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1I1"1P�nder Beliall�ku
Adrian tlikhalchis
a Dle2 Stetsko

Russian CHESS House

MOSCOW
2012
Russian Chess House
$YnYnȄũϏP.Box 6, Moscow. Russia

Isolani Str:negy. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Isolated Queen's Pawn

Copyright &ƪƳ&ϏκϏRussian Chess House
Text Copyright Alexander Beliavsky. Adrian Mikhalchishin. Oleg Stetsko

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 CONTENTS
Introduction .................................................................................................. 3

PART I. The isolated d4-pawn . . ..... .. . .. ... .. .. ... ..................... . 7

... . . .. ... . .. .... .. . ..

Chapter I . Attack on the kingsidc ....................................................... 1 1

1 . 1 . Attack with the f-pawn ............................................................. 1 1
1 .2. Piece attack on the kingsidc ..................................................... 1 4
Chapter 2. The d4-d5 breakthrough .................................................... 35
Chapter UϏAttack on the qucenside......................, .............................. 55
3 . 1 . Exchange on d5 ........................................................................ 55
3.2. An;.lck on quccnsidc weaknesses .............................................. 65
Chapter 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5 ................................ 72
4. 1 . Reducing attacking potential by exchanging pieces ................. 72
4.2. Countcrplay based on control of the blockading d5-point ....... 80
4.3. Creation of an isolated pawn pair............................................. 93
4.4. Creation of a central pawn pair .............................................. 1 0 1

PART I I . The isolated dS-pawn . ................................... ....... .............. 1 07

. . .

Chapter S. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn ....................................... 1 1 0

5.1. The strategy of exchanging pieces ......................................... 1 1 0
5.2. Exchange of the d::lrk·square bishop in French Defence
positions......................................................................................... 1 2 1
5.3. Piece attack on the isolated pawn ........................................... 1 2 6
5.4. Creation of an isolated pawn pair ........................................... 1 30
5.5. Crc;'ltion of a central pawn pair .............................................. 1 35
5.6. Transition into an endgame .................................................... 1 39
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential of thc d5-pawn .................................. 1 48
6. 1 . Active piece play for Black .................................................... 1 48
6.2. The d5-d4 breakthrough ......................................................... 1 63
6.3. Spatial expansion by the d5-d4 advance ................................ 1 70
Chapter mŨϏThe isolatcd pawn with a small number of picces ........... 179
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame .................................. 190
8. 1 . Play with four rooks on the board .......................................... 196
8.2. Play with one pair of rooks ..................................................... 209
8.3. Minor piece endings ............................................................... 2 1 7
8.4. Endings with one pair of minor pieces ................................... 225
8.5. Pa\vn endings .......................................................................... 230

Index of Players ....................................................................................... 233

Index of Openings .................................................................................... 237
 Introduction
Anyone who fears an isolated pawn should not
Aaron Nirnzowitsch. one of the
outstanding chess researchers. can·
sidcrcd that the problem of Ihe iso­
lated pawn was onc of Ihe cardinal
problems of positional play. We arc
talking about a central d4-pawn for
While or a d5-pawTl for Black, the
isolation of which is chamctcrised
by the absence of the pawns of this
colour on the c- and c-files.
From the dialectical point of
vicw. the specific nature of Ihe iso­
lated pawn is the assessment of its
inherent contradictions - strengths
Ilnd weaknesses. or in other words.
dynamics and statics. I n lhe opcn­
ing stage of the game Ihis is an as­
sessment of the advantage of the
first move. although for the mod­
ern state of theory the creation of
dynamically balanced positions is
more Iypical.
From the dynamic point of view.
the advantage of the isolated pawn.
let's say a pawn on d4, is thai it is an
outpost. controlling the central c5-
play chess
Sieghert Tarrasch
lind e5-squares, on which a knight
can be established. supporting an at­
tack on the king. and the presence
of the open c- and c-files assists the
rapid activation of the rooks. From
the slatic point of view, the defccts
of the isolated pawn arc that it needs
defending. especially when it is not
supported by the bishop, and above
all that it can be blockadcd by a
piece, usually a knight. occupying
an important outpost (in our case
this is d5), which is not easy to elim­
inate. The benefits ofcontrolling this
outpost become especially apparent
when the material is reduced, since
thc weakness of the squares e4 and
c4 is felt.
The first to begin studying the
topic of the isolated pawn was the
first world champion Wilhelm Stei­
nitz, who encountered this prob­
lem in his match for the world title
wilh Johann Zukertort. Here is this
historic 91h game of their match, in
which the method of playing against
4 Introduction
Ihe isolated d4-pawn was convinc­
ingly demonstrated.
ZUK ERTORT - STEINITZ
New Orleans 1886
tΫ‰͹ÏΕϏs2ͯ}˜DϏq£D‰ ϏX^-Ϗ
I.d4 d5 2.c4 .6 3.€lc3 €lf6
4.li\f3 dxc4 5.e3 c5 6.iLxc4 cxd4
7.exd41l..7 8.0-0 0-0.
A Iypical position wilh an iso­
Ialcd d4-pawn, characteristic of the
Queen's Gambit Accepted.
9.111'.2 €lbd7 10.1l.b3 €lb6
1 1 ŷϏf4. Nowadays the development
• whieh in the given position could
of the bishop at g5 is preferred.
1 1 . .. €lbd5 12.1l.g3 �a5 13.
l:Iacl i(d7 14.€I.5l:1fd8! 15.111'13
SLe8! Note the manoeuvre llf8-d8
followed by playing the bishop to
c8 - this is an important positional
idea. which is still practised today.
Such a regrouping of the pieces is
useful both for attack. and for de­
fence.
16.J:1fel l:Ioc8 1 7ɿϏh4.
1 7...li:lxc3! Today the positional
ideas of fighting against the isolated
d4-pawn arc known to many play­
ers. but when Ihey were employed
by Stcinitz they were a revelation.
After Black has securely defended
his kings ide, he switches to an at­
lack in the centre and creates a so­
called isolated pawn pair d4-cJ. The
d4-pawn is defended, but there is
now a new weakness - the c3-pawn,
which needs defending.
18.bxcJ V/!:/c7. One of the cle­
ments of modem technique is thc
fixing of the isolated pawn pair,
have been achieved by 1 8 . . . b5!'!,
but Steinitz carries a different plan
against the weaknesses. He aims to
simplify the position. reckoning that
the hanging pawns ( i f White plays
c3-c4) will remain a target.
19.(7'd3 llJdS! (nowadays a
typical exchanging manoeuvre)
20..1t.xe7 'xe7 2 1 JixdS. White
falls in with Black's plans, lIml com­
mits a serious positional mistake.
Intmduction
2 1 .k g3 would have retained rough­
ly equal chances.
2 1 . . ..tIxdS 22.c4. White plays
too actively - the advance of the
e-pawn merely weakens his pawn
centre.
22 ...:t1dd8 2311c3. This attack
on the securely defended king is nol
re..llistie. White should have sup­
ported his d4-pawn wilh 23 ..r.t ed I.
intending 'ti' d3-b3 with Ihe idea of
c4-c5 and t;) e5-e4-d6. or, in somc
cases, d4-dS.
23 . . .��d6 24.!ld l . 24.ll h3
* xd4 2S. t'fxh7+ ͭϏ is nol dan­
gerous for Black.
24... f6 2S.!lh3 h6 26.tZlg4
'IH4! Black has repelled White's
IIlIack and he now launches a coun­
ICr'duack, which gains in strcngth
because the rook at h3 coordinates
poorly with the remaining pieces.
27.t;)c3 iL.a4! The need to de­
fend the d4-pawn forces the white
rook to abandon the firsl rank.
28.: 13 �d6 29.J:1d2 J'l.c6
30.l:g3. Nothing is given by
bWV͌®,Ϗ gxf6 3 1 .�g6+ ʟ̡̠Ϗ
b]Vʔ®,ĀϏ We8 33.ttlfS .xfS. bu,
30.d5 Wc5 3 1 .l:! g3 cxd5 32.'I!l'g6
cillne into consider'dtion. although
even here after 32 . . .11 c7 Black has
the ndvantage.
30. . . f5 31.l:!g6 J'l. .4 32.�bJ
;\/h7 33.cS ͔À©Ϗ 34.l:!,.6 l:!cl +
J5.lZldl �f4 36.�b2l:1b l 3Hilc3
l:Ic8 38.11xe4 exc4. White re­
I'igned.
5
A convincing win. wouldn't you
agree'! Johann Zukertort clearly
failed to copc with the problem of
the isolated d4-pawn, which he de­
liberately (we must emphasise this)
went in for in the opening, hoping
to benefit from his advantage in
space, which was greatly valued in
the romantic 1 9th century. It was no
accident that one of the faithful fol­
lowers of Steinitz's teac hings, Sieg­
bert Tarraseh. vigorous ly stood up
for the- isolated pawn: '} think that
the player whose queen's pawn is
isolated has a clear advantage. The
point is tlun Ihis pawn may serve as
the starting-point for a very strong
attack.' Tarrasch's belief in the vir­
tues of the isolated pawn was so
great, that he was also prepared to
have one with Black. by playing in
the Que-en's Gambit l.d4 dS 2.c4 e6
3.11)C3 eS! (Tarrasch's evaluation).
thereby agreeing to the isolation
of his dS-pawn aller 4.exdS exdS
s.lDo followed by the exchange on
d4. Nowadays the Tarrasch Defence
to the Queen's Gambil is regarded
as a sound opening. where Black
achieves a position of dynamic bal­
ancc.
In modem practice Ihe appear­
ance o f an isolated pawn is the re­
sult of an opening variation bcing
chosen, in which the possessor of
the pawn hopes in relum 10 exploit
his advantage in lime or space. It is
wcll known Ihat the advantage of
6 Introduction

the first move affects the possibil­
ity of exploiting the dynamic and
slatic fe::lIures of an isolated pawn
when there are still a large number
of pieces on the board. Therefore we
think it is logical to consider sepa­
rately positions from the openi ng
obtained with isolated d4- and d5-
pawns. In isolated pawn positions
with reduced material and stable in
character, the strategy orthe play. ir­
respective orthe colour. has its gen­
eral rules, both in the middlcgamc.
and in the endgame.
 PART!

THE ISOLATED D4-PAWN

The study of modem chess lakes Queen's Gambit, Orthodox

lIccount of the interconnection of the Defence
opening with the middlegamc, since l .d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3.11lc3 lilf6 4.iLgS
the pawn structure arising after Ihe S:l.e7 s.tllo 0-0 6.e3 lilbd7 7.S:l.d3
opening largely dctcnnincs Ihe dxc4 8..l!L c5 9.0-0 cxd4 1 0.cxd4.
further development of the game.
As regards our theme, Tarrasch fC­
Imlrked: ' Iffor an isolated pawll one
call obtain an advantage in time or
l1Osil iol1, such an operation is advan­
lugl:OUS and becomes an important
fe ature for Ihe creation of an attack.
BUI if lhe opponent has a lead in de­
velopment. Ihe isolating of the pawn
Is unfavourable.'
Modern opening theory includes
II quile extensive range of openings,
where While goes in for an isolated Queen's Gambi1, Capablanca
d4-pawn. with the hope of exploit­ Variation
lug its dynamic features. Here arc a I .d4 dS 2.<4 c6 3.'i:lc3 lilf6
!lumber of Iypical positions, arising U\gS S:l.c7 s.lilo 0-0 6.e3 lilbd7
III the popular openings. 7.:c I c6 8.Ad3 dxc4 9.Jhc4
lildS 1 O.S:l.xc7 'iJIIxe7 1 1 .0-0 lilxc3
1 2.l:xc3 c5 1 3:�¥c2 cxd4 14.cxd4.
8 Pal-t I
Queen's Gambit, Tarrasch DC'­
fence I>cfcrrcd
I .d4 d5 2.c4 c6 l.'ilcl ç̶¿Ϗ
4.tLHJ c5 5.cxd5 ttlxd5 6.c3 lDc6
7..iid3 cxd4 8.cxd4.
Queen's Gambit Accepted
I.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.'ilf3 'ill"
4.c3 c6 5..f:Lxc4 c5 6.0-0 l1'\c6 7.�c2
cxd4 8.!1d l ilc7 9.cxd4.
Queen's Gambit Accepted
l .d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.l.1Jc3 c5 4.c3
cxd4 5.cxd4 liJf6 6.il.,'( c4.
Nimzo-Indian Defence
I .d4 'ilf6 2.c4 e6 l.lil c3 -"'.b4
4.ol 0-0 5.-"'.dl d5 6.'ilf3 c5 7.
0-0 t;')c6 8.a3 cxd4 9.cxd4 dxc4
1 0.-"'.xc4 il. c7.
The isolaled d4-pawn
Caro-Kann Dcfcncc. Panov AI­
tack
l.c4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.c4
e6 S.lilc3 lilf6 6.1il0 :i.e7 7.<>dS
Ii)xd5 .
Caro-Kann Defence. Panov At­
Ilick
l.c4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5
4.c4 ͥ,Ϗ S.lilc3 lilc6 6.lilo il.g4
7.cxdS lilxd5 Ul'b3 SLxO 9.gxO
li)b6 IO ..ltc3 e6.
9
Sicilian Defcnce, Alapin Vari­
alion
1 .c4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 �xd5
4.d4 e6 silln Iilf6 6.SLd3 SLc7
7.0-0 0-0 8.�c2 cxd4 9.cxd4.
Pelroff Defence
I.c4 cS 2.liln lilf6 3.lilxcs d6
4.lilO Iilxc4 S.<l4 dS 6.�d3 �c7
7.0-0 lilc6 8.lIel il.g4 9.c4 lilf6
[Ϗɦšͤ‚ǦϏ 0-0 [ϏI.cxdSlilxd5.
ƶWϏ
Ⱥ—Ϊ?˔?Ϗɨ—z͸?Ϗ
I.c4 c5 2.tlH1tnc6 3 .il .c4 Sl . c5
4.c3 ttJ f6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 iLb4+
7 ..il.d2 .il.xd2+ 8.'1lbxd2 d5 9.cxd5
'1lxd5.
Pal't I
By agreeing, on emerging from
the opening. to a position with an
isolated pawn, White hopes to ex­
ploit its dynamic features. What do
they comprise?
I) The d4-pawn ensures control
of the c5- and c5-points. or partic­
ular importance is the e5-oulpoSI,
from which a knight, supported
by active bishops (in particular
the light-square bishop) assists the
mounting of a kingside 3nack.
2} A dynamic feature of the d4-
pawn is the potent ial energy of
its advance. comprising the d4-d5
breakthrough. which leads to the
opening o f the position .md is es­
pecially apparent when White has 11
lead in development.
3) If Black is behind in devel­
opment. an attack on the piece
blockading the d4-pawn may lead
to a favourable change in the pawn
structure by means o f exchanges
on d5.
 Chapter I

Attack on the kingside

1.1. Attack with the f-pawn 12 . tDfd5, aiming for simplifica­

. .

tion) 13 ..�
u e5 Sl.c6 1 4.l:adl tDb4
The feature of this attack is mak­ 15.�h31<d5 16.'ilxdSliJb.d5?
ing usc of the rook on n. From here A mistake, allowing White to begin
il supports the ̾L˨ǵLǼϏ advance, the pawn attack f2-f4-fS. 1 6 ...lLlfxd5
lind after the exchange on §Ϗ COOf­ was correct. when after 1 7.Jtc I l:c8
dination is established between the White has only a Slight advarllage.
knight on c5, the light-square bishop
on the 32-g8 diagonal. and the rook
on fl. After this the r7-pawn will
need constant defence.
The first player to carry out Ihis
theme most efe f ctively
world champion Mikhail Botvinnik.

BOTVINNIK VllJMAR
-

Nottingham 1936
Queen's Gambit D60

1.•4 ˝Ϗ'̌ɣɥϏd5 3.d4'il16 4.1<g5 1 7.141 Il.8.

1<.7 5.'il.3 0-0 6.03 'i:lbd7 7.-".d3
c5 8.0-0 cxd4 9.exd4 dxc4 IO.� xc4
Iilb6 1 1.1<b3 -".d7 IH'O'd3.
A typical switching of the queen
Black is unable to prevent the
opening ofthc f-filc. If 1 7 . . . g6. then
18 ..ah6.:!:e8 19.5l.a4. winning thc
exchange. I f 1 7 . tlJe4 there fol­
. .

to the kingsidc. which we will also lows 18.tlJxf7! Wxf7 (18 .. .l:xf7
encounter in later examples. 19. Wxc6) 19.Cde l ! with a decisive
1 2 ...tDbd5 (nowadays Black aUack.
would almost automatically prefer 18.f5 edS?
$Ϗ Part I . The isolated d4-pawn

Apparently the decisive mistake. Nimzowitsch recommended thal thc

1 8 . . .'��# d6 was more tenac ious, al­
though after \9.fx.e6 fxc6 20.Q)c4
�c6 $Ū͍ΈˁϏI here too While has a
great advantage.
1 9.1!>l5 �d6.
I f 1 9 . . . l!c7.•hen 20.l!dfllLlb6
2 1 .�h4 lLlbd5 22.lLlxf7 l:i xf7 23 .
.>'Lxd5 "'xd5 24.11xf7 "xg5 25.
tL¥xg5 with a mating attack.
d4-pawn should first be defended,
reckoning that the attack on the king
would follow of its own accord.
10 ... 0-0 1 1 .,&.2 lLlb4 1 2.lLle5
b6?!
1 2 . . .ltJbd5 was more logical.

13.f4! lLlfd5 1 4.l:iad1 .I'l.f6.

14 . g6, pn."'VCflting the advance of
. .

the ɜβ¢Ϗto 5, came into oonsidcmtiol1.

15.lLle4Jil.b7 1 6.f5 exf517.l:txf5
20.lLlxf7! l:ixf7 21S1.xf6 .I'l.xf6
lLIxe3.
( 2 1 . ..lLl x f6 22.l:txf6 .I'l.xf6 9.
ijl xc8+) 22.l:txd5 ',6 B.l!d6
�e8 24.l:id7.
Black resigned.

SPASSKY - N1KQLAEVSKY
Kharkov 1963
Queen's Gambit Accepted D27

I.d4 d5 2.,4 dxc4 3.lLl13 lLl f6

4.eJ e6 SJt xc4 cS 6.0-0 &6 7.a4 cxd4
8.exd4li'lc6 9.lLlcJ Ac7 IO.!te3.
The cxpcns have different opin­ 1 8.ttJd6+!
ions about this modest development Black had only reckoned 011

of the bishop. Thus Tarrasch and 1 8.�xe3 "xe5 1 9.1:i xe5 .I'l.d5.
Chapter 1. Attack on the kingside
18 ...gxf6 19.'I'¥xe3 !xeS 20.
lIIxeS h6 2111r6<'lh7 .
I-Ie also loses after both 21 ...
.Q)dS 22.�g3+ Wh7 23.�d3+ and
21 ...Ad5 22.l::txh6 f6 2H�g3+
\1/17 24.l!h7+.
22.b::d fl �dS 23:�-¥rs+ 't�g8
24. ' g4+ I!Ih7 2S.l:hh6+.
Blaek resigned.
LERNER - KHARITONOV
SI st USSR Championship,
Lyov 1984
tά˘ͺÐΖϏs2Ͱ}˜ΞϏq£D˙ ϏX^ȊϏ
l.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3 ,l/lf3 a6 4,e3
(flf6 5.�xc4 e6 6.a4 c5 7.0.0 cxd5 8,
cxd5t;)c69.4Jcl s...e7 10..-.li.e3 0.0 II.
� e2 b6 12J: adl ΦʵϏ13.t;)eS1t.b7.
.!
.t.
" 21. .. .idS?, since this loses a piece:
14.f4! In contrast 10 the simi­
lar situation in the previous game.
Black has completed his develop­
ment and he has secure control of
the dS-square. bUI here 100 Ihe at­
šyʼ̫Ϗ wilh the f·pawn gives ʓ̆–šˆϏ
the better chances.
13
14 ... lilbdS IS.f5 Wd6.
Since IS...exf5 is unfavourable
for Black. he tries to maintain his e6-
point.
16.J.ig5! t;)xc3.
While steps up the pressure on
Black's position. and Black tries 10
weaken it by exchanging. However. it
is not easy for him to find a satisfacto­
ry plan of defence. since in some vari­
ations the weakness of the a6-pa\'o11 is
felt. If 16...1:1fc8 White could have
continued 17.�d3. when 17. ..liJb4
is not d..'lIlgerous in view of 18.l:tg3
�xd4+ 19.Whl with a strong attack.
17,bxcJ li'le4 18 .�xe7 �xe7
19.�g4 ! lilf6.
White's pressure increases (19...
li)xc3? 20.(6) and Black is forced to
make positional concessions.
2o.lIIh3 exfS 21.Wxf5 Jte<\ .
It is not possible to neutralise
White's pressure on the kingsidc by
22..II.xd5 lilxd5 23./ilc6 .d6
24.'ilxd5 .xd5 25.lilc7+.
n.l!Ig5.11.g6.
14
23.1:1'3! A typical inclusion of
Ihe rook in the IIl1ack on the king.
Nothing is given by 23.QJxS6 hxg6
24.lilxg6 111.3+ 25.lII h l �x.3
26.%:1,,1'6 ,*xc4 with equality.
23".11107 24.11h311leS 25.l<b3
( intending 26.ll'lxg6) 25 ...J:xeS
26.lIi'xe5 �d7 27.1:[.3 1:[.8 2U�14
ͦRϏ29l!d e 1 b530..xb5 axb531.b3
Woo 32.'01'13 ÚǐϏ33.J:t.5 ʴϏǨǩǪȤϏ
h6 35.04 Wh7 36.<5 ͠΀ŜϏ Black re­
signed.
NEVEROV - MAKSIMENKO
Khcrson 1989
Nimzo-/ndian Defence E4 J
I.d4 11116 2.04 06 3.11lc3 Ab4
4.e3 cS S.S4 d3 cxd4 6.exd4 dS
7.11l13 dx04 8.i.x04 I1lb d7 9.0-0
I1lb 6 10.l<b3 Jl.d7 II..Il.g5 .Il.e7
12.li.l.5.1l.06.
13.f4! 0-0 14.r5 exfS?! 14 . . .
.ltd5! was necessary, covering
White's imponant Attacking diago­
nal :l2-g8.
Part 1. The isolaled d4-pawn
15.1:[x15 li.lld5. 15 ....Il.d7l?
with the idea of ̛ e6 was more te­
nacious.
16.:txe7 �xe7 17.�d3
17... �a d8?
A routine move, allowing White
to develop an irresistible attack.
1 7 . . .g6!,? with Ihc idea of 1 8.-. g3
llJxc3 1 9.bxc3 .adS was necessary.
Is.tI.n 16 19.1:[h5 g5. No
beller is 1 9 . . . g6 20,Qhg6! hxg6
2 1 .'&xg6+ 't';Yg7 ͶȕΟƒϏwith a de­
cisive pin on d5.
20.li.lg41:[d7 21.h4 gxh4 nib.3
nfd8 23.�rr5. Black resign ed.
1.2. Piece attack on the kingsId e
Thi s attack involves coordinat­
ing the heavy pieces, and switching
them to the kingsidc with the aim of
provoking a weakening of the king's
pawn screen. One of the standard
procedures is moving a rook along
the 3rd rank to h3 or g3.
Chapter' 1. Attack on the kingside
FURMAN - KERES
22nd USSR Championship.
Moscow 1955
Queen's Gambit Accepted D27
I.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.<tl13 <tlf6
4.e3 c5 5.J.txc4 e6 6.0-0 a6 7.'0e2
liJbd7 8.a4 cxd4 9.exd4 tiJb6
10 .ab3 .a.1 11.<tlc3 0·0 12.l:!d I
• by �gl and �h4.
/)Jb d5 13./)J.5 .ad1 14..ag5 .ac6.
15.lId3! Although Black has
wmpleted his development and is
controlling the d5 blockading square.
White retains allacking resources and
he switches his rook to the kings ide.
15...͗͘ˈϏ If IS...<tlb4 there
would have followed 16,Itg3!, when
t6... 'f'§xd4 is d.mgerous bccall<;C of
17.<tlxfl' Wxfl (17 ...lIxfl 18.'&xc6
<tldS I 9J:ld I) 18.�xc6Ht;.8 19.t!dl
with a strongatt.1ck for\Vhite. for exrun·
pic: 19 .. ϋʶϏ20.Jtcl �c7 21.!ilxg7.
.
16.lIad I II fdS 11.lIh3 g6.
If 17....ft.e8, then 18.tiJxd5
cxdS (18...<tlxdS 19 ..axdS cxdS
20.<tlc4) 19.Jtc2 h6 20..axf6 .ltxf6
IS
21.�d3 g6 22.<tlg4 hS 2l.l:txhS
gxhS 24.�h7+ Wf8 2S.<tlh6 �e6
26.'it7f1 with the idea of:c l.
18.il.cl. The bishop rctums to
its initial position. in order to vacate
the diagonal for the queen. but this
manoeuvre loses White two tempi
compared with 18.�d3!? followed
18 ...1:oc8 IU!'d2 <tlh5. Black
should have included his bishop in
the defence: 19 ...SLfS 20.�g5 JLg7
(if 20...ì3ĐϏ then 2 1.jtxd5 tiJxd5
22.<tlxfl' It>xfl 2H!xh7+ .ag7 24.
�cS !I g8 2S.Jth6) 21.�h4 <tlc7
(weaker is 21. ..tiJh5 22.tl:)e4 t»'e7
23.<tlgS! f6 24./)Jxc6l:Ixc6 2S.<tle4
with advantage to While) 21.g4
Wf8 22.jLg5 tl:)cg8 with chances of
a defence.
20.l:txh5 gxh5 21.<tl.4 lIYb4
22."tWd3 h4 (preventing 23.�g3)
23.<tlg5 .axg5 24..a 'g5 f6
2S..axdS )l.,dS. If 2S...l:!xdS?,
then 26.St.xf6 ..Ilxa4 27.�h3! tlxe5
28 ..ltx.S .ltxdl 29.lIYxc6+ Wf8
30.St.d6+, winning.
26.ƌϏ,f6 ʃCśϏ
16
The game would appear to be
decided. After 27.lDg4! White's
attack should have brought him a
material advantage, since Black has
nothing better than 10 return the ex­
change: 27 ...11xf6 28.t;)xf6+ Wg7
29.tt'ixd5 cxd5 30.W'fS. transposing
into an endgame which is hopeless
lor Black. However. White relaxed
and aOer 27.1h:h4? �hb2 28.ll\d7
nc3 29.�f1 tIfe8 Black seized Ihc
initiat ive.
POLUGAEVSKY - LUTIKOV
Svcrdlovsk 1958
Queen's Gambit D40
I.d4 8r6 2.c4 c6 3.�.l(J c5
4.03 1<.07 5.8<3 O-l) 6.1<. dJ d5 7.
0-0 dxc4 8.l"c4 8bd7 U!Y.2 06
10.&4 cxd4 I I .exd4 tLlb6 11Jtb3
J1<d7 1 3.8.5 il.e8?! (13 ... il.c6 or
thc immediate 13 ...lLIbd5 was more
aClive) 14.l:d l liJbd5.
1 5 .:'d3! The bishop on e8 d is­
fupts thc coordination of Ihc black
Pa,"l I. The isola led d4-pa wn
pieces. and this facil i tates the
switching of the while rook to the
kingsidc.
1 5 .. '::c8 (aftcr 15 .. .Ƕ3Ϗall thc
same thcre follows 16.ttgJ. since
16 ...,*,,"xd4 is not possible because
of 17.il.h6) 16.l:tg3 Wh8 t7.il.g5
li)b4 18.:ct:d l .tr:c7. Preparing 19 ...
tnfd5. which was impossible im·
mediately on account of 19.1iJxd5
8xd5 20.Jl.xd5 1<.xg5 21.J'l.xb7.
After 18 ...lLlg8 19.iL.xc7 �xc7
20.d5! exd5 21.ii.xd5 White has a
strong attack.
19J:th3 (preventing 19 . ..h l fd5
in view of 20.'t&'h5) 19 ...g6? But
sllc h :1 weakening of the position
should be made only if absolutely
necessary. It was more logical to
play 19... litc6 2o.lIVc3 (20.litxc6
fxc6 21.lLlg6+ Wg8 22.�xe6+
Ǝ͵Ϗ is inadequate) 20 ...0.g8
2 Utf4, although White's attack is
still strong.
20JiO :C:g8. After weaken­
ing his kingside, Black essentially
has no defence. If 20 ...lnfd5 there
follows 2 l .lLlxg6+ fxg6 22.�xf8+
..txfS 23.Sl.xd8, while after 20 ...
͜Ϗh 5 White has the decisivc 21.iL. h6
I:tg8 22."'x17!
21.llle 4li)h5. The capture 21...
lLlxe4 leads to mate - 22.t'1xh7+
Wxh7 23.-e¥h3+ IIlg7 24."'h6#.
(See diagram)
''Šυ̴ͷ´Ϗ The decisive stroke.
since after 22 ...�xn 23.lbxn+
Chapter I . Attaek on the kingside 17

14.:.3 g6. 1 4 ...'i:lg4 IS .itxc7

.

li)xc) docs not work because of

1 6.� xh7+!
IS.l:1g3 :'cS. It was cssential
10 play IS . . 'i:lc6' 1 6..ith6 �J,d4
.

I H:hd4 'i:lxd4 I S ..itxlll \!lxlll,

hindering White's attack at the cost
of a s light loss of material.
16. ƜϏh611 .S 17 .•3 'i:lc6.

Wg7 24.'i:lxdS IlxdS 25.g4! ã+Ϗ

26.�h6+ <;.X..}h8 27.iLJg5 Black loses
material.
22... SLc6 23J!:hc6 lIg7 24.dS
./I.d7 2S ' ..711,.7 26.Wd6 '!!Y.S
17.'i:lf6 ti),f6 28. �,f6+ Ilg7
29.d6. Black res igned.

KEENE - MILES
Hastings 1 975/76
Queen's Gambit D42
18.t;)xg6! hxg6 19.5l.xg6 bg6.
Black loses after both 1 9".1L.d6
1.'i:lf3 'i:lf6 2.c4 cS 3.'i:le3 'i:lc6
20.ihf7+ Wxf7 2 1 .l:[g7+ WfS
4.cJ e6 S.d4 dS 6.cxdS li)xdS
22.Q'O. and 19. ¾̦<Ϗ 20.�c2+
7. ./I.d3 cxd4 S.exd4 ./1.,7 9.0-0 0-0
';!i h8 21..itxlll IIxlll 2Hld2 'i:lg8
1O.l:!cl 'i:lf6 11../I.gS tilb4 12.itbl
.
23.l:!h3+ Wg7 24.lIh7+! Wffi 2S.dS.
b6 13.'i:l.S .itb7.
20.�bl 'i:l.S 2l.d,cS 'i:le4
22.'i:lxc4 Wh 7 23.'i:lf6+ il.x16
24.�xg6+ "'h8 2S ..itg7+ Sl.xg7
26.W1xg7#.

We will consider some cxamples

of attack wilh the pawn structure
where an isolated d4·pawn is imped­
ed by a pawn on c6. A Char.1CICrislic
feature is Ihe active use by White of
Ihe open c-file for his rook. I f ShIck
IS
delays his dcvclopmcllI. While can
also begin a direct piece attack.
FARAGO - VELIKOV
Albena 1983
Quun's GCl1noit D68
I.d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3.Qlc3 Qlf6
cŗ̀ȾÍaϏ c6 S.Jtg5 iLc7 6.c3 liJbd7
7.tlel 0-0 B.J>.d3 d,,4 9.-".,,4
QldS 10 .1,",.7 �xc7 11.0-0 Qlxc3
•
12.:t:1xc3 cS 13.�J'c2 cxd4 14.cxd4
�d6.
White's picces arc well mobi­
lised. and the rook at c3 is already
on its way to the kingsidc. Black
is behind in development, but the
main defect orhis position is that his
knight is unable to block the a2-g8
diagonal of the bishop. Exploiting
Ihe fact that the king is inadequately
defended, While builds up an irre­
sistible attack.
IS.ll:!g5! (allacking the h7· and
n-pawlIs) 15 tDr6.
..• 15 . . . g6?
IC�lds 10 disaster on the f7-squarc:
Pal't I . The isolat.ed d4-pawn
1 6.Qlxfl'l:!xfl I 7.l:!OQlf6 I S.," bJ
'Y'Ic7 19 ..11.)(f7+ '&xf7 20.:')(1'6.
After 1 5 . . . �g6 1 6.�xg6 hxg6
I 7.l':c I the invasion of the rook at
c7 is decisive.
16.:13 g6 17.�b3 tildS. If 1 7 . . .
�e7 While wins by IS.QJxn! ttxn
19.J>.xfl+ �xfl 20.l:!xf6.
IB.Ql.4 �dB 19.J>.,dS exd5.
lo.tbf6+! Wg7 2 1.�.yc3! (thc de­
cisivc queen invasion) 21... hS
22.�.5 Wh6 23.Ql,hS Jl.g4 24.
1!Vg7+ WgS (24. . . <&>xh5 25.�j'h7+
IYg5 26.h4#) 2S.:g3. Black re­
signed.
LPUTIAN - BALASHOV
Yerevan 1986
Queen's Gambit D68
I.d4 Qlf6 2 .•4 .6 3.Ql13 dS
4.tilc3 fie7 S.Jl.g5 0-0 6.03 Qlbd7
7.=.c I c6 8.Jtd3 dxc4 9.S4xc4
Qld5 lO.Jh.7 �,,7 11.0-0 Ql,,3
1211,.3 .5 13.�c2 exd4 14.cxd4
Qlf6 15.:. 1 IWdB.
C hapt er 1. Attack on the kingside
Thc pawn structure of both sides
is identical to the previolls example.
but here Bhick sllcceeds in blocking
the bishop's diagonal. However, an
important vir1ue of Whitc's position
is his control of the c�file, and he ex·
ploits the outpost at e5 to switch his
rook to the kings ide.
16.h3! White prevents the de·
velopmem of the bishop at g4 and
threatens after 17.l:ce3 to invade
with his rook at c7, placing Black
in a critical position. His reply is
forced.
16 ... lildS 17 ' ,dS! VW,dS
( I 7 . .. exd5 I 8.!:!e7) IB.!:!eS.
19
With the exchange of his knight.
Black's king has been left without
protcction and it comes under attack
by the heavy pieces.
IB ... '&d6 ( 18 ... �xa2?? 19.!:!a3
and the qucen is lost) 19.t;)gS g6
(if 19 . . .'�g6, then 20.�b3 is pos·
siblc) 20.'=0 f6. 20 .. .'�xd4?! is
dlmgerous because of 21.1:e4 fUd5
22.1ilx17
24.�c3+ Wh6 25.�c3+ Wg7
26.:=txf7+ �xf7 27.:C:c7, winning
the queen, while if 20 ...ƢΏϏ there
follows 21.11xf5 gxfS 22.l:!g3 Wh8
&ȿ̋ʖ­ǻϏ��g6 24.t1lf4 f5 25.lilxh7.
2 1.�bJ+ IlIg7 22.11cB! as. Af­
tcr 22 ...lIxc8 the king sllecumbs
to a mating auack: 23.'&17+ �h6
24:�xh7+ Wxg5 25.h4+ �g4
26.!!ixg6+ Wxh4 27.g3+.
23.n.xc8, Black resigned.
KARPOV - YUSUPOV
Candidates match. 8th Game,
London 1989
Queen's Ȼ{ͮʲ̍ΝϏrǽ-Ϗ
I.d4 lilf6 2 .•4 c6 J.lilf3 dS
4.lil.3 il..7 S.il.gS 0-0 6.e3 h6
7.il.h4 lilc4 B.il. ..7 �xe7 9.l:!c 1
c6 1O.�d3 lDxc3 tl.:'xc3 dxc3
12.il.xc4 lild7 13.0-0 cS 14.il.b3
exd4 IS.cxd4liJf6 16.ncl �d6.
(See diagram)
The pawn structure i n the dill·
gnlm –ΔϏ similar to the previous ex­
amples. but here the e5 outpost is
20
accessible to the knight. Therefore
Wh i te's move seems obv ious.
17.lLl£S! tlJdS'!! Black's reply
seems equally obvious. s ince the
knight occupies the strategically
i mportant d5-point and blocks the
important diagonal of Ihe bishop at
b3. But the knight moves :Iway from
the castled position. which White
immediately exploits. Black should
have aimed for the exchange of
bishops: 1 7 . . . Ac6 18.�xc6 fxc6.
although lIner 1 9.!tg3! he would
still have had to work hard to defend
his pos ition.
18.l:!g3 jU5. 1 8 ....lJ.c6 19.1II'd2
;,t>h8 was more cautious. but not
19 . . .ƃϏf5 20..lJ. xd5! cxd5 2 1 .ʗϏf4
l'I.c4 22.D -'th7 2H�'g4 g5 24.f4 f6
25.fxg5 hxg5 26.h4 with an .mack.
19.1II' h5 iLh7 20.1II'g41 (While's
attack develops rapidly) 20 ...gS
(2
hxg5 23.f4 ƍzʿɷȱϏThis move lcads to
loss ofmaterial. 23 . . . �h8 was better.
at leasl mninlnining malerial equality
in an inferior rook endgame: 24.fxg5
Part I. The isolated d4-pawn
f.xe5 25.g6 \l!Hxg6 26.�xg6 iLxg6
27.litxg6 cxd4 28.l:!c4:17 29..lJ.xd5
cxd5 lO.l:th4+ ͇ h7 1 l .͆ xd4 ͓ d8 .
24.fxgS! fxeS. I f 24 . . . �f5, then
25.gxf5+! iLxg4 26.l:!xg4 + Wh8
27.'il 17+ ll x17 28.lhc8+:fll 29. t7
Iilf6 30.!hfll � xflll 1 .I!g8+.
2S.g6 .fl.xg6 26.dxeS �e6 27.
SL.xdS! cxdS 28.'�hg6+ �xg6 29.
l:%xg6+ Wh7 30Jld6, and Whi te
won the double rook endgame.
In thc last two examples Whitc's
spatial advantagc was dctcnnincd by
his control of the c-filc. Now we will
considcr onc more example with the
usc of the c5 outpost by a rook.
VAGANIAN - HUBNER
Tilburg 1983
QlU?en's Gambit Accepted D20
l.d4 dS 2.c4 dxc4 3.q)c) cS
4.c3 exd4 5.exd4 liJf6 6.fl.x('4
. Sle7
7.tz)f] 0-0 8.0-0 l))bd7 9.l:tell))b6
10.iLb3 c6 II..li.g5 .lJ.g4.
Chapter I. Attaek on the kingsicle
12.W-d3! White is mueh morc ac­
tive, mainly due to his pressure on the
e-file. By removing his queen from
the pin by the bishop. he provokes its
exchange by the thre,lt oflj)tJ-e5.
12 ...ú½aϏ I3.W,O lilfdS 14.
iLxe7. Not 14.Itxe7li1xc7 15.IIel
lilbc8 16Wc2 nc8 17.-"xfl+
Wxfl 18.'iI1c6+ Will 19.1:[c3 lild6
20.l:f3+ t.Uef5!. and White is weak
on the back rank .
14...t;)xe7.
15ltc5! The rook joins the at­
tack. combining control oflilc c·file
with control of the d5-point.
21
Is...lilg6 16.J:t e4lild7 17.lIdl
�a5 18 ..:Ie3! (vacating a square for
the knight) 18 ...tl.ad8 19.tLlc4 �c7
20.h4! h6. 20 . . . liJxh4 is nOI pos-
sible on account of 21.'&"h5 lL�g6
nnh3 h6 23.I'hg6.
21.l!1g4 Wh8 22.hSlilf4 23.11g3
gS 24.hxg6 fxg6 2S.:ctel .t::de8
26.l:.tgc3. Combinin g an attack on
the king with pressure on the e-file.
26...lilb6 27.lil cs �c8? An
oversight in a difficult position;
27...ttxc3 W,IS necessary.
28.�xr4. Black res igned.
[n an attack on the kings ide. be­
gun with t he switching of the queen,
its enhanced mobility expands
White's possibilities. The most usu­
al route for the queen to the kingside
is via d3-h3.
BRONSTEIN - BERGER
Amsterdam 1964
Queen's Gambit D60
l.c4,'6 2.lil c3 dS 3.d4 lil f6 4..i1.gS
Sl.c7 5.•3 lilbd7 6.lilo 0-0 7..i1.d3
dxc4 SJixc4 c5 9.O-tt cxd4 IO.exd4
lilb6 I I b 3 )\.d7 12.lil.sl:[ c8.
(See diagram)
13.'&d3. White is intending to
switch his queen to the kingside.
13.,.tlJbdS? T his moveoncc again
indicates the lack of understanding in
those years ofhow to play dynamical­
ly against an isolated pawn. Modem-
12 Part I. The isolated d4-pawn

17 ... �d6. There is no defence.

I f 1 7 . . . h6 there follows 1 8.�xh6!
gxh6 1 9.�-*xh6wilh:ldccisivcallack.
In the event of 1 7 . . . Ϗ 1 8.lilxd5!
.lixd5 19.'&d3 g6 20 .. l ih6 rlc8
2 1 .i
exchange.
18.l/.Jxc6 l:xc6 19 ..: xf6 liJxf6
20.l/)e4! Black resigned.

KAVALEK - rRITCIIEn·
day defensive technique is based on Olympiad, Haifa 1976
striving for exchanges, and therefore QlLeell'.� Gambit D42
correct was J 3 . . . �fd5! 14.iL x
lI.c2 g6 15 ..II. h6 8 b4=) 14 . . .'I'II xc7 1.80 cS 2.•4 816 3.�1c3 .6
( 1 4 . . . 8xc7 15 ..lic2 g6) 1 5.lilxd5 4.c3 �)c6 S.d4 dS 6.cd /il,dS
cxd5 I 6.Ihc I �1'd6 17.f4, although 7.�d3 cxdS 8.exdS 11..7 9.0-0 0-0
even here White's initiative is quite 10.�. 1 �}cb4 1 I..libl '!J16 12.a3
serious. lilbdS 13.'!J.S �d7.
14l!Ic1 l1.c6 IS.�h3 a6. Black
is unable to relieve Ihe pressure on
the kingsidc. I f 1 5 . . . h6 there fol­
lows 16.Ji.xh6! gxh6 1 7:�xh6
tilh7 18.t2.c2 q)g5 \9.h4. while af­
ter 1 5 . . . g6 White has the decisive
1 6..lih6! !tc8 17./ilxf7.
16.l=tadl bS 17.St.c2.

14.�Yd3! White switches his

queen 10 h3 for an attack on the h7-
pawn with the active support of his
bishops.
14 ... Jl.c6 IS.�h3!�d6 16 .� gS!
(thrcalcning 17.8xd5 and 18.�xf6)
16... g6 ( 1 6 . . . h6? 1 7.� xh6!).
Chapter' 1. Atlack on the kingside 23

the raulty ide:l or playing the knight

to c4. 1 4 . . . 'I!Id6 1 5.tliiY d3 !lfd8
should have been considered.

17 ..s:L.a2! The b ishop takes con­

trol of the important d5-point. al­
lowing the quccn's rook to come
intu play.
IS.li1cS! The logical reaction to
17 ... rlfdS 18.lladl "'-eS 19.
the decentralisation of the knight.
I!d3 ! White is threatening to double
preparing the switching orlhc queen
heavy pieces on the h-file afler �h4
10 the kings ide.
and 1: h3 .
IS ... l!c8 16.�d3! 'iIIc7.
19.. /i1x<3 20.b,,3 'LldS (20. . .
ΰ
•• ζʮϏ
. 3'1. ' ,:, Ųų...
_ I ..J.L.x Ŭ .ĒϏ ʝū
..., xϏφϏ
... χϏXřŚθϏ
..., ÁϏγ
_.Q ..., +
...
rhg7 23.tilc4. regain ing the piece) 21.
i1.xdS SJ..xgS (21 . . . cxd5 22.tLixf7!
�xf7 23.Jixc7) 22 :, xh7 �ah8 23.
éƩϏVj{c7 24 . e6 f6 2S..ii.x
. e8 fxeS
26.�g4 �c4 (26 . . .Ilxc8 was more
tenacious) 27 ..iLxg6 hxg6 281IgJ
�r4 29.�xg6+. Black rcsigm:d.

DLUGY - OLL
Moscow 1989
Caro-Kann Defence B 14 17. .ft.gS. By playing 1 7.,fL f4!
White could have placed Black
I.c4 c6 2.e4 dS 3.exdS n:dS 4.d4in a critical position (the threat
'Llf6 S.'Llc3 'Llc6 6.cxdS 'LlxdS is 1 8.'Ll g4 ). If IL .'f!I d8. then
7.thn c6 8.S1.d3 5ib4 9. .\U.d2 O-018.i. g5 gains in strength: 1 8 . . . g6
10.0·0 Iilf6 T1 Ϗ :fl..7 ƵǠťțŦ˓ Ϗ b619.:fl.h6 l:!cS 20.'f!Ih3! ( w i th the un·
13.lIel Ab7 14.Ac2 llJaS '!! Withplcasant threat of  1 .͞ x n! øϏ 20 . . .
24 Part I . The isolated d4-pawn

�d6 2 1 .Aa4 lilc6 22.lilb5 �d5 4.c4 lilf6 5.lilc3 .6 6. lilfJ JI..7 7.
23.€Jxf7! � xf7 24.�b3 with a de· cxd5 lil,d5 8. Ad3 lilc6 9.0-0 O-ll
cisive attack. 10. !!.I lll' d6 11. "!!Ie2 g6.
17 ... g6 18.�h3! lild5 19. Ah6
Q')xc3 20. J1.xfB iLxfB 2l.bxc3
Iil'xc3 22. Jid3.

12. ll.Jc4. The black king's posi·

tion has been compromised by Ihe
move g6, creating the grounds for
an attack.
22 .. JWxd4. [t was beller to
12 . . ,"«;'c7 IJ.a3! It is important
capture this pawn with the knight
to lake control of the b4-squarc, re­
- 22. . lilbJ'? 23.lIadl lilxd4.
.

stricting the mobility of the black

for example: 24.Jl xg6 hxg6!? (or
knights.
24 .. .'�xh3 2s.iLxf7+ Wg7 26.gxh3
1J Ji d7.
.••

ac5) 25."IlIxc3 !hc3 26.11xd4 Jid5

with compensation for Ihe exchange.
22 . . . :c7!?, defending the f7-pawn,
also came inlo consideration.
23. lil xn! wxn 24. lIadl 'iI1f6
2 5. ... 'h7+ Ag7 26. Ji,g6+ W.7
27 . .li.l5 llc6 28. !!.3 'iI1h6 2 9 .�g8
All! 30.11..4
. lIc4 3 1.J!l.g6. Black
resigned.

VELIMIRQVIC - RUKAVINA
Novi Sad 1975
ȵ{·Ϳġɢ|>>Ϗr˕˩˗>ˀ˖ϏB 14
l.e4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.cxd5 cxd5
14.�d2! A bri lliant solUlion�
The queen heads for h6, from where
with the support of the minor pieces
Chapler 1. Attack on the kingside 25

il will exert strong pressure on the 14.llJcS! Black's kingside is in­

king.
14 ... l1f08 IS.&h6 ǓǞϏ 16.� h4
!?\cc7. If 1 6 . . .fL.g7 there follows
1 7..b.c4!l?lce7 l 8.tt:lcS 1LxcS 1 9.dxcS
�xc5 20.1L xd5 Ii'Ixd5 21 .1LgS. at­
I"cking the wC<lk d"rk squares.
17. il
l ogS h6 I s.lil h3 Wh7. If
I S . . . h S there follows 1 9.94! hxg4
20.liJ hg5 SLg7 2 1 .lDeS, winning the
17-pawn with a continuing allack.
19.1i)cS tn rs'! (20 . . . f6 wou ld
have enabled Ihe posilion to be
held) 20.SLx r5 e dS 2 1.l1lgS+ W g8
22.11)gxf7. and White won.
LOBRON - DJURIC
Adclaide 1986
Queell's Gambif. Accepted D27
I.d4 lilf6 2.iln
l dS 3.04 d«4
4.c3 c6 S .ŶϏxc4 cS 6.0-0 a6 7.a4
CDc6 8.'&e2 cxd4 9.Jldl :1Lc7
1O."d4 0-0 1 I.li'Ic J IildS 12.>ld3
llJcb4 13.Jib ) �Yc7. It is sounder
to develop the bishop at d7 or fian­
chetto it after 1 3 . . . b6 (with the idea
of 14.\11',4 1'5).
adequately defended, and this al­
lows White to begin an attack on
the king, since the acceptance of the
pawn sacrifice 1 4 . . . l1Jxc3? 1 5.bxc3
�xc3 allows the rook to be included
with decisive efTect - 16.rla3! �c7
1 7.-".xh7+ It'xh7 1 8.""h5+ Ii1g8
1 9.11 h).
14 ... f6. After 14 . . . >l d7 1 5.11.)!
ͩΆ+Ϗ l 6.t)\e4 tlJbd5 17.::: h3 White
also succeeds in switching his rook
10 the kingside with a dangerous at­
tack.
1 5. � h 5 f5. White's activity on
the kingsidc has borne frui t - Black
has weakened his pawn structure.
Now White exploits the delay in
the development of the c8-bishop
and attacks the blockading knight.
with the intention of seizing the c­
file.
16.iihdS Ii'I xdS.

"" fiii " "* ..... .

.Q. % .L � . .ɩȢ ď. :,?:
Ϗ 'h
. d,'it; 1; .&. ;� .&.
� ;@� .
A' i
� �.
i I4f •
. tlJ ..1
• ;qJ "' lb. ûϏ
.
17 ..I2. a2! Black's position IS
ʆ̔Ϗ ' illY . ,,?1\ !iiI1
b} � WrlJ... ȹ ̧ĎϏ held together by the mong knight
: .i. ��UI If: on d5, and therefore it is ill1por·
26
tan I for White 10 take it under con­
trol. by threatening in the event of
17 . . . iL d7'!! 10 transform the posi­
lion by the exchange 1 8 ..fLxd5!
exdS 1 9.1l.r4 J'l.d6 20.!!.c l *:!1d8
2 1 .'fif3, wilh a serious positional
advantage.
17 ... '<'.!'c2 18. m �jx.4 19.
1...xdS! e'xa 1 20 ..il. b3 1©TϏ20 . . . �ilS
was morc tenacious, atier which
White would have carried Olll a fa­
vourable breakthrough in the centre:
2 1 .dS! �b6 ( 2 1 . . .l'ld8 22.d,e6!
!!,d l + 23.Wxdl '1ly,cs 2H!i'd8+!)
22 ..ltf4 J'l.f6 2J./Dc4 �bS 24.Q)d6
'i¥b6 25.dxc6, obtaining a great ad­
vantage.
21..ltf4 'i'ixb2 22./Dc4 �xb3
23:.wxb3 , and While soon won.
In the preceding examples we
have seen that Black most often op­
posed White's attack with the (usu­
ally forced) barrier g7-g6, which is
not easy to breach. It is more diffi·
cult to defend after the position has
been weakened by h7-h6. which
makes the bishop sacrifice a possi­
ble motif.
DREEV - DOl.MATOV
New York 1989
Keres Defence EOO
I.d4 .6 2.c4 il.b4+ 3./Dd2 dS
4 .•3 /Df6 S ./DO 0-0 6.il.d3 cS 7.03
.i1I.xd2+ 8. il.xd2 cxd4 9.exd4 dxc4
IO. Jtxc4 h6. In preventing the pin
.
Pal·t I . The isolated d4-pawn
on his knight. Black weakens his
king's defences. 10 . . . lDd5 1 1 .0-0
t1:lc6 came into consideration.
11.0-0 l!Je6 12.T.lcl lil.7.
13.lu c5!'! This centralisation of
the knight is tactically bilsed, It is
risky for Black to accept the sacrifice
of the d4-pawn in view of his lag in
development: 1 3 . . ..t !Y xd4? ! 1 4 ..1L b4
�"S I S.J'l.xe7 rIe8 16.!!cl � f5
( 1 6 . . . tjlgS 17.h4' !:'!',h4 1 8.1I. bS
leads to the loss of the exchange)
1 7 ..ltd3' (after 1 7.âϏd6'! bS 1 8.>< d3
I d5 White has no compensation
for Ihe pawn) 1 7 . . ..� �h5 1 8, ..I.1. xf6
�xdl J9.:.tcxd l gxf6 20.1:c7 with
a permanent advantage for White in
the endgame.
13.,.q)edS 14. 'f1'b3! White
switches his queen to the kings ide.
14 ... b6 IS. :f.1 J'l.h7 16.lIi'g3
(with the threat of � xh6) 16...
/D hS 17.�O /Dh f6 18.�g3 Wh8
19.� h3 I!c8.
Cha pter 1. Attack on the kingside
' 27

cally unjustified. The position should

have been strengthened by 2Kh5.
since Black cannot play ]ȏϏ . .tild7'! be­
.

cause of 29..i2.xd5! ..Ilxd5 30.�xd7

�xd7 3 1 .ll c7. while 28 . . . f4 10ses a
pawn after 29.'itYh4 and QJg6.
28 ...Sl.xc6 19.hc61 14. and
Black managed \0 defend.

