opponent’s pieces. When you’re lacking space, trade off material
• Bring your knights to outposts
• Control an open file with the rooks
• Move your pieces forward
• Tactics flow from a superior position

If you want to improve your chess strategy and win more games without relying only on tactics, these Fischer positional rules are a great model to study.

Fischer vs. Gligoric 1970 Video Analysis

Watch the full video lesson so that you can use Fischer’s easy strategy in your own games

Below, you can find the complete game between Fischer and Gligoric shown in the video:

Capitalize on your positional advantage with tactical maneuvers. Browse the Chess Tactics Lesson Guide. Access lessons on tactical motifs, patterns and combinations across all phases of the game.

Fischer vs. Gligoric is indeed one of the most instructive games. These rules from one of the best chess players of all time will surely help you improve your positional play if you learn how to apply them.

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