Chess basics stress on fast development of pieces without moving the same piece twice in the opening stages but many a times it is necessary to regroup the pieces or retreat a piece or two, back to the original square and start in another direction. This is done when it appears that the piece might have a bigger impact on the game than on the square where it is first positioned.

The game which followed features former World champion Boris Spassky who lost his title to Bobby Fischer in 1972. What is interesting in this game is that both players retreat their pieces to the original square. However White finds it difficult to bring his piece to a better square where as Black's knight becomes more menacing after he has retreated and started again on a different square and helps in the final outcome.

White: Boris Spassky (2535) – Black: Joel Lautier (2645)
Sigeman & Co Malmo.1998
Sicilian Defence
1.e4 c5
The Sicilian defence
2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.d3 e5
if 5...g6 6.0–0 Bg7 7.Re1 Nf6 8.e5 dxe5 9.Nxe5 Be6 10.Nc3 0–0 11.Nxc6 Qc7 12.Qf3 Rac8 13.Ne5 Nd7 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Bf4 works better for White
6.c4
If 6.0–0 g6
6...Ne7 7.Nc3 Ng6 8.g3
It is difficult to understand this move. White has already initiated the exchange of his light square bishop for the knight and he will have problems on the White squares. This move actually helps Black as it offers scope for his light square bishop
8...Be7 9.Ng1
This move is once again a bit strange. Why does White want to bring back his knight to the original square
9...0–0 10.h4 f5
Black has already developed his pieces and now makes a good advance with the intention of opening the 'f' file where his rook is already in control
11.Qe2
If 11.h5 Nh8
11...Rb8
Immediately capturing the open file. Worth a try was 11...Rf7
12.f3 Rf7
The idea behind this move is to vacate the square for the knight to restart his journey and land on a more effective square
13.Be3 Qa5
If 13...f4 14.h5 fxe3 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.Qh2 leads to an unclear position
14.Qc2 Nf8
Retreating to start afresh
Diagram 1
15.Bd2
If 15.Nge2 Ne6 16.Bd2 Qb6
15...Qb6 16.0–0–0
White castles on the queen side which does not look very safe as Balck's rook and queen are already stationed there
16. ..fxe4 17.fxe4
If 17.dxe4 Ne6
17...Bg4 18.Nge2 Rf2
Infiltrating immediately onto the seventh rank
19.Be3 Rf3 20.Bg1
If 20.Bd2 Ne6 (20...Rxd3 21.Na4)
20...Ne6
This knight which had gone back to restart his journey suddenly becomes dangerous as he has a whole lot of crucial squares to land on which would create plenty of problems for White
21.Rh2 Rbf8 22.b3 Bd8
Another good retreat ! This time aiming for the a5 square. Black is in a commanding position as his rooks are doubled on the open file and his bishop pair is also very strongly placed
23.Kb2 Qb7 24.Qc1 Qf7
Trebling on the 'f' file. Things are getting more and more difficult for White pieces
25.Be3 Qh5 26.Rg2 Ba5
Black is in total command now
27.Rdg1 Nd4
Anchored very strongly at the centre
28.Re1 Bh3 29.Rh2
If29.Rgg1 R3f6
29...Bf1 
If 9...Nxe2 30.Rhxe2 Rxg3
30.Ng1 Rxg3 31.Rxf1 Rxf1 32.Qxf1 Rxe3 33.Rh3
If 33.Rf2 Ne6
33...Qh6 34.Nb1 Re1 and White resigned.
Diagram 2
White to play and win
1.Rh1 h6 2.Bxf6 Qe3
If 2...gxf6 3.Qg6+ Kh8 4.Rxh6+ Nxh6 5.Qxh6 checkmate
3.Qg6 Qe2+ 4.Kh3 and it is all over for Black.