RADJABOV - SVIDLER
Linares 2006
20.SL d3. White rejects the ɸ̷|ήϏDefence D ɖ-Ϗ
tempting 20.iL xh6 gxh6 2 1 .�xh6+
liJh7 (not 2 1 . . .r.t'g8? bccause of I.d4 dS l.c4 ,6 3.tilc3 til f6
-¥g5+ <Jih8 23.� xdS! lhxdS
22.'t' 4.tnfJ dxc4 5.a4 e6 6.e3 c5 7.�xc4
24.hhc8 ilJ.;'xe8 25.h3! followed by t;) c6 8.0-0 cxd4 9.cxd4 S;. e7
!! c4) 22.Sl. dJ 15 23.tilg6+ \t>g8 IO.il. gS 0-0 I I.)l el.
24.li) xf8 t;)xf8. and Black parries
the attack, since his kniglll at dS oc­
cupies a dominaling position.
lO ...tt ,cl lUl.cl til h7 . 2 1 . . .
Wg8 was better. The decentralisa­
tion or the knight allows White to
intcnsify the pressure.
ll.�j' hS �e8 lH'ih4 fS'!! II
was beller to defend without weak­
ening the pawn structure. for exam­
pie. 23 . . .Wg8.
l4.t!i>' g3 l:t f6 lS.h4 tilll! l6..1'1..l.
White is completely dominant. and 1I ...h6. The whitc pieccs arc
Black has a problem finding usefu l actively developed and therefore it
moves. looks quite logical to put the ques­
l6.. ,Wg8 17.il. f3. By playing tion to the bishop on g5. Howevcr.
27.\'?'b3 followed by 28 őϏŒȜΉčϏWhite the appearancc of the pawn :It h6
would have placed Black in a criti­ creates motifs for an attack.
cal position. 12 .t r4. If l 2.SL h4 Black ex­
.

27 ...σ˄oϏ oœ͖ȯHϏ TIlis ex­ changes the dark-square bishops -

change oflhe strong knight is strmcgi- 1 2 . . . tilh5 1 3.il.xc7 tilxc7 14.�d2
28
0f6. when he succeeds in establish­
ing a blockade at d5.
12 .. .liJb4. Now the threat of an
al1ack all the h6-pawn becomes very
real. Apparently Black should have
continued harassing the dark-square
bishop: 12 .. ,li)d5!? 1 3 .ii.xd5 ( 1 3.
lZl xd5 cxd5 14..lid3 .li d6,) 1 3 ...
cxdS 14.�b3 .lib4 I S.llcJ ./I.c6.
obtaining a solid enough position.
IHil'd2!
tJ... i..d7. 11 is already not easy to
defend. If 13 ...filbd5 White can also
sacrifice his bishop with 14.�xh6!?
gxh6 15.�xh6, creating dangerous
threats to the king. 1 5.. ,QJg4 can be
met by either 1 6.�h5 llJgf6 ( 1 6...
lZldf6 17.�g5+ <.Vh8 1 8.h3 I:g8
19.'III d2) 17.*»g5+ Wh8 1 8.lZl xd5
cxd5 1 9."+Wh4+ Wg7 20.l:c5. or
1 6.�h3 Ii.lgf6 (16 ...lildf6 17.�g3
<.Vh8 IUlYh4+ �g7 1 9.�g5+lcads
to a position from the previous vari­
ation) 17.:lc5 Ii.l f4 1 8.:lgS+ Iilg6
19.il.dJ and Ihen 20.• xg6.
14..\txh6! :I.S 15SLb3 gxh6
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
16 .>&xh6 Ii.lh7. 16 ...lilg4 17.�h5
Iilffi 18.'iigS+ Wh8 IH�h6+ Iilh7.
\Va.<; morc tenacious. when if 20.�c5
Black defends with 20 ...l'Ig8. But
White can open up the position by
19.d5!?, for example: 19...l1lh7 (or
19 ...:g8 20.�h6+ Iilh7 2 1 .Iilc5
\i!1f8 22.�xf8 lilxf8 2J.lilxd7 Iilxd7
24.dxc-6) 20.�hS lilxd5 2 1.lil xd5
cxd5 22Sl.xdS. with a continuing attack.
17.::.5 IS IS.l:!,.6 .lixo6 19.
JLxc6+ WhS.
20SLxc8.20.lilcS! ll f62 l .ilg6+
l
l:lxg6 22.�xg6 was stronger, also
picking up thc fS-pawn.
20... l:f6 2 1."@h5 �xcS 22 el
il.1lI 23.lileS Wg8 24.'i!ld l IilgS.
24 ...a5 was more tenacious: 25.Wb3+
Wh8 26.h4, and then as in the game.
2Bllb3+. 2HNc l ! ./I.h6 26.f4
lDh7 27.QJd5! was stronger.
2S ... Wg7 26.114 ο¡Ϗ 27.lile2
IilxeS 28.dxeS l:!.6 29.lilr4 ./I.e7
30.�g3+ Wh7 31.'i!ltJ 'iIl.8 32.g3
åæ ¡Ϗ ƨϏ 'iif6 34.ljIhS+ WgS
35.�e8+ Ǒǒ ǝϏ 36.t'ig6+ t#g7
ChaptE'" I. Attack on the kingside
37.'I!!ixfs l:tc s 38. ÛÜϏ04 8c6 39.8d s
�,b2 40.'I'l'rs 1:c l 41.8,,7+.
Black resigned.
NAVARA- SVIDLER
Olympiad. Turin 2006
ɹ̸2ίϏDefence D16
l.d4 ds 2.c4c 63.'ilc3 8r6 4.QlfJ
dxc4 5.a4 e6 6.c3 c5 7.�xc4 lDc 6
ti.o-o exd4 9 .cxd4 fi.,7 10. .I1. gs 0-0
l I J:[ cl .h.d7. In contrast to lhe pre­
vious game. Black docs not hurry to
drive away the bishop from g5. and
he completes his development. in­
tending to play his light-square bish­
op to e6. Ifhe attempts to fianchetto
it - 1 1 . . . b6 he has to reckon with the
opening of the position: 12.Axf6!?
..txf6 1 3.d5 exd5 1 4..II2. xd5 �b7
1 5.ljJ c4 :1J..c7 ( 1 5... � xb2'! is dan­
gerous because of 1 6..q) fg5 with the
threat of 17.ll\xf7 1lxf7 1 8.€! d6)
1 6.rIc I lIe8 1 7.11c3 with a serious
initiative for White.
12. �e2. Making way for the rook.
the queen defends the bishop on e4.
19
12... h6. Black puts the question
to the bishop in more favourable
circumstances. since he succeeds in
securing control of the d5-point.
13..l.1.f4. If 13.il.h4 Black sim­
plifies the position by 13 .. . iJh5!? l
1 4.Axe7 t;)xe7 I S.lDcs lD f6. re­
taining control of dS.
13...Qlb4 1 4.8,5 .I1.c6
1 5.:Cad I . I S.lL'l xf7?! l:xn 1 6.�xe6
8bd5 1 7..I1.c5 8,,3 18.b,c3 .ll.d5
1 9.5l.xn+ SLxn is not dangerous
for Black. since in the middlegame
the two minor pieces may prove
more mobile than the rook.
15... t;)bd5 16.il.c l. It stands to
reason that White did not play tDe5
in order to exchange 16.tDxc6 bxc6.
when Black stands no worse.
16... .I1.b4 17 .l:!d3 8,7. A pro­
phylactic knight retreat, with the
aim of preventing 1 8.:lg3 in view
or 1 8 . . .8 r5.
ISSLd2 Itc8?! Black could have
m:..inained
t the balaJl<:c by 1 8 ...as, sup­
porting his bishop. which makes the
breakthrough in the «.-nlre ineffective.
lO Part I . The isolated d4-pawn

19.dS! The breakt hrough in the pawn - 29.li:lxf6 Wxf6 30Jl-Yxh6+

centre is one of the main dynamic �}c7 3 1 .�h4+ Wf'S 32.r:tc l . but this
resources wilh an isolated pawn (it is would have meant going into a queen
examined in more detail in Chapter endgame: 32 . .\!:':YaS 33.t'1Ixc4 I:e l +
.

2). By opening the position, White l4.I!xol $'xcl+ lS.en '1:1b4.

exploits Ihe fact that the bishop al b4 29...�f4? This leads t o the loss
is unprotected. of the f6 pawn whieh could have
- .

19...t!'xd5 20.iihdS �xd5? been de fended by 29 . . . �c6. al ­

Black begins with the wrong piece. though evcn herc ;.dlcr 30.h3 it is not
which leads to the forced break up - easy to defend against the threat of
of the pawns covering his king. Cor­ � gl+ and l:Id6.
rt'Cl was 20 . . .l1Jexd5 2 1 .�xb4 1:c8! 30.g3 lWg4 31.'il1xf6+ ˥̉‘0Ϗ 32.
(weaker is 2 1 . . .li'lf4 22 ...axl7+ \vh7 �� d6 llc6 33.'il111!+ ʜË
ɔ “.Ϗ 34.�xl7+
23:�c31 with advanage to White
t ʞ̊“0Ϗ 3S.�!I1!+ Wh7 36.!! c1 e- d4
- Sv;dle<l 22JWdl '!We7 2l.il. xd5! 37. �eS Ilc4 `0ŏʑ˲KϏÌ»‘.Ϗ3Ml f6
I:!xe5 24.llxe5 'IIIxc5 2S.il.el ��I; �e2 4OJ:xe4. Black rcsigm:d.
26.il.xc6 J:txc6 27.n with a positional
udvanlagc for White. since his bishop BRUZON - DOMINGUEZ
is stronger than the knight (Navam). Cuba 2005
21Sl.xb4 Ilos 22.'I'l' d2 'I'l' b6. Queen's Gambit D47
I n the event of 22 . . . '!'c7 23 ..l!Lxd5
ll'lcxd5 24.l:txd5 ll'lxd5 25.'&xd5 I.d4 dS 2.e4 <6 3./1) <3 /1) f6
l:tcd8 26.'&c41 (6 White forces 4.c3 c6 S.tz\f3 l1I b d7 6.SL d3 dxc4
the transition into an endgame: 7 .il.xe4 bS S.Jt d3 il. d6 9.0-0 0-0
27.'tWc4+ �xe4 28.ti.Jxc4 J:l:xel+ 10.'ilgS .6 1I ..II. d 2 � b7 12.ib c e4
29.�xc 1 I:!d4 lO.bl J:dl l l .ibd2. ibx04 13.ibx04 il.07 14. b4 oS
where his minor pieces are stronger 15.�c2 cxd4 16.exd4.
than the rook.
23.�xe7 St.xc4 24.� d6? 24.
lIde3! :cI:xe7 2s.l1) xc4 would have
dec ided the game more quickly.
24 ...11;1'<7 2SSl.xf6 gxf6 26.Il d7
l:Ied8'! 26 . . . �b8 27.ibg4 I:!xel+
28.thel '(;' f4 29.lDc3 .i.c6 was
stronger when Black consolidates
,

his forces .

27 .ll dl :xd7 28.ibxd7 ..tIg7

29Jic3. Wh ite could have won a
Cha pter' I. Alt.ack on the kingside
White's spatial adVanL.1ge on the
quccnside is obvious. but it is not easy
to convert it into a win. In the given
situation he lIlust widen the auacking
rront. in other words. rollow Nimzo­
witsch's rule about the m:cd to create
new weaknesses. Clearly. White will
try to do this on the kingsidc.
1 6... h6'!! Without particular
need, Black weakens his castled po·
sition. creating a target ror White to
attack - the h6-pawn. At the same
time. there was nothing wrong with
developing the rook by 16...11e8.
for example: 17.a3 η˺Ϗ 18..:tJe5
..Ilxe5 19.dxe5 'fJIh4 (or 19 . . . l1\g6
20.l:!adl @h4) 20.!Iadl l:lad8, not
\veakening the king's defences.
17.a3 (17.tIae l was also good)
17.. .tllb 6 18. l:!.dl tiJdS 19. 1:!f el
�c7 20.��c1. Threatening the bish­
op sacrifice o n h6. White would not
have achieved anything significant
by 2o.9'1 c5. lor example: 20 . . ɕ̳ʻȎϏ
21.IIc l xe5 22.t!Yxe5 ll xc l +
nJlxe I nd8 24.iL c4. although
here too he retains the adv:mlagc.
31
20 ... l'!fe8 21.Jl. bl Jl.18 22.�c2
l:l.dS.
23.h4! A t:1r-sighled move. In
view of the threats along the b l -h7
diagonal. Black cannot get by wilh­
out the g7-g6 barrier. and White pre­
pares to undermine il. For example.
if 23 . . . a5 there can rollow 24.ttJ d6!
l:lxc l + 25.l:lxc l g6 (25...tiJf6
26.1ll c8!) 26.li'lxb7 fhb7 27.h5.
23 ... l'!. 6 24.iilg3 lhcl+ (24 ...
¹+Ϗ 25.i})h5) 2S. llxel g6 26.hS.
Now the appcamnce of a weak pawn
al g6 is unavoidable.
2 6... l:td 6 27.hxg6 fxg6 2S. tiJe4
lde6 29 ,i1)cS :txcl+ 30.il.xel
Sl xcS. The g6-pawn cannol be
saved: 30. . .tLlc7 31.�b3+ llJd5
(3 I ... 1t8 32.�17) 32.Jl. xg6.
3 1.��xg6+ �g7 32.�xg7+
�l;'xg7 33.dxc5. and White convert­
ed his extra pawn in the endgame.
In a number of positions with
an isolated d4-pawn one possibility
that has to be reckoned with is an
32
attack on an inadequately defended
king along the a2-g8 diagonal.
KRAMNIK - KASPARQV
World Championship Match,
I Dlh Game. London 2000
Nimzo-lndian Defence E54
I .d4 IiJf6 2.04 .6 3 1iJc3 SLb4
4.•3 0-0 5.><d3 d5 6.liJn oS 7. 0-0
cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9.i.xc4 b6. This
same position can be rcached in the
Caro-Kann Defence under index
B 1 4.
1O.1I.g5 1I.b7 l I.llcl IiJbd7
12.1:101 1:108 UJllb3 :iJ..7 14.:iJ.,f6
tLl xf6. This allows the bishop sac­
rifice on c6. which could have been
avoided by 14 . . .3t.xf6.
1S.il-xc6 rxe6? The accept­
ance of the bishop sacrifice places
Black on the verge of defeat. Ancr
1 5 . . . l:l:c7! 1 6.Sl.c4 1? (in the event of
1 6.liJg5 flxd4! 1 7.liJxl7 ><05 the
initiative may pass 10 Black) 1 6 . .
i.xO 1 7.gxO :d7 in such a sharp
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
middleg.lIne an exira doubled pawn
docs not have any serious signifi­
cance (variations by Kramnik),
1 6.'�xe6+ WhH 17J�'xc7 iLxf3
18.gxf3. After the transition into an
cndgame - 1 8.W'xd8 l:cxd8 1 9.gxO
:ctxd4 Black's chances of saving the
game are improved.
18...�xd4 19.1iJ b5.
19 ....VJVxb2·! Apparently both
players were familiar with the gamc
Hazai - Danielsen, Valby 1 994.
whieh continued 1 9 . . . �f4 20.:txe8
l:!xc8 2 1 .liJd6 fHxO? 22.liJxc8
II1g4+ 23.liIfI �h3+ 24.111 02
'il'xcS 25.Wd2, and White won.
Instead of 2 1 . . . t
I'xO? which led
10 a hopeless ending. in Kramnik's
opinion the only defence was 2 1 . . .
:l:01S, but here too aftcr 22.1LIf7+
22 . . . l!Ig8 n/ild8 Wg5+ 24.W h l
�h5 25 '11106+ IiIh8 26.1iJ17+ 'Jlg8
27.ltJc5+ '.thS 2S.r4 White has the
advantage.
In capturing the pawn, Kasparov
overestimates Black's defensive
Cha pter L Attack on the kingside
resources, whercas, as shown by
Kramnik and backed up by com­
puter analysis. Black would have
done better to play his queen to
d3 or d2. Here arc the main vari­
ations:
a) 19 . . . �d3!? 20.l:xc8 (or
20.lZl d6l:la8 21.lil n + W g8 22.tilc5
'II1 f5 23.11e7!? 'ilh5! 2H"1h4!?
lj)f4 25.'*Yg4 �'�f6, with the tactical
basis 26.tz:l d7 �d6 27.8 xfS �xc7
28.ti)e6 ne8!) 20... :lxcs 21.nd6 t 30.Wg2 with the irresistible threat
l:[a8 2Hl1c6 h6 23.Wg2:
b) 19 ... �d2!'! 20.11,e8 ll,e8
21.'il d6 l:[b8! 22.'ileB l:[b7! 23.
'111 f1l+ (2UllcS 'ilgB) 23 . . . 'ilg8 24.
l:[c4 l:[ d7 2S.l:lg4 'i'.!',b2.
lO. 1: xeS );l "S ll. 'ild6 I:b8?
Black sets a clever trap - 22.�:ha7'!
l: f8 23.�e7 l:1:a8 and the absence of
the a7-pawn enables him to hold the
position afler24.ll'l n+Wg8 25.t'ge6
'ii xa2! But 21. .. l:ta8 also fails to
save him 22.ll'ln+ �}g8 23. �e6
h6 (or 23 . . .hS 24.'ilgS+ Wh8
2S.�fS '111 ,,2 26.�g6) 24.'il,h6+
"'h7 2s.lnn! I:c8 26.�fS+! g6
27.Vi1h3+ WgB 28.l:!,.B+ 'il,c8
29.�e6 lL\g7 30.�d5 (Kramnik).
30:ihg6! is also possible, since
ʭΛˏ΅Ϗ30 ... �xa2 the advance of the
h-pawn is decisive: 31.lL\h6+ Wh8
32.'ilg4 "'g8 33.h4 �c6 34. �gS
Wf1l 3S.hS.
ll. 'iln+ Wg8 13. �.6! ¸̞̟ŎϏ
Opening an escape square for the
king by 23 ... h5 also docs not save
Black. since White sets up on attack
33
on the g7-pawn by coordinating his
queen and rook: 24.lDg5+ 7t'h8
25.'i!YfS 'i!Yc3 (2S ...�jxa2 26.11c6
Wg8 27." g6) 26.11c6 'iNe7 (26 . . .
I!/g8 27.l:Ic7) 27.�g6 lJ f1l 28.11xf6
gxf6 29.�h6+ "'gB 3H �xf1l+. If
23 . . . h6 a similar mechanism goes
into operation: 24.tD xh6+ '".Ph7
2S!ilYfS+! VhB 26.'iln+ <JIg8
27.�g5 �.yxa2 28.l:te7 (threatening
�g6) 28 . . .l:[c8 29.l:i:xcB+ 'ilxcB
of �d7 (30.�d7 �bl + 3 1 .<JIg2
�g6).
l4.'ild8+ \!Ih8 lS.�e7. Black
resigned.
SARGISSIAN - NAJER
KaHithea 2008
Slav Defence D16
I .d4 dS l.e4 e6 3. 'ilIJ 'ilf6
4 .Q\c3 dxc4 5.a4 e6 6.e3 c 57 ...YLxc4
cxd4 8.exd4 tLlc6 9. 0-0 i.e7
10. 1:101 0-0 1I.Sl.g5 Sl.d7 12. 'iiI'd l
li)b4. Black is aiming t o set up a
blockade on d5, but White's ini­
tiative proves more real. 12 ...:t c8
13.l:Iad l tilb4 14.'ileS 'ilbdS
I S.SI. ,f6 I1\ xf6 16.dS Sl.b4 17.dxc6
Sl.xe6 18.'iiI' c 2 �b6 1 9.J'l.xc6 fxc6
looks sounder. with an inferior. but
defensible position, Shirov - Svi­
dlcr. Foros 2008.
lJ. lDe5 iLc6?! Creating the mo­
tiffor an attack. 13 .. .11c8 was more
circumspect.
34 Part I . The isolated d4-pawn

14.lilx"! This combination is 18.d5!'! The alternative was 1 8 .

based on the coordination of the z:tac l !? .£Ld6 1 9.: f5. building up
knight at c5 and the bishop on the a2- the threats.
g8 diagonal. supported by the rook. 18 ... li:lexd5 19.1i),d5 /)J,d 5
14 .. ̱hf7 If 1 4 . . . Wxf7? 1 5 .
. . 20.l:!dl li:lr6 21.'*1,2 �g8. 2 1 . . .
l:xc6 Q)bd5 While decides matters �c7 22.IIdc l AdS was more tena­
with 16.Ilxc7+! r:!9xc7 1 7.�c2+ cious.
Wf7 1 8..il.xf6! 2 2.b4 h6 23.bS hxg5 24.bxc6
15.�xc6 t1)bdS 16 l[c5 tlJc7?! bxc6 2 5.l:!de l l:!.8 26.�,,6 ȫƺϏ
Black forces the exchange of the 27.�b7 � f7 28.�xa7. Thc gamc i s
bishop, after which his king remains decided. Black is powerless against
under ..uack. He should have con­ the advance of the a-pawn.
sidered 1 6. . .llJxc3!? 17.bxc3 Jl.c8 28... g4 29 .•5 li:lg8 30.06 eb3
( 1 7 . . .Ji.d5? 18.Ji.xffi') 1 8.llael Jil.d6 31.WiIc7 �b8 32.�xb8 l:1,b8 33.07
19.:rs Wh8 evacuating the king.
. naS 34.1:105 Ji.d8 3 5.llb l iJ.c7
•7 ŸϏxf7+ Wxf7.
. 36.l:.b7. Black resigned.
 Chapter 2

The d4-d5 breakthrough

The dynamic strength of the iso­

lated pawn is founded on its 'Ius\ to
expand', as remarked on by Aaron
Nimzowitsch. Indeed. the advance
of the d4-pawn across the dS block­
ading point is one of till.: methods
onen used by White to gain an ad­
vantage. The basic idea of the d4-
dS breakthrough is to seize space
in the centre after the exchange of
a number of pieces. An important
accompanying factor in the open­
ing of the position is a lead in de­
velopmellt, which shows itself 10
particular e[fect if Black has not yet
castled. The first to demonstrate this
was again Wilhelm Stcinitz.
STEINITZ - 8ARI>ElE8EN
Hastings 1 895
Giuoco Pia1lo C54
l.e4 cS 2.l'lIf3 Q.)c6 3. Si.c4 Jics
4.c3 tl)f6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 .1i.b4+
7 .iilc3 d5 8.exd5 iilxd5 9.0-0
tLc6 IO. 11.gS �c7. It looks safer 10
In this position the blockade at
d5 of thc isolatcd pllwn is ineffec­
tive. since the blockading piece is
not suppol1ed by :1 pawn. This fac­
tor. and Black's delay in castling, al­
low White to break the blockade.
II...IiLxdS ! S£.xdS l2.ttJxdS
'e"YxdS 13. il.xe7 Cj")xe7 14.:tel! The
concluding move of the exchanging
operation - the king is forced to re­
main in the centre.
14 ... [6 15.'!lI'e2 ��d7 16.: .01
c6. Later analysis established that
Black could have defended with
1 6 1!1n!
. . .

play I O . . .'e'1'd7!'! I l .SL xd5 .txd5

1 2.l:le 1 + Wf8 ! (Kasparov).
36
.7.dS! The decisive break­
through! By sacrificing a pawn.
White includes his knight in the at­
tack.
17 ... cxd5 18. llJd4 (with the
theeat of I 9.ill fS) 18 ... Wn 19.ille6!
l:hc8. Black has to defend against
the invasion of the rook. He loses
quickly after 19 . "ϏƝ̪̈kϏ 2o.ilkS
.,8 2 1 .'<Vh5+.
2 Mlg4! g6 2 1. IiJg5+! \!JeS.
22. l:I:xe7+!! The culmination of
White's attack. based on geomet­
ric motifs: 22 . . .Wxc7 (22 . . . 'tlVxe7
23.I:["S+) 23.l:[c 1 + <t>d6 24.�b4+
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
Wc7 (24. . . !!c5 25.!lc6+) 25.ill c6
Wb8 k"Ù(ϏIlc7 27.Ci'lxc7.
22... f8 23J l n+! The sallle
geometric lIloli[
2J ... W gS 24.!!g7+! Wh8 (24 . " .
τ<Ϗ 25.liJxh7+) 2 5.11xh7+! and
here, according 10 contemporary re­
ports. Karl Bardclcbcn left the tour­
nament hall. lacilly admitting his de­
feat. [t was left to Slcinilz to demon­
strate to the delighted spectators the
following mating finish: 25 ..c:xh7+!
\!Ig8 26.!!g7+ Wh8 27.�fh4+
\!Jxg7 2S.�h7+ \!IfS 29.Wh8+
Wc7 30.'¥Yg7+ l'1cS 3 1 .'&g8+
\!Ic7 32.�n+ Wd8 33.\!YfS+ '/il'c8
34.ill n+ \!Id7 35.'ii:l d6#.
SPASSKY - AYTONOMOV
Leningrad 1949
Queen's Gambit Accepted D28
I.d4 d 5 2.<4 d <e4 3 .ill13 Ci'lf6 4.
e3 c5 5. SLxc4 e6 5. 6.0-0 86 7.'&c2
b5 8. >ib3 ill c6 9.ill c3 cxd4 1O.:!d I
J>b7 1I.exd4 ill b4.
Chapter 2. The d4-d5 breakthrough 37

White has a big lead in develop­ EINGORN - GELFAND

mcnt, and in addition the black king Tallinn 1989
has not castled. which creates thc Queen's Gambit D24
motifs for exploiting the opposition
of queen and king. I.d4 Cil f6 2.<4 .6 3/ilfJ d5
12.dS! Exploiting the fact that 4.l1JcJ dxc4 S.JlgS a6 6.a4 Q'\c6
the d4-pawn is not blockaded. White 7.c3 lblls 8.t[)eS cS 9.�xc4 ile7
opens the position with this break­ 10.0-0 cxd4 I I.exd4t1J xc4 12.lb xc4
through in the centre. as.
1 2 ...lJlbxd5 1J.�g5! The bish­
op pin is an important motif. which
we will encounter on numerous oc­
casIOns.
1J ...2L c7 14.1.I.d6 gd6 15.
07\xdS SlxdS 16 ..iLxdS cxdS 17.
t;f)d4. As a result of the opening of
the centre. While 11;.Is transfomled
his lead in development into a strong
allack. Black is unable to cover his
numerous weaknesses.

X Not only has Black not castled,

'i!!'
but his queenside is also weak. And
.f. , , since White's pieces arc excellently
0 , "
mobilised, the best way of convert­
"
, ing his lead in development is by
.ltJ opening the position.
l3.dS! cxdS. In the evcnt of
13 . . . lilxdS I 4.i<xc7 Wxc7 I HlIg4
White has a strong initiative (or the
pawn.
14.Jixr6 J./..xf6 IS.'�)xdS SLe6.
1 7 1!.'f8 (0' 1 7 . . :&d7 I R.ncl
••. Afler the natural 1 5 . . .0-0 there
�a7 1 9.IIacl è<Ϗ20.�h5 with the could have followed 16.tilcb6 1:1.:16
threat oflLlf5) 18.llJ f5 hS 1 9.1:txdS! 17.Lt.hc8 �xc8 18.�b3. The cen­
�,d5 20.\\'#xe7+ Wg8 2 1 .'lWxf6. tralised knight and tile vulnerable
Black resigned. pawns on as and b7 give White the
advantage.
38
16.li:lxf6+ �xf6 1 7.'ild6+ ¨ŤϏ
18.liJ xb7?! The capture of this
pawn allows Black to exchange the
queens. whereas 18.�d2! h5 ( 1 8 . . .
:CdS 1 9.1Ia3) 19.f4 ! would have
continued White's attack.
I K...lII"e7! 19.1II" d6 �xd6 ZO.
'ilxd6 We7 Zl.li:lbS llhdS Z2.li:lc7.
The situation is not changed by
Ō͐˃ ̰Ϗ llab8 23.li:ld4 Wf6
24.lDxc6 :Cxdl+ 25.l:h d l 'ib xc6
with equal chances.
22 ...I:t.bS 23.li:lxt6 fxe6 24.
I:!.bl I:!d2 2S.b3 rId3 26.rIfe1
I:!bxb3 27.rIxb3 J:!xb3 2S.f4 l:tb4.
Draw.
In the following example Black
castled. but he underestimated
While's lead in development.
BOLESLAVSKY - KOTOV
Candidates Tournament, Zurich 1 953
Queen's Gambit Accepted D28
I.d4 d5 2.<4 dxc4 3.li:lfJ 'ilf6
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
4 •3 e6 S..il.xc4 cS 6.0-0 36 Vf!.2
.
cxd4 8.cxd4 SLc7 9.t;.Jc3 bS IO ƐϏbJ
•
.il.b7 I I. Jl g5 0-0 12.IIrel tilc6
1 3.!!.d I til.S.
White has a clear lead in devel­
opment. and his rooks (in contrast to
Black's) are mobilised on the cen­
lral files. This creales the motif for
exploiting the opposition of queen
and rook in the event of the position
being opened. which is aggravated
by the fact that the bishop at c7 is
inadequately defended. Therefore
on the last move 1 J . . .ti)d5, blod:.
ing the d4-pawn, would have been
morc circumspect.
t4.dS! A decisive breakthrough.
Since 1 4 . . . Lt:)Xd5 1 5.Sl.xd5 �xd5
1 6.:C:xd5! exd5 1 7.J.lxe7 leads to the
loss of a piece, Black has to agree to
the loss of a pawn.
14 ...'ilxb3 15.dxe6 �b6
16.axb3 fxe6 17.llJd4! (it is im­
portant for White to strengthen his
control of the c6Ġsquyrc÷Ϗ 1 7 ....ltd6.
In the event of 1 8 . . .:kc5 19.W'xe6+
Chaptel' 2. The d4-d5 breakthrough
\ll h8 20.!'Yxb6 Jl.xb6 2 1 .1:e7 the
rook would have invaded.
18.'&xc6+.
As 11 result of the brcakthrough
in the centrc White is a pawn up and
his pieces arc completely dominant.
18 Ȩ h8 19.0]0 ( 1 9.Jl. f4 Jl.c5
..•
20.'�:1xb6 Jixb6 2 1 .J:c7 was more
consistent) 19 ...C:ad8 20.i. r4!
.0.xo 2 1.1:xd6 1:,d6 2Ul'xd6
�xd6 23.SJ.xd6 J:c8 24.:c.xc8+
liJxc8 25.5.1eS! An instructive ma­
noeuvre, with which White restricts
the black knight - after its exchange
the endgame with knight against
bishop and an extnl pawn is easily
won. Avoiding the exchange of the
knight also does not save Black.
25 .w.c626.b4!. and after fixing
. . •
the pawns on light squares. While
won the a6-pawn and the game.
A delay in the development of
the pieces may become the theme of
an opening conception, based on the
d4-d5 breakthrough.
39
BOTV1NNIK - P[TROS1AN
World Championship Match,
10th Game, Moscow 1 963
Quelm's Gambil Accepted D27
I.d4 d S 2.c4 dxc4 3 .11'\0 tilf 6
4.c3 e6 s.iLxc4 cS 6.0-0 a6 7 .a4
8c6 8.'Ii1.2 cxd4 9.l:ld1 fl..7
10.cxd4 0-0 11.8<3 8b4 12.Jl.g S
iLd7 . I n Reshevsky - Petrosian.
Olympiad. Siegen 1 970, Black pre­
ferred 1 2 . . . liJfd5. and afier 1 3.QJxd5
li'Ixd5 14.fl.xe7 8xe7 1 5.�e48d5
1 6.8c5 8f6 1 7.�f4 8d5 I H�c4
̽ ȃϏ 1 9.�f4 tnd5 peace was eon­
eluded. 1 3 ..fi.xe7 liJxe7 14.tLle5
leads to sharper play.
13.dS. In his comments on the
game Botvinnik remarks that this
move ʯ¢4Ϗ the subsequent continua­
tion were prepared for the game, and
yet he hesitated before going in for it.
since he foresaw that it would be very
difficult to convert the extra pawn.
Ϗ exd5 14.ti:lxd5 q�bxd 5.
...
Black simplifies the position as
40
much as possible. Weaker was 1 4 . . .
lLl fxd5 1 5.Axe7 liJ xc7 1 6 .lZl c5
with a spatial advantage for White.
IS. Ji.xdS 8xdS 16.l:IxdS
Ji.xgS 17.8xgS h6 18.�d l hxgS
19.1::txd7 ύϏ ( 1 9 . . . 'i!lb6 would
not have saved the pawn in view of
20.a5 Wb3 2 1 .l:Ia3) lO.J:!xb7 J:! ad8
ll.\\!1.S l::td6 ll.\\!1b4 l::tfdS.
Botvinnik's doubts were con·
finncd- the active piacingofBlack's
picces fully compensates for the losl
pawn.
l3.J:!n l:ld4 (23 . . . J:!d l 24.l:Ib8)
l4.�b3 l::t d3 lS.�c l l::td l l6.Wc7
�f4. Pclrosiall is not looking for
adventures in the ending with
queen against two rooks (26 . . ..cxf2
27.'!'�xd8+ �fxd8 2S.l:Ixf2) and he
prefers to lake play into a double
rook endgame.
l7JI1xf4 gxf4 l8.h4I1c8 l9.11b4
f3! With a temporary pawn sacrifice
Black brc<lks up White's pawns.
30.gxf4 l:!cc2 31.b3 l!bl 3l.
Wgl (32.l:Ib6 a5:) 3l... l:!d3
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
33.llb8+ 0h7 34.l:Ib7 f6 3S. l:!e 1
l:: dxb3 36. l:tx b3 l:txb3 37. l:t,6 l:t b4
38. l1xa6 l1xh4 39.1!Jg3 gS 40. IIJg2
Il1g6 41.: oS );(f4 4l.aS l:Ia4 43.06
?'i'fS. Draw.
Although further g'IIllCS con­
firmed BOlvinnik'S doubts about
the carly 1 3.d5 breakthrough, few
players were happy to play for a
draw a pawn down. In his noles
to the game. Botvinnik himself
thought it was sounder to blockade
the d4-pawn by �f6-d5. However.
removing the knight from the king­
side allows White 10 transfer his
queen there. which creates definite
problems with the defence of the
king.
PETROS1AN - SPASSKY
Moscow 1 97 1
Queen's Gambit Accepted D27
I.d4 d 5 2.c4 dxc4 3/1')('3 t/)r6
4.e3 c6 5.iLxc4 c5 6.0-0 ..6 7...4
8c6 8.'!iJ1.l cxd4 9.l:!dl 1<..7
10.C'xd4 0-0 II. €lc3 CiJd 5. A pass­
ing of the baton by world chmnpi­
ons: the ninth champion invites the
tenth to dcmonstmtc the virtues of
the blockade. adopted by him in Ihe
1 6th game ofhis mateh with BOlvin­
nik.
12.'ae4. Apparently Botvinnik's
attacking procedure 1 2 . ..ad3 liJb4
1 3.Sl. b l ..:tLd7 14.�e4 did not seem
convincing to Petrosian.
Il...8cb4 13.8,5.
Chapter 2. The d4-d5 breakllwough
1 3 .1�:: a7. Black prepares the 11-
.•
anchetlo of his bishop. since if 1 3 . ..
b6 White exchanges the blockading
knight with 1 4.lJIxdS! exdS ( 1 4 . . .
lJIxdS? 15.li'l c6) I S.'& n. when
Black's queenside is substantially
weakened. This topic is examined in
Chapter 3 .
14.Sl.b3 Iil f6 15.�J h4 b6
1 6.W g3.
J 6 Ub7'! ! The white pieces
•.•
arc vcry activcly placed and the d4-
d5 breakthrough is in the air. But
Black underestimates the Ihreat of
17.Ah6, which forces him to weak-
41
en his control of the key dS-poinl.
1 6 . . . Wh8!? was more circumspect.
when 1 7.d5?! docs not now work in
view of I 7. . .exdS I 8.41xdS lJIfxd5
1 9.il.xd5 QJxd5!, since 20.ttJe6'! is
parried by 20 . . .tlk3!, after which it
is White who has to seck a way to
save the game.
1 7.Sl.h6 Ii1e8 18.l!.cl W h8.
1 9.d5! Now is the time! The
knight reireal 10 eR has disrupted
the coordination oflhe black pieces,
and the brc.. kthrough in the centre
eonvens the opposition of the d 1 -
rook and the d8-queen into a spatial
advantage.
19 ... cxdS. If 1 9... gxh6 Ihe
simpiest is 20.dxc6 GtJd6 2 I .exf7.
since nothing is given by 20.liJxf7+
I:txfl 2 1 .dc l:tg7 22.l:txd8 l:!xg3
23.:xe8+ ng8 24.l:he7 Jlxg2 !,
when While has to reconcile
himself 10 a draw by 25.Ilxa7
Jil.h3+. 19 . . . lilxdS 2o.lilxdS cxdS
21.JlI.e3! laaB 22.liIc6 is also bad
for Bluck.
42
20.� d! l:ta8. Not 20 . . . a5 in
view of 2 l .lDxd5! ti)xd5 22.� xdS
.fLxd5 n.Q)c6. If 20 . . . .:.2.c5. then
2 1 .aS t;)f6 22.ttJa4 is strong.
2 1.<iJc4! <iJd6 ( 2 1 . . .iLcS?!
2VLla5 !) 22.XLxb6. 22.l:U xb6 is
less good because of 22 . . .lllf5!
2l.��h3 <iJxc3 24.'l'ixc3 iLgS 2S.r4
�c8 !
22 ...�b8. Wcakcr is 22 . . . �d7?!
23.llJe3! �e6 24..1/.c5 a5 25.SLxb4
axb4 26.tiJcxdS.
23.ttJaS. 23.li'lc3! was stronger.
23 ... <iJr5 (23 . . .1:Ic8!? 2HiV[4)
24.Vit'xb8 J:laxb8 2 5.<iJxb7 Ilxb7
26 .•5 iLg5 27.l:!bl d4 28.<iJd 5
<iJe6 2 9.il. .4 IIcB 30.r4 <iJcc7
31.l:tbcl Ileb8 32.FxgS <iJxd5
33.il.e6 l:Ixb6 34...b6 <iJd.3
35.b7 <iJxdl 36.l:[xdl g6 37.g4
<iJg7 38.l:Ixd4 <iJ.6 J9.l:Id7. Black
resigned.
We will now consider a more
modem example of the blockade of
the celllntl pawn.
ParL I . The isolated d4-pawn
MILOV - GULlVEV
Corsica 2005
Queen's Gambit Accepted D27
I.d4 dS 2.e4 dxc4 J/iln <iJ r6
4.c3 c6 5.Jlxc4 cS 6.0-0 a6 7.a4
/i).6 8 .� c2 il.c7 9.l:ldl cxd4
IO.exd4 0-0 1 I.<iJc3 <iJb4 12.<iJc5
CJ\fdS . Black blockades the isolated
d4-pawn, which allows White to
switch his queen to Ihe kings ide.
J3.J:l.b3. A prophylactic bishop
retreat. The attempt to allaek on the
queenside with 1 3.:la3 is parried
by 1 J . . . r6 1 4.<iJrJ "-d7 IS.il.d2
:Cc8 16.:15 <;;V h8 1 7.!:Ib3 :te8 with
a sound position ror Black (he is
threatening both 1 8 . . .'�ha5, and
1 8 . . .t:Ye7), Mi10v - Xu Jun, Olym­
piad, Istanbul 2000.
13... .fLd1 14:t�g4!? After
1 4.�f3 both 1 4 . . ..fLe6 and 1 4 . . .
.fLc8 1 5.�h3 :te8 arc good.
14.. ,ll:lr6. Black hlls 10 reckon with
the threat oriLh6. For example. in the
event orlhc plac id 1 4. . .1J..e6 15.14h6
C ha p t er 2. The d4-d5 bl'eakthrough
ƈϏ 16.lilc4 l:Ics While lakes play
into a favourable endgame: 17.lLIxffi+
�xr6 IS.1.g5 @f5 19.Vilxl3 exl3
20.ŋ̹ˆŊϏobtaining not only effective­
ly an extm passed d4-pawn, but also
the beller position. which is not easy
for Rlaek to defend. For example:
20...]:teeS 2 1 .l:r:ac 1 tIc7 22.l:I:c4 a5
23.l:!c5 llaS 24.1l.xb4 li1xb4 25.r4.
or 20...a5 21.Sl.xb4 axb4 22.llJxc6
bxc6 23.<l5.
IS.'t'-YgJ �t7h8'!l This radical
way of parrying the threatened Slh6
docs not prevent d4-d5. 15 ...l:te8!?
16.J1i.h6 A rs was possible, whcn the
breakthrough 17.d5 cxd5 18.llJxd5
liJbxd5 19 ..1Lxd5 is parricd by 19 ...
ld:xe5!
16.dS! By opening the position.
White exploits the faci thai the f7.
pawn is inadequately defended.
1 6... exdS 17.ltJxdS ttJfxd5. Or
17...lilbxd5 IS ..Il.xd5 .Il.c6 ( I S . . .
ƇNjϏ 19..Il.b3 lWc8 20.Sl.cJ) 19 ..II.b3
�c8 20..tLc3 with a positional ad­
vantage for While.
43
18. �xd 5 .tc 6'! Black overlooks
the queen and rook 'X_ray'. Correcl
was IS ...Sl.f5 1 9..Il.b3 �c8 2HWr4
.uc6 (allcr 20 ....fLc2 2 1 .i.. xf7! a
pawn is lost) 21 ..llxc6 fxc6 22.'&e4,
whcn although hc has an isolalCd e6-
pawn. his position is defensible.
19. .II.h 6! gxh6 20Sl.xc6 '&b8 21.
.Il.xb7 �,b7 22J:!d7 f>'b6 23.!:,.7
ˑ˦Ϗ 24. llJxn+. The simplesl, al­
though Ihc diagonal 'X-my' 24.'tlYc3!
li)d5 25.lL'!xf7+! is also good.
24 .. . !:hn 2s.lhn �,n
26JI!'c3+ �g7 27.�xb4 as2Uj'b6
�.S 29.l:tdl l:!bS 30.�xh6 iYxb2
3Uie3 'l'fb3 32.l:IdS+ Wg7
33.�eS+. Black resigned.
GAVRIKOV - IIUL.AK
Moscow 1990
Queen's Gambit Accepted D27
I.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 lLif6
4.ltxc4
. e6 s.lilf3 cS 6. 0-0 a6 7.a4
lil.6 8.'�e2 cxd4 9.l:td l fl.,7
10.exd4 0·0 II. lilc3 lilb4 12.lileS.
44
12 ...b6?! This move allows
While to switch his queen 10 Ihe
kingsidc \Vilh gain of tempo. Here
BOIvinnik considers the soundest
continuation to be 12 ...SLd7, when
the 1 3.d5 breakthrough proves un·
successful in view of the simplifying
manoeuvre J 3 ...liJfxd5 I 4.li'l xd5
€!xd5 1 5 . .slxd5 cxd5 16.:')(d5
SLg4! (after 12.i.g5 ..I2.d7 this ma­
noeuvre docs not work) 17. �c4
�xd5 18.�xd5 CadS. In the event
of 13...tg5 :!:c8 Black completes his
queensidc development. For exam­
pic. the game Sarcev - Ivanchuk,
Linares 1994. continued 14.ttc l
iLe8 (after t4 ... 'uc6 1 4.t;;\ xc6 bxc6
I S.aS! it is more difficult to defend)
1 5.r:!"d1 lilfd5 16.lil xd5 lilxd5
I 7.U xd5 iLxg5 1!UlLxb7 fL xa4
19 ..axc8 .it.xdl 20.�xa6 "&xc8!
2 1.*xe8 l:txc8 22.l:txd1 l:!bS
23.tlb I, and here the balance would
have been maintained by 23...:ctb4!
24.lil o jH6 25.llm g5! 26.h3 h5
27.g4 hxg4 28.hxg4 Wf8 29.We2
.1Lxd4 (Barccv).
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
IH!¥o ȔŐ.Ϗ l4J:lYg3 !:te7'!!
Since the opposition of queen and
rook creates the thre.1l of St.h6, it
is usually parried by prophylaxis
- 14 . . . 0h8.
IS. SLh6 lIle8. White also gains
the advantage after 15 . . .ti.Jh5
16.liYg4 f6 17.:II. xc6+WhS I S.S< xcS
fxc6 19."t'.:i'xh5 �xc8 20.� e3 (if
20.d5, then 20...�c5! is good)
20...llJ 2 2 1ffi d5.
16.dS! The retreat of Black's
knight has weakened his control of
d5, which White immcdiately ex­
ploits.
16 . ..11xc4. Consideration should
have been given to 16...Ah4 17.dxc6
�� xd l + ( I 7...il. xc6 I S.nxd8 S< xg3
19.hxg3 iL xe4 20J ic3 leads to
an advantilgc for While) 18.Il xd I
s<xg3 19.exl7+ \!IhS ( 19 . . .l:tfxl7
20.hxg) favours White) 20.1: d8
(20.hxg3 gxh6 2 1.r.tdS l:tc7=) 20 ...
SLx12+ 2 1 .� h l lle7, when Black
holds the position.
17.lil xc4 lLh4 18.��b8 g,h6
19.tZl ,b6.
Chapter 2. The d4-d5 bl"eakthr'ough 45

odically occurs even in grandmaster

games. It is essential to restrict the
��d3 + 57. e2 ballery with 1 4 . . . g6.

1 9 . . .�c7 ( 1 9 . . . "e·�d6 leads to a

similar variation) 20.�';"xc7 I1hc7
l l .11 d4 0)cl ll.llg4+ Jl.gS l3.11cl
rs. White is also better after 23...
IS.dS! cxdS 16.AgS! This stand­
Ii:ld4 24.d6 'ild5 2 5.'ilcxd5 'il c2+
ard attacking mechanism, based on
26.�t)fI t;)xc l 27.lLlc7+ Wh8
the d4-d5 breakthrough. is worth re­
28.'ilbxc8.
membering. 1 7.�xf6 is threatened.
l4.11xgs+ hxgS lS.!hcl Ji.b7
and Black cannot play 1 6 . . . g6 be­
26.d6. and White convened his ex­
cause of 1 7.Itxc7! 'i.¥xe7 1 8.�xd5.
tra pawn.
16 .. .lDe4 17.G:ixe4 dxe4
IUlhc4 g6 IU'Hh4 'ilYe7. The
But more often the d4-d5 break­
game Portisch - Karpov, Milan 1 975,
through is carried out in a situation
continued 1 9 . . .l:e7 20.il. b3! h5, and
where. in parryil�g a piece attack on
here with 20..iL b3! While could have
his king. Black dismpts the hannony
placed Black in a critical position.
among his pieces.
20.,ab3!

PETROSIAN - BALASHOV
Moscow 1 974
Nimzo-/"dicm Defence E57

I.c4 'ilr6 l.'ilc3 .6 3.d4 Ji. b4

4.•3 cS S.Ji.d3 dS 6.'iln 0-0 7.0-
o dxc4 8.A xc4 lLIc6 9.� d3 cxd4
IO.ud4 SLc7 I I .l:cl b6 12.a3
.iLb7 13 .iLcl Ɉ‡ɵϏ 14.t:l'd3 t:.8?
•

It is surprising that this move peri-

46
Black has no defence. 2 1 .J.lxf7+
is threatened. If 20 . . .tl.f8 there fol·
. standard development of the lighl­
lows 2Utf4! and then 22.0�Jg5.
while after 20 . . ..£Ld6 there is the
unpleasant 2 1 Q̗Ϗ˹QϏ
. ăùϏ by tactical means. since the
20... hS 21.!:iIe4 \!lg7 22.1l.xn!
wxn 23.SLh6! 't;Yd6. The game
S.Garcia - I)omar. Salamanca 1975.
wenl 23 . . .J2.d6 24.�g5+ W f6
25 ..:1)h7+!, and Black resigned.
24.�c4+ Wf6 2S.I1adl li:l d4
26:ihd4+ 't'fxd4 27.:1xd4. Black
resigned.
KAMSKY - KARPQY
FIDE World Championship Match.
2nd Game. Elista 1 996
Caro-Kann Defence 814
l.e4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.exdS cxdS 4.('4
'ilf6 S.'ilc3 .6 6.t;)fJ 1l.b4 7.cxdS
'ilxdS S.Ji.d2 'ilc6 9.1l.d3 1l..7
1 0.0-0 0-0 I I .'i:Ye2 0r6. The win
of a pawn by I I . . .ltldb4 1 2 .Ae4
'ilxd4 1 3.'ilxd4 �xd4 1 4.nfdl
would have allowed White too seri­
ous an initiative.
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
12.lJ.Je4. White prevents the
square bishop on the long diago­
nal ( 1 2 . . . b6,! 1 3 q)x f6+ .uxf6 1 4
w in of the d4�pllwn is risky: 1 2 . . .
'il xd4?! 1 3.'ilxd4 ltxd4 14.1l.c3
�d8 ( 1 4 . . .�b6? is not possible be�
cause of 1 5.ttJxf6+ Jix f6 1 6.'&e4)
1 5.'il xf6+ 1l.xf6 I 6.l::t fd I 1l. d7
1 7..uxf6 �xf6 1 8.SLxh7+ wxh7
1 9.:Cxd7 with advantage to White.
12 fLd7. B lack s striving to
..• '
complete his development as quick­
ly as possible leads to difficulties. [n
the 4th game of the match Karpov
played the stronger 1 2 . . .Vb6.
13.rIadl tIcs 14.l'lfel. The
lIlicmalivc is 14.lLlx f6+!? JiLxf6
15.Vi1c4 g6 16.1l.h6llc8 1 7.'ilc5.
14 ...tj)dS IS.li)c3! A deep pen�
etration into the position. While
aims to exchange Ihc blockading
knight on d5. exploiting the lllck of
hannony created by the bishop de­
velopment ,It d7.
I S ...tlJf6. Black should have be-
gun with the useful move 1 5 . . .iDcb4
1 6..ab 1 . and only then 1 6 . .. lLl f6 ,
strengthening his control of the d5-
square.
16.a3 't&'c7 ( 1 6 . . . "tlYb6 is morc
active) 17.JigS �aS'! T his movc.
removing thc defcnce of the bishop
on d7, allows White to C,lrry out ,I
breakthrough in the centre, which
could have been prevented by 1 7 . . .
I1fe8.
Chaptel' 2. The d4-d5 breakthrough
18.dS! exdS. Weaker is 1 8. . .
li) xd5? 1 9.1JJ xd5 SLxg5 ( 1 9 . . . cxd5
20.J:l xc7 IIfc8 2 I ..'I2. b4! leads 10
the loss of a piece) 20.JU. xh7+!
',j.'xh7 2 t .l1Ixg5+ �.}h6, and now by
22J lle4!. with the threat ofa mating
allack aftcr 23.�h7+. While wins
the quecn: 22 . . .Wxg5 23.@f4+
I';g6 2H'l'g4+ Wh7 25.'1%5+ Iilg8
26.ll'Ie7+ CiJxe7 2 7.'� xa5.
I 9.J.lxf6 .li.xf6 2oi xh7+!
W xh7 2 1.II xdS S1. xc3. Undersland·
ably, Black is nOI salisfied wilh
2 1 . . . �c7 22Y�d3+ \�g8 23.l:txd7.
where he has no c�mlpcns'ilion for
the pawn, and he decides to give
up queen for rook and bishop in Ihe
hope of creating a fortress.
22.l:txaS i1 xaS 23.b4! This im·
portanl ;nlennediate move, defend­
ing the rook (keeping 24.t�d3+ in
reserve) ensures White a material
advantage.
23 . . . lilgB 24.ba Sl. g4·! Black
misses an opportunity 10 exchange
a pair of rooks - 24 . . . 1:Ifc8 25.�dl
1<g4 26.hl Sl.xfl 27.11x08+ 11x08
47
28.� xf3 tll xa5. which would
have given chances of setting up
a fortress along the 6th rank after
the coordinating of the remaining
pieces.
2S.a6! (depriving thc knight
of its support) 2S... bxa6 26:e:Ye4
AxD 27.� xD l:t fe8 28.lI a l ! It is
important 10 fettlin Ihe rook. since
wilh the qucen alone it is far more
difficult (if 011 all possible) to breach
Black's defences.
2H...llc6 29.h3 IId8 30.l!1 c3
J:!dd6 3 l.l:!b I lId7 32.'(I:Ic4 as
33.11bS !ldl+ 34.lilh2 l:td2 3S.l:trs
Ild4 36JiYc3 J:!dd6 (36 . . . g6
37.llxa5) 37. llcs J:!f6 3B.J:!c4 II fc6
39.l:!cs 11f6 40.�<3 l:tfc6 4 1.�g3
llg6 42.'kYb3 rlgf6 4H'$b7 J:!fc6
44.�c7 J:!f6.
45.f4! After the preceding ma­
noeuvres, which had the aim of
reaching the adjoummcnt, Kamsky
shows his hand: he plans a pawn at­
tack on the king (45 . . . li:re6 46.5
II f6 47.g4 g5 48.h4).
48
45 ... g6 46.f5 g,f5 47.ll,f5
I:: d.6 48.11h5 Ilh6 49.�g3+ Êȴ ̜̝Ϗ
( 49 . . . l:! hg6 50.�c3 llh6 5 1 .:1'5)
50.:d5 llhg6 5 UWf2 l:!gf6
5a,'b2 ,.,.7 53.ll h5 Ilh6 54.llb5
llhf6 55.�c3 \!I 1lI 56.ll h5 l!h6
s7.11rs n hg6. While has managed
(0 disrupt the coordination of the
rook pair.
58.llm! I:!g7 (58 . . . I!c7 59.li1'f4
We8 6O.h4) 59.�f4 \!IgS 60.@c7
Will 61 .�cS+ ,.v.7 62.:d5 Wf6
63.'@hS :.4 64.1:h5 8.7 65.l:!h7.
Black resigned.
Often the d4-d5 breakthrough is
an effective measure during an at­
tack on the king.
KAVALEK - LARSEN
6th Match Game, Solingcn 1 970
CUTO-Kann Defence B 14
1.e4 c6 2.d4 dS J.cxd5 cxdS 4.c4
IiJf6 5.liJc3 ,6 6.1iJ1'J iL,7 7..,d5
liJ,d5S.iL d3 O-D 9.0-0 IiJc6 ID.ll ..
IiJf6 l I.iLg5 b6 12.•3 .il.b7.
Pa,'t r . The isolated d4-pawn
White has good chances of an
attack on the king: the presence of
the pawn at 33 prevents the standard
knight manoeuvre to b4. making it
diflicuh for Black to conlrol lhc d5-
square.
13.Ac2 :leS. Black docs nol
have time for 13 . . .liJd5 in view of
1 4.'&<13 g6 1 5.iLh6.
14.l\1d3 g6 15.h4! llcS l6.lladl
a6. The blockading 16 ... li)d5'! docs
not succeed: 1 7.t;J xd5 �xd5 (or
1 7 . . . cxd5 1 8.il.a4! SLxg5 1 9.hxg5
l:Ixc l+ 2o.11xcl 'Vc7 2 1.QJc5 with
the unpleasant threat of 22.�f1!)
1 8.jLb3! 'ti'a5. as aftcr 19.d5! exd5
( 19 . . .l;cd8 dxe6' I:ixd3 20.exf7+)
20. .itxd5 )!tcd8 2 1 .Å b3 the n·pawII
cannot be defendcd.
17J2.b3 CLJaS. By countering the
Ihreat of d4-d5. Black weakens his
control of the c5-squarc.
IS.><a2 b5 19.1iJe5 IiJd5
20..axdS. An advantageolls trans·
formation of one type of advantage
into another.
Cha pt er 2. The d4-d5 breakthrough
ZO...J'l.'d5 Z I .J'l.xe7 l:!,e7
(or 2 1 . . . �'.yxc7?! 22.tD xg6 hxg6
23.V}xd5 '/.:\JIxh4 24.tjJc3. renew­
ing the threat of d4-d5) 2VtJxdS
�xdS. 22 . . . cxd5 23.h5 ltJc4 was
safer. with chances of neutral ising
White's initiativc.
Z3/11g4! Ii!l'dS'! If 23 . . . X!Yd6
therc would also have followed
24.d5, but the most tenacious was
23. . . Wg7 24.�d2 �hS 2S.�f4
W fS 26.'II1 h6+ Wh8!
24.dS! exdS 2S.�d4 thel+
Z6.!;t,,1 �f8 Z7.l11 f6+ I.!ih8
2s.ttcs liIxe8 29.QJxc8+ f6 30.li.Jxf6
Iil b3 3 1 .'/I!'e5 d4 32.g4 d3 33.g5
dZ 34.�d5 '!'.fe8 35.\lhb3 Wc1 +
(JS . . .We4 36.Wt:J) 36.'t> g2 �c6+
37.i;) d5 .tg8 38.0. Black resigned.
KASPAROV - PSAKHIS
6th Match Game. Murcia 1990
Nimzo-Jndion Defence £42
I.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 ŔсϏ J'l.b4
4.c3 cS S.liJc2 dS 6.a3 A xc3+
49
7.ttJxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 dxc4 9.�xc4
ti'le6 I O ə c3 0-0 1 1.0-0 b6 l2!i/lf3
.
J'l.b7 13.J'l.d3 !:teS 14.!:tadl !:te7
15.'II!' h3 ti'le7 16.J'l.g5! iiJg6
17J:�g3 l!d7.
The first impression is that Black
is securely blocking the isolated d4-
pawn. but the pin on the f6-knight
allows White to carry out a break­
through in the centre and realise the
potential of his bishop pair.
IS.dS! cxdS. lf 18 . . .iL.xd5, then
1 9.J'l.bS! l:!e7 ( 1 9 . . . l:!d6 20.;1I.xf6
gxf6 2 1 .lt)e4 ! leads to the loss orthe
exchange) 20.tiJxd5 exd5 2 1 .Axf6
gxf6 22.VlYb3 ti'le7 23.l:!d4. attack­
ing the broken kingsidc.
19.�fS rIc7 20.h4! (with the
threat of 2 1 .Ax f6 gxf6 22.115) 20...
Wc7 (in the hope of wellkcning the
pressure of the white picces by ex­
Changing queens) 21.t1'xc7 t1xc7
22.l:tfcl ! The white rooks dominate
on the imponant central files.
22 ...l:e7. Thc dcsirc to exchange
the active rook is natural. In the event
50
of22 . . . h6 23.-".xf6 gxf6 24.h5 8f4
(24 . . .8c7'l 25.8b5) 25.g3 8xh5
26.Q'xd5 SLxd5 27.r!xd5 the while
rooks arc still dominant.
23.llJ bS! By attacking the queen­
side weaknesses, While does nOI al­
low Black the slightest respite. If
23 . . . a6 there follows 24.L1.:ld6 .ac6
25.8e8.
B .. nf.S
. 24.th.7 'ilxe7
25..il.h3 .il.eS 26..il."S Ilxe8.
More tenacious was 26 . . .lihc8
27 ..il.xf6 gxf6 28.llxd5. although
here too White's position is techni­
cally won.
27.8 xa7l:!c2 2S.M WfB 29..11. .3
8f5 30..II.'b6 8g4 3 1 ..11..5+
W.s 32.8b5 :a2 33.8<3 : ..3
34.'ilxd5 f6 35.b5 llb3 36.b6.
Black resigned.
However. despite its obvious vir­
tues, the d4-d5 breakthrough does
not always achieve its goal. We will
consider a few examples.
Par'l I The isolated d4-pawn
.
KARI'OV - BELIAVSKY
Linares 1 995
Coro-Kann Defence 814
l .c4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxdS 4.d4
'ilf6 5.�)c3 .6 6.ti'lfJ .11. .7 7.cxd5
IiJ xd5 S..II. d3 0·09.0-0 'ilc6 10.11el
€Jf6 1 1 .11.. gS (this position may also
be rcached via the Tarrasch Defence
Deferred to the Queen's Gambit un­
der index 042) 1 1 ... h6. The main
reply is considered to be I I . . Ŗ΢Σ ŕϏ
aiming for the maximum control of
d5. The move in the game is aimed
at 1 2.il.h4 tt)h5 with the exchange
of bishops.
12.�c3. Now Black has to rcck­
on with the threat of the bishop sac­
rifice on h6.
12 . . .8b4 1 3.il.bl
. b6? C,,«-
less. 1 3 . . . l:e8, preparing ƛϏf8. was
esscntial.
14.�d2.
14 ...lcl.e8. Forced. If 14 . . .:ab7
White can sacrifice his bishop:
1 5 ..il.xh6 .il.xf) 16."-xg7 8g4
Chapter 2. The d4-d5 breakthr'ough
(Black loses after 1 6 . . . �xg7?
1 7.�g5+ >9h8 I UI'h6+ Vg8
1 9.!Ic5) 1 7.gxO J\'.g5 1 8.�c2
ɞDzϏ 19.1xg4 ��h4 20.�13 ��xh2+
2 1 .\b fl Wxg7 22 ..ac4 etc.
IS.a3! lj)c6. The only move.
If 1 5 . . . Q:.\bdS? White changes the
pawn stnJcture by the exchange
1 6.lil xd5 c l d5 ( 16 . . O'ixd5 los­
es 10 1 7.SLxh6 gxh6 1 8.'*Yxh6 ˤɶϏ
19.\l!Vg6+ \17h8 20.Sl. xf5! exfS
2 1 /1\gS), aner which Ihere can
follow l 7Jlxh6 gxh6 1 8.�xh6
'll c4 (0' 1 8 . . . J\'.g4 1 9.1Ic5 Ii'Ic4
20.J\'. xc4 dxc4 2 1 .li'Ig5) 1 9.!hc4
dxe4 20.Sl. xe4. gaining a big mate­
rial advantage.
16.�d3. White continues to
build up the threats. For the moment
Ihe 1 6.dS breakthrough is premature
and it proves dfective only after the
capture with the pawn: 1 6 . . . eUdS?
1 7.J\'. xh6 gxh6 1 8.�xh6 Ɔ;Ϗ
1 9.1:xLJ 8 'ID'x J8 2<J&"xf6 or 1 6 . . .
lilxd5 1 7.lilxd5 �xd5 1 8.�c2
J\'. f6 19.@h7+ Ĝ;Ϗ 20.J\'.c4 lII'd7
51
2 1 .ll:ed l ! 'iJ!Jc7 22.:.e l J\'.b7
23.iiJ d4 etc. (Karpov). But after
1 6 . . .lJ'laS, with the threat of �c4.
nothing significant is apparent. The
bishop sacrifice 1 7 ..:al xh6 is parried
by 1 7 . . . li'Ib3 1 8.(';Ig5 ɝ;Ϗ 1 9.!Ia2
e-.ldS. while in the evcnt of 1 7SLa2
Black simplifies the position - 1 7 . . .
cxd5 1 8.111xd5 liIxd5 I 9.J\'.xd5
..ab7 ctc.
1 6...J\'.b717.1i'I.4 W !8! 1 8..1\.d2.
Atier 1 !;(q'jxf6 .fL xf6 l 9ŇξϏh7 Black
can c'lpture the d4-pawn. But now it
is indirectly defended. since in the
event of 1 8 . . . QJxc4 1 9.�xc4 ̐Ϗ
2o.lWh7 lilxd4? 2 1 .J\'.b4+ While
WillS.
18 . . . •5 19. .Il.f4 lild5 20.J\'.g3
.Il..6 2 1 .\Wd2 :.8 22 .Il. . .2 \l;>g8
23.!lacl 8f6 24.8.3 iL!8.
2S.dS. This pawn breakthrough
leads to simplification, after which
the worst is over for Black. 2S.XLh4!?
looks more promising, since Black
is practically forced to weaken his
kingside: 2S . . . gS 26.�g3, and now
52
in the event of 26 . . . .i g7 27J!cd l
While is still threatening d4-d5. Bul
Black can decide on a pawn sacrifice
- 26 . . . g4 27.1b05 � I d4 28&02
t])xc5 (not 28 . . . '&c5'! 29.ll)c4. or
28 . . .il.g7 29.liJc2' il.xc2 30.8 xc6)
29.J'l.xc5 �d8 30.1:[cd l �c7. in·
tending .fLg7.
25 . . . exd5 26.l:1 xe8 axeS
27.8 ,dS 8 xdS 28.il.xdS 1b.7!
29.aa2
. l:txcl+ 30.Wxcl .1i.b7!
31 .8.s il.dS32SLbI 8 <633.lWd2
�06 34.ll1d3 �fS 3S.�dl t;)d4
36.8f4 il.b3! 37.il. x15 il.xdl . and
on the 70th move Ihe game ended in
a draw.
KASPARQV - KARPQV
World Championship Malch.
I I th Game. Moscow 1985
Nimzo-llldioll Defence E21
I.d4 8 f6 2.<4 06 3.8<3 il.b4
4.Q)fJ 0-0 5.l2.gS cS 6.e3 cxd4
7.oxd4 h6 8.il.h4 dS 9.llcl dxc4
10.il.xc4 8<6 1 1 .0-0 il.07 1 2.1:[0 1
b6.
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
The while pieces arc mobilised
for the breakthrough in the celUre.
but if 1 3.dS Black can defuse the
situation: 1 J . . . 41xdS 14.Uxd5 cxd5
IH'lxd5 Ii;¥xd5 1 6.lb xd5 Sl.xh4
1 7 .liJxh4. lind here I 7 . .ƣϏb7 is pos­
.
sible. not fcaring 1 8.:Cxc6 in view
of 1 8 . . . II:fc8. Therefore Kasparov
decided to defer d4-d5 until a morc
propitious moment.
13.a3 .fl.b7 14Sl.g3. A notc­
worthy moment exchanges usually
make it easier to dc/end against an
attack. Therefore Whitc has to reck­
on with the possible 1 4 . . . 0)h5! with
the exchange of the dark-square
bishops. But now if J 4 . . . llJh5 there
lollows IS.d5!
14 ... :tt c8 1 5.�a2 .li.d6!
16.d5. lt is hard to resist the temp­
tation to make this breakthrough.
But. as the further development of
events shows. here too this move
leads to a simplification ofthc posi­
tion with possibilities of a defence.
Asan alternative Kasparov considers
Chapter 2. The d4-d5 breakthrough
sC"tting up an attack: 1 6..lth4!? SLe7
1 7.'!l1d3 'ilh5 I S.lL b l g6 1 9.1Lg3
l;)xg3 20.hxg3 �d7, when it is now
good 10 play 2 1 .d5! exd5 22.Q) xd5
with a dangerous initiative for
While. Therefore more determined
defensive measures are demanded of
Black. for which Kasparov suggests
1 6 . . . g5! 1 7.A-g3 JU.xg3 1 8.hxg3
with the possible continuation 1 8 . . .
g4 1 9.'ilc5 �xd4! 20.'il xl7 Wxdl
2 l .tl:exd I Wxl7 22.Slxc6+ \tlg6
23.k xe8 Sl.xc8. although here too
after 24.lId6 White retains a serious
initiative (24 . . . lDaS 2S.liJd5 �b7
26.ll'lf4+ =Ϗ 27.Jlc l ). 1 6.iL e5!?
�xe5 1 7.dxcS ll'ld7 1 8.Sl. b l also
comes into consideration. retaining
chances of an attack.
1 6...Q\ xdS 17.ll JxdS Sl. xg3
18.hxg3 cxdS 19.5l.xd5 'f�f6
2o.fH.4 Ilrd8 21.l:tcdl l:td7?! As
a result of the exchanges. Black has
sllccessfully completed his develop­
ment. Here 2 1 . . .ttc7! (Kasparov)
would have retained equality.
2H ·l g4!
53
22 ,ktcd8'!'! An oversight which
.•
loscs, but it was 1I0t easy to find the
correct solution. For example. 22 . . .
lIe7? was bad because o f 23.lIxc7
�xc7 24.lLxl7+! �xl7 25.!ld7.
while if 22 . . Jcidc7 or 22 . . .Itdd8
there follows 23.b4! with pressure.
The strongest move was 22 . . .:Id6!.
nelltr:llising White's IIlItlative:
23.t:c4 l:tf8! 24.l:tf4 IWd8 25.�h5
liJe5! (Kasparov).
23Jthd7! l:[xd7 2411d+ I\th7
2SSLe4+. Black resigned.
KASPAROV - ANAND
Wijk <Ian Zee 1 999
Queen'.s Gambit Accepted D27
l .lLlo d5 2,d4 e6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3
c5 5.SLxc4 a6 6.0-0 ll.)f6 7 : b3
t;'c6 8.lJJ c3 cxd4 9.exd4 Sl..t7
lollcl 0-0 (Ihis position can also
be reached from the Panov Attack
in the Caro-Kann Defence) I I .SL f4
llJa5 (if 1 1 . . . bS. then 12.dS! exdS
1 3.'il xd5 is good).
12.lLc2 bS.
54
J3.d5!'! exd5 14.�d3 lDc6. This
move allows While to make usc of
tactical mOlifs 10 sct lip the queen +
bishop battery on the bl·h7 diago­
nal. ln llIescas - Anand. Leon 1 997.
Black mdically solved this problem
with 14 . . .g6 and succeeded in par­
rying White's attack: J 5 .11xc7!'!
xc7 1 6.Ag5 'ed6 1 7.�d4 /i)h5
1 8!i'lxd5 /i)c6 IH�d2 f6 20.A bl
I!i h8 2 1 .Acl Ag4 22./i)b6'!' 'I1xd2
23.tiJxd2 r:ad�, with the clearly bel­
ler endgame. But also in the middle­
game after 2V7:ld4t? ttlcs Black's
chances afC preferable. However,
While could have avoided these
problems by playing 1 5 .lD d4.
I S.:a c7! 'i':1d7 (not 1 6 . . . �.hc7'!
17./i)xd5!).
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
16/i)e5! QJxe5 17.il.xeS. If
l 7.ttxc5, then 1 7 . . �b7! is good,
.
with excellent play after 1 8.Sl. b6.
for example: I S . . .fI fe8 1 9...I2.d4
/i)c4''! ( 1 9 . . . g6''!) 20.13 !lad8
(weaker is 20 . . .Ja6?! 2 1 .a:xcS+
:lxcs 22.$l.cS. threatening to cap­
ture the knight) 2 l .:1d I QJf6, or
1 8 . . . b4 1 9./i)c4 /i)xc4 20.!! xc4 f5
2 1 .IIee I l:aeS. But weakcr is 1 8 . . .
.li.d6 1 9 ..li.d4, when Black i s forced
to weaken his king's position by
1 9 . . . g6. since after 1 9 . . . t;)c4 White
gains an advantage by 20.11xd5!
.1l xdS 2 1 .l/)xdS rs 22.Q)b6.
17 ...g6 18S2.xf6. In Ponomari­
ov - Galkin, Moscow 2005, White
playcd 1 8:�¥f'3. which Black parried
by 1 8 . . . @'g4' 1 9./i)xd5 ( 1 9.�xg4
Axg4 20.Ax1'6 Axf6 2 1 ./i)xd5
1l.xb2 leads to a better endgame ror
Block) 1 9 . . ! il xd5 20.�xd5 Ac6
(ir 20 . iH5, then 2 1 .J!LU3 ! with
. .
the threat or 22:tic5 is possiblc)
2 1 .�c4 �xe4 22..iixc4 ::la7 with
an equal position.
18 ...A ,f6 1 9./i),d5 Ag7 20.a4
bxa4 2 1 .� xa4 ..wd8 22.j2,c6.
Draw.
 Chapter 3
Attack on the queenside
In :l ccnain type of position an
isolated d4-pawn may provide the
basis for an allllck on the queen­
side. Against modem defensive
technique it is not always possi­
ble to attack the king. especially
if Black succeeds in setting up
a blockade on dS. In order nOI to
lose the initiative. the piece activ­
ity. which accompanies the isolated
pawn. should be used to attack the
blockade point. in order to unblock
the d4-pawn or stabilise the pawn
structure by exchanging on dS. A
precondition for such strategy is
the presence of pawn weaknesses
on Black's queenside.
3.1. Exchange on dS
An effective method in the Of­
ganisation or an attack on the queen­
side. if it is inadequately defended.
may be an exchanging operation on
the d5 blockading square. In this
case Black oncn has to agree to the
stabilisation oCthe pawn structure (3
knight on d5 is rcplaced by a pawn)
or to a less cfTective blockade of the
pawn (a knight is replaced by anoth·
cr piece). allowing White to develop
his initiative.
The importance of an energetic
attack on the blockade point was ob·
served several times by Capablanca.
We will examine some examples
from his games.
CAPABLANCA - LASKER
World Championship Match,
I I th Game, Havana 1921
Queen's Gambit D64
I.d4 d5 2.1ilf3 c6 3.e4 Iilf6
4.I'I.g5
. Iilbd7 5.,3 .1'1.,7 6.1ilc3 0-0
7.l:tc1 n,S S.'l'ie2 .6 9 .I'I.d3 dx.4
•
10Sl. ,,4 IildS 1I. .Il.,.7 l:[x.7 12.
0-0 IilfS 13.l:!fdl .Il.d7 14.e4 1il b6
1 5Sl.n lieS 16.b4 .Il.,8 17.�b3
l:[cc7 I S.•4 Iil g6 1 9.•5 Iild7 20.•5
b6 2 1 .1il,4 I:lbS 22.'II¥ c3 Iilf4
23.lild6 IildS 24.'!'g.3 f6 25.Iil ..s
, xeS 26.cxf6 gxf6 27.bS l:t bc8
28.bxc6 :txc6 29.%hc6 l:hc6
30.axb6 axb6 3 1.l:tcl '&.S 32.iild2
IilfS 33.1il <4 W1'dS 34.h4 l:!.7.
56
In this position the knight at d5 is
the keystone of Black's defence. pre­
venting his pawn weaknesses al b6.
c6 and f6 from being approached.
From this it follows Ihal the knight
has to be exchanged.
3S.'t»'b3! While begins 1111 attack
on the d5-knighl, exploiting the ' X­
ray' orthe queen and king on the a2-
g8 diagonal.
35 ...I1g7. Black tries to provoke
the move g3. 10 prevent White from
switching his queen to the kingsidc
along the 3rd rank.
36.g3 1:.7 37..Il.<4 l:!.S 38.lilc3!
Arter the exchange of the knight.
Black's defences collapse.
38 ...lilxc339.�xc3I!1n4U¥,3
�fd6 41.1I1,4 ll:.4 42.Wb7+ Wg6.
(See diagram)
43.'fWc8?! As was shown by
Kasparov, there was a pmclically
forced win by 43.h5+! �h6 44.�f7
'ill' d8 45.Ji.d3! :lxd4 46.l:!xe6 nxd3
47.:lxI"6+ It>g5 48.'lWg7+ lilg6
49.:lxg6+.
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
43 ...�b4? By playing 43 . . .
tta7! 44.Sl.xe6 ti)xc6 45.l: xc6
�xd4 Black would have gained
real saving chances. Indeed. White
can win the b6-pawn. by divert­
ing its defenders with an attack on
the king: 46.'�"g8+! :JIg7 47.�c8+
Wh6 48.'iWfS III g6 49.l:td6! �e5!
50.I:xb6 �e l+ 5 1 .III g2 'I1e4+
52.Wh2 �f3. but with heavy pieces
on the board and the pawns on one
wing there is no direct win.
44.11c l '/IYe7 4S.il. d3+ Wh6
46.:1<7 n. l+ 47.l!ig2 �d6
48.'IW,,1"8+. Black resigned.
CAPABLANCA - ALEKHINE
SI. Petersburg 1 9 1 3
Qu.een's Gambit D30
I.d4 dS 2.<4 <6 3.e3 lil f6 4.lill"3
06 S.lilbd2 lil bd7 6.il.d3 iI..7
7.0-0 0-0 8.�c2 dxc4 9.l1lxc4
c5 I O.lLlce5 cxd4 I l .exd4 It'lb6
l 2.lilgS g6 13.lilgl"3 III g7 14.il. gS
IilbdS IS.n.c1 1i.d7 16.�d2 lilg8
1 7.txe7
. �xe7.
Chaptel' 3. Attack on the queenside
1 8.�e4! Capablanca: 'This move
I've been considering for a very long
time. It looks vcry simple and inof·
fensive. yet it is the foumlation of
[he whole attack against Black's
position. The fact is that the bishop
is doing very little. while the blaek
knighl al dS is the key 10 Black's
defence, hence Ihe necessity of ex­
dmnging Ihe almost useless bishop
8;΄Ϗa mosl valuable knight.'
18 �bS?! This move leads to a
..•
difficult position. Black should have
tried to retain piece control of dS.
which could h.. ve been achieved by
1 8 . ..Ψ́9jċϏ and if 1 9.iLxdS lLlxdS
20.QJg4, then 20 . . .l:t fc8 2 1 .�h6+
Wg8, and White has merely a slight
advantage.
19.:f.1 .
(See diagram)
19...�d6. Wi h the appearance
of the rook on e I . Black has to reckon
with i lSOposition with the queen, and
19 . . .lZlgf6?! 20Jlxd5 Ci)xd5 is now
inadequate because of 2 1 .C.cS with
57
the threat of22.t1xdS! cxdS 23.ttJg4
��d6 24."&h6+ I!Jg8 2S.liJgS. Al Βo
inadequate is 1 9 . . .ll'Idf6 20.J.ie2 (in
the event of 20:$'a5 li:'Jxc4 2 1 .l:: xe4
̿ 9ȂϏ Black maintains his dS-point:
22.l:tc7 b6! 23.t:xe7 bxa5 and 24 . . .
ttJdS. or 22.r;tcc I 'ec8 23.�c7 b6
24.'i!Ya3 ɏ dS) 20 . . .liJd5 2 1 .-".b3
IiJgf6 22.l:!cS.
20.�xdS! exd5 2 1 . 1'a5! Ex­
ploiting the fact thai thc bishop
is undefended. White invades the
qllcensidc along the c-file and de­
cides the game.
21 ...06 22Jlle7 tlYxe7 23.: ..7
h6 24.nxb7 nae8 2S.b3 nel 26.a4
-"..2 27.liJ h4 hS 28.liJ hxg6 :08
29.rlxr7+ I!ih6 30.f4 as 31.liJh4
nx.S 32.fx.S I!igS 33.g3 Wg4
34.:: g7+ <;Y)h3 35.ll)g2. Black rc­
signed.
An exchanging oerati on on the
blockading dS-square may also be
effective when Black is behind with
his qucenside develoment.
58
BQTVINNIK -ALEKIIINE
AVRO Toumamcnt ŃϏ
Netherlands 1938
Queen's Gambif D4 1
l.hO
t dS 2.d4 �l f6 3.<4 .6
4.til c3 c5 S.cxdS l.i:l,d5 6.03 l.i:lc6
7.Ac4 cxd4 8.exd4 fJ..e7 9.0-0 0-0
IO.tId b6? The fianchetto of the
bishop should have been prepared
by exchanging knights first - 1 0
ltlxc3 I I .bxc3 and now I I . . . b6.
I I .<1.Jxd5! With his lasl move
Black weakened the light squares on
his Queenside. and by exchanging
the knight White changes the pawn
structure (after which the fianchetto
of the bishop loses its point) and at­
tucks the weaknesses on the queen­
side. by seizing the important c-file.
I I . . .exd5 12 ..ltbS iLd1?! This
leads 10 the exchange of the light­
square bishops, after which the
weakness of the c6-squarc is ag­
gravated. But also after # % .Ϗ. ,Jib7
1 3.�a4 l:te8 14.ɡ f4 .6 1 5 .l'l.xe6
Part. I . The isolated d4-pawn
�xc6 16.l.i:le5 l:!e8 IH'>'d7' Sl.a8
1 8.lIac I. as occurred in Neikirkh
- Sliwa. Sofia 1957, Black would
have had to concede the c-fileńϏ
\3.&.4 l.i:lb8. After 1 3 . . 11c8
t4 ŅϏ.fl. f4 with the threat of t 5.l:tac l
While has II big advantage.
14..11. f4 SI.,b5 15.�,bS 06 16.
ʉʊa4 òwith the thrcatof I 7.SJ..xbS :1xb8
1 8.�xa6) 16 Sl. d6 (trying by ex­
..•
changes to case his position) 17.S1.xd6
W"xd6 IS':acl l:a7 19. tl:¥c2! -1l1C
c-file is more impor1anl lhall lhc c-file.
since the e7-squarc c.1.!l be defended by
the king. whercas the c7-square rc­
mains vutncr.lble (llotvinnik).
1 9...I!.7.lf 1 9 . . . f6, then 20.�f5
with the threat of exchanging queens
on e6.
2o.th:c7 Yd;'xc7.
2 1 ."&c7! 'iVxc7 22.l:txc7. Con­
trol of the c-file and Black's pawn
weaknesses guarantee White a big
a4vantage.
Ϗ ϏʚHϏ ʒʹϏ (llot %ǤP͒̅ȋ²Ϗ
l:tc8� 24.Wfl b5. when Black has
Chapter 3. AUaek on the queenside
improved his position) 23 :n ..•
24.Ile8+ :till 2S.l:te3! Because of
the diOcrenee in the placing of the
pieces. Black is 011 the verge of
zugzwang (Botvinnik). White wall
on the 5 I st move.
RASHKOVSKV - KUPRE;ICHIK
Minsk 1985
Quecn's Gambit Accepted 027
l .d4 dS 2.ti'I(J e6 3.c4 dxc4 4.c3
lJ\f6 S..1l.xc4 a6 6.a4 cS 7.0-0 li'lc6
H.t";!c2 cxd4 9.J:rd l Sic7 IO.cxd4
0-0 l I.lilc3 1iIb4 12.lil.s q�fdS
13.�1.4 b6.
In contrast to the. Petrosian
- Spassky game. Moscow 1 97 1 .
which was examined i n Chapter 2.
with his last move Black has leO his
rook at a8 unprotected, which allows
White to make a favourable change
to the pawn structure.
14.l1JxdS! By changing the pawn
structure in the ccntrc. While hopes
to exploit the weakness of the d5�
59
pawn, which will need defending,
as wel1 as thc weakening of Black's
quecnside. where the a6� and b6�
pawns are polential targels.
l
14 ...• xdS ( 1 4 . . . ilxd5? 1 5.lilc6)
IS!IWf3 ./1..6 16./I.b3 11c8 1 7../I.d2
•
f6. Black does not wanl to give up
the c·file - 1 7 .. .lbc6 1 8.lLlxc6
Ilxc6 19.rIc l - and he goes in for a
weakening of the e6�square.
18.liJd3 ( 1 8.li.J g4!'? with the idea
ofliJe3 also came into consideration)
18 .. .lJ)c6·!! 1 8 . . .l?J xd3 19.'i'jxd3
a5 2o.11c 1 ΤΥ =Ϗwas stronger, but by
playing 2 1 .'t'9b5! White switches to
an attack 011 the queenside.
19.1i.Jf4. Also good is 19.tl.. c3
IiId6 2o.lilf4 llfd8 2 1 .lil,,6 �xc6.
and here there is a choice between
22.ne I and 22.Sl.c2.
19 ...lil xd4 20.'.1;1.3 lilxb3
21.liIx.6 � d6.
22.lihg7! This is stronger than
2 2.lLlxf8?! lD xa l 23.Sl.b4! lDc2!
%DZP¼εʹȇϏ "xc7 25 ./I.xc7 d4! But
.
now. since 22 . . .liJxa I ? 23.QJ f5 can-
60
nOI satisfy Black, he is forced to ac­
cept the break-up of his pawns.
22 . . .Wxg7 23.��xb3 llc4
24..>1<3 �b4 25.'!ld3 d4? 26.:iL d2
'&'c5 27.bJ �c3 28.� xd dxc3
2U!3CI tIcs 30.')';h36 l'lc7
3!'�d3 f5 32.b4 �c4 33.\11 xf5
'&xb4 34.�e5+ Wg8 3S.l:d4 �':Vc5
36.z:tg4+. Black resigned.
PINTER - KORCHNOI
Beer Shcva 1988
Queen's Gambit Accepted D27
!.d4 d5 2.QJ13 QJf6 3.<4 dxc4
4.e3 e6 5.ltxc4 ('5 6.0-0 a6 7.a4
cxd4 8.exd4 SJ.e7 9.llJc3 0-0
10.iI,2 QJc6 I! .l:td l 'il b4 12.li:\ eS
b6 13.*,", 13 QJ fd5.
14.lLl xdS! Compared with the
previous game White has developed
his queen at 0, and aOcr the ex­
change on d5 he effectively has an
extra tempo.
1 4... exdS I S..tb3. The weak­
ness of the d5-pawn and the vulner-
Parl I . The isolated d4-pawn
nbility of the 36- and b6-pawns give
While a stable advantage.
1 5...�c6 16..I.1.d2 (6 17.t;')g4.
While transfers his knighl lo c3. The
altcmativc was 1 7.llJd3.
17 . . .'i)<6 IS..>1 c3 ,'ld7 19.h3
!lad8 20.\';1,2 35 2 !.!leI :iL 17
22.1:!113 Wh8 23.QJc3 Il fe8 24 ' c2
(switching the bishop to a more active
po,;\;on) 24. . .Ɖ CϏ25..>1 d3 &d6.
26.h4! A typical way of increas­
ing the advantage: White seizes
splice on the kingsidc.
26...QJ b4 27.QJrs ��c7 28.:iL b5
liIc6 29.1:1 ..8 .>1xe8 30.!:: c l 1iI h4
JISLd2 �n. In the event of 3 1 . . .
�b7'! 32.�g3! White breaks through
on the c-file: 32 . . . iLxb5 33.t:tc7
�b8 34.axb5 I:tc8 35.l:txg7! �xg3
36.l:Ixg3 11c2 37.:iLh61. winning.
32.Sl. xb4 axb4 33.liIe3 WgS
34.b3 )U. xb5 35.axbS 't.Ye6 36.l:c6
�('4 37.e'xc4 dxe4 38.llxb6 (the
passed b-pawn decides the outcome)
3S...llxd4 39.!:tbS W17 40.b6 !:td7
4!.!:t<8 Jtd6 42.QJc4 W c6 43.Wn
Chapter 3. Attaek on the queenside
:il.e5 44.W<2 .>l. d4 45.l: b8 ʣ¦Ϗ
46.b7. Black resigned.
ROZEN"IALIS-MIKHALCHISHIN
Tmllva 1988
Sicilian Defence 822
1 .('4 1:5 2.c3 dS 3.('xdS �xdS
4.d4 lilr6 5.lilf3 lilc6 6.S«3 cxd4
7.cxd4 e6 ň͕‡öϏ �d6 9.a3! SLe7
1O.:il. d3 b6 1 1 .0-0 :il.b7 12.�e2 0-0
13.!lad I nacS 14.!l reI.
IS . . .l1'ldS? A premature attempt
to sct up a blockade. Black should
have played 15 . . .� fd8. increasing
his control oflhc centre.
IS.liJxdS! exd5. In the event of
15 . . .�xd5 White drives away the
qUl'Cn and carries out a breakthrough
in the centre: 16.SL c4 ��h5 1 7.d5!
ͧʫǸϏ 18..il.a2 ..\.1.xd5 19.5L xd5 cxd5
20.� xb6 axb6 2 1 .�xe7. winning a
pawn. But now the bishop on b7 is nUl­
ning up against the d5-pawn. wherc..'lS
White's pieces arc excellently mobi­
lised, which gives him the advantage.
61
16./i)e5! /i)xe5 1 7.:il.r4 'I'Id7.
18.dxcS! White transfonns the
position and sets his sights on the
kingside: the f-pawn may be includ­
ed in the attack.
18 ...'I';Ie6 IM�f3 l:!fc8 20J!Yg3
d4 21 .h4! h5 22.:il.g5 :il.xg5. If
22 . . .Sc5 there follows 23.f4!
23.'&xgS �g4. Weakening the
position by 23 . . . g6 would be suicid­
al. But after the exchange of queens
White wins a pawn, retaining an ex­
cellent position.
24.�,g4 hxg4 25.:il.rs! 1:Ic5
26.l'1xd4 g6 27SLxg4 Itexc5
28.Ilxc5 1Jxe5 29.11d7 :il.d5 30.f4!
Black resigned.
IVANCHUK - KARPOV
Linares 1991
Nimzo-/ndiaJl Defence E54
I .d4 /i)f6 2.c4 e6 3./i) c3 .>l.b4
4.e3 0-0 5.:il.d3 d5 6./i)f3 e5 7.
0-0 cxd4 8.cxd4 dxc4 9.� xc4 h6
lO.il.g5 .>l.b7 I I.I1cl /i)c6 12.33
:il.e7 1 3.'@'d3 lild5.
62
14..si.xdS! cxdS'!! This restricts
the light·square bishop. Beller was
1 4 . . .iLxg5 15.8xg5 '&xg5 1 6.iL l3
l'Ifd8 1 7.�c3! ","xc3 1 8.fxc3 with
a slight advantage for While (Ivan­
chuk). Here 16.f4 �g6 1 7 ..Il. e4 f5
1 8.iL f] rJ:ad8 1 9.'1lb5 also comes
into consideration.
IS.Axe7 tt::l xe7 J6.Ilrel . As a
result of the exchanging opcr-nion
White has gained a small but endur­
ing advantage. based on the defects
of the ciS-pawn. which is restricting
Black's minor pieces.
16 ...l:tc8.
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
17.h41 While seizes space on the
kingsidc.
1 7 ... h6 (preventing 1 8.�g5)
1 8.hS l:Ic7 19.tLlb5. It would have
been useful 10 first include 1 9.IIc3
��c8 20.I'1eel ˚ΎłϏ and here
2 1 .<?)b5!? is good.
t 9. . J::Ixcl 2o.lIxc l ita6. Al­
Ihough the black bishop is inactive.
it is fulfilling an imponant defen­
sive function. 20 . . . llJc6. preventing
l1)e5, was better.
21.a4 � xbS'! After the exchange
of this bishop Black has problems
defending the light squares on the
quccnsidc. Stronger was 2 1 . . �b8t
.
22.8c5 II,8 23.l:!c 1 iLxb5 24.",b5
1'1d6 2H113 �f6' 26.1I;1xf6 gxf6
27.8g4 8 f5 28.8xf6+ II/g7
29.llJxd5 tiJ xd4. obtaining all equal
endgame (Ivanehuk). Instead of
27.t;')g4, also possible is 27.li'l d7
(1) f5 28.11:.11 t. retaining the better
chances.
22J!hb5 'Il f5 23.g3 Q).7
24.8.5 I'/lId6 25:&36. 25.'�ig2!
was stronger, not allowing the
countcrplay which was now possi­
ble with 25 . . .'�¥b4!? 26.�d3! IIcs
27.l:l xe8+ llJxc8 28.�f3 "e:Ye l +
29.Wg2 �e4. c.'tchanging queens.
although in the knight endgame af­
ter 30.'t'i'xe4 dxc4 3 1 .g4 Black still
has problems.
25. ..813 26.�d3 8.7 27.1!l't:l
35 28.lI/g2 (28.b3! An"nd) 28... f6
29.tiJd3 rlc8 30.Ilel ll c4.
Chapter 3. AUack on the queenside 63

White is beller developed, since

Black has delayed the development
of his bishop.
16.li)xd5! The aim of the ex­
changing operation 011 d5 is 10 make
a favourable change to the pawn
slnlcture in order to exploit the e­
file.
16 ...li:l,dS 1 7.Sl.,d5! iV,d5.
After the pawn capture 1 7 . . . cxd5
Black's position becomes passive
In this position White could have
and the move 1 5 . . . b6 loses its point.
exploited his pressure on the e-file
However, the price of retaining
by 3 1 .lt!c3! "HI 32.b3 llc7 33.€i f4.
piece control over d5 is 10 allow the
increasing his advantage. The game
dangerous invasion of the rook,
went 31.l1\ f4'! l'lxd4, which Icd to
18.lI c7! Jil b7 19.&g4!
equal chances.

SMYSLOV - RIBLI
Candidates Match, 7th Game,
London 1983
Quecn's Gambit D42

I.d441f6 2.410 c6 3.c4 dS4.li:lc3

c5 5.cxd5 li)xd5 6.c3 lilc6 7 : d3
L.. c7 8.0-00-0 9.a3 cxd4 10.l'xd4.1lf6
lUi. e4 �'c.7 12.41.5 g6 13.Sl.h6
kg7 14.�xg7 ..t } xg7 15.:kI:c1 b6.
19. . J:J:adS. The while pieces
coordinate excellently in the attack
on the king. whereas Black's .itb7
+ Wid5 battery is merely decora­
tive. The allempt to evict the rook
by 1 9 . . .Itac8 leads to the loss of a
pawn: 20.1:[d7 't';Ye4 2 1 .'$'xe4 iLxe4
22.8 Sl.d5 23.l:txa7 I:tc2 24.b4.
20.l:td I 35 21.h4! l:tc8 (2 1 . . . h5?
2Hhg6+) 22.);!d7 �e4 23.Wg5
64
ilc6 24.0! 'iV rs. In the event of
24 . . .'�;'c2 25.liJg4! the weakness
orthe dark squares proves decisive:
25 . . .'e'xdl+ 26.Wh2 'iL�g8 27.�h6
followed by Q)f6+.
2s.ll.7 .ll..4 26.l:t .. !le2 27.b4
;1tb3 28.buS b,.S 29.l:t<4 h6
30.'&c3 tIb2 3 1.l:tg4!, and in view
of the threatened capture on g6
Black loses material. White won on
the 43rd move.
KASPARQV - KARPQV
World Championship Match.
23rd Game, Moscow 1985
Queen's Gambit D55
I.d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3.lilc3 JJ..e7
4.lilf3 lilI6 S.;1tgS h6 6.... ,16 11. ,16
7.,3 0-0 8.l:t .. e6 9.lI. d3 lild7
10.0-0 dxc4 I t.iLxc4 cS 1 2.h3 cxd4
13.cxd4.
This position with an isolated d4-
pawn was the result of home prepa­
ration. In his choice of opening vari­
ation Kaspilrov was hoping to gain
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
a slight advant:lgc and 10 retain the
initiative. thus retaining possibilities
of playing for a win. If successful.
such strategy could have decided
the match ahead of schedule.
Ʋ`Ϗ. ..ttJb6. A logical reply -
Black takes control of the dS·poinl.
If 1 3 . . .:CeS. then 1 4.�bJ is UII­
pleasant.
14..ll.b3 l:te8 15.l:[el .ll.IS
1 6.1%.,8+ �xc8 17.�d2 'ilYd7
I 8.l:Ic I l:td8 1 9.'&'14.
19 ...tJJ d5. White has achieved
his ilim: he firmly holds the initia­
tive. and this is essentially admined
by Karpov. an expert on this type
of position. by allowing the consc­
quences of the exchange on dS.
20.t.b xd5! cxd5 2 1.tDe5 � xe5.
A forced exchange: 2 1 . . . t!Yc8
22.IIc I or 2 1 . . .'&e6 2V1')d3 fa­
vours While.
22.11xeS �c6. As :. result of the
exchanging operation White has a
stable advantage thanks to his better
bishop.
Chapter 3. Attack on the queenside
2HiY.3 Ȧȧ ¨Ϗ 24.�d3 f6?! Af­
ter this weakening move Whitc's
advantage increases. 24 . . ..�
yc7 was
sounder, intending 25.:1cl � f4.
2S.l:!cJ 1;,17 26.�c3 'lWd6
27.ncl 1;,.8 28.fi.dl .6 29.fi.13
g6 30.h4 h5 3 1.g3. Kasparov com­
ments that 3 1 :&c7 �xc7 32.:txc7
J(.c6 33.SJ.e2 as 34.Ad3 was also
not bad. with the better endgame,
but he prefers to complete his pawn
squeeze on the quecnsidc.
3 1 . . .1;, 17 32.•4 l:!d7 33.aS Wg7
34.llIb3 111 .6 3S.'iWb4 '11* .8. Parry­
ing the threat of 36.l:t:c8. sincc thc
exchange of queens after 35 . . .'t �e7
I:wours White.
In his commentary on this posi­
tion, Kasparov writes: 'Here I det.:id­
cd on a plan with l:I c 1 -c5, �b4-c3,
ttcS-c8 and �c3-cS, forcing a tran­
sition into a won ending. However,
unfortunately. I stopped keeping a
careful watch on Black's actions'.
36SVg2?! ñǣȀϏ.itg2 was more
.
log;cal) 36 . . .'iWd8 37.l:!cS 111.7
65
38.�c3?! White should have played
38.�d2, and after 38 . . . g5 39.�Vg l
gxh4 40.gxh4 thc opening of the
game is in his favour.
38 ... gS! 39.�c3 g4 40..ll.dl
�c4+ 41.Wgl. Omw.
3.2. Attack on quecnside
weaknesses
Quecnside weaknesses are usu­
ally characterised by the weakening
of the dark squares after a7-a6, or
the light squares after b7-b6. which
nlily provide the motif for a piece at­
tack.
KARPOV - GELLER
Moscow 198 1
Queen's Gambit D58
I.d4 dS 2.c4 ,6 3.1ilc3 fi.,7
4.11:\ 13 'ilf6 S.ltgS h6 6..lth4 0-0
•
7.el b6 8.lJ:c1 fi.b7 9..ltd3 qjbd7
10.0-0 oS 1 I .ifl1e2 ̻RϏ 1 2..1l.g3
cxd4 13.exd4 dxc4 14.� xc4 SLxfJ
1 S.gx13 ͣϏhS.
66
A serious defect of Black 's posi­
tion is the weakening of his queell­
side, which is aggravated by the ab­
sence of his light-square bishop.
16 ..1l.a6! While immediately
ex.ploits the weakness of the light
squares. To avoid losing the ex­
change. Black is forced 10 exchange
the bishop on g3. repairing White's
kingside pawn structure.
1 6...lil xg3 1 7.hxg3 I:I:c7. If
1 7 . . .1:1:.8 1 8.!Ifd l lil f6. thcn 19.d5'
ti)xd5 20.l1)xd5 cxd5 2 1 .i.b7 is
strong.
18.1:fd l ! There was no point in
playing 1 8.liJb5?! :txe I 19.thc I
lLlb8! 20.QJxa7 �xd4 with an equal
g;mlc.
18...lil f6. I f 1 8 . . . lil b8 there fol­
lows 1 9..il.c4 with the unplcasarll
threat of d4-d5.
I 9.1ilbS! IIxcl 2011xcl IildS.
Ancr 20 . . . �d5 2 1 .a3 Black is con­
demned 10 passive defence.
21.'iJxa7! Although the while
pieces arc stuck for time on the
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
quccnsidc, Black is unable to ex­
ploit this factor.
2 1 . . ./il b4 22.a3! 'i':1aH (22 . . .
It) xa6 23.'�"xa6 e-xd4 24.l1k6
was bad for Black) 23.l'1c7! lDd5
24.n b7 -"f6 2s.lil c6 l:1c8 26.Iil.S!
-'< xeS 27.dxeS !IcI+ 28.';Yg2 �d8
29.-'<d3 :ral 30."i!:Yc4 g6 3 1 .!Ixn!
wxn 3U�,g6+ WfS 33.'I':1xh6+.
Black resigned.
An ,mack on the qucenside.
based on an isolated pawn. may be
carried oul by obtaining a spatial
adv<mtagc. Usually this is combined
with threats to the king.
KORCHNOI - WUBOJEVIC
Tilburg 1987
Nimzo-lndian Defence E56
I.d4 lilf6 2.c4 .6 3.1il<3 1.. b4
4.e3 0-0 S.1l.d3 dS 6.1il13 .S 7.0-0
lZ)c68.a332.a59.h3!? dxc4 I O.Jt xc4
Sl. d7 l ISl.d3 'l'/ic7 12.lile4 lilxc4
13.J:l.. xc4 cxd4 14.cxd4 h6.
Chapter 3. Attack on the queenside
15.b4! Exploiting the poorposition
oftile bishop at a5. White seizes space
on the quccnsidc and drives back the
black pieces to passive positions.
I S...il.b6 16.bS lil.s 17.•4
l.'lfd8 18.i1.33 l'H6 19 .il.b4
. (threat­
ening the b7-pawn) 1 9...�f4. The
alternative was 1 9 . . .!tab8 20Jlei
�eS 2 1 .d5! exd5 22.Jlc2 .cdc8
23.rIa2 �f4! (weaker is 23 . . . d4?!
2H;Yd2 li'Ic4 2H:Yd3 g6 26 .•5
J;.. c7 27.': xc8+ :l:xe8 28:@xc4. ob­
taining two minor pieces for rook
and pawn) 24...Ite7 with the better
chances for While. But he can also
simply strengthen his position -
2HIYd3 ͪ(Ϗ2 1 .g3 'ilH f6 22.!lac I.
20.XLb l a6 (in ordcr to safeguard
the knight at a5) 2 1 .�d3 g6 22.SJ.d2
�f5 23Jl1e3! �h5 24.<1Jc5! Threat­
ening 25.il. xg6 fxg6 26.liJxd7 :'xd7
2H�xc6+ Il I7 28.(�xb6.
24 ... nxb5. 24 . . .§LeS!? is also
insufficient: 25.<1Jg4 A xd4 (the pro­
phylaclic move 25 . . .WhS!? docs not
help because of26.'fWa3!) 26 ..txa5!
67
Possibly the best was 25 . . . �g7
26.�xh6+ 'thh6 27.i.l. xh6+ Wh7
28.ilg5 with the initi.ltive for White
in the endgame.
25.ii.xa5! Jtxa5 (25 . . .[1xa5
26. .il.xg6') 26.�f4 .il. e8 27.lilg4
WfS. 27 . . . �g7
" does not bring any
relief - 28.'t\H6+ W h7 29.axb5
� g5 30..il. xg6+ �xg6 (30 . . . fxg6
3 1 .�f8) 3 1 .rlxa5!
28.li'I f6 gS 29.äϏeS Vil'h4 30.li'Ig4
.
il b6 3U'�h8+ We7 32.'1"f6+ Wf'8
3311d 1 .il.c7 34.�.3 (bringing up
the last reserves into the attack)
34... hS 3S.g3 llI',h3 36.1ilh6 h4
37 ' rs .il.eS 3UheS edS 39.l:Ie3.
Black resigned.
SASIKIRAN - MALAKHOV
Moscow 2006
Slav Defence D15
I.d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3.t;,o lilffi 4.l1Ic]
36 S.g3 g6 6.i1.g2 .il.g7 7.0-0 0-0
8..,dS .,dS 9.li'IeS e6 10.il.gS h6
l I.i1. e3lilfd7 12.f4tLlc613..1i1.12 lile7
1411c 1 . ͚¦Ϗ 15.04 d,04 16.i1. ,e4
lilf6 17 . g2 tLle7 18.�b3 li'1ed5.
68
While's control of the c-file
gives him the advantage. He ex­
ploits it by combining threats
against the seemingly securely de­
fended kingsidc.
19.1:Ife l ! bS?! This creales COIll­
binative motifs in view of the rook
al as being undefended. 1 9 . . .l:te8!'?
20.a4 l:Ic7 was more circumspect,
defending Ihe žğ and c6-pawns.
20.liJ xdS! liJ xdS.
21.l:IcS. White prefers the domi­
nation of his picces 10 the forced win
of a pawn: 2 1 .tLlc6 �d6 22.�xd5
cxd5 23.lLIc7+ q; h7 24.r.r:c6!?
(aOer the direct 24.'�xd5 "t'Uxd5
25.liJxd5 jl,b7 Black has compen­
sation in the fonn of his active light­
square bishop) 24 . . ... dS 25.'�xd5
SLb7 (or 25 . . . �xd5 26.«lxd5 ridS
27.«lb6 nb8 28.d5 SLb7 29.nc7
SLxd5 30.«lxd5 l:IxdS 3 l .l:Ix17
Wg8 32.n,7 .ll. xb2 33.nx,6 111 17
34.n.7+) 26.'iI'xd8 n.xdS 27.n'7
DžƥϏ 28.f5! llfc8 29.fxg6+ fxg6
30.d5 with the ·threat of 3 1 .llJc6.
Par'l l . The isolated d4-pawn
2 1 . ..�d6? After 2 1 . . .iLb7?�
Black suffers a calastrophc on the
a2-g8 diagonal: 22.01xg6! fxg6
23.:C:xe6 l: fS 24.J:teS� .tLxeS
2s.fLxdS+ Wg7 26.dxeS with an
obvious advantage to White. The
only way of breaking White's at­
tack was by exchanging his knight
- 2 1 . . . �xcS 22.dxeS, but even here
• 3Ϗ24.a:ecl as
afier22 . . Jib7 23 . 14
25.�dl l:te8 26.iHI White invades
the weakened queenside.
22.lilxg6. 22.lilxI7! I1xl7
23.I1xdS exdS 24.1L xdS �,J h7
2S ..w.xf7 was even stronger
(Sasikiran). Then 2S . . . i&.. xd4? is
not possible because of 26.�xg6+!
Wxg6 2H�g8+ SJ.g7 28.�c8+
<;.th7 29."f!;Ye4+.
22 ... rxg6 23.l:xdS cxdS 24.
�xdS+ �xdS 2s.iLxdS+, and
White gained a decisive material
advantage.
Dclay in castling may also pro­
vide the motif for a piecc attack on
the queenside. Usually such possi­
bilities are the result of the opening.
PONOMARIOV - VAN WELV
World Cup. Khanty-Mansiysk 2005
Sicilian Defence B40
1..4 .5 2.Cilf3 .6 3.el «lf6
4 .• 5 «ld5 5.Żż ŘcϏ «lb6 6 ;., b3 d6
7.exd6 �xd6 8.0-0 lLlc6 9.d4 cxd4
lO.cxd4 tiJd5 ó # Ʀ Ϗ. .tLJc7!'! is morc
flexible).
Chapl.er 3. A ttac k on the queenside
I I.�gS!·! Black has blockaded
the d4-pawn. but his delay in cas­
tling provides the motif for White to
gain positional pluses by exchanges
in the centrc. 1 1 .l1'lc3 looks more
natural.
1 1 . . ..ile7. The allemalive was
I I . . . ffi 1 2.� xdS ( I 2.il.d2 li'lcc7
l J.uc3
l 0-0) 12 . . . fxgS 13.Axc6+
( 1 3."' b3 g4) 1 3 . . . bxc6 14iLl bd2 0-0
I S.q)c4. where While's knights attack
the numcrous p.:1wn weaknesses.
12 ..it.xd5 �xdS'! Now Black is
unable to castle. Correct was 1 2 . . .
k xgS!'! t 3.:&.xc6+ ( 1 3.1Le4 Ƞ 9jϏ
leads to the loss of tile d4-pawn)
1 3 . . . bx06 14.lW.,4 0-0 I S.'i'l xgS
(after I 5.¥.t!Vxc6 rIbS Black has good
eountcrplay) 1 5 . . . fhg5 1 6.l!lc3
:O: bS 17.b3 a5 with counlcrplay.
as the weakness of the c6- and d4-
pawns balances oul.
13.tJlc3 fiY fS. With the king
needing 10 be defended, t3 . . .. @d8
looks more circumspect.
14.Axr7 1il,.7 15.1';\'.4+ Ad7
16.�a3.
69
J 6 ...qJdS. Black has been pre­
vented from castling and i t is al­
ready hard to offer him any good ad­
vice. If 1 6 . . . iLc6 there also follows
1 7/;",c5. building up the pressure,
for cxample: 1 7 . . .'�Yf6 ( 1 7 . . . 't!-ff4
1 8.llad l ) I S.Q\ xc6 bxc6 1 9.1}J e4!?
I1l'xd4 20.'i'ld6+ ʎ˴Ϗ 2 1 .t!rd l . In
the evcnt of 16 . . .lLlg6 1 7.1%fe l
SLc6 there is the strong reply IS.d5!
AxdS 1 9.11\bS.
1 7.tLlc5 lLlxc3 I H.bxc3
'!':l'g5 1 9.!!.b l Acs ( 1 9 . . . Ac6
20.tD xc6 bxc6 2 1 .lI b7 was also
b"d) 20.1:1(.1 11*.7 2 1 .'ilYa4+ αCϏ
22.d5 hS 23.:tbd l . The immediate
23.d6 was also possible: 23 . . . �d8
(23 . . .. W-xd6'? 24.�f4! with the
threats of 25.�JI7# and 25.liJg6+)
24.d7.
23.. .•xd5 (2 3 . . .!! h6 24.d6)
24.l1\g6+ bg6 2S.tlxe7 )bxc7
26.�d4 Wf7 27.�xd5+ 1t>(6
2U'ld4+ W f7 29.%\1.4+ il..6
3o.lId7+. Black resigned.
70
AKOPIAN - KARJAKIN
Olympiad, Turin 2006
Sicilian Defence 850
1.04 c5 2.<1)13 d6 3.<3 <1)f6
4.il..2 il.g4 5.0-0 .6 6.t!.1 :IL.7
7.d4 cxd4 8.cxd4 d5 9.cxd5 QJxd5.
Black has blockaded thc d4-
pawn, bUI his king has not yet cas­
tled and the b7-pawn is undefended,
which allows White to develop an
unpleasant initiative on thc queen­
side.
IOJib3! 'it'b6. The pawn sac­
rifice IO .. .lvc6 1 1 .W'xb7 tDdb4
looks dubious in vicw of 1 2.:a f4 36
1 3 .11.c7, when Black is forced to ex­
change queens.
l I.JtbS+ i1Jc612.li.)eS i.rs. The
knight retreat 1 2 . .ll)f6!? leads alter
. knights. the role of the opposite­
13.<1)03 0·0 ( 1 3 ̥Ϗ 14.d5 cxd5
. . .
1 5.�c3 '+lYe7 1 6.ilf4 also favours
White) 1 4..txc6 bxc6 1 5.�xb6
axb6 1 6.A:.g5 .t f5 1 7.li.Jxc6 to the
loss of a pawn. in a worse version
than the game.
Part I . The isolat.ed d4-pawn
13.<1)c3 tld8. 1 3 . . .<1)c7 was
weaker: 14 ..lixc6+ (Black also
has to reckon with 14.l11c4 I@'xd4
1 5.:lLcl f�d8 1 6.llad l ) 1 4 . . . bxc6
1 5.'t8fxb6 axb6 1 6.t1.Jxc6.
14�xc6+ bxc6 15.'1'!JJ xb6 axb6
16.Cilxc6 tld6 17.<1)x.7 >!Ix.7
IH.:lL d2.
The game has gone into an end­
game with an extra pawn for While.
However. as the course of the game
shows, il is extremely difficult to
convert this advantage. hUI an anal­
ysis of this endgame docs nol come
within our objective. What is impor­
tant is the method of converting the
opening advantage.
18...Vd7 19.a4 lla8 20.11ccl
tLlxc3! (with the exchange of
colour bishops increases) 2 1.iLxcJ
(if21 .bxc3, then 2 1 . . .ndS! with the
thrc;tI of l:tda5 is good) 2 1 . .. ̨Ϗ˜Ϗ
22.b4 tlc6 23.a5 llac8 24.il.d2
llxcl+ 25 ȟ xc l b5. 25 . . . ll c4
.
26.il.d2 llc2 (26 . . .l:txd4 ;, al,o
Chapter 3. Allack on the queenside 71

possible) 27 .1Lf4 l1c4 also came

. should be mcntioned that 27 . . . Wc6
into consideration. is weaker: 28 ..ii.f4 (6 29.a7 �.9b7
26.13 i.l.dS 27.Ji.r4. 27.a6 would JO.-". d6 V.8 3 1 .-".c5.
have set more problems to Black, 27 ... :c4 28.l:tcl IIxcl+ 29.
but aOer 27 . . . .fl aS!'! with the idea .1l.xc1 r6, and Black held the ending
ofI!c8-c4 no clear plan for convert­ with opposite-colour bishops. gain­
ing thc extra pawn is apparent. It ing a draw.
 Chapter 4
Defence based
on the blockade at d5
'The main weakness created by
an isolated pawn is nol lhc pawn it­
self, but the square in front of it',
wrote Richard RCli. Indeed, an iso­
lated d4-pawn may be blockaded
on dS by a picce, the activity of
which extends to the neighbour­
ing squares. From OUf study of the
attacking potential of an isolated
pawn in the previous chapters it
can be concluded that White's ini­
tiative was greatly aided by insuf­
ficiently effective usc by Black of
the blockading d5-squarc. The im­
parlance of exchanging picces was
also undcrcstimlllcd. although it is
obvious that the static weakness of
the isolated pawn increases as the
material is reduced. At the same
time. a study of positions from the
standpoint of opposing the dynam­
ics of the isolated pawn is impor­
tant. since it aids the development
of the positional skills, needed by
every strong player.
This chapter examines plans for
implementing the mosl e.'<pedienl
arrangement of the forces and spe-
eitle positional methods of weaken­
ing Whitc's attack. These. in par­
ticular. arc control of the blockading
d5-square. Ihe knight manoeuvres
It) f6-d5 and lDf6-h5 to exchange the
dark-square bishops, the bishop ma­
noeuvres Ste7-g5 and .tl.d6-f4 (with
the white bishop on the c \-h6 diago­
nal) with the samc aim. and also the
knight exchange t;)d5xc3 to create
an isolated pawn pair. As for the ex­
change of the light-square bishops.
if the blockade of the isol;lIcd d4-
pawn is maintaincd this is advan­
tageous to Black. since it weakens
White's mntrol of the neighbouring
e4- and c4-squares.
4.1. Reducing at1acking polential
by exchanging pieces
This imponant defensive method
against the isolated d4-pawn was
employed in the first famoLis game
on this theme. Zukenon - Stcinilz,
with which we began our mono­
graph. At the basis of Steinitz's de­
fensive plan there was the leitmotif
Chapter 4. Defence based on the blockade a t d 5
of reducing the attacking material. It
was echoed by Capablanea.
LASKER - CAPAHLANCA
World Championship Match,
1 0th Goune, Havana 1 9 2 1
Queen's Gambit 061
I.d4 d5 2.,4 .6 3.lUc3 'ilf6
4.iLg5 iL .7 5.c3 0-0 6.lUf3 lU bd7
7.$<2
' ,5 8.ttdl �a5 9 · d3
h6 IO.Sl.h4 n:d4 I I .cxd4 dxc4
12.iL,,4 'ilh6 13.iLbJ iL d7 14.0-0
llacs 15.'i:l.5.
This was Capablanca's comment
on the position: 'Black has obtained
an excellent development. He must
now find the way either to exchange
the white bishop al h4 for his bishop
lit c7. or to post a picce at d5 so as to
bring about some exchanges that will
simplify the position 10 some extenL
All Ihis must be done while keeping
immobile Ihe white pawn at d4.·
15.,.kb5?! # ǹ .Ϗ . . .1;.c6 was in the
spirit of the position.
73
1 7.Sl.xdS'! Lasker repeats Zuk­
ertort's mistakc. In thosc limes the
m:lgic of the blockading knight was
so great, Ihat even the strongest
players in the world were prepared
to give up for it their light·square
bishop - one of the key pieces of
White's attack. Such an exchange in­
dicates a lack of experience in play­
ing positions with an isolated pawn.
Anyone who has sludied White's
potential in the preceding chapters
would have no difficulty in finding
the exchanging operation 1 7...txf6
Axf6 (not 1 7 . . .li::l xf6? on account
of I S.llJg6! fxg6 19.1:txe6, regain­
ing the piece with interest) I S.!b.xd5
cxd5 1 9.�f5, and Black's position
is nol easy to defend.
1 7. ..liJxd5 uŵϏ..7 lUxe7
19.�b3 j(c6 20.li.Jxc6 bxc6! Wilh
the exchange or three pairs of minor
pieces, the weakness orlhe d4-pawn
has become perceptible, and this
gives Black the advantage. As for
74
Black's weak c6-pawll, it cannot be
attacked.
21.rl.S '&b6 22.�!.yc2 llfd8
23.lt\e2. Stronger was 23.lt:'la41?
¥.Wb8 24.rIcS. when aficr 24 . . .8 fS
25.:r:txc6 I:Ixc6 26."exc6 �xd4 the
ill-starred pawn is exchanged. al­
though Black's position still remains
preferable.
23...btd5! By exchanging rooks,
Black transfonns one fonn of adv;U1-
tage into another. By agreeing to the
elimination arthe isolated p..'\\.\.'11, Black
gains control of the open c-Ille while
retaining pressure on the d4-pawn.
24': xdS. It is risky to sit back
behind the d4-pawn: 24.tte3 c5!?
(24. . .lilf5 25.rlb3 �d8 26.rlb4
�d7 is also possible) 25.l:Ic3 (25.
dxc5 �xb21) 25 . . .lIcd8 26.rlb3
t?'c6 27Jlcl �d6, and Black wins
a pawn.
24 .....dS 2SJIYd2 CZl rs 26.b3
hS 27.h3? This move allows Black
to paralyse the kingside pawns. It
was essential to exchange knights
Part I . The isolaled d4-pawll
- 27.Q)gJ It)xg3 28.hxg3, although
even here aOcr 28 . . .'�:''' c 7. by COIn­
bining the threat of an invasion
on the c-file with an attack on the
queenside pawns. Black would have
retained real winning chances.
27 ... h4! 2K.�d3 Se629.l!I fI g6
30.!'Ybl r�b4 3 1 ."'gl .S 3H%2
a4 33.'ad2 'a'xd2 34.I!xd2 axb3
35.axb3.
3S ...l%b6! 36.rl d3 (if 36.rlb2.
then 36 . . .r:tb4. winning a pawn)
36... 1l.6! 37.g4 (37.1i) r3? l:t:I l +)
37 . . . hxg3 38.fxg3 II.2 39.<11 e3
l;tc2 4o.lildl /1).7 41./1)<3 IIcI+
42.l!Ifl CZle6 43.CZldl rlb l !
44.��)e2. The pawn is also not saved
by 44.lII e l CZl.5 45.l!1d2 llxb3
46.llxb3 iUxb3+. although the
chances of a draw in the knight end­
game are somewhat beller.
44...J:!:xb3! 4S.We3 l:Ib4!. and
Black won on the 681h move.
In our time one of the great ex­
perts in the fight against an isolated
Cha pter 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5
' 15
pawn has been Anatoly Karpov. The
following example on the theme of
exchanging operations is one of his
masterpieces.
KORCIfNOI - KARPOV
World Championship Match,
91h Game. Merano 1 98 1
Queen's Gambit D53
l .c4 c6 2AueJ d5 3.d4 SLc7
4.4)[3 4)f6 S . gS h6 6 . h4 0-0
7.I'lc t dxc4 S.c3 c5 9.Jlxe4 exd4
I 0.cxd4 lj)c6 t t .0-0.
I t . ..llJh5!'! A standard idea.
forcing the exchange of the dark­
square bishops, which significantly
reduces White's attacking potential.
At the same til11e Black docs not
forget about his main objective - to
retain control of the d5-square.
12,.lixe7 0,xe7 1 3.� b3?1
White has not extracted anything
from the opening, and it would have
been bener 10 get rid of the isolated
pawn: 1 3.d5 exd5 1 4 .ltlxd5 tDxd5
1 5 ..II. xd5 4)f4 1 6..II. c4 llIxdl
1 7.:c.exd I iLe6 with a probable
draw.
1J . ..'ilf6 14.4).S .I'1.dl IS.lII'c2
Ite8 16.t1.:lc4. The exchange of mi­
nor pieces is advantageous to Black.
1 6.:fe l was more logical. prevent­
ing 1 6 . . . SJ.. c6'! because of 1 7.lLlxf7.
Therefore Black should play 1 6 S Ţ ţ Ϗ
Ί‚̵SϏ
16 ...lLlxc4 t 7.'�xc4.
1 7...Ac61 An important sub­
tlety. Black is not afraid that after a
double exchange on c6 he will also
have an isolated pawn. In this case
his knight is capable both of secure·
ly defending his pawn, and attack·
ing the enemy d4-pawn, whereas
the functions of the white bishop arc
restricted (Karpov).
1 8.tt.hc6 Itxc6! 19.TJ:c3. Re­
garding White's avoidance of the
exchange 1 9.11xc6 bxc6, it can be
remarked that the modem classics
have learned the lessons from the
games of their predecessors.
76
19 Wid620.gJ. Whitc shouldn'(
..•
have been in a hurry to make this
move. He could have used the g3-
square lor the participation of his
heavy pieces in an attack on the
black king. and therefore 20.h4
came into consideration.
20 l:Id8 2 l .l:Id l l:l b6! (prepar·
..•
ing 22...Wd7) 22.'&01 Wd7 (22 . . .
l:I b4 23.l:I c4) B.l:Icd3. 23.:lc5 did
not work: 23 . . . lId6 24.IIdcl llJc6
25.Sl.a4 liJxd4! 26.Sl. xd7 liJlJ+
275tn �xcl with an eXira pawn
for Black.
23 . . .lld6 24.'&.4 ��c6! 2S.�f4
I1ld5 26.'�'d2 �b6! (with the threat
of 27 . . .liJb4).
27s.t xd5? Even in this situa­
tion While should have refrained
from the exchange of the bishop and
prcfcrn.. "<i 27.a3. In the heavy piece
cndgmnc it is extremely dinlcult to
defend Ihe isolated pawn. The at­
tacking mechanism is the tripling of
heavy pieces on the d-file with the
threat of c6-c5. which forces f2-f4.
Parl T . The isolated d4-pawn
seriously weakening the king's de­
fences.
2S . . .:,dS 28.ll b3 ��c6 29.'i;YcJ
�'d7 30.r4 b6! 3 1.x:tb4 h5! (pre­
venting lJ(4) 32.a4 bxa4 33.�1l3
85 34.l:! '84 I'WbS! 3S.lld2.
35 . . .c5! The decisive thrust. re­
vealing the exposed position of the
white king.
36.fxe5 :xe5 37.�al 'a'e8!
38.dxe5 .J:xd2 39.1l xaS �c6
40.:88+ Wh1 41.l'Wbl+ g6 42.� f1
@cS+ 43.t;.f] h l @dS+. White re­
signed.
It was easy for Karpov to play
this game, since he already had
experience of conducting a rrontal
attack against an isolated pawn in
a game with Spassky at the Mont­
real Toumametlt of 1 979. But thcre
is also another, dynamic way of
handling the position arising .lIler
While's 1 1 th movc.
Chaptel' 4. Derence ba sed on t he blockade a t d5
Damljanovic - Bcliavsky
Belgrade 1993
Queen's Gambit D53
l .in n dS 2.<4 ,6 3.d4 li"lf6
4./i)d fL,7 S.Jl.gS h6 6.J1i.h4 0-0
7.l:cl dxc4 S.e3 c5 9.J1t. xc4 cxd4
IO.cxd4 Nc6 11.0-0.
1 t . . .'@b6!? Exploiting the fact
Ihat the b2·pawn is temporarily un·
defended, Black sets up prc..'isure on
the d4·pawn without forgelling about
control of the d5 blockading square.
12.t':I'd2 l:tdS 13.li)a4?! This al·
lows Black to exchange the queens.
which practically neutralises the dy·
namic potential of the isolated pawn.
Of course, 13.l:fd I was in the spirit
of the position. For example, the
game Yusupov - Bcliavsky. Bel·
grade 1 99 1 . continued 12.'*Yd2::td8
1 3.l:tfdl fLd7 lHlYe2 tilhS!? (ar­
ter 1 4 . . .Ac8 15.d5 exd5 1 6.iJ.. xd5
W(8 1 7 ..s!ib3 White has a spatial
advanlage) IS.dS "iJ f4 16.�el
exd5 1 7..s!ixc7 lDxc7 1 8.\\1'xe7
77
"iJg6! 1 9."iJxdS tilxe7 20.tilxb6
axb6 2 l .lDe5 iLe8 22 ..fl. b3 lDc6!
23.tilxc6 (23.li"lc4 tild4=) 23 . . .
bxc6 24.f4. Draw.
13 ... .'b4! 14.'e"xb4 tilxb4
IS.tild fLd7 16.l!fdl l:ac8
17.�b3 .tc6 1 8.ll:leS.
After the exchange of queens
Black has regrouped his forces
around the d5·point and obtained a
favoumble endgame. But what to do
next? After the exchange 0xc6 and
then d4·d5 White may be able to
neutralise the position. Theproblems
arc also not solved by 1 8 . . ..lidS, af·
ter which White can exchange mi·
nor pieces: 1 9.5l.xf6 Ax f6 20..lixd5
li"lxdS 2 1 .I1lxdS cxdS 22.f4.
18 ...g5! 19.J1.g3 Sl.e4! This
move is linked with the previolls
one - Black plays his bishop to the
kingside and prepares an attack on
Whitc's position in the ccntre after
tilc6.
20.h4. The exchanges 20.QJxe4
lLl xe4 2 1 JIxc8 J:txc8 favour Black.
78
20 ...ɲ
ʂ ǷϏ 21.h'g5 h'g5 22.•3
'ilbd5 23.'il,d5 'il ,d5 24.Jixd5.
Sooner or later While had 10 capture
on d5, to prevent the attack on his
d4·pawn ancr '1)f6. BUI although
the pawn structure i n the centre is
now stabilised. Black retains the
better chances thanks to his bishop
pmr.
24.....d5 25.13 16 26.'ilg4
.lt xg4! An old joke states Ihat the
advanlage orlhc two bishops can al­
ways be transfonncd into the advan­
tage of one. Now White has prob­
lems with his d4-pawn.
27.fxg4 wn 28.itc7. (parrying
the threat of Wc6 and tt(4) 28...
ne8. This is more accurate than
28 . . .tld7 29.-"g3 tlc4 30.llm.
which allows the king to be brought
towards Ihe centre.
29.111 12 Wc6 30.111 13 (30.lII e3?
Wd7 3 1 .!tg3 !txa3+) 30 ...lII d7
3 1.JLg3.
3 1 . ..b5! rreparing to occupy the
most important square in Ihc posi-
Parl I . The isolated d4-pawn
lion - c4. For example: 32.11h I ttc4
33.11xc4 bxc4 34.lIh7 Jlc8 35 ..I2. e Ϗ
We6 and White has problems with
his b2-pawn.
32.a4 bxa4 33 .tl: h Ϗ lIxcl
J4. !!xcl neS! 35.!!xe8. II J5.!!al
there follows 35 . . . a3 36.bxa3 ldc3+,
but the bishop endgame with an ex­
tra pawn is also won easily.
3S ...Wxc8 36.W�3 a3 37.bxa3
.li xaJ J8.o:&d3 as 39.AcI a4
40.-"e3 >lId7 4 1 .I!Ic2 1!1e6 4H!id3
WbS. White resigned.
In modem chess the voluntary
exchange of material occurs com­
paratively rarely. and the besieging
of an isolated p,lwn oOcn lakes place
in a complicated middlegame. How­
ever. the conversion of an advantage
nevertheless usually takes place via
exchanging operations.
BRUZON ANAND -
Wijk aan Zce 2005
English Opening A 13
1.'il13 'il f6 2.e4 .6 J.g3 d5
4SLg2 dxc4 S.�a4+ c6 6.'&xc4
b5 7.�e2 Sl.b7 S.d4 1i1bd7 9.•4 c5
10.0-0 b4 1 I .Sl.g5 tle8 12.'ilhd2
!te7 13.nfcl 0-0 14Jl\'d3 h6
15.il.xf6 !t x16 16 .•3 ne7 1 7.�.2
�e8 IU!i'b5 .6 19.�fI .5 20.b3
1;[d8 2 1 . b5 :il.e6 22.W.2 �b7
B.ii'le4 �.8 24.l!a2 "d4 25..,d4
Jll. d 526.1:.e2.
Chapter 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5
The advantage is with Black.
whose bishops are trained on the
pawn weakncsses at d4 .lnd b3 on
Whitc's quecllside. To intensify his
attack Black provokes advantageous
exchanges.
26...l!dc8 27.�dl �a6! [nten­
sifying the pressure on the knight
at c4. [n the event of 27 . . . .il.xc4
2R.ldxc4 !1xc4 29.bxe4 't�a7 30.e5
While has counterplay.
28.llJre5. [f 28:t!.Jd3 mailers arc
decided by Ihe pin 28 . . . llJb6 29.̩Ϗfl
li1xc4 30.bxc4 .ltxD! 3 1 .�hD
Axd4, and Black wins the d4-pawn.
79
28... J"'.5 29.il.xd5 iI.'g3! A
bird in the hand is worth more than
two in the bush after 29 . . . ŽˢǰϏ
30.gxf4 cxd5 3 1 .t;Je3 W/g6+ 32.
Wfl (variation by Anand).
30.hxgJ cd5 31.tiJe3 1:",2
32.):l ,<2 'i'lf6 33.):le5 II ,,5 34.d,e5
�!1jc6 3S.'\'#d4.
35...g6. As a result of the ex­
changing opcration the game has
gone into an endgame with an extra
pawn for Black, although, in view
of the possiblc activily of the while
queen. it is nol easy for him 10 win.
For the moment B[ack forestalls the
threat of 36.lLI fS.
36.�e5 llJd7 37.Vd6? A lime­
trouble oversight. While transposes
inlo a losl knighl endgame, whereas
he could have gone into a queen
endgame: 37.'&e8+ �t)g7 38.t?lg4
gS (or 38 . . .d4 39.lilcs lilxcs
40.'iI/"S+ ll.'f6 4 1 .'I!l'dS!) 39.lilcs
lil"s 40.� xcS+ \I1g6 4 1 .1I'Id4,
where Black's passed d-pawn bal­
ances White's passed e-pawn.
80
37 . . . �xd6 38.cxd6 LJLj ǁϏ 39.
�xd5 LiJc5 40.lII fI ɎĿuϏ 4 1 .LiJb6
lj)xb3 4V>iil c2 lll cs 43.0 hS! It
transpires that White cannot cope
with the passed pawns on opposite
wmgs.
44.We3 b3. While resigned.
4.2. Counterp)..y based on control
oflhe blockading d>poinl
In the preceding examples While
underestimated the role of reduced
material and he aided Black's cx­
changing stratcgy. l-lowcvcr.l1lodc01
technique usua1Jy docs nol allow the
strategy of simplifying the position
to be carried OUI so easily.
We will begin with .. stnlclurc
from the Queen '5 Gambit Accepted.
which was examined in the preced­
ing chapters.
GUGORIC - SUETIN
Titovo Uzicc 1 966
Queen's Gambit Accepted D27
I.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.�13 �f6
4.c3 e6 S.� xc4 cS 6.0-0 a6 7.a4
LiJ.6 UHe2 cxd4 9.:dl :11..7
1O.•xd4 0-0 1 1 .� c3 �d5 12.:I1.d3
QJcb4 13Slbl jLd7. ln rcccni limcs
Black preferred to fianchcllo his
bishop by 1 3 . . . b6, with the inten­
tion of parrying 14.'@e4 by 1 4 . . . fS.
1 4.liJeS (the 16th game of the
Botvinnik - Petrosian match contin­
ued 14.We4) 14 ....I1I.c6.
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
A dynamically balanced posi­
tion has arisen. Black is st.'Curely
controlling the d5 blockading point.
but his king is inadequately defend­
ed. He also has to reckon with the
weakening of his b6·point, which
may be emphasised by a4-35. when
White has chances of an attack on
the queenside.
15.:.3! LiJf6. I f 1 5 . . . l:Ic8?!
White builds up his threats to the
king by 1 6.tDc4! with the threat of
17.�h5.
16.J1I.g5 g6. Hecc 1 6 . . . !!e8
was now possible, since the ;lUack
on the h7-pawn - 1 7.1Lxf6 � x f6
1 8.ltJa2 is parried by the mate
threat 1 8 . . . �d5 ( l 8 . . .ll:lxa2?
19 ..s:t.xh7+). but Black prefers a
radical way of defending the b 1 -
h 7 diagonal.
17.a5 (fixing the weakness of the
b6·poinl).
Chapter 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5
1 7 l:[c8. In Gligoric - Ivkov.
..•
Novi Sad 197(). Black preferred
lhe rout inc blockading move
1 7 . . .li)bd5?!. underestimating
White's possible initiative on the
qucenside. After l S.tlJxc6! bxc6
1 9 .lla4' 'f:I c7 20."-d3 '01b7 2 1 .1:Ic4
J:!fb8 22./1).4 lild7 23.Jl.d2 džϏ
24.lIdcl I:c8 25. i.c4 White
gained a strategically winning po­
sition in vicw of the pawn weak­
nesses at a6 and e6.
ʄΜê1Ǵε ¶Ϗ This pawn sacrifice is
unjustified. The idea looks morc log­
ical aOer 1 8.:t b3!? �xa5 1 9.�c4,
but herc too aOer 1 9 . . Aubd5 ( 1 9 . .
Cihc4?1 20.�xc7 lDxc3 2 1 .bxc3
favours White) 2o.lLl xc6 bxc6
2 1 .SLxd5 li)xd5 22.:1J.xe7 t.bxe7
23,l1a3 White docs not achieve any­
thing significant. 1 8.ti) xc6 lLlxc6
would have led to an equal game.
18. . � ••S
. 19./1)<S �bS
20:t\¥el. After 2o.�xb5 Sl.xb5
2 1 .ll)xb7 ll)bd5 Black's advantage
in the endgame is obvious.
20...J:!fc8. 20 . . . b6 2 1 .lilxc6
81
�xc6 was simpler, with advantage
to Black.
2I.itJxf7? White has insufficient
force foran att'lck on the king. 2 1 .:tb3
a5 22.�d3 ʦϏb6 23 ..tc4 was in the
spirit of the position, with the idea of
23 . . .Jl.d5 24.Jl.xf6 il.x f6 25.liled7
¥l!'d8 26.il.xd5 lilxd5 27.J::xb7.
2 1 ...W.17 22.'�he6+ Wg7
23.1:Ih3 Jl.dS 24.'&c3lilg4 25.�d2
Jid6 26.Jif4 Ji,f4 27.t'hf4 'f:Ic2
28.1:10 Jic4 29.lild3 li'\,d3. White
resigned.
MIKHAlCHISHIN - PSAKHIS
49th USSR Championship,
Frunze 1 9 8 1
Nimzo-Indian Defence E48
I.d4 lilf6 2.<4 c6 3.lilc3 Jl.b4
4.e3 c5 5..I1Ld3 It)c6 6.111ge2 cxd4
7.exd4 d5 8.0-0 dxc4 9.Axc4 0-0
IO.il.gS h6 I I.il.c3 b6 IHiYd3
Jid6 13 .•3 Jl.b7 14.rladl II1b8
1 5.lilgJ 86 16.Jl..2 CDe7 17.Jl.bl
lilg6 18.1:Ifel l:!e8 19.1iln.
82
t9 . . .q)dS. Black innly
l block­
ades the d5-squarc. and also COIl­
trois the important b8-h2 diagonal.
which enables him to exchange the
dark-square bishops.
20 ; cl Wic7 2 1 .li)c4.
2 1 . ..iLr4! The exchange of the
dark-square bishops is an important
procedure in the battle against an
isolated pawn.
H.g3 -'"xci 23.11xcl 11!1.1
24.lDc3 tDxc3 25.�xe3 :rad8.
Black's plan includes playing his
queen 10 d8 (after l:d7) and his
knight to ds ('i:lg6-c1-ds ) fol-
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
lowed by n-fS. This requires time,
which allows While to forcslull this
plan. Therefore 25 . . .! l cd8 !'! was
more accurate. retaining the op­
tion of fighting for the c-file with
the second rook. which could be
exchanged.
26.Ited l I!d7 21.tDd2! White
exploits the weakness of the b6-
pawn and. by playing his knight to
c4. seizes thc initiative.
21 . ľ̖
. Ι ΚǜϏ 28.8 .4 bS 29.8,s
nd6 30.Ci)d3'! ! White should have
played 30.neS with the ideil of cx­
ploiting the c-file after �c3. Even
so, with accurate play Black can
hold the position: 30 . . . ƽiϏ 3 1 .llJg6
(nothing is given by 3 1 .lli d3 II ed8
32.ti:lb4 as 33.'i:lc2 l: ds ) 3 1 . . .
� f1 32.iilxl� Itlxl1! 33.-'".2 'iil' d7
(33 . . . Sl.dS is premature: 34.iLxdS
exdS 3S.�f4. and Whitc's chanc­
es arc preferable) 34.�c3 IIeS
3S.t:: c l and now 3s . . . rhcs or
3s . . . l:tcc6.
30 ...l!,d8 3 1 .'i:l .S -'" a8 32..il..4
'&.1 33.'iil' fJ -,"ds 34.-'"xds l:[xds
3S.llJb3 tLlh7 36.l:%c6?! More te­
nacious was 36.h4 ̼ˡiϏ 37.I1c5
as 38.11xds llxds 39.11c 1 l:td8
(39 . . .a4 4o.lIcS+ Wh7 4 1 .'iil' d3+
g6 42.'i:lcs) 40.'&c6 a4 4 1 .'i:lc5.
complic;'lting Black's task ( 4 1 . . .
(NbS 42.'i:l a6 'iil' d6 43.'II:I xd6 Uxd6
44.'i:lc1).
36. . .'i:lgS 3H1Ic3 ,S 38.11.7
(Na8 39.1101 exd4 40.@d3 l:ISd7
41.l:xd7 :axd7. White resigned.
Chapter 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5
Now we will examine some
modem examples of defence based
on control of the d5-point.
KAMSKY - KARPOV
FIDE World Championship M,ttch,
4th Game. Elisla 1 996
COTo-Kcmn Defence B 14
l .c4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.cxdS cxd5 4.c4
liII6 5.liI<3 c6 6.8 13 ""b4 7.cxd5
q hd5 8.""dl liIc6 9S1.d3 A.c7
10.0-0 0-0 1 I .�<l 816 I l.liIc4
�b6!
An improvement compared with
12.. . .s2.d7, as occurred in the 2nd
game of the same match. The 011-
tack by the queen on the d4- and
b2-pawns resembles 10 some ex lent
the game Damljanovic - Beliavsky,
Belgrade 1 993. which was exam­
ined e:lrlier.
13.a3 (indirectly defending the
b2-pawn - 1 3 . . . '@xb2? 14.:ctfb l )
1 3 J!l.d7 14.Sld l nad8!? A pro·
..•
phylactic defensive procedure Iypi-
83
cal of Karpov. He L1ses his quccn's
rook to control the d5-square and
keeps his king's rook for the de­
fence of his king. 1 4 . . . li'Ixd4
1 5.ltJxd4 �xd4 docs nOI work be­
cause of 1 6 ..fLc3! �a4 1 7 .b31 '&c6
18.8xI6+ il.xf6 19.""xf6 gxf6
20..x.:.xh7+, and White wins.
1 5_lLIxf6+. The exchange ofmi­
nor pieces plays into Black's hands,
since it allows him to besiege the d­
pawn. 15 .b41,! followed by :Cac l is
more in the spirit of the position.
1 5 ""xI6 16.�c4 g6 17.1<c3
..•
(with the threat of 18.'�'f4 lind
1 9.d5) 1 7 ...-1lc7! (parrying this
threat - 18.&f4 8d5) 18.8e5.
18. . .t;)f5!? A concrete decision.
Black begins all atlnck on the d4-
p<lwn, Icnving the control of the d5-
square to his bishop. since ito; exchange
will merely aggmvate the problem of
defending the p< l wn. Of course. 1 8. . .
li)d5 was by no means worse.
19.'Llc4. It is not possible 10 ex­
change the d4-pawn - 1 9.d5? lLIxe3
84
20.li:lxd7 l:Ixd7 2 \ .�xeJ llYxcJ
22.fxc3 l:lrd8 leads to its loss.
19. . .�a6! (with the idea or20 . . .
.I'l.bS) 20.•4 .l'l.c6 21.�14.1'1.d5. Black
has solved his main strollegic objective
- the blockade orthe d4-pawn. and he
stands better. Diverting from the gen­
eml course by 2 1 . . ..iJ.. xd4? hands the
iniliative to While: 22.�xf5 .axe3
23.lLlxc3 exfS 24.c,u xf5!
22.li:lcS �b6 23.I'I.x1S
. .. IS
2411d2 .l'l.g7 2S.h4 l:IlcS 26.'.lg3
IIe8. Karpov thinks that it would
have been more accurate first to re­
sirict While 's possibilities with 26 . . .
h6. forestalling the threat of27.h5 in
view of27 . . . g5.
27.li )d7. White makes the knight
manoeuvre tLl c5-d7-c5-d3-f4 rather
than give up his d4-pawn after the
'short' 27.li:ldJ.
27 . . .�c6 28.li:lcS b6 29.li:ld3
�d7 30.•5 (JO.li:lcs �c6 J \ ."S
was more accurate).
30 .. đ͈ˆdz³Ϗ With the threat of
ttg4.
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
3 1 .1i:l14 bS 32.1:ddl .l'l.c4
33.1hcl. Objectively speaking.
defending the isolalCd pawn from
the rear is an unpromising busi­
ness. Therefore White aims to ac­
tivate his rook on the c-file. with
the inteillion of defending the pawn
from the side. However. he misses
a chance to gain counterpl;lY by
33.hS!? which Black immediately
nips in the bud.
33...h6 34.1.1<3 b4 3S.l.Ic2
l:tc6! (preparing the conditions for
the exchange of rooks) 36..tt d cl
.1i.bS 37.Wh2 Wh7 38.ttxc6 SLxc6
39.lIc4. The only saving chance
was 39.dS! (Karpov).
39 . . � f8! A typic<ll Karpov
.
move! By playing his bishop to d6.
Black aims 10 exploit the overlo:ld­
ing On the b8-h2 diagonal. The pawn
capture 39 . . . Axd4 40.J:l xd4 Ilxd4
4 1 .�b3 l:1 xc4 42.�xc4 would have
len White with some hopes.
4o.lLld3 't!:Ye6 (40 . . . �JdS! was
stronger. with the threats '(I:;'xe4.
ttg4 and .l'l.d6) 41.dS (too latc!)
4 1 . . .ȗȘϏxdS 42.1: xe4 (42.1i:l 14 .l'l. d6)
42 . . .Axc4 43..ltxa7. White can
simplify the position - 43.€lcS
�dS 44.qJxe4 fxe4 4S.�h3 �X<lS
46.�d7. but the endgame cannot be
saved: 46 . . .'i1'a2! 47:�x1I7 �xa7
48.� xa7 b3.
43. . .:II. d6 44.1i:l14 (if44.f4 Black
wins by 44. . . '¥�d7! with the threat
of 45 . . . il. xdJ) 44... '1#.5 45.li:lh3
�e7. White resigned.
Chaptel' 4. Defence based on the blockade aL rl5
SVESHNIKOV - RIAZANTSEV
Moscow 2002
CClro·KaUll Defence B 14
l.c4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4
'i\ f6 S.'i\c3 .6 6.lilf3 Sl.b4 7.exdS
<I\,dS 8.'<1c2 lilc6 9.Sl. e2 0-0 10.
O·O iLc7 1 11Id l iLf6.
12.�e4. White begins an attack
on the king, forcing the weakening
move g7·g6. I f 12.ttJc4 Black can
complete his developmenl: 1 2 . .
1i. d7 (intending :c8). for example:
1 3.l.L!xf6+ 'iJ:Yxf6! (not 1 3 . . .lZlxf6?
1 4.Sl. gS) 14.Sl.gS �g6 I S.Sl. d3 � hS
16.'lH b3 b6 ƴ ȉŝɾʽϏϏ I S.Sl. h4 nacS
with an equal game ( Riazantsev).
1 2 . ..lilee7 l3.h4 Sl.d7 14.Sl.dJ
g6 IS.hS iLe6 16.\1!"g4 lil fS I 7/ il e4
Sl.g7 18.bxg6 bxg6 19.WhJ nc8
20.lilegSlilf6 2 I .lileSl:Ie722 ˒ŞϏ
22 . ..i2.e2? can be met by 22 . . tll xd4
. to the exchange of the minor piec­
23.�c4 and the pin is broken by
23 . . . lZlo+!
22 ... ..td5. Black vigilanlly
maintains the blockade - the knight
8S
is replaced by the bishop. and now if
23.il.e2?! there follows 23 . . . fJb6!
B.b3 :c7 24..1te2 rlac8 25..a f4
'i\d6.
26.l.L!c4. This knight retreat sig·
nifies an abandonment of the attack,
a logical conclusion to which could
have been 26.lZl xg6!? fxg6 27.l1Jxc6
�c7 (or 27 . . il.xe6 28.'@xc6+
.
q'f7 29 ..Xl..xc7 thc7 30.1:acl 1:c7
3 1 .'i!Yh3 lild6 J2.Sl.d3) 2s.lilxc7
llxc7 29.Sl.dJ ncJ (29 . . . ̘şʾȰϏ
30.l:lc I ) 30.l:I.cl l:I xc 1 3 I .l:Ixc 1
with the initiative for White (3 1 . . .
lilh5 32.�eJ. 3 1 . 111 17 J2 Sl. e5)
. . . .
Now. however. Black seizes the ini­
tiative.
26 ...Sl.xc4! 27.bxc4 :Cd7 28.d5.
This activity is essentially forced,
since 28.lIac l ̓ § Ϗ leads to the
loss of a pawn. and 28.iLc5 ttJdc4!
es: 29.li) xe4 liJ xe4 30.�e3 liJd6
3 1 .iLxg7 �xg7. after which White
has problcms with thc defence of his
hanging pawns on 4Ϗand c4.
86
28...exdS 29.cxdS Q)de4.
30.lJ:ac I. lllC alternative wm;
30.ltlxo4lilxo4 3 l .il. bS l:!e7 32.!lab I
:te2! with countr.,'Tplay for Black. 32. . .
lLlc3? docs not work because of33.d6
�c6 34.I1c l ! with dangerous threats
for White: 34 . . .ii)xbl ? 35.1ixc6
l:te3 36.l:te8+, 34. . .ltlo4 3S.d7 I1c3
36.l:tbc I , or 34 . . ß˶Ϗ3S.d7.
. cramping pawn on b5.
30 ...:txcI 3 1 .::xcl? An inexpli­
cable blunder of a pawn. 3 1 ..ltxc I
IIxdS 32.lIxdS 'iWxdS 33.'/11 c8+
SLf8 34.ib3 lLlc5 35 ...1.I.xc5 �xc5
36.'ihcS AxeS 37.il.c4 was cor­
rect, regaining the pawn in a some­
what inferior endgame.
3 1 . .,ltlxdS 32.lh7+ Will, and
Black won a pawn. and then also the
game.
VALLEJO PONS - KASPAROV
Linares 2005
Queen's Gambit Accepted D21
1 ,/iJo dS 2.d4 eO 3.<4 dxc4 4.04
bS 5.a4 c6 6.axbS cxbS 7.b3 �b7
Part I . The isolated d4 paw n
-
8.bxc4 .l7.xo4 9.cxbS lll f6 10..17. .2
.17..7 1 1 .0-11-0 12.1tl<3 .l7.b7.
This position with 1111 isolated
pawn can be considered dynami­
cally balanced. While's spatial ad­
vantage is compensated by Black's
finn control of the d5-poinl. Black's
main objective is to eliminate the
13.J:Lf4. Kasparov would have
parried 1 3.QJe5 with 1 3 . . .'�"c7!
14.il.n �xe3 I S ..I7.xb7 �'xal
16 ..1t.xa8 lLlbd7, when Black sim­
plifies the position.
13 ...,St b4! (intending the ex­
change of the knight) 14.l/)a4. In
theevent of I 4.� b3 .li xc3 1 5.�xc3
lll dS 1 6.�d2 iLlxf4 17.�xf4 a6
1 8.bxa6 ll'i xa6 Black gelS rid of the
b5-pawn while leaving White with
the problem of defending his iso­
lated d4-pawn.
14 ...iLlbd7 IS.�b3 lll dS
16.::tgS 1J.e7. As we know, the ex­
change oflhe dark-square bishops is
advantageous to Black.
Chapter 4. Derence based on the blockade a t d 5
17..1Ld2 a6! 18.b6. Understand­
ably. Whitc avoids thc cxchangc of
the qllcensidc pawns, but now his
b6-pawn will need to be defended.
18. . .XLc6!
19.1DeS?! TI,is move leads to mass
exchanges and allows Black to seize
the initiativc. Stronger was 1 9.nfb I!'!
.il. xa4 20.!lxa4 VJ#xb6 2 1 .�a2 d6
with roughly '-"qual chances.
1 9. . .t1heS 20.dxeS lLlxb6 21.
li'lxh6. The alternative was 2 1 .
�xb6 'tWxd2 22.�xc6 �xc2
23.tilb6 11ad8=.
2 I . .J!Y,d2 22.8,.8 l:!Y,e2 23.
Ci'l,7 �Wxc5 24.�·Yg3 �Jf5! 25.n,.6.
87
25 . . . 5i.e4. Although nominal­
ly he has a slight material deficit,
Black has two well-coordinated
bishops and the best continuation
for him was 25 . . .'&c4! 26.0 (26.
11 c l Ild8 27.h3 il.h4) 26 . . .�Jd4+
27.lIIh I il.b7 28.ll:.a I il.d6 29,lil b5
't'Yxal. gaining a malerial advan­
tage (Kasparov). Possibly, instead
of 28Jlaa I White should decide
on 28.l:txc6!'! fxe6 29.tL!xc6 'i1'f6
30.ttJ xf8 Jtxf'8, simplifying the po­
sition as much as possible.
26.11a7 .ucS·!! Stronger was
26 . . . �c5!? 27.11 •• 1 1I. d6 28.�h4
il.b7 29.llfc l ' c5 30.llcl (30.11.1
�f5) 30 . . .il.xg2 3 1 .III xg2 il.xc7
with more than sufficient compen­
sation for the exchange, since now
White could have consolidated his
forces by 27.11a4! 1:[d8 28.liJb5 (if
28 ... iLc6 or 28 ... Sl.b3 there follows
29.lLld4). But there followed . . .
27.l:!.5? il.,n+ 28.�j'xn ,*Yx.5
29.ti.Jxe6 S1.xg2! White resigned.
TOPALOV - KRAMNIK
World Championship Match,
7th Gamc, Elista 2006
Queen's Gambit Accepted D27
l.d4 d5 2.<4 c6 3.IiJO /f)f6 4.•3
.6 5.il.d3 d,e4 6.il. ,,4 e5 7.0-0 86
8�b3 cxd4 9_cxd4 tDc6 10.tLlcJ
iJ.. c7 l 1 .l:Iel 0-0 1 2.a4. This attempt
to prevent b7-b5 leads to a weaken­
ing of the b4-point. making it easier
for Black to control d5.
88
1 2 ...�d7. 1 2 . . . b6 is also pos­
sible, not fearing 13.dS cxd5
1 4.lilxd5 lilxd5 1 5.iLxd5 iLb7,
but in the event of 1 3.d5 Black
has reserved another pOSI for his
bishop: 1 3 . . .cxdS 1 4.liJ xd5 liJxd5
1 5 ..l.ixd5 .t f5. achieving an cqUlII
game.
J 3.li::l eS iLe8. A Stcinitz-stylc
bishop retreat. but with a significant
difference - in his game with Zuker­
tort ( 1 886) the f8-rook had moved to
dS. Bul Black's idea in attacking the
d4-pawn is to force While 10 block
the e-file for his rook on e l .
14.il.c3 l:c8. After the exchange
1 4 . . .lilxc5 1 5.dxc5 'OIxdl 1 6.iLxdl
lild7 17.l'l.f3! a5 1 8.iLd4 White has
a spatial advantage.
I S.l:t:cI �b4 1 6.'�f3. White
switches his queen to the kingside.
1 6...l'l.,6 17.W6'h3. The ex­
change is rather to Black's advan­
tage, since White is deprived of his
anacking knight, and the weakness
al c6 is defended.
17...Jl.d5 18.lilxd5 lilbxd5.
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
19.:tcdl! Black has carried out
his plan of establishing .. blockllde
lit d5, lind in search of an lIetive ar­
rangement of his forces White frees
his bishop from the defence of the
d4-pawn.
19 ...D:c7. NOI so much 10 seize
the c-file. as 10 defend the n-pawn.
lO.Sl.g5 t!lYc8 l l .'&f3. It was
not easy to assess the outcome of
the exchanging operation 2 1 .S:L xf6
lLlxf6 22 ..:t'Jxn!? I1xf7 23.fLxe6
�d8 24.II c l IId7 (24 . . .!Ixel? is
bad, 25.IIxel ɠ˫Ϗ26.Sl.x17+ Wx17
27.llI'b3+ 'ijld5 28.1:Ie7+) 25.'llYb3
JtfS, and Black coordinates his
pieces.
l l . ..IId8 ll.h4 h6 B.iL,1.
2 3..I!l.d2 came into consideration,
and if23 . . . �b4, aiming for the ex­
change of bishops. then White can
provoke a crisis 011 the f7- and e6-
squares: 24..fi.. xb4 itJxb4 25.t'1.:Ixf7!
Wxf7 26..fi..xe6+ �xe6 27.1:xe6
�xe6 28.g4! However, after 28 . . .
gS 29.'�f5+ 111 17 30.hS lilbdS
3 1 .'OIg6+ W f1! 32.'OIxh6+ IIg7 the
Chaptel' 4. Defence based on the blockade al d5
position remains unclear, since the
white queen Ilnds itself trapped:
W Ill·I7. tldS.gS and I%g7.h7 IS
threatened.
23 ...s.. b4 24.n n .I'l.d6.
2S.g3. White sticks to waiting
tactics. Of course. the critic:.1 de­
cision could have been the allack
with 25.g4!? but here too after
25 . . . .l.2.xcS 26.dxe5 li'ld7 Black
hils adequate defensive resources.
for example; 27.g5 hxg5 28 ..ltxg5
'il xc5 29.'&g3 f6 30..I'l.xf6 lilo+!
(weaker is 30.. .tiJxf6 3 1 .IIxd8+
IIJ:¥xd8 32.'&xeS. when White has the
advantage) 3 J ...wxO ȚžϏ 32.l:xd5
exd5 33 ..I'l.xd5 !:Ixd5 34.l!!' xd5
't"Yg4+ 35.�g2 �xg2+ 36.�xg2
:C: xf6. and in the rook endgame
Black has real saving chances (On­
ischuk). The preparatory 27.Wg3
can be met by 27 . . . li)c3! 28 ..J:I:de l
0e2+ 29.l'lxe2 �xc l 30.g5 hxg5
3 1 .hxgS li)f8, and White's attack
comes to a standstill.
2S... b6 26.lII'e2 lile7. Played in
89
Karpov style - Black combines con­
trol of the dS-point with a threat to
attack the d4-pawn from f5.
27.�rel XlxeS. Black decides to
change the pawn structure, having
no doubts about its solidity. How­
ever. 27 . . .ll:l fd5 was also sound.
28.dxeS (28.'�xe5? lDc6 would
have led to the loss of the d4-pawn)
28. . .l%xdl 29.�,dl lilrdS 30Jid2
neS 3 1.Wg4 lilrs 32.1i'e4 bS 33.hS
(otherwise Black himself can play
h6·hS ) 33 ... b..4 J4.VjI ..4 I%bS
3S.l!c1 t'Hb7.
Black has managed not only to
simplify the position. but also to at·
tack the b2-pawn. whereas White
can only pin his hopes on the illu­
sory strength of his bishops.
36.I'l.c2.
. If 36.1<xdS t'YxdS
37.iLc3 While has to reckon with
37. . .lII' O.
36 ...lilb6! 37.�g4 l:,b2
38.i.e4?! He should have regained
the pawn: 38 . .I'l.c3 l:b5 39.1<x[5
cx[5 40.'@xfS.
90 Pa,'l l . The isolated d4-pawn

38 ... ��d7 39..1i.1 'il d5 40.iLdJ

'il b4 41.iLn 'ild3 42.'I'Jd l . Aft"
42.SJ. xd3 �Yxd3 the prospects of the
passed a-pawn would be improved.
42 .. 'il ..5 43.��xd7 'ilxd7 44.
.

!:Ie8+ Wh7 45.!:Ic7 lIb l 46.!:Ixd7

:!:xel 47.kh.n as. White's counter­
play involves exploiting the b l ·d3
diagonal.
48.\I;g2 \!}g8 49.l:.7 l:[.5 50.g4
'ild6 51.1I.d3 Wf8 52 . g6 lIdS
53.13 c5 54.1';>11 l:td2+ 55.'.tl cl
l:d5 56.We2 :lb5 57.l:!d7 :IdS
58.Il.7 l:[b5 59.J'i. d3 I:td5 60..lig6.
Draw.
To conclude Ihis topic we would
like to tlmw alieni ion to another de­
fensive idea. It is common knowl­
edge Ih"t Ihe usual way of parrying
an attack along the b l -h7 diagonal
by the queen + bishop battery is the
move g7-g6. But f7-fS. a rarer way
of defending, also occurs. It can be
employed in 1I specific situation.
when Black docs not h:lvc to fcar
the weakening of the c6-pawn.
14 . . . f5! A concrete approach to
the position. There is a cenain lack
of hannony in the arrangement or
White's forces: the rook at c4 and
the bishop at b2 arc badly placed.
<tnd Black exploits Ihis. He nips in
the bud White's activity on the b l -
117 diagonal and consolidates his
queen's central position. The weak­
ening of the e6-pawl1 is insignific:H1t
- there is no way of attacking it.
15.0-0 Xl. d7 ! 1 6.l:!d l '! ! 1 6.fle3
!Ic8 1 7.11c3 liJaS 18.l?)cS was
stronger, not conceding the c-fik.
since 1 8 . . .IiIxc3 19.bxc3 leads to an
unclear position.

KERES - TAL
24th USSR Championship.
Moscow 1957
Queen's Gambit D30

I.d4 'ilr6 2.c4 .6 3.11i13 c5 4.•3

dS S.a3 cxd4 6.cxd4 iJ.. e7 7.!Vc3 0-
o 8.iLr4 'i:lc6 9.l:tc l 'i:lc4 IO..li d3
'ilxc3 l I.llxc3 dxc4 12.Bxc4
�.5+ 13.1I.d2 �d5 14.�c2.
Chapter 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5
1 6...l:ac8. I n the event o f 1 6. . .
.i1.c8 1 7.:!lc3 �h5 White attacks
the weak e6-pawlI - 18.fLc4 li'e4
19.�b3. It is risky to play 1 6 . . . b5
1 7.lIe3 <ilxd4 1 8.lilxd4 �xd4
1 9. . c3. when White has a danger­
ous initiative for the pawn.
17 .1l.c3 llJa5 18.Ilxc8. By con·
•
ceding the c-Ille. White avoids being
saddled with an isolated pawn pair:
1 8.t!e3 t!xcJ 1 9.bxc3 t!e8 ( 1 9 . . .
Axa)'! 20.It. d ) 20.t;le5 !i!l.e6 2 l fJ
.
b5 ( 21 . . .�xa3? ! 22.c4!). although
aftcr 22.llbl ƏϏ23.a4 he has defi­
nite coumerpby (23 . . . bxa4 24.i1. a6
n d8 2s. 11xe6 l Wxe6 26.Sl. b5).
1 8. . .Itxc8 19JAYc2 SLd6.
20A fl{'s. In the event of20.l:tc I ?!
!I xc l 2 l ..fl.xc I li)b3 22..Zl.c3 b5!
23.llJe5 .axe5 24.dxe5 iLc6 Black
has an appreciable advantage (Tal).
20 ....3.La4 2 1.l:el SixeS 22.dxe5
:CdS n.b4'!! This leads by rorce to
a dilTicult endgame. White should
have retreated with 2 3. ̏ b 1 . and
ir 23 . . .. �xe5, then 24.f4 �b5
91
25 ..1.I.a2!, keeping the e6· and a7-
pawns under fire.
23 Sl.e6 24.13 '1\'xd3 2s.�hd3
•.•
!h:d3 26.bxaS tlxa3 27 ..fl. xa7
!Ius 28.Sl. d4 1I.2 29.t!bl l!d2
30Sl.c3 rle2 31.Sl. d4 Il1n.
32.h4. Black's advantage con­
sists not only in his cxtm pawn, but
also his beller bishop. which coordi­
nates excellently with his rook. as is
continued. for example, by the fol·
lowing vllriation: 32.h3 f4 33.l:tb2
rlc l + 34.llIh2 gS 3S.SI.,,7 \l]g6
36.Sl. b8 IlIfS 37.Sl.d6 hS 38.1l.b8
JLdS 39.JL d6 g4 40.hxg4 hxg4
4 l . fxg4 I'lxg4 42.JLb8 bS 43.1l.d6
!:Ie I 44.JLb8 b4 4S.JLd6 b3 46.l!d2
13 47.J:td4 J:te4 48.J:txo4+ .ll.xe4.
and Black wins (analysis by Euwc).
32 ...>!/g6 33.t! b4 h6 34.rIb2.
At the cost or the h4-pawn White
pins his hopes on the opposite-col­
our bishops. but in vain. 34.S4c3
was more tenacious.
34 ...l:txb2 35.tl.xb2 W hS 36.
Źź ĽǢϏ l!/,h4 37.Sl.I1l Wg3 38Sl.xg7
pϏ
h5 39.Jc..h6 �xf3! In conclusion an
elegant bishop sacrifice follows. af­
ter which White can no longer SlOp
the passed pawns.
40.g,13 1!1,13 41.WfI 1>5
4l.14 dl h4 43.14b4 h3 44.Wgl
W�2. White resigned.
BRAGA - PQRTISCH
Mar del Plal'l 1 982
Sicilian Defence 822
l .e4 c5 2.cJ d5 J.cxdS �xd5
4.d4 ,6 5.1;')13 lilf6 6.ltd3
. .lte7
7.0-0 0-0 8.'�e2 cxd4 9.cxd4 cnc6
loJ:tdl lilb4 l I .lilc3 'ill' d8 I l..ltc4
b6 l3.lile5 .ltb7 14.a3 lilbd5.
IS.liJe4?! Black has completed
his development and he is securely
controlling the d5-poinl. The at­
tempt to build up an attack by
switching the rook to the kingsidc
IS.Cd3 is parried by Ǻ .Ϗ llhc3!. .
1 6.b,c3 Jtd5 1 7.Jtb5 .6' / .Jt.4
(bad is 18.lilc6? Vc7! pōǛČʺȈÿϏ
�xe7 20.i.a4 i.c4 with advantage
Par'l I . The isolated d4-pawn
10 Black) . / Ϗ. b5 1 9.Jtc2 Jte4.
.
The move in the game leads to an
exchange of minor pieces. which is
advalllagcous to Black. Therefore
1 5.1l. g5 was more natural.
Is .. .ilh:c4 16.'a'xe4 I1c8. Black
must prevent the switching of the
white rook via d3 to the kingside.
1 7.Sl.d3. lf 1 7.t!d3 lhcre follows
1 7 . . . f6 and in the event of 1 / .:h3
r.,,5 1 9.�xh7+ Wf7 20.1!1h5+ g6
the king escapes via d7.
1 7 . . .fS! A radical and concrete
solution to the problem of safeguard­
ing the king. In view of the activity
of the black pieces. it is difficult for
White to exploit the weakness of the
e6-pawn.
18.�el. If 1 8.�e2 the strong­
est is I S . .JigS!, since I S . . . l:Ixc l
.
19.11axcl lilf4 20.'$'c2 lil'g2
2 1 .�c7! leads to an unclear game.
18 ... W h8 1 9..11. dl lilf6 l0.Jt b4
£DdS 21..lid2 32.gS! An important
defensive procedure - the exc hange
of the dark-square bishops.
Chapte,' 4. Defence based on the blockade a 1 d5
22 ..iiL xgS'! 22.li.Jf3 was bet­
ter. not allowing the black queen
across to the kingsidc, where it
will exert strong pressure 0 11 the
white king.
22 ... �;hgS 2J.li:lf3 � h6 24.
l:!acl l:lxcl 2S.l:l xc1 li:l14 26.Sl.11
Sl. xf3 27.gxf3 �gS+ 28.W h l h6.
White has a difficult position in view
of the weakness of his kingside and
the d4-pawn.
29.lII b4 lldS (29 . . .ŮϏ10"/
30.rIc8+ \%7 3 l .f¥c7) 30.\Wd2 oS!
] l .dS ll xdS ]2.11c8+ ��h7 .13:�c2
bS 34.n rs I:Id3 3S.�¥c8 \Wg2+!
White resigned.
4.3. Creation
of an isolatl>d pawn pair
A quite popular procedure in the
banle against an isolated pawn is the
exchange of the knight on d. lead­
ing to the creation of hanging pawns.
We encountered it in our study of
the Zukertort - Stcinitz game, given
in the introduction. However. this
procedurc should be adopted with
caution. since hanging pawns on
c4 and d4 may become the source
of a different type of initiative. The
exchange on c3 makes sense i f it is
possible to blockade the e3-pawn.
i.e. prevent c3-c4. In this case a
new target for Black's counterplay
arises - an isolated pawn pair c3-
d4. which may be anackcd (in cer·
tain situations) by the b- or c-pawn,
93
again transromling the position into
onc with an isolated pawn. but in
an inferior version compared with
Ihal planned by the chosen opening
system. We will begin with a classic
example.
SPASSKY - PETROSIAN
World Championship Match,
3rd Game. Moscow 1 966
Curo-Kmll} Defence B 14
1.e4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.exdS cxdS
4.c4 0) 16 S.li:lc3 06 6.li:l f3 it.7
7.cxdS i;)xdS SJtc4 .!lJ f6 9.0-0 0-0
IO.\ii.Y 02 'i:lc6 1 I .Sl.e3 li:l aS 12.Sl.d3
b6 1 3Sl.gS Sl.b7 14.l:ladl rIcs
I s.
llle! h6 16.Sl. <1 Sl.b4! 1 7.Sl.d2.
17 . . .1Lxc3! Black creates an iso­
latcd pawn pair. since he is able to
secure conlrol of dS and c4.
IS.bxc3. NOI 18.Axc3? �dS!
'
when the bishop on c3 is playing the
role of a pawn.
18 ůϏ�d5! 1 9.�n ! In order to
..
activate his c3-pawn, White is rcady
94
to sacrifice his a2-pawn. I f 1 9.� b l
there would have followed 1 9 . . .
iiJe4.
19 ...�xa2. Here 100 1 9 . . . lJ)c4
was good. but there appears 10 be
no rcason to decline the pawn sac­
rifice.
20.l.ueS llJb3 21.11c2. In the
event of 2 1 .Sl.xh6, i f BIClck is
concerned about the attack aflcr
2 1 . . .gxh6 22.::: c3, he can parry it
with the counterattack 2 1 . .11xc3! .
22.llc3 l:! fe8 23.llg3 lilh5' 24.llg5
!le l .
2 1 . ..IiJxd2 ( 2 1 . . . �al' 22..lL o l
l,I) c I ! was stronger) 22.l'l.exd2 'iYdS
23.c4 �d6. Although White has ob­
tained hanging pawns, he docs not
have ful l compensation for the sac­
rificed pawn.
24J!1'.2 !lfdS 2s.h3 iiJd7
26.lJ)g4 h5! (26 . . . �f4! was also
strong) 27.8.3 g6 28.1:1.2 ǂʼnϏ
29. ' c2 'it'g7. Black has retained
his extra pawn and Ihe bener posi­
lion.
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
TAIMANQV - KARPQV
Moscow 1973
Nimzo-17ldiUlI Defelice E55
I.d4 lilf6 2.<4 .6 l.lilc3 .lL b4
4 .•3 .5 s..lL dJ 0-0 6.8 0 ds 7.0-
o dxc4 8.Axc4 exd4 9.exd4 b6
I 0.1Jl.2.IL b7 I I .J:!d 1 8bd7 12 .lLd2
•
Ile8 I 3..1.l. a6 Slxa6 14J�ha6.
14 . . .SLxcJ! Black gives White
hanging pawns. Now it is very im·
portant for him to kccp control of
the c4-squarc, thus blocking the
pawns and transfonning them into
an isolated pawn pair.
15.bxc3 (after I S.�xc3 the bish­
op on c3 has no future) 1 5 . . .11c7
16.IIacl _ Preparingc3-c4. which for
the moment does not work - 1 6.c4?
�c8! and While loses a pawn.
1 5. . :&<8 17:�.4.
(See ˂̮̄̀΃ʪͫõϏ
17. . JJ.c4! The blockade of the
isolated pawn pair is worth a pawn:
apart from the c4-square. Black also
obtains the dS-squarc for his knight,
Chapte,' 4. Defence based on the blockade al d5
from where 11 will :lIIack the c3-
pawn.
IS.�,"7 t�.6 19.�Y.3 !!.S
20.h3 h6 21 .:rJ bJ. While has to
reckon Wllh Ihc pawn advance b6-
b5-b4. and after the exch:mgc of
his c3-pawn he will again have an
isolatcd d4-pawn. but in a worsc
vcrsion than that rcsuhing from Ihe
opening.
2 1 ...!Ja4 22.f¥b3 CiJd5 B.
llde!
!!.4 24.!!b2 (6 25 c I wn
26.'�dl lllrs 27.ll b3 l1l g6 28.o/� b l
ld .8 29.11.4 !!.a4 30llb2 IIl rs
3 1 .�¥ d3 !!.4 32.ll.1 !!a3 33.f¥ bl
llJg6 34.:r. c1 ? White cracks under
Ihe pressure and makes a tactical
oversight. Hc should h.lVc kept the
b6-pawn under attack by sticking
to waiting taclics - 34.Wh2, and
only aftcr 34 . . .::tca4 - 35.l:c I �c4
36.!!cc2.
34...CiJ,,3 3Hil'd3 1il.2+
36.'*¥xe2 :tIxcl+ 37.i.xc1 � X(' 1 +
38/.Yh2 �xO! 39.gxO llJh4. White
10S1 on lime. The best he could have
done was to go into a queen end-
95
gamc a pawn down: 40.I!b3 ,&g5
41 ."iWfI 'Iil'f4+ 42.Vgl Iilxo+
43SVg2 '1Id2.
M.GUREVICH - YUDASIN
53rd USSR Championship.
Kiev 1986
Queen'.� Indian Defence E 14
I.d4 1Il(6 2.1Il 13 .6 3.e3 .5
4.c4 exd4 5.exd4 b6 6 . dJ Slb7 7.
(H) :iL.7 8.CiJe3 d5 9.cxd5 Iilxd5
IO.:iL b5+ :iL.6 1 1 .1/..4 (H) 12.'iI.2.
•
1 2 /t he3! An important deci­
•.
sion. Dlack transfonns the pawn
structure. giving White hanging
pawns in the hope of blockad­
ing them. Otherwise it is not easy
to develop the queensidc. For in­
stance. Balashov - Yudasin, Minsk
1 985. continued 12 . . .SLb7 l 3.llel
a6 (aftcr 13 . . .tDc6 14..i!Lxd5! cxd5
J 5.Sl. f4 White has a slight but en­
during advantage due to the differ­
ence in the activity of the bishops)
l Hi'e4 il.f6 1 5.il.b3. and Black
has a problem finding useful moves.
96
e.g. 1 5 . . . b5 1 6..t (Ϗ t;)xf4 1 7.�xb7
lild7 18.l:!"dl lilb6 19.1ile5 with
advantage to White.
l3.bxc3 .fL d5! Since it is advan­
tageous for Black to exchange the
light-square bishops (the weak d5-
and c4-squarcs arc exposed), wilh
gain of tempo he vacates the c6-
square for the development of his
knight. from where it presses on the
centre morc aclively.
14 ..ltd3 ttJc6! (prevcnling c3-
c4) I 5.ƒϏb 2 ( l s.Ac) is better. with
an equal game) IS ...l:tc8! With a
series of accurate moves Black has
solved his opening problems and
he now threatens 1 6 . . . lll 1l5 with
a blockade of the isolated pawn
pair.
16.llJd2 �f6 (forcslalling d-
04).
1 7.l:Ird L White should nev-
erthcless have decided o n 1 7.c4,
which leads almost by force to a
position with somewhat the bet-
ter chances for Black: 1 7 . . . QJxd4
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
1 8 . .1.xd4 .fl. xd4 1 9.cxd5 SL x a l
20.t�e4 g6 2 1 .];[x" 1 �xd5
22.�xd5 exd5.
17 .. JIe8 ( illlcnding c6-c5)
18 � n lila5 19.5:I..6 ( i f 1 9.c4.
.
thell 1 9 . . . .I2.c6 20.ll\b3 ..sl a4 is un­
pleasant) 19 . . .I J:c7 20.c4. Black
has done his utmost to hinder the
advance of the c3-pawn, and White
makes use of his last chance to
prevent the crCillion of an isolatcd
pawn pair. But now thc d4-pawn is
in danger.
20...)\..6 2 1 .lilb3 lil,b3 ll.
axb3 !!d7.
23.d5. Forced. I f 23.�d3 Black
attacks with 23 . . . �a8! 24.'tWg3
!lcd8 2HWg4 h5!
l3 ... <xd5 24.S:1.,f6 �'f6 25.
.Jt bS SLxbS 26.cxbS d4 27.I1acl g6
28.h3 l\!r5 29.�c4 d3 3o.lId2 1Ic4
31.'&c6 He2 32.l:xe2 dxe2 33.I:.el
lIe7, and Black achieved a winning
position.
Chaptel' 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5
MAKARICHEV -
MIKHALCHISHIN
46th USSR Championship.
Tbilisi 197M
Queen's Gambit D42
I.c4 .6 2.1il f3 lilf6 3.d4 dS 4.c3
cS S.ii)c3 lDc6 6.a3 cxd4 7.exd4
SL.7 8.c>dS lilxdS 9.SLd3 0-0 1 0 .
0-0 .il. f6 l I.ll c I.
1 l ...lJ\xc3!'! Black creates a
fonn of isolated pawn pair. since
his control of the d4-pawn prevents
White from playing c3-c4. However.
he has to reckon with an attack on
his inadequately defended kings ide.
In the event of 1 1 . . . liJxd4 1 2.tbxd4
.Il. xd4 1 3.Jil.xh7+ Wxh7 14.�xd4
liJxc3! 1 5:ihc3 White has a slight
but enduring advantage.
Il.bxc3 b6 13.�el SLb7 1H'Pe4
g6 I S.SLh6 !l:.8 16.�f4I:tc8. After
1 6 . . . .il.g7 1 7.Jil.xg7 Wxg7 Black
has to reckon with 1 8.tDg5.
17.ne3. 7Ϗ 1 7.̤ g5 ! ? with the
idea afler 1 7 . . . J'l.xg5? 1 8.lil xg5
ll c7 of attacking with 1 9.�h4 h5
97
20.g4!, the simplest is 1 7 . . . ..ue7!.
parrying the threat of 1 8:�'th4 by
1 8 . . . r6 1 9.5L d2 �d7.
17 ...Ag7! Nothing is given by
1 7 . . . �a5 1 8.ttJg5. when 1 8 . . .
lhc3? fails to 1 9.Axg6!
18.lLlg5. ln the event of 1 8.fL xg7
Wxg7 1 9.1Llg5 � f6! 20:�xf6+
Wxr6 2 1 .1;)xh7+ Wg7 22.l;)g5
ll'lc7! in return for the pawn Black
has strong pressure on the c3-d4 iso­
lated pawn pair (Makarichev).
1 8. . .�f6.
19.ttJe4! By allowing the ex­
change of queens, White neutralises
the threats to his isolated pawn pair.
which would arise aOer 1 9.� h4
l:I.xh6 20.�xh6 �g7 2 1 .l:th3 �¥xh6
22.l:txh6 iiJa5.
19 ... Vii xf4 lO.SLxr4 !:te7 ll.
Iild6 !l:d8 1l.lilxb7 thb7 l3..l1.e4
l:tc8 24.dS exd5 2S..lixd5 l:e7!
26.l:ael 32.f6! Black has parried
White's slight initiative. and on
the 36th move the game ended in a
draw.
98
An important motifin the besieg­
ing of an isolated pawn pair Illay be
an attack on the leading pawn at d4
by c6-c5. which usually again Icads
to the creation of an isolated pawn
for While. bUI in a worse version
than that planned in the opening.
MARIN - GAVRIKOV
Tallinn 1989
Nimzo-lndiau De/ellce E48
I.d4 €\ r6 2.c4 e6 3.€\c3 J'! b4
4.c3 0-0 S.J'!d3 c5 6.€\c2 dS 7.cxdS
cxd4 8.exd4 li)xd5 9.a3 1Le7
1 0.lI.c2 €\c6 1 1.�d3 g6 12.h4.
White is planning an assault on
the black king's position. Ii is well
known Ilwl the bCSl lllcilsurc lIgains!
a flank attack is coulllcrplay in the
centre. BUI the immediate 1 2 . . . c5
1 3.dxc5 leads 10 complications fa­
vourable for White. For example.
the game Knaak - Christiansen,
Olympiad. Thcssaloniki 1988, con­
tinued 1 3 . . . li)xc3 1 4J'!/xc3 Jtg4
Part I . The isolated d4-pawn
1 5.fl l:!c8 16.fxg4 'ilxe5! 1 7.� b3
Ji.xh4+ I S.g3 J:!xc2 19.�hc2lild3+
20S11fl t�d5 2 1 .Iil g I' lle8 22.J'! h6
:1i.. xg3 23 ..tt d \ �xhl 24.�lYxd3. and
White parried the attack whih: rc­
!<lining a material advantage. There­
fore Black first creates a hanging
pawn pmr.
1 2 . . .llh:c3! l3.bxc3.
1J . . . eS! Now. in contrast to the
above game. 14.dxc5 leads to the
exchange of queens. AI the same
time 1 4 � f5 is threatened.
. . •
14.-e-Yg3 c�d4 15.h5 (While has
no choice. olher than an attack on
the king) 1 5 . . ,YLd6! (an cxch:mge
ofpicces cases the defence) 1 6Jir4
.f1. xf4 17.QJ xf4 gS!? (preventing the
opening of the h-file) 18.0-0?! lIt
0-0-0 was stronger. although here
too after 1 8 . . . '$' f6 Black should be
able to repcl the lIHack.
I B . ..WhS 19.h6? White's last
chance was 1 9.€Ic2 dxc3 20.'f1'xc3+
f6 2 l .J:!ad I 'iilc7 22.€lg3. trying to
complicate the play (Gavrikov).
Chaptel' 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5
19. . .I"Yr6 20.lild5 I1Pxh6 2 1.[4
�d6! 22.l.Ur6'! A pointless sacrifice.
Objectively stronger was 22.�xgS
8ɴϏ with advantage to Black.
22 ...1'1.f6 B.hg5 �.5 24.1i:!'h4
d3! 25.l:tac l '&c5+ 26.Wh l Af5.
White resigned.
MOISEENKO - VOLOKITIN
Dagomys 200S
Qu.een'.� Gambit D40
I.d4 til f6 2.c4 e6 3.til O c5 4.e3
cxd4 S.cxd4 d5 6.tuc3 SL b4 7.cxdS
til ,d5 8.Ad2 0-0 9.A d3 II\c6 (Ihe
altemativc is 9 . . .tiJ f6) 10.0-0 Si.. c7
I I .a3 A f6 12.�c2 h6.
Black has successfully regrouped
his forces. and the d4-pawn now
Ÿeeds defending.
I J.3L cJ. l11e game I llcscas - Dorf­
man, Fmnce 1991, continued 1 3.11ad 1
l1Jxc3 (after 1 3 . . .111 xd4 14.l1Jxd4
Axd4 1 5.lil xd5 �xd5 16.AcJ Black
is behind • Ϗ έ̯ͽͬŸ Ϗx ϏWhile 's
initiative may become dangerous,
99
for example: 1 6 . . . eS 1 7.�c4 �d7
1 8.A xd4 exd4 1 9.t!d3 :te8 20.:le l )
14 ..1l xe3 ( 14.bxe3 eS!) 1 4. . .tj)c7
1 5.l'Je2 J'Ld7 16.�e4 g6 1 7.lI\c5
Aa4 \ 8.:ctdcl iLc6 with cql4'l1
chances. Dorfman also considcr.s the
direct attack: IS.dS! .it xdl 19.dxe6
Ab3 20.lilx17 l:tx17 2 I .ex17+ Wx17
22.�xf6 Wxf6 23.�c l . but after
23 . . .�dS! 24.W1'cS+ =Ϗ 2S.�f4+
�g7 GϏ 26.�cS+ White has nothing
better ’ʬͳϏto force a draw.
13 . . /1h:e3 14.bxcJ.
14 ...eS! A ʱlow x Ϗ the leading
pawn of the pair.
IS.l:adl exd4 1 6.cxd4 .l\g4.
ʏ’• Ϗ again has an isolated d4-
pawn. which needs defending.
17 ' c4 IIc8 18.'Ii:I'bl til.5. The
game Khllimllin - Krivoborodov.
Dagomys 2004, continued 1 8 . . .�b6
1 9.h3 Axf3?! ( 1 9 . . .��xbl! 20.:xb l
,
�xf3) 20.� xf3 ?! (20.'t\Yxb6! axb6
2 1 ,Jl.xfJ) Wilh equal chances, but
Z ȑņ ɳGϏ Γΐ Ϗscriollsconsidcralion.
for example: 1 9 . . .'�:hb\ 20.J:: x bl
100
ǚęϏ 2 1 ..il.xa7 IIfe8 22.lIfe l 1ilc4
23.h3 AxfJ 24.gxO!'! (24.J!LxO
!:Ixel+ 25.lIxel /i)xa3=) 24. . .iild6
25.Slc3 wilh :111 extra p;.lwn for
While.
19.h3 SLxf3 20.SLxf3 b6 21.dS
""d6 22.>I$fS 1il<4 23 ..il.c1 .li b2
24.SL xb2 lZl xb2 25.I!c l. Draw.
Another way of ult:lcking an iso­
lated pawn pair is by undemlining
its base. the c3-pawn. by b5-b4.
IVANCHUK - BRUZON
Havana 2005
Queen's Gambit D36
I.d4 dS 2.c4 l>6 3.8 c3 iLe7
4.1ilf3 lilf6 SigS 0-0 6.'I:l'c2 lil bd7
7.<xdS exdS 8.•3 !:tc8 9.il.d3. IilfB
10.0-0 <6 IIltabl as 12 .•3 J'<d6
I 3lt fcl .lig4 1 4.lild2 .lihS I S...'I. h4
.lig6 1 6.Iilf3 Ji1.xd3 17.� xd3 1il8d7
18.L-4 dxc4 19.lilxe4 Ji1. .720.iilxl6+
.li xf6 2 1 .IIx.8+ '111.08 22.l:!.1 '&d8
23.Jil.d6 Iilxf6 24.g3 g6 2S.h4 l11 g7
26. 1:.5 hS 27.'&.2 IildS 28.lilgS
'iI1d7 29.1il e4 b630.1ilc3.
Pal"t I . The isolated d4-pawn
In this position Black could have
attacked the isolated d4-pawn 30 . . .
�
€l f6 3 1 .k!:c7 (weaker is 3 1 .'t."Yc4
lld8 32.llc l b5 33.��c5 �1xd4
34.�xc6 t;'\g4 35.�f3 b4 with a
dangerolls initiative for BI:lck) 3 1 . . .
"xd4 32.�Y.6 1: f8 33.'&xc6 Cilg4
34.�f3 �c5. retaining roughly
equal chances. but he preferred to
allilck an isolated pawn pair.
30 . . .lJ.J xc3 J l .bxc3 b5 J2.'(L!Ic4
I:tdH 33.Wg2.
33 ... b4. One of the effective
procedures in attacking an isolated
pawn pair. By undcnnining the d­
pawn Black removes the suppon of
the d4-pawn.
34.:txaS. Nothing is given by
34.uxb4 axb4 35.I::I c7 (35.cxb4
�xd4 36.�xd4 l:[xd4 37.b5 ʐ8ȁϏ
38.Itc5 cxb5 39.I1xb5 is too tedi­
ous) 35 . . .'tliVd5! 36.cxb4 ' xc4+
37.lIx04 llb8 38.';!;>f3 llxb4 with ,
simple draw.
34. . . bxc3 3S.l!cS. If 35.W c5+
Black docs not play 35 . . . f6 36.'�·c3
Chapter 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5
c2 37.l:c5 �xd4 3S:t1Ye7+, which
creates some problems for him, but
retreats 35 . . . WgS, and after 36.J'lc5
�:¥xd4 37.�xd4 t:xd4 38.l:[xc3 the
resulting position diners from the
game only in Ihe posilion of the king
411 g8, which docs nol change ils as­
sessment.
35. . :�,d4 36.1£hd4+ lI ,d4
37.::,,3 l:ta4 38."' " .5 39.W.2
\�f6 4o.Il.3 Wrs 4 1 .\9d2 f6 (4 1 . . .
c4 is also possible) 42_I!f3+ WcS
43.l:c3+ wrs 44.rfO+. Draw.
4.4. Creation
oh cenlral pawn pair
Wilh the while bishop on e3,
onc of Ihe dcfensive ideas available
10 Black is the exchange �d5xc3.
creating a central pawn pair d4-c).
the lellding edge of which em1 be
3nllcked by e6-c5. But this should
havc the nccessary positional basis
and piece support, otherwise it may
boomerang.
101
MIKHALCHISHIN - LALIC
Sarajevo 1985
QtLeEm·.� Gambit D41
I.d4 Gf6 2.lilo .6 3. •4 .5
4.lil<3 dS S.e>dS '1l,dS 6.g3 G.6
7.il. g2 "-.7 8.0-0 Gf6 9.•3 0-0
.
10.a) cxd4 I I .exd4 't11' b6 12.�d)
t1d8 13."-<3.
13 . . .4Jg4?! A dubious idea.
Black is aiming 10 exchange the
bishop. but the opening of the f-file
allows White to aHack the inad­
equately defended kingsidc. 1 3 . . .
ltJd5 was more natural.
14.b4 a6 I S.Jladl tnxe3 16.he3
� a7 17/'�;i'hl h6. This leads to a
weakening of the king's position.
t 7 . . ..tL. d7 was sounder. but here 100
White has attacking chances. for
example: 1 8.i'lc4!? l .\le8 ( 1 8 . . . h6
1 9.94 leads to a position from the
game) 1 9.G rg5 !? h6 20.Gr6+ "-xf6
2 1 .�h7+ Ȍ΍Ϗ 22.l:I,r6 gxr6 (or
22 . . . h'g5 2H%S+ We7 24.i1xg7
Wd7 25.l:Ixf7+ ClC.) 23.\1#xh6+
102
We? 24.lilh? It'd? 2s.lilxf6+ We8
26.dS 'O:1b8 (26 . . .lileS? 2? l:k l +;
26 . . . cx.d5'! 27.JZ.h3+) 27.li\xc8
�e52R.d6ctc. 1 8.d5!? J!Lc8 1 9.�c2
cx.d5 20.QJxd5 is also possible.
1 8.1ile4 Ad7.
19.94! While attacks a target
- the h6-pawn. Doubling rooks on
the f-file does not give anything in
view of Jid7-cS.
1 9... eS. Played in accordance
with classical recommendations:
a counter in the centre is the best
reaction to 1I flank attack. How­
ever, it is insufficiently well-sup­
ported. I f 1 9 . . . .ii e8 there would
have followed 20.g5 h5 2 1 .ll:lg3
g6 22.lDc4, aiming at the weak f6-
square.
20.gS cxd4. If 2o . . .AfS. then
2 1 .d5 is unpleasant.
21 .exd4. 2 1 .gxh6 gxh6 22.cxd4
is also good, since Black cannot
play 2 1 . . ĉ̣ĊϏιƯϏbecause ͼ7Ł͟
þϏ
ȳ«
Ϗ _ŀˎ«˱Ϗ Iile? ð_Ϗ. . . dxc3
24.lilgS!) 24."II1e4 dxe3 25.lile5'
Part J . The isolated d4-pawn
2 1 . . ɰʁɱļϏ I f 2 1 . . . hxg5 there fol·
.
lows a mating attack: 2VtJcxg5 g6
23.ihn!
t wxn 24.lLlg5+ ctc.
22.C,h6 lidS (22. . . g6 2J.d5)
23.�cJ iL g6.
24.t1) c5! 24.ttJc3?! �h5 25.hxg7
�t'xg7, allowing the doubling of
rooks on the h·file. resembles help­
play.
24 . . .!%.dK 2S.h'g7 ��b8. I 7Ϗ
25 . . .Wxg7 thcrc can follow 26.QJd3
with the threat of 27.t;)1't, since
Black loses a piece after 26 . . . r1Jxd4
2? 'i!ixe? Iilxo 28.11xo l:txdJ
29.l:tdxd3 l:txd3 30."II1 f6+ \II gS
J I .nxd3 Jt xd3 32.l!I"d8+.
26.lildJ Ad6 27.lil h4! Uh5
28.lilxg6 Axh2 (or 28 . . . !:txh2+
29.Wgl fxg6 30.'i!ie6+ IiJh7
3 1 .iLc4) 29.'i!if.l! W'g7 JOJoiY,hS
fxg6 JI .'i!ixh2 nh8 J2.AhJ �d8 '
33.tLJ f4. Black resigned.
Chapter' 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5
VYZIIMANAVIN - KAIDANOV
NoriIsk 1987
Queen's Gambit Accepted D21
1 ,d4 dS 2.c4 dxc4 3.t?J f3 cS 4.c3
cxd4 S.Axc4 'f;Ic7 6.�b3 e6 7.exd4
iiJ c6 S.4:lc3 .6 9.�Jdl iiJf6 10.0-0
.
A c7 I I gS 0-0 12:�c2.
12 . . .ti�g4!'! By the threat of di­
verting the defender of the h-pawn
- 1 3 . . . 8xd4 Black forces the re­
treat of the bishop to c3.
13..1",3 bS 14Sl.b3 .... b7. Black
plans the exchange on c3. but he docs
this carelessly. Aller the preparatory
1 4 . . .iiJa51 1 5.:fc l iiJxb3 1 6.axb3
and now 1 6 . . .�b7! he would have
carried it out in a much beller situ­
ation. For example: 1 7.tDd5 ed6
1 8.QJxe7+ '&xe7 19.QJc5 (ancr
1 9.11.r 411.c8 20!<le5 1il,,5 2 1 .dxc5
'liYb4 the weakness of the white
pawns becomes apparent, the oppo­
site-colour bishops being favourable
lor Black) 19 . . . lilxc3 20.fx03 (20.
�xc3 �d6) 20. . . f6 2 1 .Iild3 c5.
103
IS.l::t fcl .
IS. . .lthe3. Black exchanges the
bishop. but concedes the initiative
to White. who exploits the opposi­
tion of rook and queen to occupy
the weakened c5-point. After the re­
treat of the knight - 1 5 . . .li.Jf6 Black
would have had to reckon with
1 6.d5.
16.fxc3 �h6 17.li1c4 l/) aS'!!
Black should not have wasted time
on the exchange of the bishop. By
countering the appearance of the
knight at c5 by 1 7 . . .IIac8! I S.QJc5
lLIb8!, he would have retained
equality.
1 8.lilc5 :l fc8 19.'ileS! 'ilxb3
20.axb3 șϏx eS. 20. . . a5, prevent­
ing b3-b4. came into consideration.
Then nothing is given by 2 1 .�h5
g6 2H!Yh6 Axe5 23.lild7 '/!Yd8
24.QJxc5 �d5. while if White plays
as in the game - 2 1 .llJcd7 �d6
22.li.Jxb7 �xd7 23.lDc5, then after
23 . . . Vc6 Black gradually prepares
e6-e5.
104
2 1 .iLld7 W'd6 22.iLlxe5 SL d5
23.b4.
White has firmly established
his knight at cS, but Black has his
trumps: a strong bishop and the pos­
sibility of opening the central files,
whereas in the middlegame the
weakness of the a6-pawn is not so
significant.
23 ....5! 24.l:td l !le8 25.'i!!l g4.
Kaidanov considers the best to be
2Hl 1d2 V/l g6 26.dxe5 1: xe5 27.iLl d3
with the threat of iLl f4, but Black
parries it by 27 . . . 1:I xe3! 28.iLl t�
'!'� b6 29.�f2 (29.Wh I 1l. b3 30.:1. 1
:l ac8) 29 . . . 1l.b3 30.1:[ d3 1:[ ae8, re­
taining his extra pawn.
25 . . . �h6! 26.04 SL e4. Stronger
is 26 . . . �e3+ 27.l!I h I JlI.c4 with ac-
tive counterplay (28 . . . SL e2 is threat­
ened), for example: 28.: a3 àá ˮϏ
29.l:E g3 g6 30.iLl d7 x..c2 3 1 .Vi;1 h4
ti f4. Now, however, White firmly
seizes the initiative.
27.�fJ (27.d5? 'i!!le3+ 28.W h I
JlI.e2 29.l:Ecl � x c5 F) 27 ... exd4
Part 1 . The isolated d4-pawn
28.b3 SL.6 29.11xd4 �g5. 29 . . .
t'Ead8 30.t'E xd8 llxd8 3 1 .h3 SL c8
32.l: d I ' 6hϏ is more active, al­
though the endgamc is advantagcous
to White.
30.�g3! �f6 31 ..5 'I.1�g6? Black
should not have agreed to an obvi­
ously inferior endgame. 3 1 . . . � e7
32.iil e4 'i!!l a7 33. !l ed I !l ed8 was
more logical.
32.�xg6 hxg6 33.Wf2 JlI.e8
34.1:[d5! 1:[07 35.\lJ.3 f6 36.W d4
J:to.7 37J:le l SLb7 38.iLlxb7 1:[xb7
39.l:Id6 Wf7 40.Wd5! l:Ix.5+
4 1 .IlxeS fxeS 42.IIxa6, and White
won the rook endgame.
When the number of minor piec­
es is reduced. the creation of a cen­
tral pawn pair followed by an attack
on it wilh c6-c5 is more justified.
BRAGA - KARPOV
Mar del Plata 1 982
Sicilian De/eflce 822
1 ..4 e5 2.e3 d5 3.• xd5 � xd5
4.d4 c6 5.iLlfJ iLlf6 6.SLd3 SL.7
7.0-0 0-0 8...... c2 exd4 9.exd4 '1Je6
10.l:Id l '1J b4 1 1 .'1Je3 �d8 1 2.iL b l
b6 13.iile5 JlI.b7 1 4.03 iilbd5
1 5.'1Jc4 '1Jc8 16.iJ:Yc2 g6 1 7.iLh6
'1Jg7 I S.'1Jc6 SL xc6 1 9.'i!!l xe6 �c8
20.�b5 I:Ed8 2 1 .'1Jg3 Vi;1b7 22.�.2
iL h4 23.SLc4 �e7 24.A. xg7 Wxg7
25.'1Jn .l'I.g5.
Chapter 4. Defence based on the blockade at d5 105

29 ... cS! This attack is the justifi­

cation for the exchange on e3.
JO.dxcS. White is forced to ac­
cept a weak pawn on e3, sinee30.d5?
'.IJ c5 leads to the loss of a pawn.

30 . . .);I.d 1+ 3 1 .11xd 1 tics 32 .•4

t'lxcs 33.1l.d3 hS. The advance of
the h-pawn enables the pressure
on the kingside to be intensified.
Black's plan includes creating a
second weakness. since the single
The pOSitIOn is roughly equal weakness on e4 is insufficient for
and, by playing 26.g3 with the idea him to convert his positional advan­
of h2-h4 and the manoeuvre of his tage.
knight to ăϏ White would have 34.�m h4 3S.ll n Sl. f6 36.b3.
maintained equality. But he pre­
ferred to attaek the knight.
26.llJe3?! l1Jxe3! After this ex­
change the resulting pawn on e3 is
a target for the bishop to ilttack. It
should be noted that the opposite­
colour bishops favour Black, who
has the more active bishop. support­
ed by the major pieces.
27.f••3 l:ac8 28.Sl.d3 (nol
28..:Iac l in view of 28 . . .n:xc l
.
29.t'lxc I 1:xd4) 28 . . .IIc7 29 bS.
36 bS! Taking away the c4-
•..

square from the light-square bishop.

If immediately 36 . . .lIe5?!. then
37.Ac4 ȩΩ™Ϗ the bishop goes 10 d5,
after which the position is almost
equal.
37.ltI hl 1:cs 38.�c2 tieS
39.�f.l as 40.a4 bxa4 4l .bxa4 l:!cS
42.Sl. hS tlc3 43.� f4 h3. Black has
carried out his plan - a second weak­
ness on h2 has been created.
ZƧ*Ϗ
44.!:!n hxg2+ 45.Wxg2 .l1.e5 46.
'&g4 11c2+ 47.11f2 11xf2+ 4H.W xf2
:a xh2 49.Wg2 AeS. After winning
a pawn Black launches an att(lck on
the king.
Part ŧT
Ϗ he isolated d4-pawn
50.il.c6 �$c5 5 1 ..l1.b5 .l1.d4 52.
'&r4 '&c2+ 53S%3 .l1.r6 54.Wg3
l:i1b2 55.ltm .l1.d4 56.'&g3 '>'d2 57.
ȥϏg4 ͎Ϗd. + 58.l:i1 n l:i1g 1+ 59.l:i1 g3
'<'Vh. 60.'<\Yn '<\Yh2 61.'<\Yd l . While
resigned.
 PART I I
THE ISOLATED OS-PAWN
All the features relating to the
isolated d4-pawn for White also
extend to the isolated dS-pawn
for Black. only on a somewhat re­
duced scale. Since the advantage
of the first move is of imporlance,
a topic such as an attack by Black
on the kingsidc rarely occurs - it is
more real to talk about the initiative.
Therefore in his choice of strategy
with the d5-pawn Black hopes to ex­
ploit its dynamic propcnics to create
active piece play, using its control
of the c4- and c4·poi11IS. as well as
ils desire to make the d5-d4 break­
through. As for White's strategy,
it is aimed at exploiting the static
weakness of the isolated d5-pilwn.
which is expressed in a striving for
the endgame, where its weakness is
especially perceptible.
In view of the more rcstrictcd
opportunities for exploiting the dy­
namic features of the isolated d5-
pawn, modem theory also contains
a restricted field or opening varia­
tions, where Black goes in ror such
a pawn. The main openings where
positions with an isolated d5-pawn
arise are associated with the name or
Siegbcrt Tarrasch, who asserted Ihat
the central pawn was good ror an at­
tack. In his opinion, 'The purpose­
rul lise or space, i.c. the purposerul
arrangement of your forces - is the
most important thing throughout
the game'. and he implemented it
in opening such as l .rl4 d5 2.c4 e6
3.G:lc3 c5 or l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.G:ld2
15. leading to the creation of an iso-
hued d5-pawn.
Here are a number of Iypical
positions, arising in these popular
openmgs.
IU� Part 11

Queen's Gambit, Tarrasch De­ Queen's Gambit

fence Deferred I .d4 d5 2. 3.c4 ʸ
Ϗ 3 ͛cϏ ȣ‹ʩϏ
.

I .d4 d5 2.c4 c6 MNJȡϏ c5 4.c3 4.JJ.g5 :iJ.c7 5.c3 0-0 6.tiJf3 ưƱ
Ϗ
Ii'lc6 5.1i'lf3 tiJ f6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.JJ.c2 7 Ƙ ¬ 
Ϗ Ȟ ¬ 
Ϗ 8.Wd2 c5 9.cxd5
.

JJ.c7 8.dxc5 JJ.xc5. cxd4 1 0.li'l xd4 cxd5.

Queen's Gambit, Tarrasch De­ Queen's Gambit

fence I .d4 d5 2. 3.c4 c6 3.1i'lc3 Ii'lf6
l .d4 d5 2.c4 ʷ
Ϗ3.1i'lf3 c5 4.cxd5 4!il13 :iJ.c7 5.:iJ.f� 0-0 ǿM€Ϗ I1\bd7
cxd5 5.g3 1i'l f6
JJ.g2 JJ.c7 7.0-0 0-0
. 7.,,3 c5 8.cxd5 <1)xd5 9.tiJxd5 exd5
8.tiJc3 li'lc6 9.il.g5 cxd4 1 0.tiJ xd4. 1 0.dxc5.
The isolated d5-pawn 109

Nimzo-Indian Defence "�rench Defence, Tarrasch Var­

I .d4 ȸ΂ǾϏ 2.c4 c6 3 .tll c3 .ab4
4.�c2 dS S.a3 Jl.xc3+ 6.�xc3 tll c4
7.1<'Ic2 cS 8.dxcs lilc6 9.cxdS cxdS.
iation
l .c4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.lild2 cS
4.cxdS cxdS S.tll glJ ȷ ˣ*Ϗ *Ϗ..abS+
.ad7 7.:iJ.xd7+ tll bxd7 8.0-0 .ac7
9.dxcS.

French Defence, Tarrasch Var­

iation
l .c4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.lild2 cS 4.cxdS
cxdS S.lilglJ Ci1c6 6.Jl.bS Jl.d6
7.dxcS l.xcS.
 Chapter 5
Attack on the
isolated dS-pawn
From White's point of view the
isolated d5·pawn is regarded as a
target. Therefore we consider it ad­
visable 10 continue the study of this
topic. which was examined in Part I
with regard to the d4-pawn.
In this chapler we examine plans
for currying out the 1110s1 expedient
arrangement of the forces and the
specific positional procedures for
an attack by While on the isolated
d5-pawn. These arc finn control of
the d4 blockading square. and ex­
changes of minor pieces, in particu­
lar of Black's dark-square bishop, to
weaken his control of the adjacent
eS- and cS-squares. Also in White's
arsenal is the exchange of his d4-
knight all c6 to creale an isolated
pawn pair, or on c6 to crC'ltc a cel1-
tral pawn pair.
5.1. The strategy of exchanging
pieces
Since Black's basic plan is to
exploit the dynamic qualities of
the isolated dS-pawn. is expressed
in a striving for the initiative in the
ccntrc and on the kingside. White's
basic objective is to exchange the
pieces supporting this pawn, which
will transform it into a target. In
carrying out this strategy, control
of the d4 blockading square is im­
portan!. In order to assess more
deeply the consequences of ex­
changing pieces, we will examine
a classical example on the theme
of exploiting the weakening of the
dark-square periphery around the
dS-pawn.
RUBINSTEIN - TEICHMANN
Teplitz-Schonau 1 922
Nimzo-Indian Defence E22
I.d4 IiJ f6 2.c4 e6 3.<1'Ic3 .2<b4
4.Gb3 c5 5.d,c5 .il.xc5 6.1iJf3 0·0
7.03 d5 8.cxd5 cxd5 9..il.e2 J!l. b6
10.0·0 .i.. e6 I I.Ud l 'IJ!Ie7 I U �a4
IiJc6 13.b3 l'.Ifd8 14..1'<. 03 �e8
15. '¥h4 .il.c7 16.11oc l .6 17 .il.d3
.
h6.
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn III

1 8.ti.Ja4! A knight manocuvre 28.I!i1'.e7! '&.e7 29.CZlcxo6

typical for the structure with an
isolated pawn, whieh wtlS intro­
duccd by Akiba Rubinstcin. Apart
from 19.111c5. Black also has to
reckon with 1 9..u.b2 with the threat
of brc<lking lip his kingside pawns.
This forces him 10 exchange the
dark�square bishops.
1 8 . . .1l.d6 1 9J'i..d6 ll.d6
2o.lll c5 'Ii!Ic7 2 1 .CZld4! After the ex­
change of the dark�square bishops
White occupies Ihe importmll dark
squares c5 and d4 with his knights,
whereas it is difficult for Black 10 do
anything active.
2 1 . lll c5 22.�H4! It is advanta­
.•
�·h c3. Black is forced to return the
queen. since he loses after 29 . . . �b6
3o.lll xd8 I!i1' xd8 3 I .ll c8.
30.n.e3 f.c6 3I.CZl ••6 lld7
32.f3 Wf7 33.CZld4 g6 34.lilf2. As
a resull of the exchanging opcrJtion
White has won a pawn. The tech­
nique for converting it is highly in­
structive: first White improves the
placing of his pieces, and then he
exploits his pawn majority on the
kingsidc.
34 . . . \I;>e7 35.];[<8 CZlc8 36.\1,102
'tJf7 37.lI.Id3 CZld6 38.lJe5 CZl08
39.04 We7 40.h4 h5.

geous for White to exchange minor

picces. with the prospect of reach­
ing an endgame with a knight on d4
against a passive bishop on e6.
22 ...CZl.d3 23.l'hd3 lle8
24.lldc3 lldd8 25.'II!I c5 CZlg4
26.�f4 CZlf6 27.h3! nc7? A mis­
take, but it was difficult for Black to
parry the threat of 28!il dxe6 fxe6
29. �#e5.
1 12 Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn

4 1 .lLle2! The knight is trans­ of the dark-square bishops. signifi­

ferred to f4, from where it will be cantly rcducing the dynamic potcn­
able to att<lck the d5- and g6-pawlls. tial of the isolated d5-pawn.
4 1 . . .lilc7 42.lilf4 ISd6 43.rlc l 1 0 ...�f6 I I .�d2 lilc6 1 2Sl.e2
IOg7 44.g4 hxg4 4S.fxg4 as. If .1l.e6 13.0-0 .1l.xb2 14.Wxb2 WaS
45 . . .g5 there would have followed I S.lOfd I l:l:adS 16.l:td2 l:td7
46.hxg5 IOxg5 47.llxc71 Wxc7 17.l:ad l l:Ifd8 IS.h3 h6.
48.tZle6+ and 49.til xc7.
46.l:!h l gS 47.hxgS l'.hgS 4S.
I:! h6+ IScS 49.lil g6+ ISf6 SO./i"lf8+
'ti n S l .llh7+ ng7 S2.I1xg7+
It' xg7 s3.lild7 lila6 S4.Wd4 /i"lb4
sS.lilcs b6 s6.lild7 /i"lc2+ S7.'otid3
lilb4+ SS.W e3 Wg6 s9.lilxb6 WgS
60.,'Jd4 /i"lc2+ 6 1 .WxdS lil xc3+
6HlieS lilxg4 63.lile4. Black re­
signed.

BOTVINNIK - ZAGORYANSKY
19.q)cS! After the exchange of
Sverdlovsk 1 943
knights White gains complete con·
English Opening A 13
trol of the d4-squarc. his quccn's
sphere of activity is expanded, and
I .lilf3 dS 2.e4 .6 3.b3 lilf6
his bishop obtains an excellcnt post
4..1l.b2 .1l.e7 5.03 0-0 6.lilc3 cS
at :Ϗ for an attack on thc d5-pawn.
7.cxdS ll)xd5. In the given specific
19 . . .<tlxoS20_WxoS'&cS2 1 .žϏf3
situation 7 . . . crJd5 was more fl:xi­
(lhreatening 22.<4) 2 1 . . .b6 22.'1'�b2
ble. retaining the option of obtaining
IIcs 23.WeS l:Icd8 24.ldd4! as.
more dynamic hanging pawns on ciS
and c5. It is also useful to retain the
knight when transposing into a posi­
tion with an isolated ciS-pawn.
8.lilxdS cxdS 9.d4. A typical
procedure, forcing Black to make a
choice between an isolated d-pawn
and hanging pawns at c5 and dS.
9 ...cxd4 IO.'�xd4! An impor­
tant moment. From a position of
strength White forces the exchange
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn
25.g4! White has completely tied
the black pieces to the defence of the
d5-pawn and, exploiting the fact that
the king is inadequately defended,
he begins an attack on the kingside,
since it will be difficult for Black to
defend simultaneously his king and
the d5-pawn. A typical positional
procedure. by the crelltion of a sec­
ond weakness to facilitate the attack
on the first one!
2S . . . 'I'1e6 26.gS hxgS 27.� xgS
f6 (parrying thc thrcat of IIh4 and
�h5) 28.,(,1g6 ǖϏn 29.t'Yg3 fS·!!
This weakening of the king's de­
fences was not directly necessary.
although it would not have been
easy for Black to parry the attack on
the g-filc after the switching of the
d l -rook to g l .
30.�gS �1e6 3 1 .W h l �jeS
32.l:tg l ͅAϏ33.I'�h6 l:l:b8. If 33 . . .
g6. then 34.h4 followed by h4-h5-
h6 is decisive.
34.!!h4 ěBϏ 3S.� h8+ SlgS
36.!:!f4 11 bb7 37.!!gs l:! n 38.� hS
� a 1 + 39.Wg2 g6 40.1!!lxg6 ǕϏh7
4 1 .�d6+ litfe7 42.�d8+. Black reo
signed.
Examples of the mechanism of
exchanging minor pieces are to bc
found in the play of Anatoly Kar­
pov, nil expert at nttacking the iso­
lated pawn. The following game 011
the theme of exchanging operations
resembles his famous 9th game
with Korchnoi from the World
113
Championship Match 111 Merano
1 98 1 (Part I).
KARPOV - SPASSKY
Montreal 1979
Queen's Gambit D37
I.d4 tZlf6 2.e4 .6 3.tZlf3 dS
4.lle3
t Sle7 S.Slf4 0·0 6.e3 eS
7.dxeS tZle6 8.'t!Ye2 �.S 9.03 ɽϏxeS
10.litd l Sle7 I 1 .tZld2 Sld7 12..teZ
);Ife8 13.0·0 �d8 14.exdS exd5
IS.tZlf3 h6.
A superficial impression of this
position suggests that it is dynami­
cally balanced. since after 1 6 . . . St.e6
Black consolidates his forces, al­
though it is nol easy for him to ex­
ploit the dynamic potential of his
isolated d5-pawn. Nevertheless,
Black has problems. In this respect
the assessment of the position given
by Karpov is instructive: 'White's
plans include the exchange of al
least one pair of knights. In this case
it is much easier to keep control of
1 14
d4. In addition. the vacated post at
ǥϏ can immediately be occupied by
the bishop. which will exert strong
pressure 011 the <IS-pawn. In prin­
ciple. this is a typical procedure in
this Iype of position. The only dis­
tinguishing feature is thai these ex­
chnnging operations arc usually car­
ried oul via the d4-poinl.·
1 6.liJe5! Ue6. lf 16 . . . �\Ye8 there
could have followed 1 7. xd7!
VSl'xd7 18.11.0.
1 7.liJ xc6! rIxc6 ( 1 7 . . . bxc6'!
1 8.�,,6 Icads to the loss of the ex­
change) I S.UO �b6 1 9.U.5!
!-Iefe Karpov makes another valu­
able comment: 'While's advantage
is, of course, considerable, but it is
not at all easy 10 increase it. For the
mOlllent he provokes the exchange
of the last pair of knights. A fief all,
it is for the long-range bishops and
he,IVY pieces that an isolated pawn
is the most convenient tnrget.·
19 . . .lile4 20.��e2! The block·
ading ancmpt 20.il.d4 leads after
20 . . . UcS 2 1 .il.xcS I:!xcs 22.Ux04
dxe4 to the elimination of the iso­
lated pawn. since 2H"lxc4 �'-¥xb2
24. a4 l:!eS 2S.VSl'f4 '!';YbS is not
dangerous for Black (variation by
Karpov).
20 ...liJxc3 2 1 .11. xc3 lldS ( 2 1 . . .
Uxa3 22.U xg7! ) 22.I!d3! llcd6
23.llfd l ll6d7 24.ll ld2. White
carries out a frontal attack on the d5-
pawn. arranging his heavy pieces as
recommended in such positions by
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
Alekhine - the queen behind the
rooks.
24 . . .11%5 25.�Yd l .
The first part of the plan has been
carried oul. White has tied Black
down to the defence of the d5-pawn
and next he wants to prepare an at­
tack on it with e3-c4. However, for
the moment this is not possible,
since the black pieces arc well co­
ordinated. To disntpt their coordi­
nation White plans an advance of
his kingside pawlls. but first he im­
proves the placing of his forces.
25 . . . b6 26.g3 U 18 27.Ug2 Uc7
28." h5! (threatening 29.c4) 28 . . .
a6 29.h3 � c6 30.I'.I h2 ��b5 31 .f4!
f6. 3 1 . . . fS was bad: 32.lWg6 ǃ ǎ Ϗ
33.�e5 with the threat of g3-g4.
32.� d l '!,Wc6. Karpov thinks
that 32 . . . tId6 was more tenacious,
after which 33.e4 is possible.
33.g4 g5.34 . . . Jl. ķϏ ̇ϏI h I
d6 3S.l!!
Ac? was essential, preventing the
advance of the white pawns.
34.W h l as 35.15 DŽ njĸϏ
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn
36.e4! After the defender of the
rook on d7 has been removed. White
lands this crowning blow, winning a
pawn.
36 .. S'lg7 37.cxdS �Jc7 38.l:Ic2
bS 39.lJxc7 lJxc7 40.d6 �c4 4 1 .b3.
Black resigned.
The tcchnique o f besieging the
isolated pawn. demonstrated by Kar­
pov. is impressive. As a product of
the Soviet ehess school, hc was un­
doubtedly helped by his knowledge
of the classical heritage. We wili llow
examine a modem example.
RUSTEMOV - V. FILIPPOV
Minsk 1 996
Queen.'s Gambit D45
l .d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3.c3 liJf6 4.liJc3
c6 S.tj)f3 tj) bd7 6.�c2 J'l.d6
7.b3 0-0 8.J'l.c2 cS 9.cxdS liJxdS
lO.liJxd5 cxd5 I I .dxc5 liJ .eS
.
12 b2 tj) .f3+ 13.J'l..f3 J'l.b4+
14.W ft! The exchange of the dark­
square bishops. which is uSlially
1 15
useful against an isolated d5-pawn,
is premature for the moment. since it
allows Black to get rid oflhis pawn:
14.;II. c 3 t'Hf6! 1 5 .!.!e l J'l. f5 1 6.l!id2
J'l. xe3 1 7.l;txc3 J'l.e4 I S.1l.xe4 dxc4.
I f 14.<3>c2. then 1 4 . . . b6 1 5 .�'Jd3 .5
is possible. but now if 1 4 . . . b6 there
follows 1 5.�'�d3 as 16.'ilHd4!
14 ...1l.c6 15.I"Yd3 11.c7.
1 6.We2! The position has sta­
bilised and. by making way for his
rook. White prepares a frontal allack
on the d5-p<lwn.
1 6 . . .�d7. Black has no real coun­
terpl.y. The active 1 6 . . . 11. f6 1 7 .1I.d4
.iL. xd4 1 8.�}·Yxd4 leads to simplifica­
tion advantageous 10 White.
I 7.l:thd I rlrd8 IS.wn t'tac8
1 9,rJ) g I . White is in no hurry - hav­
ing nothing to fear, he has castled
artificially.
1 9. . . b6 20.J:Id2 f6 2 1 .Wc2 J'l.b4
22.J:1d4 J'l.d6 23.hi:ad I 1I.c5. n,is
voluntmy exchange orlhe dark-square
bishops plays into White's hands.
23 ȓ° 6ȆϏ c<llne into consideration,
. .
1 16
with the idea of24.� d2 .il. c5 25.lild3
lild7 (25 . . .:le5'? 26..il.d4 11c7) 26.h3
l:cd8. Unclear play results from
24.c4 ll e8 (24 . . . dxe4? 25.l::t xd6)
2H'Yd3!'! (25.exd5 :i< f5 26.� fl
!:t e2) 25 . . ..il.c5 26.cxd5 .il.d7 27.l::th4
.il.xh2 28.� xh7+ ͝˵Ϗ 29.� b l .>lc5
30.!il. h5 � g8 3 L.il.xe8 11 xe8.
24J:l4d2 .il.xb2 25 xb2 �e7
26,l:I bd2 �e5 27.�a6 I:Ic7 28.h3 15.
Black excludes one of the potential
motifs of a fronlal attack - c3�c4.
29.11d4 !:ted7 30.��d3 g6 3 1 .g3
_lig7 32.W g2 Wr6 33.lld2 Wg7,
34.b4. Black has defended his
dS-pawn and to convert his advan­
tage White needs to create a sec­
ond weakness in Black's position.
Therefore he launches an attack on
the queenside.
34. . . \!Ir6 35.�b3 Wg7 36J!l'dl
Wf6 37.!:t2d3 IlIg7 38.�':1d2 \!Ir6
39.Wh2 "'g7 40 . g2 "' n 4 1 .04
Wr6 42.b5 \!In 43,llc3 Wb8
4dfcl �e5 45.ſǀϏ \!Ig7 46.lt>g2
W f7 47 .?Ld l ! After lengthy rna-
• hS diagonal also enables strategic
Part I I . The isolated d5-pawn
nocuvring White switches his bish­
op onlo the a2-g8 diagonal. from
where it pUIS the black king under
an 'X-ray' attack.
47 . . . �b8 48.A b3 1t> e7 49.:c6
lld6 50.11c7+ 116d7 5 1 .11c3 n
52.Wgl �e5 53.�d2 �b8 54.lle6
IId6 55,tlc3 l:I6d7 56.I.\lh2 �b7
57.llcd3 l:!d6,
58.f3! White includes the final re­
source of the frontal attack c3-c4.
-
58 . . . We7. After 58 . . . l:! 6d7
59.c4 the pin on thc bishop proves
decisive.
59,04 �c7 60.!!c3 � b7 61 .05
l:i6d7 62.);[c6 �g8 63'y$g5+ �t'e8
64.� r6 IIn 65.I:Ic6+ IIe7 66. h8
WfS 67.l:Ic6 !:Ig7 68.l! .d5 L'txd5
69 ' xd5 'i.4:1d7 70.n r6+. Blaek rc·
signed.
When carrying olll a plan COIll­
bining a frontal attack by heavy
pieces on the d5-pawn with threats
to the king. control of the long a 1 -
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn
objectives involving exchanging
operations to be implemented. In
Ihis case White should nonllally aim
for the exchange of the dark-square
bishop controlling the squares adja­
cent to the d5-pawn, which, <.Ibove
all, enables him to establish control
of the d4 blockading point.
PINTER - PODZIELNY
Bad Worishofen 1986
Queen's Gambit D32
I .liJlJ cS 2.c4 ti'lr6 3.tilc3 c6
4.c3 dS S.d4 a6 6.cxdS cxdS 7.:fl.c2
ti'lc6 8.0-0 :fl.d6 9.dxcS :fl.xcs 1 0.b3
0-0 I I .:fl. b2 l::I e8 12.llc l :fl..7.
13.I!c2! The routine J 3 .l1Ja4
tLle4 leads to uncle,lr play, and so
White carries out the plan of a fron­
tal attack along the d-file combined
with threats to the king along the a 1 -
h 8 diagonal.
13...:il. e6 14.l:td2 ʇʈϏe7 15.'&b I !
Thc queen takes control of the im­
ponant squares e4 and f5, vacating
117
the d I -square for the second rook.
I S . . .l:tad8 1 6.l:trd l h6 1 7.:fl. a l .
White vacates the b2-square for
his queen, in order for the queen +
bishop battery to sci lip an 'X-ray'
attack on the g7-square (the threat of
ti'le3xd5).
17 . . .:il.cs (preventing 1 8. fHb2 by
the thrcat of 1 8 . . . :fl.a3) 1 8.h3 l:!d7
1 9.0a4 iL b4? Black persists in try­
ing 10 counter the threats along the
a l -h8 diagonal, which allows White
to carry oul advantageous piece ex­
changes. He should have retreated
his bishop, without lifting its control
of the d4-point - 1 9 . . . Jla7, when
20.'&b2 can be parried by 20 . . . d4
2 1 .cxd4 :il.d5! 22.ti'lc5, and ifhc did
not likc 22 . . ..I:CXe5 23.dxe5 ��xe5
24.ti'lh4 with the idea of ti'lh4-f5-
e3, then he could consider 22 . . ,%%.c7
23.b4 tilh5 24.ti'ld3 '&e4 with ac­
tive cOlillterplay for the pawn.
20,l;)b6! >'I-xd2. Ancr 20 . . .
l:!dd8 2 1 .>'I-xf6 '&xf6 22.ti'l xd5 a
pawn is lost.
2 1 .tilxd7 :fl.xd7 22.1:1xd2.
1 18
As a result of his knight manoeu­
vre White has exchanged it for the
dark-square bishop, which has de­
prived the isolated pawn of any dy­
namic potential.
22 ... d4'! Black is not satisfied
with the passive defence 22 . . . .fLc6,
but in sacrificing the pawn he did
not take into account an intcnncdi­
ale move by White.
23.tilxd4 tile4 24.tilxc6 .'iI.xc6
2S.�b2! (an important illlcrposi­
lion!) 2S ... fS'! Missing an opportu­
nity for countcrplay by 25 . . . � g5!
25.h4 �g6.
26.bt d4 tilgS 27..'i1.c4+ IoII h8
28..'iI. dS f4 29.ŭϏxc6 fxc3 30..'iI..c8!
e2 3 1 .l::te4! Black resigned. If 3 1 . . .
tiJxc4 a familiar technique proves
decisive: 32 '$'�xc2 f;Yxe8 33.l3 li)lo
34.�xe8+ <1lxc8 35 ..'iI.e5! The bish­
op restricts the knight's mobility and
the endgame is hopeless for Black.
IVANCHUK - RIAZANTSEV
Moscow 2005
Queen's Gambit D4.'i
I .tilfJ dS 2.c4 c6 3.e3 til f6
4.tile3 e6 S.d4 36 6.b3 .'iI.b4 7.'iI.d2
. diagonal. Forexample: 1 8.11ad I SLg4
tilbd7 8..'iI.d3 0-0 9.0-0 'e'le7
10.f;Yc2 cS l l .d.eS til.eS I 2.tilxeS
�xe5 t3.cxdS cxdS.
ïɮˌˍϏ„”v˾¤v›JϏ
14.ciJe2! White aims for the ex­
change of the dark-square bishops,
without losing control of d4.
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
14 . . ..'iI.d6 I S.tilg3 'f�e7. 15 . . .
��g5!? looks more active, intending
to answer 1 6.1Lc3 with 1 6 . . . ClJg4!
1 7 ..'iI.xh7+ '.!ih8 1 8.iLd3 ( 1 8 ..'iI.f5?
tilxh21) 1 8 . . . tYh4 1 9.h3 lilxc3
20.fxe3 �xg3 2 1 .'ii1e2 �h2+
22.I0Il12 �'1g3+, forcing a draw by
perpetual check.
1 6.iLcJ h6. Thc defence of the
h7-pawn by 1 6 . . ..'iI.c5 1 7 ..'iI.xe5
�'�Yxc5 is tantamount to acknowledg­
ing the triumph of White's strategy.
After 1 8.1:acl the invasion 't'·Yc7 is
threatcned.
1 7.'\I%2! !le8. If Black tries to
maintain his pawn structure by re­
treating his knight - 1 7 . . .Ci'ie8 he has
to fL'Ckon with threats along the long
I 9 til f5 .'iI.xl5 20..'iI.xf5 rId8 2 1 ..'iI.d4
.
:aa3 22.�:Yal etc. The counterattack­
ing attempt 1 9 . . . �jg5 also involves
a definite risk: 20.f4 �h5 2 l .lilxd6!
.'iI.xdl (or 2 1 . . .tilxd6 22.!!d2 f6
23.h3) 22.tilf5 .'iI.g4 23.tilxg71
1 8.il..f6 �xf6 1 9J!hf6 gxf6
20.1:I 3CI .
Chapter' 5. Attack on t he isolated d5-pawn 1 19

26.l::t e l J1I.e6 27.WfI) 2S.l:: de l

!::t adS 26.l:: e7 d4 27.e4 l:te8 2S.Wf1
bS 29.f4.

2o . . . 'hf8?1 The existence of

doubled pawns creates problems
for Black in endings with various
combinations of pieces. requiring
22 . e2 .t:l. e6 23 . .t:l.f3 )lac8
him to play with particular aceu·
24.ltJe2 � a3? The exchange of a
racy. The d5·pawn could have been
pair ofrooks was in Black's interests
defended by 20 . . . il.xg3 2 1 .hxg3
- 24 . . .I:txc 1 25.l:!xc I .l'l.e5! 26.͉͊ d I
il.e6 22.l:le7 bS 23.!::t fe l !Ice8. or
Ile8. This 'nudging' of White leads
by relying on the drawing tendrn·
to the loss of a pawn.
eics of opposite· colour bishops:
2S.l:tc3! .t:l.b4 26.X'lxc8 !'l xc8
20 . . .Sl.e6 2 1 .<1l fS Sl.xfS 22 ..l'l.xfS
27.ltJr4. White has carried out his
lIeS 23.il.g4 (or 23 .lIe8+ l::t x e8
pian. The d5·pawn cannot be de·
24..l'l.xe8 llc7 2S.1:[d l IIc7) 23 . . .
fended.
kId8 24 .ĶʨɤĵϏ However, in both
cases White would retain a seriolls
advantage.
2 1 .I::t rdi .l'l.g4? A loss or time.
This move merely assists White's
phm of atwcking the d5·pawn by
pl<lying his bishop to Ϗ (the ex·
change of the light·square bishops
is unfavourable for Black) and his
knight to f4. 2 1 . . . .l'l.xg3 22.hxg3
Sl.e6 23J::te? .tIe? was more logical.
although here too White retains prac·
tical chances. For example: 24.lIc3 27 .. J
:lc2 28..l'l.xdS J1I.g4 29.f3
neeS (24. . .!::t eS 2S.!::t xcS+ Sl.xeS il.cs 30.l::t e l itc8 3 l .WfI il.a3
120
32.l:te2 !l:e 1+ 33.\1)(2 b6 34.iLe4
iLd7 3SJ::I d 2 fS 36.l:txd7 fxe4
37.l:!d2 .il.b4 38.!:!e2 e.f3 39.g.f3
bS? A time-trouble oversight. After
39 . . . iLd6 White would still have
had to work hard to convert his ex­
tra pawn.
40.lDd3. Black resigned.
MATULOVIC - BALASHOV
Teslic 1 979
French Defence CO!)
I .e4 e6 2.d4 dS3.iild2 cS 4.iilgf3
lilc6 S.exdS exdS 6.iLbS Sl. d6
7. 0-0 lilge7 S.d.cS .il. xcs 9.lilb3
.il.d6 10.iI)bd4 0-0 I I . 03 Vl.:Yc7
l 2.h3 36 13 ..il.d3 lilg6 1 4.!:!el l::t e8
I S.c3 Sl.d7 16.�c2 lil.s 17.l::t .d l
lilc4 1 8.iLc l Sl.cS.
I 9Si. fS! The exchange of the
light-square bishops is advanta­
geous to While, since the d5-pawn
becomes more vulnerable.
1 9 ...1:I xel+ 20.1:1'01 ne8
2 J .l:td I ! An important moment.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
White avoids the seemingly advanta­
geolls simplification of the position.
However, for a frontal attack on the
d5-pawn to be cfTcctivc there have
to be at least two hC:'lVY pieces.
2 J . .. ɚϏxd4. The voluntary ex­
change of the dark-square bishop
may be considered a strategic mis­
take. 2 1 . . ..il.xf5 22.lilxf5 <?lee5!
was morc logical, although <lOer the
bishop goes to e3 it is not easy to
defend the d5-pawn. For example:
23.liJxe5 �xe5 24.S!.e3 S!. f8 (of
course, 24 . . . Axe3 25.ClJ xe3 favours
White) 25.a4 1iJf4 26.liJg3 with the
threat of .il.xf4, or 22 . . . �d7 23.b3
IiJce5 24.liJxe5 !:txe5 25.Sl.e3 Sl. Ϗ
26.lilg3 followed by �d3.
22.liJ xd4 Sl. dS 23.liJ xrS IiJf4
24.b3 lil b6 2S.S!. e3! The abso·
lute control of the dark squares
makes it impossible to defend
the d5-pawn: both 'e'd2 and g3
are threatened. Black's attempt to
complicate the play merely has­
tens his defeat.
Chapter 5. A t tack on the isolated d5-pawn
2S. . J�xc3 26.�xc3 lile2+
27.Wlt2 Cilxc3 28.I'ld3 d4 29..lixd4
lilcd5 30.<1Jxg7 I'le2 3 1 .lilrs ItS
32.Jlxb6! <1Jxb6 33.I'ld6. and
White won.
5.2. Exchange of thc dark-square
bishop in French Defence
positions
In the French Defence l .c4 c6
2.d4 d5 with 3.li.Jd2 onc has 10 be
prepared for play against an iso­
laled d5-p3wn, if Black chooses the
Tarrasch variation 3 . . . c5. In the rc­
suiting positions a significant role
is played by Black's dark-square
bishop, which supports his initiative
on the kingside and in some cases
the d5-d4 adV3nce. Therefore, in or­
der to neutralise the dynamic poten­
tial of the isolated d5-pawn. White
should aim for thc exchange of Ihis
bishop. We will examine some typi­
cal methods.
KARPOV - G.KUZMIN
Inter.lonal Toumament,
Leningntd 1 973
French Defence C09
l .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lil d2 cS
4.exd5 exd5 5.lilgf3 lilc6 6..I'<bS
Jl d6 7.dxeS .l'<xeS H.O-O lil ge7
9.lil b3 Ad6 1 0.AgS 0-0 1 I .Ji'.h4
I c7.
121
1 2.J1.g3! A typical way of ex­
changing the dark-square bishops.
which weakens the c5- and e5-
squares adjacent to the d5-pawn and
strengthens White's control or the
d4 blockading point.
1 2 . . ..I'<xg3. Black shouldn't
have hurried with this exchange;
1 2 . . . SLg4!? was better.
D.hxg3 .l'<g4 1 4.I'lel I'ladH
1 5.c3 (tb6 1 6. .ad3 (threatening
1 7 ..I'<xh7+ Wxh7 1 8.lilg5+) 16 . . .
lilg6 17.�c2 Jl xf3. The exchange
of this bishop is forced. as otherwise
White will gain finn possession of
the d4-poinl.
1 8.gxO tId6. Black's counter­
play is associated with d5-d4. How­
ever. the immediate 1 8 . d4 did not
. .
satisfy him because of 1 9.f4!, after
which the knight at g6 is restricted
by the ‹ǮμϏ and g3-pawns and is un­
uble to exert any serious influence
on events. All he ean console him­
self with is 1 9 . . . dxc3 20.bxc3, after
which the manoeuvrability of the
second knight is also restricted by
122
the c3-pawn. But perhaps Black no
longer had any other choice? Now
White denies him the last chance of
aL:tivilY in the centre.
19.f4 ll fd8 20.a3! h5 ( i f 20 . . .
d4 there follows 2 1 .e4) 2 1 .Wg2.
White's plan includes playing his
knight to :Ϗ and doubling rooks on
the e-file.
2 1 . .. h4 n.lle2 Iilrs B.liJd2
rlh6 24.liJ fJ hxg3. The opening of
the game favours White, since he
holds the initiative, but after 24 . . .
h3+ 2S.Wh2 the pawn would be cut
off from the remaining black forces
and would become easy booty.
25.fxg3 liJd7 26.I!ael lli rs.
27.g4! White launches a decisive
offensive on the kingsidc, exploiting
the lack of hannony in the placing
of the black pieces.
27 .. :� e7 28.g5 !;thS 29.W g3!
The king supports the advance ofils
own pawns!
29 . . .liJe5 30.i1.f5 g6 3 1 .b4
IiJc4+. Both 3 1 . . . gxfS 32.bxcS �d7
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
33.1:1h2 Wg7 34.liJh4 and 3 1 . . .lild7
32..1hg6 fxg6 33.��xg6 arc bad for
Black.
32.il. xc4 dxc4 33.@,e4 \·!lg7
34.b5 1iJa5 35:&e7! �!�,e7 36.Ilxe7
!:Id3 37.l:!e7 IiJb3 38.l!;>g4 �rs
39.:tcc7. Black resigned.
BALASHOV - LPUTIAN
52nd USSR Championship,
Riga 1985
French Defence C09
l .e4 <6 2.d4 d5 3.liJd2 e5
4.liJgfJ liJe6 5.exd5 exd5 6.Sl.b5
Sl.d6 7.d,c5 11.xe5 8.0-0 liJc7
9.ii.l b3 Sl. d6 1 0.Sr I 0-0 II ' g5
s"g4 I U U 4 h6.
13.�g3! An exchanging ma­
noeuvre Iypical of the given posi­
tion.
13 . . .Sl.'g3 14.hxg3 IiJf5
1 5.'&d3 (with the threat of 1 6.il. xc6
bxc6 1 7.liJeS) 15 . . .11.'fJ 1 6.� ,fJ
( J 6.gxO, intending O-f4. is also
interesting) 16 . . .liJfd4 1 7.liJxd4
Chapter 5. Allack on the isolated d5-pawn
<?\xd4 18.�� J d3 IWb6. Black avoids
Ihe heavy piece endgame after Ihe
exchange of Ihe knight, although
this was probably the lesser evil.
1 9.5l.a4 lJad8 20.nad l lilc6
(20 . . . lJe6
l came into consideration)
2 t.S;.. b3 d4. B lack has not man­
aged to withstand the pressure on
the dS-pawll, but after moving to d4
it remains a target. In addition, the
bishop at b3 is activated.
22.11c4! Ild7 B.d! lIlaS'! Ar·
tcr the loss of the pawn, Black's
game is doomed. The last ch;lnce
was 23 . . .l!fd8 24.l!dc l g6, and al·
though White's attack looks danger­
OllS, there arc still chances of a de­
fcncc. For cxample: 2S.�d2 Vg7
26.!lh4 gS (ancr 26 . . . hS 27.11xhS!
the attack is irresistible) 27.l:the4
W'cS, 2s.ll c8+ Wh7 26.�f] l:Ixe8
27.l!xe8 Wg7 28.IWg4, or 2S.l:tg4
ɊɋϏɁɇϏ26.Wf] \i>g7.
24.l!xd4 lil xb3 2S.l!xd7 lilcs
26.!:ld6 V!i'xb2 27.W'e4, and White
won.
1 23
BOTVINNIK - BOLESLAVSKY
Match-Tournament for the Title of
Absolute USSR Champion,
Leningrad/Moscow 1941
French Defence C09
I.c4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.lild2 eS 4.exdS
cxdS S.Sl.bS+ lile6 6.lilgf3 SL d6
7.0·0 IIlgc7 8.dxeS ɗϏxeS 9.lilb3
A b6.
In positions with an isolated d5-
pawn, Botvinnik thought it was im­
portant for Black to secure control of
the d4-point. This is the point of the
bishop retreat to b6, from where it
nOl only attacks a blockading piece
on d4, but also has the possibility of
supporting the d5-d4 advance.
IO ..fLe3!? Nowadays this move
is made with the inclusion of I O.l:e I
0-0 and now I I ..ae3, not spoiling
the pawn structure.
IO . . ..lhc3 I Uhe6+ bxc6.
After I I . . . llJxc6 there would have
followed I 2.!:le I and if 1 2 . . . d4
- 1 3.lilfxd4. But now Black ends
124
lip with .111 isolated pawn pair (this
topic is covered in detail later).
12.fxe3 0-0 ( 1 2 . . .�g4 was
stronger) 1 3.�d2 �b6 1 4."!'JIc3
l:!b8 IS.l:! abl lle8.
1 6.l:t fe 1 . 'This Nimzowitsch­
style move - overprotection of the
c3-pawn - throws away a good 50%
of White's advantage. The obviolls
1 6.<t:lc5 <t:l f5 1 7.!::tre I was the logi·
cal continuation.' (Botvinnik)
1 6 . . .<t:lg6! Black plays his knight
to the better post c5.
1 7.<t:lcS �g4 18.<t:l d4 <t:leS
1 9.b4 l:!bdS 20.e4. 20.<t:lde6 .I'l.xe6
2 1 .�xc5 came into consideration.
consolidating his grip on the dark
squares.
20 . . . dxe4 2 1.l:!xe4 as 22 .•3.
After 2H�g3 ƹhϏ 23.11 xg4 <t:l xg4
24.'t'Vxg4 Black could have inter­
posed 24 . . . h5!
22 . . . • xb4 B. •xb4 f6 24.l':tbel
\l;>h8. Black should have exploited
the latent pin on the white king to
switch his bishop to Ϗ- 24 . . . .1!Lh5!?
Part ll. The isolated d5-pawn
2S.Whl .ad7. Even now it was
not too late lor25 . . .Sl.h5!? 26.<1lde6
.I'l.g61 (not 26 . . J�b8? because of
27J:txe5 txcS 28.t-Yxc5) with .1 de­
fensible position. Now, however,
Black loses a pawn.
26.<t:lxd7 l:lxd7 27J.!1xe6 �'�d8
2S.<t:l\3 I!e7 29.li)xeS fxeS 30.� xe8+
�xc8 3 1 xeS �gS 32.l:te8 l'lxe2
33l!xg8+ W xgS 34.l:tb l , and White
obtained a won rook endgame.
KARPOV - VAGANIAN
Skopje 1976
French Defence COB
l .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.<t:ld2 cS 4.
oxdS cxdS S.liJ g\3 .6 6.dxeS Sl. xeS
7.<1lb3 .I'l.h6 8..I'l.d3 <1le7 9.0-0
l)) be6 1 0.!lel .I'l.g4 I I .c3 h6 12.h3
ƀϏhS.
13.il.e3! In the struggle for con­
trol of d4 it is important 10 exchange
the dark-square bishop.
1 3 . . . 0-0. The retreat 1 2 . . . Sl.e7'!
leads 10 serious posilional conccs-
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn
sions after J 3 .g4! j<g6 14.j<xg6
['g6 1 5.tZlc5.
14.j< .b6 �hb6 I sJI.Ye2. The
queen makes way for the rook.
Black cannot exploit thc quecn's po­
sition by 1 5 . . . neS, since this rook is
inadequately defended.
I S . . . llrdH 1 6.11adl .
1 6 . . . as. A standard way of
gaining counterplay on the qllcen­
side: Dlack aims not only to drive
away the knight, but also to weak­
en White's pawns. For example, if
1 7." e3 there follows 1 7 . . . '&xe3
IS.ll xc) j<xf3 1 9.1:!xf3 .4 20.lj)d4
(20.QJd2 33 2 1 .b3 d4) 20 . . . lj)xd4
2 1 .cxd4 wilh an cqual endgamc.
1 7.t..b l ! White intends a re­
grouping of his pieces willt Ihe aim
of attacking the king, not forgetting
abOUI control of the d4-point.
1 7 . . .� xf3. 1 7 . . . a4 was prema­
ture: 1 8.<1lbd4 QJ xd4 1 9.1:xd4 QJc6
20.11 h4 j<xf3 2 1 .�xf3. and Black's
kingside is inadequately defended
( 2 1 . . . �'1xb2? 2H'9f5 g6 23.ii'f6).
125
IS.'I'hf3 a4 1 9.QJd4 �.b2
20.QJ.c6 QJxc6 2 1 .'&rS g6 22.'&r6
l'ld7. An attempt to cover the un­
prolected king, since i f 22 . . . 1leS?!
there would have followed 23.j<xg6
fxg6 24.'&xg6+ w rs 25.�xh6+
WgS 26.l:te6 with an irresistible at­
t.ack.
2J.� fS! An intuitive bishop
sacrifice. which Black dccides not
10 accept. Indeed. after 23 . . . gxfS
24.!:td3 f4 25.'&xf4 White's attack
looks very dangerous, although Kar­
pov suggests the possibility of a de­
fence with 25 . . . f6. Modem compu­
ter analysis shows Ihal Black could
have held the position after 26.�,hf6
llg7.
B .. . :!.7 24.!:txe7 QJxe7 25.
Ad3 QJrS. l f 2 5 . . . Wrs White wins
by 2 6.!:t b I (ha2 27.!:txb7 !:teR
28.j<xg6.
26.j< .rS g.rs 27.,,;te l ! ĔϏ.. 2
28.'&xh6. 28.:e)? is a false trail -
28 . . . f4 29.ii'xf4 \'ijIb l + )0.Wh2 .3'
3 1 .1:g3 ii'g6' . •nd Black escapes.
1 26 Part II. The isolated d5 pa w n
-

28 •3 29.'&g5+ ,'1 18 30.�H6

...

\�g8 3 1 .'&.fS '&d2 32.)"'I;c7 )"'1; 18

33.ʍɓϏg4+ W h7 34.);(05 '& h6 35.!I h5
);(.8 36.'&fS+ Wg7 37.l:t .h6 W xh6
38.�1f6+ W h7 39.I'Y xf7+ WhH
40."t\Yxb7. Black resi gned .

5.3. Piece attack

on the isolatl.-d pawn

On one occasion. after unsuc� In this position thc problcms of

cess fully attacking an isolated pawn. dcfending the isolalcd d5-pawn arc
iLcnt Larsen heatedly exclaimed: aggravatcd by White's pressure on
'The blockade of an isolated pawn the a-file. The absence of Black s '

is old-fashioned: it should be won, d;'lrk-square bishop mak es his de­

no! blockaded! ' Of COUfse, this is an
exaggeration, but in spec ific situa­
tions the slnllcgy of a direct altack
has chances of success. Earlier we
examined methods of conducting a
frontal attack on the dS-pawn with
the heavy pieces in Karpov's games
with Korchnoi (Memn 1 98 1 ) and
Spassky ( Montreal 1 979). We will
now consider the attack 011 the iso­
lated d5-pawn with the participation
of minor pieces.
fence an u npleas;,m t task.
13,lla4! \l is important to take
control orthe key d4-point.
13 . . .1I.c6 1 4.g4! This flank at·
tack has the aim of wea kening
Black's defence of the dS-pawn.
14 . . .ti:ld6 15.f4 ti:l de4 16.fS
ti:lxc3 1 7.bxc3 -". d7 18.);( d4 h5. I f
1 8 . . . h6, then 1 9.c4' dxc4 20.1I.xc4
'/f!le7 2 1 .�,",b3 with the threat of 1I.a3.
1 9.9xh5 4)c4 20. il.d3 !!cH
2 J .�g4 '& b6.

BELIAVSKY - INKIOV
Olympiad. Thcssaloniki 1988
Nim,zo-/ndiall Defence E42

I.d4 ti:l f6 2.c4 <6 3.�lc3 1I.b4

4.c3 c5 S.ti:l e2 0-0 6.•3 cxd4
7.• xb4 dxc3 8.ti:lxc3 d5 9.cxd5
<xd5 1 0.11.<2 ti:lc6 l J .b5 Q,c7 12.
0-0 ti:lfS.
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5- p a w n
22.c4! A decisive undennining
move. leading to the win of the ciS­
pawn. If 22 . . .&;'f6 there follows an
,mack on .he king: 23.��g2 dxc4
24M t;)h5 25.1<.2.
22 ...ttoc8 23.�1g2 �Yh6
24.1:Ixd5 t;) f6 25.•4 W xh5 26.Sl. b2.
Black resigned.
BELIAVSKY BAREEV -
Mlinich 1 994
F'rel1cl! Defence COB
1..4 .6 2.d4 d5 3.t;)d2 c5 4...d5
cxd5 5.Sl.b5+ 1<d7 6.�·Ye2+ VI�e7
7.Sl. xd7+ t;)xd7 8.dxc5 �"lxe2+
9.iLl x.2 Sl.xc5 I 0.liJb3 Sl.b6 I I .Sl.f4
liigf6 12.0 0-0 13.0-0-0 btac8.
A Iypical position with an isolat­
ed pawn has arisen. However. after
a routine approach with the block­
ade of .he d4-poin. - 14.<1J bd4 g6
lollowed by !l!1l·e8 and liJd7-e5 i.
is not easy for White to get at the
d5-pawn. But it call be attacked im­
mediately.
1 27
14.lilc3! !le4 1 5..I'I.g3 !Ife8 16.
>lI b 1 !
1 6 . . . d4. This advance is practi­
cally forced. but at d4 the pawn is
equally wcak. which allows White to
attack it in combination with threats
to the rooks. It should be mentioned
that also after the passive 1 6 . . . llJf8
1 7.!lhc I t;)e6 ( 1 7 . . . •6'1 I S.";"e5
loses a pawn) 1 8.SLe5 Black cannot
avoid 1 8 . . . d4. but here too White
begins chasing the rooks: 1 9.t1Jb5!
rlxe2 20.lild6 IISc6 2 1 .liJf5!
l!6c4 22.liJd2 l!c5 23.Sl. d6 l:txb2+
(things arc not changed by 23 . . .
llxd2 24.t;)c7+ Wh8 25.1:xd2 SI..5
26 ..l'..xc5 Sl.x<12 27.!Id l ) 24.Wxb2
l1 f5 25.!le5 llxc5 26.Sl.xe5, and
White again wins the d4-pawn.
1 7.liJb5 btxc2 1 8.liJd6 l:!8c6
19.1l\fS! White is again 'in the saddle'!
Black is unable 10 defend against the
forks 011 e7 and d4. Thus if 19 . . . lJ.6c4
.here lollows 20.t;)d2 llc5 2 I .liJ xd4,
while the move in the gamc leads to
the loss of the exchange.
128
19 . . .Cild5 20.liJbxd4 IIxg2 2 J .
liJ xe6 bxe6 22.!:lhcl ti:l7f6 23.Cilh4.
Black resigned. The only way to
avoid the loss of a second exchange
is by 23 . . .1;(12 24 ..1l. x12 .1l.x12. bu.
after 25.CilfS .1l.xel 26.!:txel ɂ ˼˽Ϗ
27 .l:c I the c6-pawn is lost.
TOPALOV - LEKO
Morciia/Linarcs 2006
Nimzo-Inclian Defence E32
J.d4 ti:lf6 2.e4 c6 3.Cile3 .1l. b4
4.W'e2 0-0 5.•3 .1l.xe3+ 6.W'xe3 b6
7..1l.g5 Jl.b7 8/ LI O d6 9.liJd2 Cilbd7
10.0 d5 I J .cxd5 cxdS 1 2.e3 lle8
1 3 .1l.
. .2 IIc8 14.0-0 "IiiI c7 I S.J?i. bS c6
I 6.ƄϏa4 h6 I 7.ƅϏd6 ti:lxf6 IS.llfel
bS 1 9..il.c2 eS 20.Jll.fS :ac7 2 J.dxcS
:axeS 22.W'd4 .6.
White is finnly blocking the iso­
lated dS-pawn. but it is not casily al­
tacked. since Black has active COUIl­
Icrplay on the c- and c-files.
23.a4! White carries Ou( the plan
of crealing a second weakness: by
Part n. The isolated d5-pawn
undermining the bS-pawn. he opens
the a-file for his rook.
23 . . . bxa4 24.lha4 lJ:c6 2S.b4
�Je5. Black is forced 10 reckon with
the existence of a weak pawn at a6
and to case the defence he exchang­
es the white queen, which is domi­
nating the position. The exchange of
knights would also not have eased
his problems: 25 . . . '·Ye7 26 ..il.dJ
ti:ld7 27.ti:lbJ ti:le5 28.8c5 ti:lxdJ
29.l:\'Ixd3 l:lb6 JO.�d4.
26.�hc5 1:I:xeS 27.>:L
. d3 rt b6.
Compensating for the pressure on
the a6-pawn wilh an attack 011 the
b4·pawn. bu. 27 . . . 11e7!7 28.W12
ti:ld7 wi.h .he idea of ti)e5 looks
more active.
28SV12 .li.cs 29.litb l J?i.fS. II
is usefu l for Black to exchange his
"bad' bishop.
30.J"'rs ll xrs.
3 1 .lJ:a5! White nol only attacks
the d5-p(lwn, but also pins the rook
on 1'5 , which will not be easy to bring
in.o play. 3 1 . . .ll eS"' J2.ti:l c4 will
Chapter :>. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn
not do, while after 3 1 . . .:hS 32.h3
l::t h4 33.f4 d4 (33.. .gS? 34.'i:lf3
nhS 3S.g4 l::t x h3 36.Wg2) 34.exd4
l:!xf4+ 3S.We3 gS 36.g3 l:le6+
37.',!;>d3 ll f2 38.: fl l::t xfl 39.'i:l xfl
ttb6 40.'i:le3 llxb4 4 1 .'i:lfS Black
has to reckon with the d-pawn.
3 1 . . .g6 3Z.WeZ hS (preventing
g4) 33.g3 ,'1g7 34.h3 tlid7 3S.g4
hxg4 36.hxg4 l:!eS 37.W f2. The at·
tempt to win the d5-pawn - 37.f4
l:!cc6 38.l::t xdS 'i:l f6 39.l:!gS 'i:lc4
40.tiJxe4 .ktxe4 would have led to
a rook endgame with the pawns on
one wing, where Black's drawing
chances arc obviously improved.
37. . .!Ic6 38 b3 !.'!b6. 38 . . .
Uc2 39.We2 'i:lb6 40.Wd3 l:lxd2+
4 1 .'.l/xd2 'i:lc4+ 42.\I;dJ 'i:lxaS
43.bxaS d4 44.cxd4 llxaS 4S.\I;c4
would have led to a favourable rook
cndgamc for White, since his d-pawll
is far more mobile than the a-pawn.
39.[4 l:!ee6.
40.gS! Now the d5-pawn is
doomed.
129
40 . . .ll:ed6 4 1 .c4! ll:bS (41 . . .
dxe4? 42.'i:lc4) 4Z.l:lxbS nbS
43.!.'!d3 'i:lb6 44.'i:lbl ! White plays
his knight to d. from where it will
all<ick two pawns, but in a critical
position Black finds counterplay.
44. . .lIc6! 45.exdS. TIle entry of
the rook could have been prevented by
playing 4S.l::tc 3. but after 4S . . . !.'!xe3
46.t;)xc3 the knight endgame cannot
be won 46 . . . dxe447.We3 rs 48.gxfli+
(48.Wd4 ʢʛϏ49.'i:lxbS We7=) 48 . . .
Wxfli 49.Wxe4 gS SO.fxgS+ \l; xgS
S I .'i:lxbS W IT>, and Black succeeds in
neutmlising the b-pawn.
4S . . .l::tc4 46.�1f3 !1xb4 47.'i:ldZ
[6 48.tlie4! The best way of support·
ing thed-pawn. After48.gxf6+Wxf6
49.'i:lc4+ \l;rs SO.'i:lg3+ W f6 S I .d6
gS S2.fxgS+ WxgS S3.d7 tlixd7
White's resources arc exhausted.
48 . . .[xgS 49.ti) xgS ÉƁƂϏ[6 SO.Wg4
tlie4 5 1 .'i:l e4+ \l;e7 5Z.d6+ \l;d8
53.\I;g5 'i:l bZ 54.l::t e3.
54...l:td4?? Black cnlcks under
the prolonged stress, at a moment
130
when salvation was at hand - 54 . . .
III d 7' 55.Wxg6 lilc4 56.l:Id3 (56.
̈́ ǡϏ tilxd6 57.lilxd6 W xd6=) 56 . . .
<tl xd6! 57.tlxd6+ 'i) c7 58.tlb6
IIxc4 59.11b7+ Wd6.
55.lilf6! l:lxd6 56.l:Ie8+ We7
57.);Ie2 );Id l 58.l::t xb2. and White
won with his exira knight
5.4. Creation
of an isolated pawn pair
Another posilional mcthod in the
struggle against an isolated dS-pawn
is the transfonnation of one Iype of
adv3n1agc into another. One of the
Illost cornlllon methods is the ex­
change of the blockading d4-knighl
on e6. In Ihis case Ihe dS-pawn is
no longer isolated, but if the result­
ing d5-c6 pawn pair can be block­
aded. this leads 10 the creation of a
so-called isolated pawn pair. which
is also weak and requires constant
defence. Along with the game Zuk­
crtort - Stcinitz ( 1 886), \vhcrc this
method was employed against a
d4-pawn. it is useful 10 make the
acquaintance of a classic game from
the heritage of Akiba Rubinstein.
RUBINSTEIN - SALWE
Lodz 1 908
Queen's Gambit D33
I.d4 d5 2.lilfJ e5 3.e4 e6 4.exd5
cxd5 5.lil c3 lilf6 6.g3 1fle6 7 ..il.g2
cxd4 8.lilxd4 '&b6.
Part 11. The isolated d5-paw n
Black has set up pressure on the
d4·poinl, but he is behind in devel­
opment, and also the position of the
queen at b6 gives White an addition­
al tempo for the occupation of the
c5·squarc.
9.tt.Jxc6! White creates an iso­
lated pawn pair d5-c6. since he suc­
ceeds in hiking control of the c5-
square.
9 ... bxc6 1 0.0-0 Sl.e7. I f 1 0 . . .
.Cte6, then I I .e4! is strong. brcclking
lip the black centre atter 1 1 . . . t11xc4
1 2.Q) xe4 dxc4 1 3.Sl. xe4.
I I .lila4 WJb5 I 2.Sl. e3 0-0
13.);Ic I Sl.g4 1 4.f3! Sl.e6 15.Sl.c5
!:tfeK 16.I!f2! White prepares 10
switch the rook along the second
rank to the c-file.
1 6 . . .lild7 1 7..s'J. xc7 lhe7
18.'V::Y d 4! (not forgetting about
control of c5) 1 8 . . .l::! ee8 1 9.:Jl.f1
!:tec8 20.e3! '&b7 2 1 .lil e5! lil xe5
22.1:1«5.
Chapter 5. ALtaek on the isolated d5-pawn
The triumph of While's strategy,
begun with the exchange 9.tlJXc6
- his pieces are blockading the dark
squares.
22 .. .1:'1:c7. II was essential to pre­
vent the complete blockade of the
wing by playing 22 . . . a5, since oth­
erwise Black is condemned to per­
ish by suffocation.
23.l:tfc2 't':Yb6'! It was not yet too
latc for 23 . . . as. preventing b2-b4.
24.M! .6 2S.llaS. 25.l:txd5 was
also possible, but White docs not
hurry, since Black's qucenside is
doomcd.
2S ...I!b8 26.03 !la7 27.!l.c6!
�xc6 28.�!Jx07 l:!.8 29.6'cS 6'b7
30.Wf2 hS 3 1 ..1'..,2 g6 3U':Yd6 �c8
33.1'1cS 1'�b7 34.h4 as 35.l:!c7 iII b8
36.bS a4 37.b6 lIaS 38.h7. Black
resigned.
Boris Spassky also found things
difficult when he decided to go in for
the creation of an isolated pawn pair
in a game with Tigran Petrosian.
131
PETROSIAN - SPASSKY
World Championship Match,
1 6th Game, Moscow 1 969
Queen's Gambit D34
I.c4 .6 2.d4 dS 3.lil fJ cS
4.c.dS cxdS S.g3 lilc6 6.il.g2
I1i r6 7.0·0 !fl.c7 8.lil c3 0·0 9.il.gS
c.d4 10. .d4 h6 I I .!fl.e3 !fl.g4
1 2.�-¥a4! White activates his
queen and vacates the d I -square
for a rook.
The assessment of the position
depends on whether the activity of
the black pieces compcns'ltes for the
weakness of the dS-pawn.
1 2 . . .lilaS 1 3.J:!.d l lilc4
1 4.Sl. c l �c8! I S.�c2. I t is unfa·
vourable for White to accept the
pawn sacrifice: 1 5.liJxd5 tiJxd5
16 ..I'l.xd5 lilb6 1 7.�b3 I1ixd5
1 8.'�xd5 .a f6 with strong pressure
( Bondarcvsky).
I S ...l:!d8 1 6.b3 lilcs 17.1l. b2
�d7.
132
IR.n! White is alll1mg 10 re­
strict the activity or the bhlck pieces
(if 1 8 . . . il.e6? there follows 1 9.f4)
or force the transition into an end­
game.
18 ... il.hS (or 1 8 . . . SLh3
1 9.il.xh3 �xh3 20.'t:H5 !) 1 9.V4HS!
lLlc6. The exchange of queens can­
not be avoided ( 1 9 . . . �c7 20.ttlcb5
�b8 2 I .ttle6!)
20.'ii!' xd7 l:txd7.
2 I .ttl .c6! b.c6 22.ttla4. After
the blockade of the isolated pawn
pair. White's advantage is obvious:
in the near future Black's light-
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
square bishop will be unable to take
part in the defence of the c6-pawll.
22 llJeS. With the idea after f7-
..•
f6 of bringing the h5-bishop into play.
Bad is 22 . . . c5 23.il.xf6 gxf6 24.g4
Jlg6 25.f4, shutting in the bishop.
23.!lc t ! l:Ic7 24.il.eS! Sl.d6.
The exchange orthe important dark­
square bishop is forced, since 24 . . .
liJd6 is bad in view of 25.g4 SLg6
26.f4! with the threat of27 ..t1.xd5.
2S.Sl. .d6 tilxd6 26.11 rdl lil bS.
In this position Pctrosian could
have gained a decisive positional ad­
vantage by 27.g4 Sl.g6 28. f4, since
28 . . . f6? rails to 29.l:txc6! Black also
loses after 28 . . .il.e4 29..iOI.xc4 dxe4
30.tzk5. besieging the c4-pawn.
27.Wf2?! f6 (bringing the bishop
into play) 28.c3 il. f7 29.il. fI ttld6
30J�[c3. 30.il.a6! E ¥ Ϗ3 1 .�c5 Wc7
32.:tc I was stronger.
30. . .WIll? Black should have
played 30 . . . g5!. depriving the white
knight ofthc f4-squarc, to which it could
have bcen moved later in the game.
Chapter 5. AUack on the isolated d5-pawn
3 1 .iilc5 as ( 3 1 . . . Wc7 32 .QJ ,,6)
32.11 dcl J:: e7 33S1.h3 (with the
threat of 34.iild7+ followed by
3S.QJb6) 33 . ..!Iaa7 (33 . . . .11. 08
34.QJe6+ � f7 35.QJd4) 34.a4? At
the decisive moment Petrosian dai­
lies and throws away the win. to
which he was close: aOcr 34.lll d 3
.lie8 35.QJ f4 W f7 36.!lxe6! .axe6
37.11xc6 QJb5 38 ..II.e6+.
34. . . g5! 35.l:!d l �g7 36.QJd3
.lie837.QJ<I f5 38.QJ e2 g4! 39..lig2
gxfJ 40..Ii .fJ iile4+ 4 1 ..lixe4 fxe4
42.iild4 !:!f7+ 43.Wg2 I::t f6 44.nfl
T,(xfl 45.W .fI h5 46.Wg2 .ad7
47.li'lc2 lla6 4S.g4 hxg4 49.Wg3.
Draw.
PETROSIAN - BELIAVSKY
4 1 st USSR Championship.
Moscow 1973
English Opening A 13
I .c4 <5 2.b3 QJc6 3S1.b2 QJf6
4.e3 e6 5.iilfJ d5 6.cxd5 exd5
7..lie2 .6 H.d4 exd4 9.QJxd4 .lib4+
1 0.kc3 k d6 I I .iild2 0-0 1 2.0-0
�c7.
1 33
It is difficult for White to sct up
pressure on the dS-pawn. whereas
the black pieces have great free­
dom of movement and. in particular,
1 3 . . . �d6 is threatened. Therefore
White changes the character of the
position.
1 3.tz h.c6! bxc6 14.'@c2! An im­
portant factor for the assessment of
the position is whether White can
control the cS-square or Black will
advance c6-cS. obtaining 'hanging
pawns'. which are undoubtedly bet­
ter than an isolated pawn pair.
1 4 ...t!c8. In the event of 1 4 . . .
�d6 1 5.g3 c5 1 6..Ilxf6gxf6 Black's
kingsidc pawns arc broken.
I S.iLd4! White gains control of
the cS-square, after which his ad­
vantage is undisputed. The attack on
the white king is easily repulsed.
1 5 ... �d6 1 6.g3 Jig4?! I)assive
tactics with 1 6 . . .St.d7 should hilve
been preferred.
1 7..Il xg4 QJ xg4 I S.QJfJ ! Black's
activity has come to a standstill, but
the weakness on c6 is very real.
18 . .,� h6?!
1 34
1 9.'&f5! Forcing the exchange
of qllcens, since 1 9 . . . �Yh3? fails 10
20.�xn+ @ x n 9.lbg5+ .
1 9 .. Ji:Yc6 20.� xe6 llxo6. The
d5-c6 pawn pair is blockaded, and
Black's position is strategically
10sl .
2 1 .11ac l . Beginning a siege of
the weaknesses.
2 1 . . . f6 22.lle2 Ib.s 23.s.. x.S!
In the given position lhe knight is a
more valuable piece than the bish­
op, since now it is hard for Black to
do anything to oppose the manoeu­
vre orthe knight 10 c5.
23.. .ƑϏxeS 24Jl re 1 J:te8
2S.rIcS (with the threat of
26 .l'lxd5 ) 2S ...ll:d6 26.l:t 1 e2
<ti n 27.WfI W.6 28.1b. 1 d4
29.f4 d3 30.lld2 .il.b2 3 1 .11xd3
l'la8 32.l'l xd6+ @xd6 33.Q'd3
85 34.l'le4 .I'l.a3 3s.1184 Jl.eS
36.lb xcs @xeS 37.b4+ @e4
38.!haS !I b8 39.a3 Wd3 40.Wf2
l:! b7 4 1 .l:! eS I:t07 42.ll: xe6 l:! xa3
43.W O. Black resigned.
AGZAMOV - GELLER
Sochi 1 984
Queen's Gambit D55
I.d4 Ibf6 2.lbf3 dS 3.e4 .6
4.lbe3 .I'l.c7 S..fJ.gS 0-0 6.c3 h6
7.Jl.xf6 Jl.xf6 S:&d2 eS 9.exdS
exd4 10.lb xd4 exdS I I .Jl.bS �d6
12.0-0 IId8 lJ.nae 1 lbe6.
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
1 4..I'l.xe6! bxe6 I S.'1104! A typi­
cal manoclIvrc.
I S. . .Jl.d7 1 6.lbeS !IdeS 1 7.b4!
With the blockade orthe c5- and d4-
points, White's advantage is obvi­
ous.
1 7 ....I'l.e8 1 8.lle2 llebS I 9Jlfel
SL d8 20.lba6! (preventing 20 . . . a5)
20 . . .nb6 2 1 .�e2 �i·1g6. 2 1 . . . .I'l.d7
22.a4 .I'l.e8 23.l:Ixc6 J'l.xa6 24.b5
was no better for Black.
22.33 .I'l.d7 23.�fI .I'l.f6 24.lbcs
.I'l.fS 2s.lbxfS �xf5 26.lb b3 l:td8
27.tL1aS d4 28.lbx<6 d3 29.lld2
!:!d7 30.tL1aS l:lbd6 3 1 .lbb3.
While's position is strategically
Wall.
3 1 . . .IId8 32.<1)<5 as 33.Ql b7
axb4 34.lb xd6 llxd6 3S.axb4
SLcS 36.l::t < dl l:tg6 37.l:I xd3 Wh7
38.f4 .I'l.e7 39.�f3 l::t e6 40.g3 SL b6
4 1 .W h l . Black resigned.
In conclusion we will draw at­
tcntion to another way of allacking
the d5-c6 pawn pair.
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn 135

NUNN - VAGANIAN
Baden 1980
French Defence COB

J .e4 06 2.d4 d5 3.8d2 c5

4.ilg13
l .6 5.e.d5 e.d5 6.Ste2
exd4 7.0-0 Std6 dIel CiJe7 9.l1\b3
0-0 JO.8b.d4 8bc6 I I.Ste3 \'1c7
12.h3 Std7 I HIYd2 l1\g6.

20., .f6'! This attempt to restrict

the dark-square bishop leads to an
irreparable weakening of the e6-
square. Black should have played
20 . . . Ste4! 2 1 .CiJg5 Strs, inviting
White to reveal his further plans.
2 1 .Stc3! Ste4?! (2 1 . . . Stf8
22.t;)d4 SLd7 was more tena­
cious) 22.8d4 8.b4 23 ... b4 8e5
24.:'88 l:xa8 25.13 Stg6 26.r4
1 4.8.c6! b.c6 I S.c4! This un­
<1\c4 27.'&e2! Ste4 28.o/�g4! il.fS
dennining move prevents the crea­
29.t!xc4! Black resigned.
tion of hanging pawns at c5 and d5,
and with a subsequent c4-c5 it has
5.5. Creation
the aim of gaining space.
of a central pawn pair
1 5 . . . •5 1 6.•3 -'l.e6 1 7.cS! The
outcome of the operation bcgun
Apart frol11 the exchange of the
with 14.o1.Jxc6 - White's dark­
blockading d4-knight on c6, in a
square bishop will now dominate
number of positions the exchange
on the long diagonal. In the event
of the knight for the bishop on c6
o f 1 7.cxd5 5lxd5! the activity of
is also of strategic interest. In the
the bishop at d5 compcnS<ltes for the
examples given below, the point of
weakness of the e6-pawn.
such an exchange is not to gain the
17 . . . J'l.07 1 8.b4 lllb8 19.5l.d4
adVanl<lgc of the two bishops. but
Str5 20.Strt.
mainly to weaken the light squares
on the kingsidc. The resulting ccn­
tra! pawn pair d5-c6 is practically
1 36
immobile and in the future it can
be put under attack by c2(e3)-c4 or
in some cases by f4-f5, which may
again lead to the creation of an iso­
lated pawn. I-Iowever, in contrast to
the isolated pawn pair dS-c6, with
accurate defence the central pawns
d5 and c6 arc more dynamic.
KARPOV - KASPAROV
World Championship Match,
4th Game, Moscow 1985
Queen's Gambit D55
I.d4 ds 2.e4 e6 3.<t:le3 .lil.. c7
4.<t:lO IiJf6 s..lil.. gs h6 6.li xf6
J/.xf6 7 .•3 0-0 8.t¥e2 <t:l.6 9.k(d l
es 10.dxes �.s I l .exds <t:lxes
12JWd2 l:!d8 13.liJd4 exds I 4SLe2
�b6 15.0-0 <t:le4 16.��e2 <t:lxe3
17.lIl'xeJ lic6 18.�e2 J:!ae8
19.0bl J:!e7 20.l:!d2 l:!de8.
In this position the blockading
strategy 2 1 .tI fo I docs not work be­
calise of 2 1 . . . lixd4 22.l:!xd4 1:[c2
23.l:l4d2 ƓĴϏ Therefore Karpov
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
transfonns the position, creating
a central pawn pair. which gives
Black definite problems.
2 1 .tDxe6! fxe6. The pawn on dS
is reinforced, but the weakness of
the light squares in Black's position
gives White a slight but stable ad­
vantage. It should be mentioned thai
lhings arc also nOI easy for Black i f
h e remains with an isolatcd pawn
- 2 1 . . :�,yxe6 22.l:l fd l .
22.�g4 I:!e4 B.h3 �c6 24.'it)d3
�h8. A loss of time. The immedi­
ate 24 . . . 015 was simpler. when 25.1�
l'lc5 is not dangerous for Black.
2S.tt fd l as 26.b3! (prevellting
a5-a4) 26. . . t'!e3 27.'I!lIe2 Ilf8! It did
not make sense to exchange the ac­
tive rook: 27 . . . ]:tc 1 28.I:!xc 1 �xc l +
29St)h2 'iJ:Yc6 30.g3 with a slight but
cnduring advantage for White.
28� hS! Switching the bishop 10
an attacking diagonal.
28 ... bS. Black aims to reinforce
his outpost at c3. 28 . . . lid8 29.�g6
il.c7 30.J/. d3 '&d6 3 1 .g3 �e5
Chapt.er 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn
32.�Yg4 Ñ ̭ͻϏwas also not bad. with
chances for both sides.
Z9..li.g6 .li.dS 30.il.d3 b4
3UI:i'g4 ilYeS.
32.e4! A thematic opening up of
the play in this type of posilion.
3Z . . . jLg5. 32 . . . .li.b6!?, attack­
ing the f2-pawn, also came into con·
sideration.
33Jlc2 ll xc2'! A positional
mistake. It was in Black's interests
for the exchange of rooks to lake
place on c3 with the creation of <I
passed pawn. Kasparov considers
the best 10 be 33 . . . �c8! 34.exd5
cxdS 3S.'!;.\'xc8 Ilfxc8 36.l:t.2 litc l
37.!lxc l �hc l + 38.�)h2 );le8
39.iLg6 ʕgϏ with a sound enough
position for Black.
34 ' xcZ {�c6 35.'!'�eZ �c5
36.tifl '!'He3 37.cxd5 cxd5 3S..I!l.bl !
White plans to set up the queen +
bishop battery on the b l ·h7 diago·
nal.
38 . . . '!'HdZ 39.l!:i'e5 !:!d8? The
decisive mistake. 39 . . . iLf6! 40:t:.vf5
1 37
II1g8 4 1 ..I!l.d3 %:td8 would have al­
lowed Black 10 pul up a tough de­
fence (Kasparov).
40.l!:i'fS <,!IgS 4 1 .�e6+ It'h8 4Z.
�g6 �gS 43.Wc6+ WhS 44,SU5!
�e3 45.'l'Hg6 It'g8 46 .I!l.e6+ It'hS
•
47 f5 Wg8 48.g3 It'fS 49.lt'gZ
�·� f6 50.V$h7 �\Yf7 5 1 .h4 .I!l.dZ 5Z.
l:Id I . The inclusion of the rook in
the auaek decides the outcome in
White's favour.
52.. . .>1.c3 53J:Id3 tid654.l:tf3!
It'e7 55:&hS! d4 56.'l'HcS I:tf6
57.�c5+ lI<e8 5S.l::tf4 'l'Hb7+ 59.
!le4+ ɉϏf7 60.ÞϏc4+ ɑϏ˸Ϗ61. .I!l. h7!
!:If7 6H�e6 �d7 63.��c5. Black
resigned.
SMYSLOV - KASPAROV
Final Candidates Match. 2nd Game,
Vilnius 1 984
Queen's Gambit D34
I.d4 d5 Z.Ci'lf3 e5 3.c4 e6 4.cxd5
exd5 5.g3 IiJf6 6.XLgZ SLe7 7.0-0
0-0 S.lilc3 lilc6 9.i.g5 cxd4 10.
lilxd4 h6 I I ' e3 J:le8 I Z.a3 .\te6
13.W hl �� d7.
1 38
1 4.Qhe6! fxe6 I S.f4! White's
plan is to play his dark-square bish­
op to g I and then open up the posi­
lion with e2-e4 or f4-f5, exploiting
his two bishops.
I S . . .:cted8! Black prepares to
meet the thematic move c2-e4. 1 5 . . .
d4? 1 6.lDc4 would have irreparably
weakened the light squares.
1 6.Sl.gl llaeK I Hi1a4 VhS
I K.nadl �lYe8 19.e4!
19 . . . d4! Black defends resource­
tully: 20.Sl.xd4? fails 10 20 . . . bS.
20.tiJe2. After 20.cS dxc3
2 1 .cxf6 Sl.xf6 22.bxc3 "&e7! Black
has sufficient counterplay.
20 �cS 2 1 .�bS! Aftcr Ihe
.•.
rash 2 1 .b4?! d3' 22.tiJc l Sl.xgl
23.Wxgl d2 24.tiJb3 tiJg4! 2S.b5?
(2S.:13) 2S . . . �hS 26.h3 8e3
Black wins the exchange.
2 1 . . .kb6 22.h3. If 22.eS?'
White has to reckon with Black's
counlerplay after 22 . . .tiJg4 23.11.13
tiJe3 24.J1J.xe3 dxe3 2s.lld6 llxd6
26.exd6 l:1d8 27.l%d l eS! clc. There·
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
fore White prevents this knight
Illms!.
22 . . . •5.
23.fxeS'!! An unfortunate ex­
change, ruining the fruits of Whitc's
Slralcgy. After 23.lI.h2! tollowed by
g3-g4 he would have retained the
better chances.
23 . . .1;) ,,5 24.iIlhe8+. Also
in Ihe evenl of 24.tiJxd4 'O'hbS
2S.tiJxbS llxd I 26.llxd l l:!e2 Black
has sufficient coullterplay thanks to
the activity of his pieces.
24 .. .I:1.e8 2S.tiJ.d4 tiJc4 26.eS!
ll.eS 27.jL,b7. 27.I:!e l 8c4!
28.llih2 tiJcd2 29.11fdl lld8 leads
to unclear play.
27 . . .l:Ie7 2S.11e l ! tiJ .b2 29.
!lxe7 Sl. xe7 30.tL\c6 I%e2! 3 1 .8d4
(3 1 .8xa7 tiJhS!; 3 1 .l:lf2 liIe4! )
3 1 . . .lleS 3VllrS! jLb6! 33.tiJ .h6
llaS 34.k.b6 axb6 3S.tiJrs ͡Ϗ..3
36.Wh2 tiJc4 37.g4 lit.7 3S.lI.h l
tiJeS 39.gS tiJhS 40.llel l:iaS
4 1 .tiJd6. Draw.
Chapter 5. Attack on t he isolated d5�pawn
HJA RTARSON -
IllESCAS CORDOBA
Linares 1988
Queen's Gambit D34
J .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.813 c5
4.cxd5 e.d5 5.g3 8f6 6..lil.g2 ke7
7.0·0 0·0 8.8c3 8c6 9.kg5 c.d4
10,(1'\ .d4 h6 1 J .Sl.e3 l:(.8 n.r-c l
Jil.g4 13.h3 Sl..6 14.�'tc2 ��d7.
15.8 .c6 f••6 16.l:tfdJ . White
prepares the plan off4. Jl f2 followed
by e4 or ..5 with the aim of opening
lip the position, when his two bish­
ops will be especially strong.
16 iL 18. Black prepares to meet
. . •
the e2-e4 attack on his central pawn
pair by supporting the c-pawn with
his rook. 1 6 . . .r!ac8 l 7.f4 Jil.d6?
( 1 7 . Sl.b4) 1 8 ..lil. rH�e7 1 9.e4. and
. .
White gained an obvious advantage.
Marin - Petursson. Romania 1987.
17.f4 '0n! Removing the queen
from the 'X-ray' altack or the rook
on d 1 .
18.Jil. n l:!.d8 19.•4.
1 39
19 d4! Black prevents the
•..
opening up of the position.
20.ll'lbS e5! 21 .fxeS d3! Tactics
at the service of strategy - 22.l'%xd3?
Π~ijϏ
2H�e3 8.c5. After 22..1:lxc5
23.8x.7 8xc4 24.Jil.xc4 llxc4
25.11xd3 Black docs not have suffi­
cient compensation for the lost pawn.
23.Jil.d4 'OiI'h5 24.8c7 !:!o7
25.Jil. .c5 l:l ••5. 25 . . . �xe5 26.8d5
� xg3! was stronger, when Black
has excellent counterplay for the
sacrificed exchange.
26.!:txd3 Jil.c5+ 27.W h l lI.d3
28.'i:l'lxd3 8.c4 29.,,9h2 8f6
30.-.:Yc4+ IV h7 3 J .8d5 8.d5
3a :l'd3+! Wh8 33.1:h.5 8e7 (33 . . .
8e3 34.11c8+ l:te8 35.�d7 was also
insufficient) 34.l'lc7 �c2 35.�f3
'&xf.l 36 ' xf.l 8fS 37.Il.b7 with
an extnl pawn for While.
5.6. Transition into an endgame
To develop the theme of ex�
changing when playing against an
140
isolated pawn, it is useful to include
the method of exchanging queens
and transposing into a complicated
endgame. In this case the isolated
d5-pawn loses its dynamic strength
and may become a targct� while the
absence of the queens allows other
pieces 10 exploit the weakness of
squares adjacent to it.
In the study of positions with an
isolated pawn. the transition into the
endgame is sometimes planned right
frol11 the opening.
FLOHR CAPABLANCA
- isolated d5-pawn and a knight at
Moscow 1935
Queen's Gambit D62
I .d4 dS 2.e4 c6 3.tiJe3 lilf6
4!tJO liJ bd7 S..tgS Sl.c7 6.c3 0-0
7.�c2 cS! The 1110S1 effective way
of countering Rubinstein's SCI-Up
with �c2 and 1!d I in the Ortho­
dox Defence. However. it allows
White 10 transpose into an end­
game where Black has all isolated
d5-pawn.
8.ndS lilxdS 9.:il. xc7 'lj'ixc7
1 0.liJxdS exdS 1 I .Sl.d3 cxd4
12.liJxd4 'iil' b4+ 13.'lj'id2 lileS
1 4.Sl.b5 'I1Ixd2+ IS.W xd2 36
16.Sl.d3 Sl.c6 1 7.];[3el !lfeS
1 8.l:!e2 lil'd3. Essenlially a forced
exchange. since 1 9.:hc l followed
by b2�b4 was threatened.
1 9.19xd3 l:1.e2 20.'�lxe2
WIS 2 1 .<;Vd2 l:teS 22.1:Ie l j;txcl
23.W,el.
Part [I. The isolated d5-pawn
On the basis of a number of
games by Akiba Rubinstein. in the
1 930s slich all endgame with an
d4 against a light-square bishop
was considered won for White. His
advantage comprises not only the
superiority of the knight over the
bishop, but also the fact that his
king can replace the knight on d4.
from where it will threaten both
wmgs.
Capablallca had to demonstrate
virtlloso defensive technique (at
limes finding the only moves) in Of­
der to save the game.
23 . . .Wc7 24.W d2 II1d6 2S.II)e3
b6! Black displays a subtle under­
standing of the endgame: he ar­
ranges his pawns on dark squares,
preventing the invasion of the king,
while the b5-squarc is controlled by
the bishop.
26.f4 Sl.d7 27.liJ O f6! 28SiJd4
as! 29.lild2 jee8 30.lilb l Jl.c6
3 1 .lile3 '.lJe6 32.33 h6 33.g3.
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn
33, .. hS!'! Bl<lck gives up the f6-
g7-h6 pilwn triangle in favour of the
f6-g6-h5 triangle, denying White
the prospect of playing his knight to
114 with the threat of a bind by f4-
1"5 (a ncr which the knight would be
switched to f4 with the threat of an
invasion at c6).
34.b4! axb4. Whitcwas threatening
3S.bS+ Wd6 36.13 Sl.f7 37.tJ\e2 wilh
the switching of his knight to ǭĆϏ and
therefore it is important to exchange a
pair of pawns, in order to have the pos­
sibility of attacking thc b5-pawn.
35.axb4 Wd6 36.b5 g6 ( fore·
stalling Ihe Ihre.1 of 37.fS) 37.tJ\a4
We7 38.i1l c3 I11 d6.
141
39.f5! With this pawn sacrifice
White breaks up Black's defences.
39 . . .gxfS. Bad is 39 . . .Sl.xfS
40.i1lxdS lI.d7 4 1 .tJ\xf6 lI.xbS
42.�d5, and White wins the b6-
pawn.
40.i1le2Sl.d7.40 . . . Sl.g8! 4 1 .lZ\f4
ɛ Ž Ϗ42.h3 ƚ€ȍϏwas more accurate,
gaining tempo in anticipation of the
pawn endgame.
4 1 .i1lf4 Sl..8! Of course, nol
4 1 . . . Sl.xbS? 42.i1lxhS, when While
obtains a dangerous passed h-pawn.
42.i1lxd5 Sl. xb5 43.i1lxb6. After
43.QJ xf6? Sl.e2 it is White who has
to fight for a draw.
43 . . .Sl.c6 44.i1lc4+ 1!ic6
45.tiJb2 Sl.b5 46.i1ld l Sl.e2 47.i1lrz
.aft ! 48.i1ld3 Sl. xd3 49.W xd3.
49. . . lI1e5! The only move. Black
would have lost after 49. . . Wd5
SO.lI1d2! ill eS S I .lI1e I ! lI1e4 S2.lI1e2
WdS S3.WI1 WeS S4.h3 WdS
55.l!If4 111 c6 56.h4 (Grigoriev).
50.WeZ. After 50!,yd2 BI.ck
saves himself with the only move
142
50 . . . h4! 5 1 .gxh4 f4 52.h5 fxc3+
53 .I'
J x03 W e6 (Capablanea).
SO. . . Wc4! SI.h3 ( 5 1 .'Ji f2 h4
52.gxh4 (4) S I . . .ll1dS 52.111 13
WeS. Draw.
LARSEN - PENROSE
Palma de Mallorca 1 969
Nimzovich-Larsen Attack AO J
I.b3 eS 2 .ƋϏb2 lile6 3.e4 .6
4.lil13 lilf6 S.g3 .'/i.e7 6..li.g2 0-0
7.lile3 dS 8.exdS exdS 9.l:Ie l :.'Lc6
l O.d4 lle8 1 1 .0-0 l:te8 1 2.dxeS
.axeS l3.lila4 iJ.e7 14.lilcs lild7
Is.lilxd7 �xd7 16.�d2 1i:1d8
I 7.l:.Ifd I .li.f6 1 8.e3 iiJe7 19.h3
h6 20..a xf6 �xf6 2 1 .!!e3 SUS
22.l:Idel liIed8.
23.tiJ d4! White carries out an
exchanging operation. based on the
threat of an invasion by his hCiWY
pieces on the qllccnside.
B . . .lil xd4 24.1i:1xd4 '&xd4.
The exchange of queens is forced,
since afier 24 . . . �e6 25.Wh2 Black
Part 11. The isolated c15-pawn
has no way of opposing the rook in­
vasion at c7.
25.exd4. The game has gone into
an cndg,mlc, where While's advan­
tage is determined by his control of
the c-filc plus the weakness of the
dS-pawn.
25 . . .He7 26.g4! By seizing space
on the kingsidc, White restricts the
range of the bishop.
26. . . Sl.e6. Weaker was 26 . . .
:.'Lc4?! 27.fJ iJ.g6 28.ne7 l:ted7
29.l:txd7 l:lxd7 30.!Ie8+ Wh7
3 1 .Wf2 with advantage to White .
27.f4 f6 28.W f2 .li. n 29..li.13
Wf8.
30.a41 With a pawn attack on the
qllccnsidc White aims 10 give Black
an additional p,lwn wc' l kncss. which
will help him to convert his advan­
tage.
30 . . .tlde8 3 LaS l:!d7 32.b4
IIod8 33 ..li.e2! The bishop is
switched to a more active position.
33 . . . .l!I.e8 34.iJ.d3 l:le7 JS.l:!eH
!:Ixe8 36.!:Ixc8 w n 37.bS! White
Chapter 5. A ttack on t he isolated d5-pawn
has carried out his plan - 38.1:a8 is
threatened.
37 . . . b6 3S.axb6 nb6 39.!:tbS
!:te6 40.A g6+ ē A Ϗ 4 1.h4.
Zugzwang! Black has no useful
moves.
4 1 . . .t:t07 42.h5 bl06 43.1tIf3
lle7 44.g5. Black resigned.
KASPAROV - KHARITONOV
55th USSR Championship,
Moscow 1988
French. Defence C08
1 .04 06 2.d4 d5 3.QJd2 c5
4.tilgf3 QJf6 5.cxd5 oxdS 6.Ab5+
..i. d7 7.A xd7+ €lbxd7 S.O-O Ac7
9.dxcS G,xcs 10.QJd4 '&d7 1 1 .�f3
0-0 1 2.€l 2b3 €lcc4.
13"�f5. While offers the ex­
change of queens, planning a piece
attack on the isolated d5-pawn.
1 3 . . J' feS. In Rublevsky -
Barccv, St. Petersburg 1 998. Black
avoided the exchange by 1 3 . . .
'. d8!? 1 4.A f4 g6 1 5.'I!:!Ih3 IIc8
143
1 6.t:tadl 'ud6, but a battle did not
ensue - here a draw was agreed.
14.t:tc l ĚϏIll. In the spirit of the
position was 1 4 . . . .tLd8!? with the
switching of the bishop to b6. from
where it puts pressure on d4.
1 5.c3 &.f5. I S . G:\d6! was
. .
stronger, transferring the knight to
c4.
1 6.QJ xfS g6 1 7.€le3. White
begins a combined attack on the
d5-pawn. in a situation where the
black pieces arc insufficiently well
coordinated to organise counter­
play.
1 7 . . .U c8 I S.Ud I €lcS?! The
d5-pawn should have been support­
ed by 1 8 . . . l:tad8, although even
here ailer 19.G:\c2 G:\cS 20.A gSI
G:\ce4 2 1 .Ae3 White has the ad­
vantage.
1 9.94! A typical idea. By the ad­
vance of the wing pawn White ex­
poses the weakness of the d5-pawn,
by threatening to drive back its de­
fender.
144
19 . . . h6 20.h4! In the event of
2o.ti)xd5 lilxdS 2 1 .!IxdS !Ie I +
22.Wg2 tiJxb3 23.axb3 as Black has
active countcrplay for the pawn.
20. . .liJ xb3?! Black goes along
with White's exchanging strategy.
He should have aimed for activity:
20 . . .Itc41 2 1 .g5 ( 2 1 . f.l l:le6) 2 1 . . .
tiJhSI 22.tiJxdS l:lxh4 23.gxh4 lile6
(Kasparov).
2 1 .axb3 .lteS. Here 2 1 . . . :e4 is
parried by 22.l:!a4.
22.gS hlgS 23.hlgS lilc4
24.tiJg4! White strengthens his
position and intends to drive back
Black's only active piccc - his knight
on c4. He docs not hurry to capture
the pawn. as after 24.llxd5?! !Iad8
2S.l:l:xdS Itxd8 Black has good
compensation.
24 . . ..ab6 2S.Wg2 Wg7 26..a f4
:.dS 27.13 tiJe5 28.b4! After the
impulsive 2S ..aeS+ l:txeS!? 29.
tiJxeS tiJ xb3 Black could still have
put up some resistance, but now he
comes under a total bind.
28. . .lilb3 29.:a3
30.Wg3 IIIb2 3 1 .e4! lIeS 32.eS
.a d8 33.l:xa7 !Iee2 34.l:!ld5 .a.7
3s.11xb7. Black resigned.
POLUGAEVSKY - A.ZAITSEV
Vladimir 1 969
Queen's Gambit D34
l .e4 c6 2.g3 tiJf6 3 .ag2 dS •
4.tiJ l3 .ac7 5.0-0 eS 6.exdS exdS
ParI II. The isolated d5-pawn
7.d4 tiJe6 S.dxeS �xe5 9..ag5.ac7
l O.tiJc3 0-0 I l ollel 11..6 1 2.lild4
tiJxd4 l3.'Iihd4 h6 14 .ac3 �.S
•
1 5.l:l:fdl l:l fd8.
A routine approach to the posi­
lion suggests 16.'tt� d3 followed by
.il.. d4, retaining a small positional
advantage. However. the particular
fcatures of the position, in which
White's pieces are trained on the
queenside. allow him to provoke an
advantageous exchange of queens,
after which the d5-pawn loses its
dynamic strength and becomes a
l:!c2+ weakness.
16.�a4! �xa4 17.tiJ xa4 b6
(preventing I S.tiJcS) IS.tiJe3 rld7
1 9.tiJb5! By playing his knight to
the d4 blockading position White
denies Black any coullterplay.
1 9 . . . Ilad8 20.b3 tiJ.8 2 1 .lild4
Jtf6 22.h3. White restricts the mo­
bility of Black's light-square bish­
op.
22 . . .tiJd6 23.g4 .1l.xd4 24.
.axd4.
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn 145

lay allows the knight to come into

play.
33 . . . bS! 34.Wf2 llcd8 3S.l:ld4
bxa4 36.bx.4. 36.l:!xa4!? d4
37.lilxd4 l:!xd4 38.cxd4 liJb5
39.!l:e6 tilxd4 40.l:!xh6 tilxb3
4 1 . .icS was more energetic.
36 . . .tilc4 37.li>c2 Ae6 38Jil. g3
l:Ib7'!? 39.l:tdxc4. Black resigned.

BACROT - BOLOGAN
White's advantage is undisputed: Poikovsky 2005
Black has no useful moves. whereas Queen's Gambit D37
White can strengthen his position by
advancing his pawns. I .d4 tilf6 2.c4 e6 3.til13 dS
24 . . . f5. This attempt 10 deslabi· 4.l1Ic3 Ae7 S.�c2 0-0 6.cxdS c.dS
lise the position merely widens the 7 ' gS eS 8.d.eS �.S 9.e3 tile6
scope of the dark-square bishop. 1 0.J!LbS tilb4. Black avoids the ere·
which should have been restricted alion of an isolated pawn pair after
by 24 . . . f6. intending Af7. 1 0 . . . a6 I I .Jil.xc6 bxc6 1 2.0-0 �xe5
25.13 tilbS 26.•3 (if 26..il.b2, 1 3.l:!ae I .
then 26 . . . d4) 26. . .Wf7. The lesser
evil was 26 . . .liJxd4 27.:C:xd4. de­
priving White of the advantage of
the two bishops.
27.kb2 fxg4. In the event of
27 . . . d4 28.gxf5 Jil.xf5 29.c4 .il.e6
30.� fI the power of the bishops is
felt.
2�.fxg4 Wg8 29 ' .S! A strik­
ing manoeuvre, which is worth re­
membering. The bishop restricts the
scope of the knight.
29 . . . Jil. f7 30.•4 l:!e8 3 1 .Jil. f4 1 1.�a4! White forces the ex­
gS 32.Ah2 til.3 33.11c3'!! White change of queens. after which the
had two ways of implementing his game goes from the opening into an
strategy: 3 3 .l:I.d3 with the idea of endgame. where the ciS-pawn be­
b3·b4. and 33.c4 d4 34.e5. The de- comes <I weakness.
146
1 I .. Ji
ha4 1 2.XLxa4 illd3+
I H Vc2illxe5 14.XLe2 XLe6 1 5.ild4 1
l"1ae8 16.11 a<l g6. Black takes con·
trol of the f5-point, the weakness of
which is felt in the event of 1 6 . . . h6
1 7.iL h4 g5 1 8.XLg3 ill fc4 1 9.1ilxc4
lj)xc4 20.J!i.eS J!i.d7 2 1 . fJ illd6
22 ..iLxd6 .iLxd6 23 ..iL f5.
1 7.rl h d l Ilfd8.
.li.L b l ! The dS-pawn is secure­
18İϏ
ly blockaded, and White includes his
bishop in the attack on it, by switch­
ing it to a2.
1 8. . . •6 1 9.a3 Wg7 20..iLa2 h6
2 1 Sl. h4 g5 22 ..iLg3 ll\ec4 23.t;\ xc4
lLIxe4 24.S1.c7! Nothing significant
is promised by the creation ora cel1-
lral pawn pair - 24.ttJ xc6+ fxc6.
since afler 25.Sl.c5+ ɟϏBlack ex­
changes a pair of bishops, simplify­
ing the position.
24 . . .l!e8 25.l::le2 .iL f6. It
was bad to play either 25 . . .iLd6
26.ndc l ėĘϏ 27.fJ l:!xc7 28.l::txc7
XLxc7 29.l:Ixc7 Ii:Jd6 30.ljj xe6 fxe6
J 1 J!td7. when Black loses a pawn, or
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
2S . . . J.2cS 2631'\xc6+ fxc6 27 ...uc5+
Wg6 28.11dc l .
26.ilJxe6+. Now, when the dark­
square bishop C'1Il be retained, it is
logical to create a central pawn pair,
which can be put under attack.
26... fxe6 27.11del g4 (f2-fJ was
threatened) 28.f3 gxf3+ 29.gxO
lj) g5.
30.f4?! White weakens the c4-
square. which, however. Black fails
to exploit. In the spirit of the posi­
tion was 30..il.d6 l:!xc2+ 3 1 .l:!xc2
1l:d8 32.XLg3 Ǚ  Ϗ 33.b4 lld7 and
now the undermining move 34.e4!,
by which White emphasises the
strength of his two bishops. For
example: 34 . . . hS 3S.cxdS exdS
36.l:tc7 I'lxc7 37.iLxc7 d4 38 ıϏ.il. dS
or 34 . . . dxe4 3S.fxe4 oS 36.J:/. 06
llc7 37 ..il.d5 ill g5 38.r:!c8, and ill
both variations White's advantage is
obvious.
30 .. IJϏ1i:J f7?! 30 . . .ll\c4 suggests
itself, but in the variation 3 1 .f5 ρϏ
32.fxe6+ Wxc6 33.l:td I Black ap-
Chapter 5. Attack on the isolated d5-pawn
parently overlooked the possibility
of33 . . . IIcd8 !
3 1 .fS cxfS?! More tenaciolls
was 3 1 . . .Ii'd8 32.Ji.xd8 l:!cxd8
33.!!c7+ WfS (33 . . .l:[c7 34.fxc6)
34.fxe6 llxe6 35.�fI (the immedi­
ate 35.l:!xb7 is also possible) 35 . . .
,ize8 36.l:I:xb7, when Black at least
obtains oppositc·colour bishops in
return rOT the pawn.
32.Sl. xdS Sl. gS 33..il. b6 )Jxc2+
34.l:!xc2 Ill d6 3S.WfJ f6. Things
,Ire also difficult after 35 . . . Wg6
36 ..il.d4 ! t.'\b5 37.Sl.c5 Ill d6 38.b4
tlc5.
147
36..il.cS Ill c4 37 .il. . b4 IllgS+
38.Wn b6'! Now Black comes un·
der a mortal rook pin. His last chance
was the activ.ltion of his rorccs by
3S . . . lll h 3+ 39.W fI llxc3 40 ..il.xb7
Ill g5, for example: 4 1 .�g2 � h3
42.s... xa6 Sl.e5 43 ..il.c4, and the pair
of outside passed pawns should de·
cide the game ( Bologan).
39.1lc7+ Wg6 40.h4 Ill c6.
40 . . . lll c4+ 4 1 ɭ̢ɒϏ .il. dS (4 1 . . .l:[e5
42 ƖϏ17+) 42.!:!c6+ Ill f6 43.3<e3
.
also fails to s<tve Black.
41.I:[c6 as 42 . c3 .il.xh4+ 43.
'.I1fJ 1'In 44.c4! Black resigned.
 Chapter 6

Dynamic potential
of the d5-pawn

In the mid-20th century the preva­ active position::;. combining threats

lent opinion was thai you could allow
yourself an isolated pawn, only if you
had a lead in development. 111is (:..1U­
tion was removed by the PClrosian -
Sp;lSsky 1 969 World Championship
Match, in which the challenger elll­
ployed the Tarrasch Defence to the
Quccn's Gambit with Black ill five
games and achieved a positive result
îĢȪϏ+ I ). AHcrthis match the number
of supporters of the isolated pav,," in
Black's position inc�"'3SCd considerably.
I n thccxamplcs examined in Chap­
ter 1 , Black went along with White by
on the kingsidc with Η̂5Ϗ possibil­
ity of countcrplay on the quccnsidc.
Pressure on the d4 block<lding point
is important. tying White down by
the threat of the d5-d4 breakthrough.
PETROSIAN - SI'ASSKY
World Championship Match.
4th Game. Moscow 1 969
Queen's Gambit. D34
I.c4 06 2.d4 d5 3.li:lc3 c5
4.cxd5 cxd5 5.liln lil c6 6.g3 lilf6
7.:i1.g2 :i.e7 8.0-0 0-0 9 :i1.g5 cxd4
.

1101 objecting 10 rt"xiUCliol1 in the male­ l O.lilxd4 h6 I I ' e3 ȝg4 (in re­
rial. However. the slmlcgy of playing cent times 1 2 . . . neS was prererred)
with an isolated pawn envisages nOI a 1 2.lilb3 :i1.c6 13.l:tcl llc8.
passive striving for a draw, but above
all the exploitation of its dynamic po­
telltial to create active piece play and.
if possible, the d5-d4 brcilkthrough.

6.1. Active piece play for Black

The control by the isolated d5-

pawn of the central e4- and c4-points
allows Black to develop his pieces in
Chapter' 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn
Black has completed his develop­
ment. and although for the moment
the e-filc is blocked by the bishops,
this is only a temporary phenome­
non. For example, if 14.tlJc5 there
can follow 1 4 . . . 1<xcs I S ..!!t xcS
tl)c4 with activc play for Black.
1 4.11 el . A prophylactic movc.
against the threat of�d7 and ,Slh3.
After 14.l1\b5, which was played
in the 2nd game of the match. there
followed 1 4 . . . �d7 I S.liJbd4 1<h3
1 6.liJ xc6 bxc6 1 7.1\':Yd3 J!l.xg2
1 8 ĮνϏ
t> xg2 as! with good play for
Black.
14 . . . �d7 1 5..!!te5! (the ex·
change of the dark-square bishops
is advantageous to White) 15 . . .
lIae8 16.1< <<7 '&.07 1 7.e3 !Ied8
18.�e2.
1 8 .. Ji.g4! 'There was no point
in Black relieving himself of his
isolated pawn by l 8 ... d4. You don't
play the Tarrasch Defence, in order
10 be thinking about the weakness
of the isolated d5-pawn! Consist-
149
ent play by Black should be aimed
in the first instance at exploiting its
strength.' ( Bondarevsky)
19.13 ( 1 9.�f1 liJe4) 1 9...
.!!tIS 20.lIedl liJe5 2 1 .liJd4 :iJ.g6
22.Jl. h3.
22 ... :tc4!'! A sharp move; 22 . . .
l:tb8 would have led to quiet play.
B.g4. I f 23.f4 there could
have followed 23 . . . Sl.hS 24.�f1
IiJc61 2S.g4 IiJxg4 26.0)xdS IlxdS
27.'&xc4 'iO¥h4! 28 ..!!txg4 'iO¥xg4+
29Stlh I l:!xd4 with a guaranteed
perpetual check.
B...lI h4 24.b3 liJe6 25.Wd2
lIb6 26.liJee2?! 26.liJa4 l:!a6
27.Jl f1 €)xd4 28.cxd4 was correct.
26...Sl.h7 27..!!t g2 l:!e8 28.liJg3
IiJxd4 29.exd4 l:t.6 30.11 ••6 'iO¥ xe6
3 1 .lIe l Jl.g6 32.:il.f1? 32.Wf2'
would have consolidated the posi­
tion. Now Black seizes the initia­
tive.
32...liJh7 33.l!!' f4 IiJrs 34.l:!e5
(34.1\':YeS! was stronger) 34...:il. b l !
35.04 IiJg6 36.�d2 �f6 37.Wrz
150
8f4 3S.•5 i. d3! 39.8f5 �g5!
40.8e3 Il'Yh4+ 4 J.Vgl .I1. xfl.
White resigned. Arter 42.tnxfl lle2
he has no defence.
KARPOV - CHANDLER
Bath 1983
Queen's Gam.bit, D32
J.c4 .6 2.lJ\c3 d5 3.d4 c5 4.•3
tilf6 5.8 f3 Itlc6 6.cxd5 exd5
7 . b5 i.d6 S.dxc5 .I1. xc5 9.0.0 0-0
1 0.b3 i.g4 1 J .i.b2 l:!cs 1 2 . c2
.I1.d6.
A typical manoeuvre in this
structure. Black switches his bishop
to the b8-h2 diagonal, planning an
attack on the kingsidc.
13. bS. White's stmtegy is
aimed at fiml control of the d4-poillt.
A rter the exchange of the lighl­
square bishops: J 3 .llc l i.b8 1 4.h3
.I1.h5 1 5.8h4 'i'�d6 16.g3 i.xe2
1 7.8xe2 J;!fd8 1 8.8d4 8e5 Black
does not experience any problems,
Zviagintscv - Lutz, Essen 2002.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
1 3 ...i. bS 1 4.bt d bleS 1 5.'il1d3.
If 1 5.8bd4 there also foHows
1 5 ...t11c4. For example. the game
Sunyc Neto - Kasparov, Graz 1 98 1 .
continued 16.h3 i.xf3 1 7.tilxt3
'&d6 1 8.'&d3 Cilg5 I 9.!lfd I llcd8
20.Wfl li)e4 with exceHent play for
Black.
1 5 ....804 1 6.tilbd4 �d6 l 7.g3
h5. A sharp move. 1 7 . . .'�l'r6 with
the threat of 1 8 . . . SLxf) was in the
spirit of the position.
I S.tV xc6. This relieves Black of
thc problcm of his isolated pawn.
The immediate I S.tZ:lh4!? was
stronger.
I S ... bxc6 1 9.1ilh4 i.h3 20.tlfdl
��h6 2 1Sl.f3.
2 1 . .. gS! Black goes onto the of­
fensive.
22.8g2 h4 ZH#02 ̎˟eϏ24.i. d4
hxg3 25.fxg3 l:!c6. 25 ...i.d6 26.ll fl
c5 was also possible, but Black is
carried away by his attack on the
king.
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn
26."n �\Yh3 27.liJcl g4.
28.�g2'! White should have re­
conciled himself to 28.ii.xe4 .uxe4
28.'&12 f5 and an inferior position,
since now Black could have con­
cluded the game with a spectacu­
lar queen sacrifice - 28 ...&xh2+! !
29.Wxh2 1iJ xg3 30.�a6IiJc2+ with
<I mating all3ck. But Black commit­
ted an irrepamble mistake, disrupt­
ing the logical course of the game.
28 . . .liJxg3?? 29.hxg3 ��xg3 30.
Ihf5 �h4 31. �xd5 1Ih6 32.�g2
l:tc7 33.1iJ1J �h3 34.l:! g5+ ʌ˷Ϗ
35 ' g7+ Wc8 36.� xh6. Black rc·
signed.
NEUKIRCH - UHLMANN
East Gennan Championship.
Potsdam 1974
Fre-nch Defence C09
1 .04 c6 2.d4 d5 3.liJd2 c5 4.cxd5
exd5 5.�b5+ lilc6 6.liJ gt3 .2<d6
7.0-0 cxd4 8.liJb3 IiJgc7 9.liJbxd4
0-0 I O..t.. g5 '&c7 I l .h3.
151
1 1 . .. f6! Wolfgang Uhlmann is
one of the Illost devoted support­
ers of the French Defence - against
l .c4 he has invariably repl ied I . . .
e6. Naturally. he is also a great ex­
pert on this type of position. There­
fore this not altogether typical
weakening of the e6-squarc should
be regarded as ,I strictly concrete
measure. I n vicw of White's pawn
bcing at h3, he cannot exchange the
dark-square bishops by iLh4-g3-d6.
At the same time. Ihe weakness of
the e6-squarc is insignificant, and
Black gains the opportunity to cen­
tralise his knight at e5, from where
it controls c4.
12.�c3 IiJc5 13.b3 (prevent­
ing li'le5-c4) 1 3 . . . 06 14.�c2 �d7
1 5.'&d2 bS 16.tladl Wh8 17/iJcl.
With the idea of driving mvay the
knight by 1 8 . f4.
1 7 . . .tLlSg6! Black neutralises
While's intentions. threatening if
18.f4 to play 1 8 . . . f5 followed by
the transfer of a knight to e4 (liJe7-
g8-f6-c4).
152
1 8.llJd3 f5! The white pieces
arc huddled together on the central
files and arc hindering one another,
which allows Olack to launch an of­
fensive.
I 9.SI.gS f4 20.Sl.xe7 Sl.xe7
2 1 .Sl.g4 Sl. f6 22.Sl.xd7 Sl. xd4
23.Sl.g4 Sl.e3 24.'@'c2 fJ! 2S.W'c3
II.e8 26.WcS ('YxeS 27.8xcs fxg2
28.\!Ixg2 hS 29.Sl.d7 CLlf4+ 30.\!Ig l
IIe7. White resigned.
SCHMID - PORTlSCll
Olympiad. Nice 1974
French Defence C09
l .e4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.CLld2 cS
4.CLlgfJ CLlc6 S.exdS cxdS 6.Sl.bS
J/.d6 7.dxcS J/. xcS 8.0-0 CLlge7
9.CLlb3 Sl.d6 10..il.gS 0-0 I I .Sl.h4
iLg4 1 2.Sl.e2 ne8 i3.nel 1IiYb6
1 4.CLlfd4 Sl.xe2 IS.IIxe2.
I s... SicS! Exploiting the power
of his dark-square bishop, Black
provokes a crisis on the d4 blockad­
ing point.
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
1 6.0xc6. A forced exchange.
since 1 6.L'[d2 Iil xd4 1 7. xd4
Sl.xd4 1 8.l:!xd4 ȶŠdϏ 1 9.1:!f4 Iil xIl4
2o.IIxh4 �xb2 leads to the loss of
a pawn. If 16.c3 there follows 1 6 . . .
Sl.xd4.
1 6 ...lilxc6 1 7.c3 as! The ad·
vance of the a-pawn is an important
device in the attack on the queen­
side. I f 1 8.a'xd5? there follows
1 8 . . .a4 19.CLlc5 1l�b5 with the threat
ofl::t a8-a5.
1 8.l:!b l a4 19.CLld2 �bS!
20.1tg3 iir6 (avoiding the exchange
of the important bishop) 2 l ltxc8+
litxe8 22.'!iHI ('YeS! 23.11e l .
23 ...II d8! Black avoids ex­
changes, sinee his pieces are much
the more active. The rook may
be able to aid the d5·d4 break·
through.
24.•3 h6 2S.�d3 '('jb6 26.W'c2
�bS 27.S1.c7 l:!c8 28.Sl.f4 lZId4!
2HI¥dl lZIe6 30.('Yg4 hS 3 1 .'I:lYrs
l::t e8 32.CLlfJ �xb2 and Black con·
verted his advantage into a win.
Chapter- 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn
For many years Rafael Vaganian
has been fumed as an expert on the
French Defence, and his games are
especially worthy of study.
PSAKms - VAGANIAN
Moscow 1 9 8 1
French Defence C09
l .e4 .6 2.d4 d5 3.tiJd2 <5
4.exd5 exd5 5.<?Igl3 tiJc6 6.J'l.b5
J'l. d6 7.dxc5 J'l. xe5 8.0-0 tiJge7
9.tiJ b3 .li.d6 10.l:te I 0-0 I I ..li.g5
.li.g4 1 2.iLe2 1IeH 1 3.e3 h6 1 4.iLh4
�b6.
By activating his quecn. Black
not only lakcs control of the im­
portant d4 blockading point. but if
I S.iLg3 he hos preporcd 15 . . . J'i.xg3
1 8.hxg3 tiJ fS with the threat of
tiJxg3.
1 5Jlxe7. White exchanges his
bishop in the hope of further simpli­
fication afler I S ...tiJxe7 1 6.tiJfd4.
More logical was the immediate
I S.tiJ fd4 J'l.xe2 ( 1 5 . . .J'i.d7 1 6.Jtg3
153
ltxg3 1 7.hxg3 tiJg6, intending
tiJgeS. is also possible) 1 6 .l:txe2
tiJg6 1 7.J'l.g3 Q'\xd4 1 8.tiJxd4 l:te4
with an equal game, A.Rodrigucz
- Vaganian, Bicl lntcrzonal 1 985.
1 5...l:Ixe7! 1 6.Wxd5 tlae8
I 7.Wd2 .5! Black has gained a
serious initiative for the sacrificed
pawn_
18.h3 ( i f 1 8./i_)bd4?!, then 1 8 ...
'uc5! is unpleasant) 18 ....ltg3!
A picturesque position - the
culmination of Black's attack!
The capture on ŒϏ is threatened,
and 1 9.J.ld I ? does not defend
against this: 1 9 . . . l:xe l + 20.lL\xe1
J'i.xf2+!
1 9.tiJbd4 J'l.xl3 20..li. rI ! The
only move; if 20.s.Lxf3? then 20 . . .
tiJxd4 2 1 .cxd4 �xb2!.
20....axf2+. Black relieves the
situation, now leaving White with
the problem of an isolated pawn.
But, apparently, beller chances were
oiTered by 20.J:txc I 2 I .tlx c l l:txe l
22.lII' xc l tiJxd4 23.�c8+ Wh7
I S4
24.2l.d3+ fS 2S.cxd4 2l.xf2+ 26.1!/ fI
2l.xd4 27.gxfJ �cS.
2 1 .W xf2 Iilxd4 22.cxd4 ,UdS
23.];1x07 !;Ixe7 24.b3 l:le4 2S.l1d I
V$f6+ 26.Wg l b6 27.Jil.c4. With
difficulty White has managed to
maintain the balance.
27...'&d6 2S,fJd3 g6 29.•4
Wg7 30.J'I. xdS � xdS 3 1 .� c4
l'#d6 32.�c3 t'�dS 3H'Vc4 t�d6.
Draw.
A.SOKOLOV - VAGANIAN
Candidates Tournament.
Montpcllicr 1 985
French Defence C09
1 .<4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.lild2 cS
4.cxdS cxdS s.lilgf3 IiJc6 6.'u bS
J'l.d6 7.0-0 cxd4 S.i)) b3 IiJc7 9.
Iil bxd4 0-0 1 0.c3 2l.g4 1 1 .�#.4
2l.hS I2.!:tc l �c7 1 3.2l.fI .
White has gained control of d4,
bUI the active placing of Black's
pieces enables him to develop en­
ergetic counterplay, based on the
Part 11. The isolated d5 -pawn
d5-pawn's control of the important
central squares e4 and c4.
1 3...a6! Defending against
1 4.tlJbS. I t was risky to play 1 3 ...
Iilxd4?! 1 4.lilxd4 .<l.xh2+ I S.Wh l ,
when Black has to reckon with
the threat of IiJd4-bS ( I S ... 2l.d6?
16.lilbS �d7 1 7.��h4! 2l.g6
1 8.ii�xd6).
14.g3liJaS. Thcknight is switched
to a more active JX>sition at c4.
IS.Iilh4 liJc4 1 6.\"'lc2. A pair of
minor pieces should have been ex­
changed - 1 6.i)) t3 Iilxt3 1 7.lilxfS.
1 6...l::t fcS 1 7s<gS lilc6 (attack­
ing the key blockading square d4)
1 8.li'ldfS ,urs 19.1ile3 l'!:YaS! With
the idea after 20.)i. g2 of c:lITying
out the d5·d4 breakthrough - 20...
t}Jxc3 2 1 .2l.xc3 d4 22.cxd4 Iilxd4!
20.b4?! 1il.c3 2 1 .2l.xc3 t'ldS.
It is hard for White to fight for the
d4-poinl, since the bishop at h5 pre­
vents his rook frol11 going to d I , and
at the same time the knight at h4 is
out of play.
22.2l.g2.
Chapter" 6. Dynamic potential or the d5-pawn
22 ... d4! The opening oflhe posi.
tion leads to a real advantage thanks
to the two active bishops.
n..iL xd4 (23 ..iL xc6 d3 ! ) n...
l."i ,d4 24.cxd4 '&xd4 25..iLxb7
.iL,b4 26.111 r5 �r6 27.!:lxe8+ 1l,.8
28.I!bl .iLf8 29..iLc4 iJ.g6 30.iJ.d3
lld8 3 1 ..iLe4 '&c5 32.l:!b3.
32 ... hS?! This outwardly ac·
live move allows White to consoli·
datc his position. Black could have
rought for an advantage with 32 ...
!leS 33 ..iLd3 .iLc5.
33.ble3! �a l + 34.l!Ig2 Yd l
35.&.2 l:[gl+ 36.W h3 .iLcs
37.111.7+ .iL ,.7 38..iLxg6 fxg6
39.Yxe7 Wh7 40.);1.6 '&d4 4 1 .�·Y.4
�Y xc4 42.11 ••4. Draw.
A.SOKOLOV - VAGANIAN
Candidates Match, 6th Game,
Minsk 1986
French Defence C09
I.c4 .6 2.d4 dS 3.111 d2 c5
4.exd5 exd5 5.l."igf3 lll c 6 6 ..ltb5
I SS
.iLd6 7.d.c5 .iLxc5 8.0-0 1ll.7
9.l."ib3 .iLd6 1 0.llc l 0-0 I I .iJ.g5
.i/.g4 1 2 ..iLh4 tics 1 3.iLg3
. .iL.g3
1 4.h.g3.
1 4...�Yb6! With gain of tcmpo
Black brings his queen to an active
position. from where it controls the
important d4·point.
I SJ1d3 as! The march of this
pawn, threatening to break up
White's pawns on the quecnside,
is one of the important resources
for Black in this type of position.
1·le ignores the threat of 1 6.)lxh7+,
hoping to gain several tempi for his
queenside pl:'IY.
t 6.� xh7+?! ( 1 6.a4 was more
circumspect) 16...Wf8! (with the
threats or g7-g6 and a5-a4) 1 7..il.d3.
1 7.'&c l ? was worse in view of 1 7 . .
.
.iLxf3 1 8.gxf3 a4 19.111 d 2 g6!, when
the bishop is trapped. since nothing
is given by 2o.111 c4 '8d4.
1 7....4 1 8 .4Jbd2 lll r5! Threat·
ening to capture on g3, whereas 1 8 ...
�xb2?! would hand the initiative to
1 56 Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn

White: 19.1ilbl �xa2 20.�� e l and NAUMANN - VAGANIAN

the queen is in a dangerous posi­ Bunde,liga 2005
tion. French Defence COS
1 9.1:txe8+ llxeH 20.til fl ,"" xb2
2 1 .J:ibl '& x02. l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.li:ld2 c5
4.exd5 exd5 5.li:lgO Ii:lf6 6.�b5+
SJ.d7 7.SJ.xd7+ Ii:l bxd7 8.0-0 �e7
9.dxc5 li:lxc5 1O.li:ld4 \l;Vd7 I I .�¥O
0-0 I Vt)f5 l!fc8. In Azarov - Dol­
malov, Greece 2003. Black fol lowed
<l plan recommended by Kasparov:

1 2 ...�d8 1 3 .li:lb3 li:lec4 14 ..li.c3

l!e8 1 5.e3 1:e8 1 6.�d4 as, and ob­
tained good play.
13.1:[.1 ƠǔϏ 14.li:lfl Ii:lce4
I s.c3.

2VliUc l . l f 22.ttxb7 there would

have followed 22 ... d4!, not fear­
ing 23.�bs 1i:1ds 24.� xa4 Ii:lcs!
25 ..axe8. and now not 25 ...tZ:lxf1+?
26.gxO � x O 27.l:tb8 or 2s ...�xO?
26.l:Ib8. which favours White. but
the simple 25 ...�xb7.
22...d4 23.1i:l3h2 Ii:l h6 24.li:lxg4
Ii:lxg4 25.lila l 1i:1d5 26.l:1xa4 b5!
27.l:a6 Ii:lge5 28.'&a3+ b4 29.'&.4
Ii:lxd3 30.cxd3. Both 30.Wxc6
'&xe6 3 1 .1i!xc6 Ii:lc l 32.l:Ic4 lile l I S...bS. Black carries out the plan
33.0 d3 34.exd3 b3 3s.I:tb4 J:ic2 and of an attack on the queenside, based
30.l:xe6 Ii:le l ! 3 1.1 3 d3 32.'&xb4+ on the centralisation or his pieces:
�g8 33.11d6 �a2 were also advan­ the d5-pawn suppons the knight on
tageous to Black (Vaganian). e4. and the bishop at r8 supports the
30...l:te6 3 1 .l:tb6 g6 32.lilb5 pawn offensive.
'&d6 33.f4 ne l ! 34.l:Ib6 l:Ic I , and 1 6.a3. The alternative was 1 6.
Black gained an overwhelming ad­ .li.e3 b4 1 7.cxb4 �xb4 1 8.];; c cl g6
vantage. 1 9.1i:ld4 �d6.
1 6...a5 1 7 .�e3 b4 18.axb4 axb4
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn
19.cxb4 J!l.xb4 20.l:!cd l .all!. 20 ...
ttxa I also camc inlo considcralion:
21 .!:!xa I g6 22.q'\d4 (22.lilh6+
IIlg7 23.l:td I J!l.e5!) 22 ...q'\g4 23.
lld 1 J!l.d6 24.h3 'll xc3 25.'ll xc3
�b7 with counterplay.
2 1 ..a d4 VJ.1c6.
22.ttJ 1 e3. Stronger was 22.I1xa8
l:txa8 23/i) 1 e3 g6 24.q'\g3 l:!dS
(24...� g7? 25.q'\ xd5!) 25. tile2 � g7
26; 11 f4 �cX 27M. and White's
chances are preferable.
22 ...t;)d2! Black forces the ex­
change of the important dark-square
bishop. after which it will be easier
for its surviving oppositc number to
control d4.
23.'t"Jr4 llxal 24.:t:lxa l Ci) b3
2S.l'.Id l q'\xd4 26.q'\xd4 �b6
27.b3 11c8 28.q'\ cc2 g6 29.h3 q'\c4
30.t!10 � g7. The same strategy of
pressure on the centre.
3 1 .q'\c2 � bS 32.'ll cd4 'I!1cs
33.�¥d3 l:!c8 34.111 c3 �b4 3S.�d3
q'\c3 36.q'\ xc3 l:!xc3 37.lII b5
ÂϏxbS. Draw.
1 57
Of the modem elite grandmas­
ters, a great expert on positions with
an isolated pawn is Vasily Ivanchuk.
who sllccessfully plays them with
both colours. His strategy of coun­
terplay with a dS-pawn is b<lscd
on active pressure on the central
squares.
DELGADO - IVANC H U K
Havana 2005
French Defence C08
I .c4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.'ll d2 cS
4.tilgO 'llr6 S.cxdS cxdS 6.�bS+
� d7 7..tl. xd7+ tilbxd7 8.0-0 �c7
9.dxc5 til xcs 1 0.!:!c1 0-0 1 I.'ll n .
I I ...aS. Since White's plan o f
blockading the d4-square usually
includes the move c2-c3. Black pre­
pares an attack on this p.1WIl. How­
ever, this more often occurs with the
move order 1 1 . ..1:c8 1 2.i.Le3 as. The
plan of controlling the e4-point aftcr
a7-a6 and b7-b5 also occurs. creat­
ing for White the motif of attacking
I S8 Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn

the b-pawll by a2-a4. For example,

the gmnc Rublcvsky - Bareev. Mos­
cow 2005, continued: 1 2 ... b5 1 3.c3
�d7 1 4..il.d4 IIad8 I S.lL\c3 I1\cc4
1 6.�b3 .6.

control the squares adjacent to the

d5-pawn. A dynamically balanced
position has arisen.
1 7.33. Or 1 7.c3 b4 1 8.cxb4 axb4
with an equal game.
1 7...b4 IS.axbS axbS 19.1LgS
1 7.l1\cS!? �bT!! 1 8.l1\d3 �c6
t;)ce4! Black's play is still based on
1 9.a4! IL\d2 ( 1 9 ....I1.d6 20.axbS .xbS
control of the central squares.
2 1 .0 also favours White) 20:�!.yc2
20..I1.xf6. I f 20.lLc3 there can
I1\c4 2 1 .axbS axbS 22.tzlfS .I1.ffi
follow 20 ...lL\g4. since 2 1 .liJxe4
23.b3 tzlb6 24.tzlcS with an obvious
dxe4 22.�.jxe4 :il.d6 23. �� f3 .I1.xh2+
advantage to White.
is unravourable for White.
Black's defensive mistakes were
20...l1\ xf6 21.h3 .I1. d8. The bish·
associated with inadequate control of
op is switched to b6 in order 10 con­
the squares adjacent to the d5-pawn.
trol the d4-point.
1 7 ...�c7 ( instead of 1 7 . . . �b7'?!)
22.llxc8+ 'li:Yx.8 23.lL\n '\!:YeS
W,IS more active, and now if 1 8...4
24.'li:Yb3 :il.b6 2S.�hb4 lL xd4
:il. cs 1 9.tzlf3 :il.xd4. when 20.li)xd4
26.��xd4 i&xd4 27.llxd4 IIxc2
is bad because of 20... tUxf2! White
28.11\03 J::[ xb2 29.l1\xdS. Draw.
would have had 10 restrict himself to
18.tzld3 :il.d6.
S. SAVC HENKO - I VANC H U K
1 2 ..I1.c3 bS I J.tild4 �ld7
Cruise Odessa-Istanbul 2006
14.an g6 IS.ll ad l llfeS 16.liJg3
Queen's Gambit D34
l:Iac8.
íɪˊˋϏ„”w˿¤w›JϏ I .tzl f3 dS 2.d4 cS 3.c4 .6 4.cxdS
Black has developed his pieces exdS S.g3 I1\f6 6.:il. g2 11..7 7.0-
in active positions, from where they o 0-0 8.tzlcJ tzl c6 9.k gS cxd4
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential of the do-pawn
IO.t)J ,d4 h6 1 J .SCe3 l:!:e8 1 2.�b3
t)JaS 13.1'·1c2 Ji. g4 14.liJrs l:!:c8
IS.Ji.d4 Ji.cS.
16.c3'!! This move weakens the
light squares. whieh allows Black to
develop an energetic initiative. The
classical continuation is 1 6.:ii. xc5
llxc5. For example. the 9th game of
the Karpov - Kasparov world cham­
pionship match. Moscow 1 984/85,
contin ued: l 7.liJe3 SLe6 (While is
bellcr alicr 1 7 ... d4'1! 1 8.l:!:ad I C),c6
1 9.Vl xg4 t;)xg4 20.cJ . when it is
nOI easy for Black to CSC( l pC frolll
the pin) 1 8.l:lad l �c8 1 9.�a4 l:Id8
2o.lldJ a6 2 1 .ll ʧϏI t;)c4 22.t)Jxc4
llxc4 23.�a5 nc5 24.�b6 IId7
25.l:ld4 �"" c7 26.'llY xc7 Ildxc7, and
Black was able to repel the frontal
attack on the isolated d5-pawn. It
should be mentioncd that the pawn
is defended by the rook from c5.
where it is more 3ctively placed than
behind the p3WIl. We will also en­
counter this defensive procedure in
subseq uent examples.
159
1 6...t)Je4! Regarding 1 6...Ji. xfS
1 7.'Ii!Ixl3 Ji. xd4 1 8.cxd4. it is appro·
priate to repeat Bondarevsky's as­
sertion: 'You don 'I play the Tarrasch
Defence in order to worry about the
isolated d5-pawn · .
1 7.liJh4. 1 7.Ji.xc4!? dxc4 18.
!lad I Sl. xd l I 9.:r.txd I came into
consideration. with definite com­
pensation for the exchangc.
1 7...l'L xd4 18.cxd4 bS 19.a3
πȒʘĨϏ 1 9 ... t;)c6 waS also in the spirit
ufthe position.
2o.llrcl gSt'! Vasily Ivanchuk
is true to himself - the main thing
is the initiative! 20 .. .'�JHxd4 2 1 .h3
Ji.h5 22.Sl.xc4 dxc4 23.!:Ixe4 r.:txc4
24.1:\hc4 xc4 25.t)Jxe4 would
have led to (I roughly equal end­
game.
2 1 .:1l. xe4. A forced exchange,
since 2 1 .h3? gxh4 22.hxg4 hxg4 is
bad for White.
2 J ...dxe4 n.!he4.
A critical point of thc gamc.
White has parried Ihe immcdi-
160
ate threats. and Black should have
retreated his bishop - 22 ...Sl.e6
23.lLlg2 :'cd8, when in view or lhe
threat of ¯ )Ϗ he retains sufficient
compensation for the sacrificed
pawn. But the game went 22 SL h3'!
..•
23.tild5! \Y;'d6 24.lt1f5!, and White
seized the initiative.
VAN WElY - IVANCnUK
Monaco 2006
Slav Defence D 15
I.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.tll f3 tilf6
4.lt1c3 a6 5.a4 e6 6..ag5 C,i)bd7
H!Yc2 h6 8 .il.h4 .ae7 9.e3 0-0
•
10.a5 c5 I I .dxc5 /iJxc5 1 2.cxd5
/iJxd5 1 3./iJ ,d5 exd5 1 4 ' ,c7
�xe7 1 5..ae2.
While has achieved the ex­
cbange of the dark-square bishops
and it blockade of the queens ide
weaknesses. But he has delayed
caslling. which Black energetically
exploits.
1 5....ag4 16.0-0 l:!ac8 17.l:fd l
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
l: fd8 1 8.h3tile4 I H'!Ia4. l f l 9."eb3
there can follow 1 9 ... 51c6 with the
idea of 20.llac I ];txc I 2 1 . I
ħ . c I d4.
19 ...il.
. h5 20.1:1ocl. A routine
move. 2o.11dc 1 is more accurate,
when if20...ttJg3 there is the retreat
2 1 ..il.d 1 .
20...tiJg3! Black seizes the ini­
tiativc.
2I..iI. d3. Of cou"e, 2 1 .l:Ixc8
/iJxe2+ 22.WfI tIxc8 2Hilxe2
:c4 was safcr, although this po­
sition cannot be considered an
achievement for White.
21 ...1:txcl 22.lhcl .il.xfJ
23.gxf3 d4 24.tyc4 d,.3?! Black',
powerful initiative would have been
worthily crowned by the knight
retreat 24 .. .lilhS! Now. however,
White succeeds in consolidating his
forces.
25.fxg3 �'ld6 26..iL n �xg3+
27.W h l �xfJ+ 28..il.g2 J:[d l + 29.
):!xdl � xd 1 + 30.Wh2 e2 3 1 .�c8+
Wh7 32.tyf5+ Wg8 33.f·Ye8+ W h7
34.'&f5+. Draw.
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn
GERSHON - IZORIA
Athens 2005
Queen's Gambit D32
J.d4 d5 2.<4 <6 3.1i:l<3 06 4.e3
Ii:lf6 5.li:ln oS 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.:fI.c2
iLd6 8.0-0 0-0 9.dx<5 iLxc5 1 0.b3
I1\c6 J I.:fI.b2 iLa7 12.1:< 1 1:e8
13.11\04 I1\c4.
1 4 ; d4. Black has developed his
pieces in active positions. and White
ulready has problems in choosing an
effective plan. The exchange of the
dark-square bishop seems dubio liS.
but apparently White did not like
Black's activity after 14.tiJ d4 �d6
I S.iL fJ li:le5.
1 4. . .li:lxd4 15.li:lxd4 �g5
1 6.'&d3. The threat of :fI.h3 could
have been prevented by 1 6.ŴϏϏ
iLd7 1 7.li:lc3 (not 1 7.l:tc7? because
of I 7 . . . :fI. xa4 1 8.bxa4 Ii:lxf2!) 1 7 . . .
!:bc8 1 8.�d3 �cS 1 9.1:!fd l :fI.b8
20.g3, although here alier 20 . . . :fI.a7
Black also has an excellent game.
1 6 . . .:fI.h3 1 7.:fI.n llod8 1 8.li:lc3
iLb8.
161
19.8de2?! White underesti­
mates Black's threats. 1 9.1LIce2!?
was more circumspect, intending
to answer 1 9... h5 with 20.liJf4.
The acceptance of the pawn sacri­
fice 1 9.1i:l xe4 dxe4 20.:fI.xe4 '&oS
2 J .iLxh7+ ( 2 1 .1i:l fJ �h5! is dan­
gerous) 2 1 ..!;!/h8 22.f4 l"Yxe3+ 23.
�xe3 l:!xe3 24.:fI. fS iLxfS 2S.li:lxfS
:Ce2 would have led to a better end­
game for Black.
1 9 ... h5! 20.li:lg3. I f 20.l:!fd l
Black i ncreases his initiative: 20 ...
:fI. fS (20 . . . h4 2 1 .1i:l xdS) 2 1 .I\ijId4
:fI.eS 22.'&b6 Ii:lxc3 23.li:lxc3
d4.
20 . . . h4 2 J .gxh3 hxg4 n.hxg3
Ii:lxg3! B.fxg3 I!iIxg3+ 24.:fI.g2
!:txe3 25.'&d4 '& h2+ 26.1!1I2
l:de8 (with a threat of male)
27.�he3\ llxe3 28.Wxe3 '@I 'g2
29.Wd3 '&.h3+ 30.0<2 1l.c5
3 J .li:l e2 �e3 32.: fel g6 33.l:cdl
�e4+ 34.\I;>c l d4 35.li:lg l :fI.f4+
36.Wb2 :fI.e3 37.l1\e2 :fI.f2. White
resigned.
162 Part II. The isolated d5-pawn

L'AM I - SARGISSIAN tion. although in less favourable cir­

Wijk aan Zee 2007, Tournament B cumstances.
Queen's Gambit D.18 1 7...li'l xg3 1 8.hxg3.

I.d4 liJf6 2.<4 e6 3.liJf3 dS

4.liJe3 il.b4 S.il. gS liJbd7 6.cxdS
exdS 7.�·Yc2 cS S.dxcS h6 9.il.d2
il. xcs 1 0.c3 0-0 l I .il.d3 06 1 2.0-0
bS 13.li'lc2 il.b7.

I S...!.:!xc3! 19.b4 lIxfJ 20.bxeS

!Ir6 2 1..4 liJ xcs 22.oxbS axbS
23.iLh7+. 23.� xb5? d4 was clearly
weaker.
23...Wh8 24..il.fS liJc6. 24 ...
l:!cc6 25. '@'xb5 !Ixf5 26.!:1.c5
This position can be considered -'lxc5 27.'f-Yxc5 would have led to
dynamically balanced. Here 14.b4!? the same material balance as in the
il.d6 (weaker is 1 4...il.b6 1 5.il.e3 game.
liJe4 1 6.�d4) 1 5.liJcd4 liJe4 2S.1:xc8 � x<8 26..I1. xo6 l:1«6.
should have been considered, when White would have had more dif­
although White finnly controls the ficult problems 10 solvc after 26 ...
d4-point. Black is established at c4. fxe6! 27.'@'xb5 e5 28.1:(a7 :Un.
But White underestimated Black's 27.'&xbS d4. The outcomc is that
countcrplay along the a7-g 1 diago­ Black has won a pawn. although in
nal. based on the coordination of trying to convert it he has to reckon
his dark-square bishop. knight and with the drawing tendencies of op­
rook. posite-colour bishops.
1 4.liJg3 l:lc8 I S .'@' bl :Ue8 28.il.d2 il.c6 2U�b4 � d7
.
1 6.l:!c I liJe4 1 7Ɨe l ·! Even here 3o.llc l llf6. After the rook ex­
it was not too latc for 1 7.b4 �b6 change 30...l:!x e l + 3 1 .il.x e l �d5
1 8.l:txe8 *!Yxe8 19.'ii>' b2 liJdf6 32.f3 dJ 33 ..1l.d2 the passed pawn is
20.l:!e l "t"Id7. simplifying the posi- blockaded.
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn
31.0 \!I h7 32.J:le7 "t'JId8 33.J:leS
d3 34.g4 Il:d6 3S.�f4 f6 36.];[03
�d7 37.r.tel .s:J. b7. If37 ...l::td4 there
can follow 3S.J:le7! �'lxe7 39.��xd4
�c2 40.'!:�e3.
38.!Ie l .tI.dS 39Sl.b4 rl b6?
Black did not want to exchange
rooks - 39 ...rle6 (afier 39 . . . lla6
40.:ac7 he has to reckon with the
activation of the white rook). but the
move in the game leads to the loss
ofa pawn.
40.�J d4 !Ib7 4 1 ."&xd3+. Dmw.
6.2. The d5-d4 breakthrough
It is well known that the dynamic
potential of an isolated pawn lies in
it'S ' Iust 10 expand'. But for Black.
who has a tempo less for making the
d5-d4 breakthrough, it requires more
clTort 10 unblock the d4-square.
When playing d5-d4 one must as­
scss the consequences of opcning
the position. We will begin with an
·anli-cxmnplc'.
RESnEVSKY - GnlTESCU
Olympi:'ld, Tcl Aviv 1964
Queen's Gambit D32
I.d4 dS 2.e4 e6 3.liJe3 eS 4.03
liJ e6 S.liJo IiJf6 6.exdS exdS
7 .s:J.e2 .s:J.c7 8.dxeS >ixeS 9.0-0 0-0
• 26.lII g2 Iilxf2 27.
10.b3 a6 1 I ..tI.b2 1l.a7 1 2.l:I e l .
163
1 2...d4? Black is behind i n devel­
opment. and it is obvious that open­
ing the position will not be to his ad­
vantage, 1 2 ....22.e6 was correct.
13.cxd4 liJxd4 1 4.liJxd4 �xd4.
Black shouldn'l have exchanged the
queens. A fter 1 4 ...1l.xd4 I S . .s:J. f3
llbS 1 6.tl'Ia4 >ixb2 1 7.tl'Ixb2 .tI.e6
1 8.ltJd3 !(;Yb6 il would be easier for
him to defend. Now, howevcr. it is
far more difficult for him to resist
White's pressure on the queenside.
IS.'@'xd4 s<xd4 16.l:Ifdl it.a7
17.h3! An important move, restrict­
ing the opponent's pieces. 1 7.iLfJ
can be met by 1 7 ...>ig4 I S.it.xb7
j(xd I 1 9.j( xaS Xixb3. equalising
the position.
17 . . .1l. fS 18.31.0 l:IabS 19.94!
With the march of his g-pawn White
drives the black pieces from the cen­
trc.
19 . . .it.g6 20.gS IiJhS 2 1 .liJ dS
rIfe8 n.lle7 \!IhS 23.lilc7 IiJf4
24.lilxg6+ hxg6 2S.l:!xf7 Iilxh3+
11dd7. Black re­
signed.
164
WIRTlIENSOHN .. TAL
Olympiad, Luzcm 1982
Queen's Gambit D32
I.c4 I1:\ f6 2.l1:\c3 cS 3.11:\0 c6
4.e3 d5 S.cxdS cxd5 6.d4 I1:\c6
7.!l. e2 SJ..c7 S.dxcS !l.xcs 9.0·0 0-0
1 0.b3 36 I I ..ltbH¥d6 1 2.X:: c l ɻɼ ǧmϏ
13.l:Iel !IeS 1 4.33 !l.g4 I S.bl c2
IIadS 16.11d2.
The black pieces are developed
in active positions, whereas the
while pieces arc poorly coordinated.
The time has come for decisive ac­
tioll.
1 6 ... d4! As a result of the open­
ing of the position. the activity of the
black pieces increases significantly.
1 731lxd4. The d4-pawn can­
not be ignored .. 1 7.l1:\b I Ji.xf3
1 8.!l.xf3 dxe3 1 9.1::t xe3 ( 1 9.fxe3
IIxc3!) 1 9 ...l:txc3 20.l:!xd6 !Ixd6
2 1 .�cl rIxb3 is obviously favour­
able for Black. Apparently the lesser
evil was 1 7.exd4 ilxf3 I S.ttxf3
Ilxc l + 19.6xel I1:\xd4 20.W h l
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
]le8, but here too l3lack's initiative
is very dangerous.
1 7...tf hd4 I S.exd4. l f I S.SJ..xg4,
then 1 8 ...l1:\f3+! or 1 8 ...l1:\xg4
19.�xg4 ttJ l1+ is decisive.
IS...!l.xd4 (with thc threat of
1 9 ...!l.xf2) 1 9.!l. xg4 ɄɅ .el +. 1 9 ...
ti.Jxg4 was more accurate: 20.g3
�h6 2 1 .l::t xe8+ htxe8 22.114 <1Jxf2
23.11xf2 W·lc3 24.l1:\c4 SJ..xb2
25.6'd7 n (8 with a winning posi­
tion.
20.'0hcl l1:\ xg4.
21 .l1:\e4? This loses quickly.
2 1 .g3 ViPh6 22.tllf e7 klf8 23.l1:\e4
!l.xb2 24.I!d8 g6 25.h3 was more
tcnaciolls. although even hcre after
25 . . . .f1.xa3! Black transposes into a
won endgame.
2 1..:&xh2+ 22.WfI 6h l +
23.>II c2 �xg2 24Sl] d l t'10+
2S:l!:Yc2 ViPh l + 26.'llP e l '!\1f3+
27'vbe2 6xb3+ 28.Wel l1:\eS
29.l1:\gS SLc3. White resigned.
Chapter G. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn
TAL- AGZAMOV
80chi 1 984
Queen's Gambit D32
I .c4 c5 2.til13 liJf6 3.tilc3 .6
4.c3 tilc6 5.d4 d5 6.cxd5 .xd5
7.:.1..2 cxd4 8.tilxd4 XLd6 9.0 0 0-0
- and White loses material.
I OP, 13 a6 1 1.b3 ll:c8 1 2SLb2 XLc7
1 3."ld3 ��d6 14.llfd l ? 1 4.g3!,!
was essential.
White has underestimated the
threats poscd by the queen + bish­
op battery, and this allows Black to
open thc position to his advantage.
1 4 ...d4! 1 5.•xd4 XLg4. This
forces a weakening orthe king's po­
sition and creates the possibility in
ccrtain variations of exploiting the
pin on the knight at ĪϏ This stand­
ard attacking mcchanism, based on
the breakthrough of the d-pawn, is
examined in Part I (Chapter 2 ) in the
game Pctrosian - Balashov. Mos­
cow 1 974 (p. ??).
1 6.g3. It is also not possible to
defend afler 16.Wf) tilb4! 1 7.tl1d2
165
XLx13 18 ..i1J.xl3 �xh2 1 9.93 tLlg4!
20.tLle4 f5.
1 6...L;i)b4! An important interpo­
sition. Now i f 1 7.�d2?! the themat­
ic pinning mechanism goes into op­
eration: 1 7... !l:xe2' 1 8.'i#xc2 J:te8,
17.XLa3 tLlxd3 18.XL xd6 XL xd6
19.1l:xd3 XLb4! 20..i1J. n XLf5
2 1 .tild l XL ,d3 22.XL,d3 tLld5, and
Black converted his exchange ad­
vantage.
FISH - LAUTIER
Saint Vincent 2005
Nimzo-llldian Defence E56
I .d4 tLlr6 2.c4 c6 3.tilc3 Jl.b4 4.
tLl13 dS 5.• 3 � 6.XLd3 c5 7.� tilc6
8.cxd5 .xd5 9.dxc5 1l.g4 10.XL.2
'I/fI.7 I I .b3 XL ,c5 12.XL b2 !:tfd8.
l3.tLld4. White blocks the dS­
pawn, sincc if 1 3.nc l or 1 3.l:tc l
there follows 1 3 ...d4, but it would
have been bctter to do this aftcr
l 3.tLla4 XLd6 and now 1 4.tild4.
166
1 3...il.xd4! 1 4..s:L xg4?! White
persists in the retention of Black's
isolated pawn and as a result he
comes under 11 strong initiative,
whereas after 1 4.c"d4 Black's posi­
tion is merely slightly preferable.
1 4...,\).eS 1 SSI. h3. I f 1 5 .,\).13
there would have followed 1 5 ... d4!
1 6.cxd4 Itxd4 1 7.'&c2 Ilad8 with a
spatial advantage for Black.
I S...lDe4 1 6.l:lc l ? 1 6 .'&c l was
essential, since now Black makes
a breakthrough in the centre, ex­
ploiting the opposition of rook and
queen.
1 6... d4! 1 7.exd4. White should
have reconciled himsclflo 1 7.tlJxc4
dx.4 1 8 .�c2 .l'l.xb2 1 9:�hb2
'&xc4. when Black has the advan­
tage.
1 7...Etxd4 18.lDdS ( 1 8.�el
lDd2) 18 '\)' xh2+ 19.W h l . Also
..•
after 1 9.Wxh2 '&d6+ 20.Wg I � xd I
2 1 .r:tfxd I �h6 22.,\). f5 �h4 White
does not have compensation for the
queen.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
19 ...lDxf2+ 20.l:txf2 � xdl+
2 1 .J:l xd 1 � h4 22.l::t e2 \1.g3 B.!Id3
�gS 24.1;[.4 hS 25.l:Iec3 .l'l.eS
26.,\)..3 W h8 27.n f3 li1d4 28.l::t xf7
't:Yg6. White resigned.
BAREEV IVANCHUK-
Havana 2006
Nimzo-Indian Defence E37
I .d4 lD r6 2.c4 e6 3.lll c3 �b4
4.l"Ic2 dS 5 .• 3 J/.xc3+ 6:@'xc3
lD e4 7.Y!-Jc2 cS 8.dxcS lDc6
9.cxdS exd5 10.lD f3 �r6 I I .e3
� g4 1 2.� e2 0-0 13.0-0 !:tre8
14.,\). d2.
14...d4! The d5·d4 breakthrough
disrupts the hannony in the placing
of the white pieces.
I sJ
l ad I. The dynamic strength
of the breakthrough by the d·
pawn is especially effective after
1 5.11ae l ? - 1 5 . . . d3! 1 6.Jl.xd3 ( 1 6.
�'Yxd3 �xf3 1 7.'\)'xf3 l:tad8) 1 6...
..axO 1 7.gxO �xf3 with an attack
for Black ( I vanchuk).
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential
I s...li1xd2 ( I S ...tiadS 1 6 Ɗ ˉϏI ! )
.
16.�'xd2 !:I.dS 17.t'Yel.
17 ...d3'!! As was shown by Ivan·
chuk, this breakthrough should have
been prcpared by the useful move
1 7 ...hS I 8.h3 (if I 8.� fe l , Ihen 1 8 . . .
d3! i s now effective since. com·
parcd with the game, after the ex·
change of pieces Black could have
included his rook in the attack) 1 8 ...
d3 1 9.!:Ixd3 I:lxd3 20.hxg4 hxg4
2 1 ..lixd3 gxf3 22.g3 t'Yh6 23.I:lc l
llc6 24.t'Yc4 'h3 2S .a fl 1hS .
26.gd I lJh6 elc.
I S.Ilxd3 I1xd3 19 ..axd3 J'i. xf3
20.gxf3 liJeS 2 1 ..ae4 Ii1xf3+
22 " xf3 �xf3 23.�d l �fS 24.b4.
24.�d6 hS 2S.!:td l !:Ie6 26.�d8+
,'Jh7 2H!Yd3 llg6+ 28.WfI �xeS
29.�dSI llgS 30.�xcS I1.eS
3 1 .tId7 leads to an equal endgame
( Ivanchuk).
24...h6 2S.!!el as 26.04 �g6+
27S'm axb4 28.axb4 l:txe4.
of the d5-pawn 167
29.1""1 b1 ? After Ihe simple 29.
Il.e4 �xe430.�d8+ Wh73 1 .�d7!
While would nO( have been in any
danger ( 3 1 . .. �xb4 32.�f5+). BUI
now his king comes under attack.
29...�.6+ 30.Wg2 llg4+ 3 1 .
<Jlh3 Ilg6 32:t':1fS? To defend Ihe
king. the rook should have been
broughl up - 32.lle8+ Wh7 33.11e3!,
for example: 33 ... l:'Jf6 34.�'Ye2 l1:1d4
3S J:
!g3 �xb4 36.l:!xg6 f.g6 37.e6
bxc6 38.'t':Y xc6. hoping for a draw in
the queen endgame.
32...�c6 33.!:te4. While also
fails 10 save the game with 33.t:e3
IlgS 34.�e4 &d7+ 3S.W h4 VJo!Id I
36.l:'Jf3 rYd4+ 37.l:!e4 (3H'O'e4
̺ÈʀIϏ 37...'!'.l'd8 38.Wh3 '!'.l'd7+
39.Wh4 11 g l ( Ivanehuk).
33...J:[gS 34JIJlf3 �d7+ 3S.'+]h4
llgl 36.�e3 �fS 37.llc8+ Wh7
38.VJo!Ie4 gS+. While resigned.
A motif for the d5·d4 break·
through is often provided by the fact
that the white king is slill in the cell·
lrc. Here is a typical example.
168
YUSUPOV - TIM MAN
Tilburg 1987
Queen's Indian Defence E 12
I .d4 <tJ r6 2.<4 .6 3.<tJ 0 b6
4.• 3 il.b7 5.<tJc3 d5 6.cxd5 <tJ xd5
7.o/J c2 c5 B.dxc5 il. xc5 9.Sl.g5
W'cB 1O.l:!c 1 h6 I I .il.d2 <tJc6
1 2.11lx d 5 cxd5 13 .•3 0·0 14.il.b5
<tJe7 IS.b4 il.d6 16.'&xcB tIrxcB
1 7.'.1;> .2.
While is threatening with ilc3 or
tiJd4 10 establish a blockade on d4,
retaining a stable advant'lgc.
1 7...d4! A pawn sacrifice. ena­
bling Black to activate his light­
square bishop.
1 8.exd4 a6! It is csscntial lodrivc
the bishop away from the weakened
c6-squarc. which becomes appmcnt
in the line 1 8 ...<tJd5?! 1 9.1flc5! r6
20.il. c6.
19.11xcB+ llxcB 20.Sl.d3 <tJd5.
The activity of the black pieces
fully compensates for the sacrificed
pawn.
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
2 111c l ll:xcl 22.il.xcl <tJr4+
23 . d4 il.xr4 24 .•4 il. d6 2S.b5
.xb5 26.J\. xb5 .\I:. xO+. It is useful
to repeal an old joke: 'the advantage
orthe two bishops is oncn expressed
in the favourable exch.mgc of one of
them', Black liquidates into a theo­
retically drawn position with oppo­
site-colour bishops.
27.I1;>xO Wfl! 2B.Wc4 il..3
29.Wd5 il.b2 30..\I:.c4 We7 31.0
�c3, and Black held the endgame.
KORCHNOI - BELIAVSKY
Leon 1 994
Queefl's Gambit D45
1 .<4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.c3 /i, r6 4.<tJc3
06 5.<tJ 0 !ilbd7 6.�c2 .liI. d6 7.b3
0-0 B.il.b2 e5 9.cxd5 cxdS 10.dxeS
<tJ xc5 1 1 .il.c2 <tJxO+ 1 2 ..\1:..0.
12 ...d4! The motive for the pawn
sacrifice is White's delay in cas­
tling.
l3.exd4? Viktor Korchnoi likes
to accept sacrificed pawns. but in
Chapter 6. Dyna mic potential
the given situation it was correct
110t to take the pawn, but to sacrifice
one - 1 3.tLie4 li1 xe4 1 4.jcx04 dxe4
I S.0-0cxf2+ 1 6.�xf2, obtainingac­
tive play. Now his king is prevented
from castling.
\3 J:le8+ 1 4.W fI. A blitz
..•
game Seirawan - Speelman ( 1 992)
went 1 4.liI e2 jcb4+ 1 5.\!} fI (no
better is 1 5.jcc3 $I. r5! 1 6.�¥d2
lLxc3 1 7.�xc3 ne8 1 8.t%4 il.d3
with an ullpleasant pin) I S .. .iL.c6
1 6.tLi r4 !lc8 with active play ror
the pawn. In the event of 1 4 .JLe2
il.g4 I S,!] >'I.h5 1 6.0·0 �"lc7 1 7.113
iJ.g6 1 8 ..il.d3 liIh5 Black has an
unpleasant initiative on the king­
side (Korchlloi).
ILaa5 IS.a d l >'I.b4 1 6.�c I
kd7. 1 6. . .1L c6!? also came into
consideration.
1 7.a3. A difficult decision. but
how can 1 7 ...1:3c8 be prevented,! Of
course. not possible was 17 .s.lxb7?
k xc3 I S.Jl xc3 't'1'b5+ with the loss
ofa piece.
• 7....axe3 1 8.Ilxc3. ln the event
or I S.>'I.xc3 t�xa3 1 9.>'I.xb7 !:labS
20.11a I @le7 2 1 .>'1.13 tLie4 22 ..I"-'e4
�Y xe4 White may also have prob­
lems on the h l -a8 diagonal.
1 8...tLi d 5 1 9ĦϏƕϏ.dS. Not 1 9.];[c5'1
because or 1 9 ...jcb5+ 20.W gl
ilc l +. mating on the first rank.
19... 'Y.d5 20.04 !:tae8 2 1 .n
Ihe3 22.$.xc3 l:le3.
of the d5-pawn 169
23.,iLa I . White loses after
23.\flVd2? Θ̃:ýϏ 24.gr �xf3+
2S.Wgl .ac6. But in order to re­
lease his rook. he has to part with
his queenside pawns.
B.. !'l.b3 24.W f2 >'I..a4 2S.ae 1
.
f6. Afler opening an escape square
for his king, Black threatens 10 win
the queen by 26...!:tb2+.
26.�el .il.e6 27. ".' f4 h5 2S.h4
l:!a3 29.Wg3 l:!a2 30.>'I.c3 'I!:.�f7
3 1 .'@rS. This loses immediately. but
if the king moves 3 1 .Wh2 the inva­
sion of the queen is decisive: 3 1 ...
\:!1g6 32.>'I.d2 \:!1d3 33.$.b4 .il.xlJ
with cnlshing threats.
3t ...It:�Yc7+. White resigned.
KOROTYLEV - KHAIRULLIN
Moscow 2007
Queen's Gambit D37
I.d4 tLif6 2.e4 e6 3.tLin d5 4.tLie3
11..7 5.1I.f4 0-0 6.•3 tLibd7 7.03 c5 8.
udS tLixd5 9.tLi.d5 exd5 10.dxeS
tLixe5 1I.1I.e5 Aft) 12.1I.e2 AxeS 13.
tLixeStLie6 14.tLiO 'ilJ'ft) I5.Gd2 l!dS.
17U
1 6.£td I . The attempt 10 lake
control of the d4�poinl with the king
still in the centre creates the motive
for the d5-d4 breakthrough. After
1 6.0-0 Black could .Iso h.ve pl.yed
1 6 . . . d4. but in this Cllse White
would have gained a spatial advan­
t.ge by 1 7.�ad I dxc3 1 8. 'J xc3
J'l.d7 19.1ll e 5.
16...d4!·! 1 7.lll xd4. White ac­
cepts the pawn sacrifice. 1 7.0-0
dxe3 would have led to a position
from the above variation.
1 7...lll xd4 18.exd4 J'l.d7
19.'&d3 ( 1 9.0-0'1 J'l.a4) 19 ...J'I.c6
20.0-0 Iold6 21.1old2. In the event
of 2 Uif3 J'l.xI3 22.'&xf3 '&xf3
23.gxf3 l:!.d8 24.lil fc l W f8 25.t!c4
g6 in view of the threat of f7-fS the
d4-pawn cannot be held.
2 J ...6'g5 22.g3. If 22.13 thcre
can follow n .. lilc8 23.llfl (23.
. ten lIsed to gain space in the centre
'&03 1:103) 23 ... l:!ed8 24.'&c3 Ò˞ǫĂϏ
regaining the pawn with the better
position.
22 ...II!\' d5 23.13 !:t08 24.Wc3 h5
25.J'1.c4 WgS 26.dS J'l.d7.
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
27.'I'l'd4. 27.f4 ��h6 (27...�jd8
28.�\'d4) 28.�d4 looks more criti­
cal.
27...h4 28.g4 h3 29.J'l.02 rs.
Draw. White did nOI wan I to risk
30.f4 �d8!? (30 ...�1h4 is weak­
er: 3 1 .'&fl '&xfl+ 32.Wxfl fxg4
33.1:c 1 with the better endgame for
White) with active pl;:IY for Black:
3 1 .�xa7 fxg4 or 3 1 .g5 !:te4 3 1 .'&c5
lJ:g6 (32.g5? l:txg5+).
6.3. Spatial expansion
by the d5-d4 advance
In positions where White has not
established pawn control of the d4
blockading square, the dynamic po­
tential of the isolatcd d5-pawn is of­
of the board. Howeve-r, it should be
borne in mind that it may also be­
come a target on d4.
We will begin with a classic ex­
amplc.
Chapler' 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn 171

LASKER - TARRASCH
SI. Petersburg 1 9 1 4
Queen's Gambit D30

I .d4 dS 2.lil n eS 3.e4 e6

4.exdS cxdS S.g3 t;)e6 6.>'L g2
̕Ϗ[6 7.0-0 >'L.7 S.dxeS >'L xeS 9.
Iil bd2.

1 5.a4! This pawn raid has the

Black faces a choice - whether
to agree to the blockade of the d5-
pawn after 9 . 0-0 1 0.lilb3 >'Lb6
..
1 1 .lilbd4 lile4 or decide on a spa­
tial expansion. as occurred in the
game.
aim of destabilising the placing of
the black pieces on the queenside.
I S...li\e4 16.�el l:tad8. This
natural move merely strengthens
the cffcct orlhe a-pawn's advance.
bUI in the event of 1 6...n rc8!?
1 7.a5 �e5 1 8.a6 IIab8 1 9.&e2
bxa6 2o.liJh4! Black would have
encountered the same problems as
in the game.
1 7.05 >'Lcs 18.a6 bxa6 19.1:tacl
(exploiting the overloading of the
queen in defcnding the minor piec­
es) 19 l!c8 20.lil b4 Sl.b6 2 1 .Iilrs
..•

9...d4. Rcgarding this advance. �'tcS.

Capablanca made a valuable eom­
mcnt in his notes to the following
game.
1 0.lilb3 JO.b6 1 I :&d3! Empha­
sising the problems with the defence
of this pawn. As a target for attack,
it is important to blockade it! I I .e3
dxc3 1 2.Axe3 0-0 would relieve
Black of the problem.
I I ...�c6 1 2.l:td l �xb3 13.
Wxb3 We7 1 4.�d2 0-0.
172
22 .s!l. xc4. White wins the ex­
•
change. but ĺψω ˯ F ć Ϗ exposing
the undefended state of the black
knights, was even stronger: 22 ..
lilc5 23.b4 lild7 ȼςȽǯƮϏ or ϏN NϏ.
<1'I f6 2HH4!
22 ...'iiJl xc4 23.lild6 'iiJl xc2
24.lilxc8 llxcs 25.'iiJl d 5 "'Ye6
26.'iiJl 13 h6 27 . d2 lilc5 28.11xc8+
'l'he8 29.l'\'e4 I1\d7. ȐϏ. ..Glg4 was
no better: 3o.llc l &d7 3 1 .'iiJl c6
&xc6 32.l,;txc6 d3 33.\tJg2! Ƹ)Ϗ
(33...'uxf2? 34.:c8+ \�h7 35.'.li fJ)
34.lld6.
30.te l ��f8 31.� xh6 Gle5
32.'iiJl g4 f5 33.&g6 'iiJl f7 34.��xf7+
Wxf7 35.�g5 li:ld3 (35 ...Glc4 36.h4
d3 W<lS morc tenaciolls) 36.1.Ib l
<bc6 37.b3 <bd5 38.fJ a s 39.h4
lile5 40.h5 d3 4 1 .Wn 34 42.bx34
lilxa4 43.�f6 I!Ic6 44 ' xg7 Wf7
45 ..tc5 Gle5 46.lld l . Black re­
signed.
CAPABLANCA - RUBINSTEIN
Berlin 1 928
French Defence C09
I.d4 d5 2.Gl13 e5 3_de e6 4.c4
� xe5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.� b5+ Gle6
7.0-0 li:lge7 8.l1\hd2 0-0 9.Glb3
j., b6 lo.llc l SLg4 1 1 d3 lilg6
• strongly posted bishop at b6. There
12.h3 � xfJ 13. ' x13 Glee5 14.'l:if5
li:l xd3 1 5'v
"hd3.
(See diagram)
II is obvious thm, with a smail
number of minor pieces on the board.
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
.
the isolated d5-pawn is weak. and if
White should succeed in exchanging
the bishops after .iLcJ. its weakness
will increase. Black could have pre­
vented this exchange by 1 5 ... �r6!,
exploiting the fact that the 11-pawn is
inadequately defended. After the best
reply 1 6 ..te3 �xb2 1 7.�xd5 �xe3
1 8.I1xe3 the position would have
been completely equal. But Rubin­
stein takes a different decision.
I S d4. This is how Capablanca
•..
commcnts on this pawn advance:
' From the point of view of the
safety of the pawn this is a natural
enough move, but it is strategically
wrong unless there is more than an
evcn chancc of advancing it still
flilthcr. In its presenl position the
pawn blocks the line of action of the
is one i.ldVanlagc in having it at d4,
namely Ihat the white c-pawn can­
not advance. But again that is an ad­
vantage provided that Black is able
either to defend the pawn at d4 or to
allack White's c-pawn:
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn
16 ..Il.d2 ��f6 1 7J.:[e4. The course
of the gamc shows that Black's at­
tempt to gain space has not solved
the problem of the isolated pawn
- .ll d4 it remains a target for White
to attack.
1 7.. .l:lad8. 1 7 ...: fd8 was more
logical. intending by the knight ma­
noeuvre t;} g6-rs-e6 to support the
d4-pawn. The second rook could
have been developed at c8.
1 8.a.acl �c6. The assessment
of the position depends on whether
Black is able to gain counterplay. I f
he docs not slicceed i n this, the static
wcakness of the d4-pawl1 will give
White a positional advantage. For
the moment Black prevents 1 9.� a5,
on which there follows 1 9 ... f5!
20.11e6 Ill f4.
19.93 (preventing Ill f4) 19...I:Ife8
20J:t. a5! It is important to cxelulnge
the defender of the d4-pawll. after
which it is doomed. The direct win
of the d4·pawn by 20.l:'lxc8+ l:I:xe8
2 l .lJxe8+ �xe8 22.lll xd4'! ill eS
would have led to the loss of a piece.
173
2o..Jlxe4. 20...3l.xa5! was
stronger: 2 1 .I;)xaS IIxe4 22.�xe4
(22.l:Ixc4 '&dS 23.lll b3 ill eS
24.""'c2 1:Ic8 lavours Black) 22 ...
1$b6 23.lll b3 as with good counter·
play for Black.
2 1 .�xe4 ɆBĹϏ 2 1 ...!l'ixc4 22.
);txc4 .Il.xaS 23.lll xaS fS was bet·
ter, although even here White would
have retained a slight advantage af­
ter 24.�c2, since it is not easy to de­
fend the d4-pawn.
22.�xc6 bxc6 23.l:le7 :dS?!
Black misses a chance to activate
his rook. which makes it difficult
to defcnd the quecnside pawns. Af­
ter 23 ... d3 24.exd3 llxd3 2S ..Il.xb6
(2S ..Il.b4 :xg3+) 2S ... axb6 26.l:!b7
l:td l + 2H!ig2 tijd7! it would have
been much easier to defend.
24J2.. b6 axb6 2S.l!! b7 Ill d 7
26.l:!c7 l!!d6 27.1:Ic8+ liIrs 28.lll d 2
<S. If28 ...b5. then 29.lll b3 followed
by tilaS.
29. <4 1:.6 30.tt b8 Χː̲KϏ
3 1 .Wg2 gS 32. •4 II. I 33.lllxb6
ItJg7 34.l:!c8 l;)e6 3s.lll d 7 l:h.4
36.1ll xcs l:I b4 37.liId3 l:1bS 38.<;\113
h6 39.b4 hS 40.g4 hxg4+ 4 1 .hxg4 f6
42.l:Ic4 W f7 43.Ill<S Ill d 8 44.lll b3.
Black lost on lime.
H U SNER IVKOV
-
Gennany 1975
Queen's Gambit D4 1
I .c4 Ill f6 2.lll c3 cS 3.1ll 13 e6
4.g3 Ill c6 S.ltg2
. dS 6.cxdS Ill xdS
1 74
7.0-0 1i..e7 8.li'I xdS exdS 9.d4 0-0
1 0.dxcS 1i..xcs I I .b3 Ǘǘ @Ϗ 1 2.1i..b2
Ue4 1 3.t! c 1 �¥c7 14.l!ld2.
The black pieces arc very active
and the position can be assessed
as dynamically balanced. A logi­
cal continuation could have been
1 4 1i..b6 1 5.Ilfd l I:tfe8. But Black
. . .
decided to expand his spatial con­
trol. overlooking an opportunity for
White to exchange the queens.
1 4 . . . d4? I S."&gS! White liq.
uidates into an endgame, in which
the d4-p<lwn loses any chance of
advancing further and becomes a
target.
1 s...� xgS 1 6.0 xgS 1i.. xg2
1 7.Wxg2 iL e7? With the support
of the bishop from f6, the pawn be­
comes more vulnerable. Therefore
1 7 ...1i..b6 I 8.l:tfd I :!fe8
l 1 9.WfI
Itad8 was more logical, when if
20.li'Il] there can follow 20 . . . d3
2 1 .exd3 li:lb4 22.d4 0xa2.
1 8.0 13 SU6 1 9.11fd 1 d3'!! 1 9 . ..
� fd8 was more tenacious, although
Part 11. The isolated d5 -pa wn
aFtcr 20.1:td2 and }'jed 1 the d4-pawn
cannot be saved.
20 . xf6 dxc2 2 1 .Ild7 gxf6
22.l:! xb7lJac823.btc l l:tfe8 24.0g 1
illd4 2s.Ild7 r.led8 26.Ilxd8+
Ilxd8 27.01] as 28.liJ xd4 l:txd4
29.IIu2, and White easily won the
rook endgame.
Let us now turn to some positive
examples.
W U BOJEVIC - KARPOV
Moscow 1 977
Q'ueen's Indian Defence E 1 7
I .li'Io li)f6 2.g3 b6 3.1i..g2 1i.. b7
4.0-0 e6 S.c4 1i.. e7 6.C;) c3 0-0 7.!:to l
d S 8.cxdS oxdS 9.d4 c S 10.1i.. f4
iD .6 I I .iD d2 �d7 1 2.iDn Ilfd8
13.h3 l:tac8 14.lJel cd IS.� xd4.
The black pieces are excellently
mobilised, whereas it is obviolls that
the queen on d4 is a poor blockader.
I S...l:te4! 16."&d l d4. Black ex·
pands his spatial control. fixing the
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn 1 7S

pawn on e2. However, this move al­ play for a win in the endgame: 32 . . .
lows a simplification of the position, ͢ǬϏ 33.W'lg3 liJe6 34.!:ld3 �hg3
and Karpov thinks that it would 3s.llxg3 );\c4 (Karpov).
have been more effective aftcr the 33.t'¥g3 11 d4 34.g6 rxg6 3S.t'�c3
preparatory 1 6...€!h5!? 1 7.il.. c5 !IdS 36.liJn Itlr4.
- 1 7 . . . d4! 1 8..li.xb7 t'Vxb7 1 9.1iJbS
l:tcs 20.11 xcs bxcS 2 1 .�a4 f6. and
Black has a greater advantage com­
pared with the gamc.
1 7.SL xb7 1'hb7 IS/ilc4! ll xcl
1 9.1i'xr6+ Sl.xr6 20.(1'.cl �d5
2U'�bl lileS 22.lilh2 hS 23.h4
d3?! A prcl1ulIurc exchange of the
pawn which is cramping White.
Black should have secured the post
for his knight at c5 by 23 .. a5. which
would have retained a serious ad­
vantage. 37.6'xf4? This involves an over­
24.cxd3 liJ.d3 2S.l:ld l �bS sight. White should have exchanged
26..l'LgS SLxgS 27.hxgS l1'I rS 28.11d2 rooks - 37.ldxd5 �xdS. when it is
!!d4 29.l":Ye2. not casy for Black to convert his ex­
tra doubled pawn.
37 . . .�xr4 38.11xdS �g4+!
Ljubojevic was hoping for 38 . . . �c4
39.l;l c8+ ʅ ɀȅϏ 40.b3. when White
succeeds in defending his a2-pawn.
39.liJg3 �c4 40.!:td8+ Wh7
4 1 .b3 I"Jc2 42.';Vg2 gS 43.t!d6
��xa2, and Black SOOIl won.

ANDERSSON - MUREY
Interzonal Tournament,
Moscow 1982
29 . . . h4! Black opens lip the Queen's Gambit D33
king's defences.
30.g.h4 �jh3 3 1 .I":Ye6 (parrying I .liJ n dS 2.d4 cS 3.c4 c6 4.cxdS
the threat of 3 1 . . . lile l ) 3 1 . . .::,h4 .xd5 5.g3 liJc6 6.Si.g2 liJr6 7.0-0
32.�-V�2 "tYfS. It was also possible to .Iil.c6 S.lile3 h6 9.SL r4 !:tcS I O.!:tcl
176
86 I l .dxcS � xcS 1 2.lilcs 0-0
I 3.til xc6 J:txc6 14.�cS.
1 4 tiJg4! Black is ready to ex­
..•
change his dark-square bishop for Ihe
sake of advancing his central pawn.
I S.R.d4. I f 1 5.� f4 thcre can fol­
low I S . . . g5 16.kd2 �d7 with ac­
tive play.
I S. . .� xd4 1 6.'/IHxd4 11c4! 17.
�a7. The queen retreat 1 7.�d2 d4
1 8.11lc4 l:!xc I 19.!:txc I �xa2 leads
10 the loss of a pawn.
1 7 . . .d4 18.lilc4 d3! 1 9.exd3
I:txcl 20.!:txcl &xd3. The d5-
pawn has successfully completed its
raid, and after the logical continua­
tion 2 1 .Wxb7 �d5 22.i'·Yd7 � xe4
2H':hg4 �xg2 24.Wxg2 t'l'dS+
Clnd �xa2 the position would have
become extremely simplified.
2 1 .h3?! tileS 22.tilc3 bS (22 ...
�d2!? was more energetic) 23.l!d l
>lil!c2 24.�d4 'IlIxb2 2S.ttd2.
25.l:!b I >lil!c2 26.�c4 � f5! was also
advantageous 10 Black. I r 25.�xc5
there follows 25 . . . b4.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
25 . . .ÝϏcI + 26.l:t d I ȬȭϏc2 27.R.c4
$<. fS 28.� xc2 1;'fJ+ 29.W fI tilxd4
30.iLxfS! iJlxfS 3 1 .1JldS! l:!88.
Black has won a pawn. in return for
which White merely has some activ­
ity.
HULAK - MARJANOVIC
Yugoslavia 1984
Queen's Gambit D34
I .d4 dS 2.c4 .6 3.Llc3 1 cS
4.cxdS cxdS S.tllfJ iJlc6 6.g3 tilf6
7.�g2 �c7 8.0-0 0-0 9.dxcS � xcS
10.1Jl04 �e7 I I .s..e3 l:!e8 1 2l:tcl
�g4 13.'6'h3 1'1d7 1 4.a . cS tile4
IS.iLxc7 !!x<7 (6.rlfdl .
Black has deployed his pieces
actively, whereas a serious defect of
White's position is the knight at a4,
which is shut out of the game.
1 6... d4! By tbe advance of this
pawn Black gains a spali;.11 advan­
tage.
17.�a3. II is not possible to ex­
ploit the opposition of queen and
Chapter 6. Dynamic potential of the d5-pawn
rook by 1 7.e3. By sacrificing" pawn
- 1 7 . . . � f5 1 8.exd4 1:1ae8! - Black
develops <t dangerous initiative:
19.!Id3 ( 1 9.liJcS? IiJgS) 1 9 ...bS
20.l:Ixc6 bxa4 2 1 .&c2 ( 2 1 .�a3?!
0Jxf2; 2 1 . 'iJild I ? IiJgS) 2 1 . ..liJxf2 ( i f
2 1 ...liJgS, then 22.0Je5 i s possible)
22.l!l xf2 1:Ic2+ 23.�xc2 1:Ix02+
24SUxe2 �e4+ 2S.UH2 �xc6) and
Black has won the queen for a rook
and minor piece.
1 7...ǏϏ••8 18.Sl.f1 �r5 1 9.1iJcS.
19...liJxf2! 20.lt>xf2 I:tc3 2 1 .
IId3. 2 1 .lLld3? allows a m3ting 3t­
tack: 2 1 . . .1:Ix.2+ ! 22.Sl.xc2 l:Ixc2+
23.l!lxc2 �xO+ 24.lt>d2 'iJilc2#.
2 1 . . . b6. A fler the preparatory
2 1 ... Sl.xO 22.exO and now 22.. .b6
(22 . . . 1\\1 ,0+ 23.<;!;>g l liJeS 24.l:tb3)
Black's attack could have reached
its logical conclusion. After any
move or the white knight 23 . . . tL!eS!
is very strong.
22.liJb7 Sl. xl] 23.liJ d6 (if
23.exf3. then 23 . . .lLleS! is unpleas­
ant) 23..:&hS 24.lt> gl l:Ixe2 25.h4
177
Jll. dS'! With this bishop retreat Black
significantly reduces the intensity of
the attack, which could have been
continued after 25 ...GJeS! 26..stxc2
Sl.xc2.
26.liJxc8 !IxeS 27:@ 'd6 �rs
28:�f4. White has managed to con­
solidate his forces and hold the po­
sition. On the 67th move the game
ended in a draw.
KHARLOV - IVANCHUK
Moscow 2005
Queen's Pawn Game D02
I.d4 dS 2.0J1] e5 3.e3 as 4.dxeS
IiJr6 5.c4 .6 6.cxd5 Sl.xeS 7.1 We2
Sl. b4+ S.Sl.d2 cxd5 9.Sl. xb4 .xb4
IO.liJ bd2 IiJc6 I I .liJb3 Sl.g4 l 2.g3
l:Ic8 13:Il1dl 0-0 14.Jtg2 'ilI'b6
1 5.0-0 l:trd8 1 6:�
l'd2 h6 17.1:Ird l.
1 7...ttJc4! White has not man­
aged to control the d4 blockading
square and Black has gained a spa­
tial advantage. But before expand­
ing it by dS-d4, he drives back the
178
queen. A ncr the immediate 17 ...d4
White has 1 8.'&f4.
IS.r�cl d4! 1 9.1ilcl ( 1 9.IJ:ac l
);l.8 20.1&. 1 i s pointless) 1 9...tiJc5
20.tiJd3 tiJ xd3 21. I1xd3 I1.S. 2 1 . ..
ƙŠd±ȮϏ22.IId2 :a8 also came into
consideration.
22.tld2 Il.s 23.�d l iLc6 24.b3
iL ls 25.h3 SLe4 26.<1\c1 (26.I:lc l
ncS) 26...iL'g2 27.W ,g2.
27...Ilcs. 27...��cS is also pos·
sible. intending 28.1:Ic l �'¥dS+
29.€lIJ l:tda8, but 30.l:icc2 holds
the position.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
2S.<1\13 nc3 29.�-ib l ! ��.S·?!
White has managed 10 stabilise the
position and. so thai the d4-pawn
should not become a target. Black
should have simplified with 29...
d3 30.l:txd3 (wcaker is 30.cxd3
<1\d4 3 1 .<1\xd4 j!txd4) 30 ... l:idxd3
3 1 .cxd3 �d8 32.�¥el I:lxd3, gain­
ing control of the d-file.
30.�e4. After Ihis centralisa­
tion of the queen the d4-pawn loses
its dynamic potential and becomes
weak.
30 . . .!Ixb3. 1130...1'·l cS 3 1 .T.lad I
h!c l 32.l'Jxc l �xc l Black has to
reckon with 33.c3 dxcJ 34.r.txd8+
tiJxd8 3S.�xc3 (aflcr 3S.r.l'c8+
\!ih7 36.'&xd8 '&c2! 37.�dS
Wxf2+ 38.ooh I c2 all the same the
knight has to be given up) 35 .. :«,yxc3
36.fxc3, when White stands betler in
the knight endgame.
31.l:Iadl !,'la3 32.tiJxd4 �dS \
33.'&xdS rl ,dS 34.tiJb3, and White
obtained the better endgame.
 Chapter 7

The isolated pawn with a

small number of pieces

I n the preceding chapters the FISCH ER - FI LI P

theme of the isolated pawn was
mainly considered as a consequence
of opcning strategy. However, its
appearance is often the consequence
or the middlcgamc. I n this case,
maintaining it secure blockade of
the isolated pawn (most often the
dS-pawn). giving the position a sta­
ble character, usually involves the
exchange of several pieces. The re­
sult of this is a marked lowering of
the dynamic strength of this pawn,
forcing Black to switch to passive
defence. which, however. is by no
means easy to overcome. In this
chapler we will examine methods of
hundling positions with an isolated
dS-pawn where there is a limited
amount of material, but the queens
<lTe still on the board.
Intcr.wnal Tournament,
Palma de Mallorca 1970
English Opening A14
I.b3 dS 2.SLb2 l.i:lf6 3.ti"lO c6
4.g3 SLe7 S.SLg2 0-0 6.0-0 cS 7.c4
l.i:l c6 H.cxdS ti"lxdS 9.ti"lc3 SLf6
1O.ti!YcI b6 I I .l.i:lxdS exdS l 2.d4
:il. a6 13.l:tc l l.i:lxd4 1 4.SL xd4 cxd4
IS."IlYa3 SLb7 1 6.l:tad l SLe7 17."t!1a4
�c8 1 8.� xd4 ]lcH 19.�f4 SLf6
20.ti"l d4 SLcS 2 1 .ti!Ye3 g6 22.l.i:lbS
"'hbS 23.�heS rIfeH 24.l'Yb2 llcs.

It should be kept in mind that.

with the queens on the board, the
position has the character of a mid­
dlcgamc. In certain positions, by co­
ordinating his queen with the other A particular feature of the posi­
pieces, White can develop an attack tion is the weakening of the a l-h8
on the king. diagonal, which is controlled by the
ISO
white queen in the absence of any
counterplay for Black.
2S.h4! White creates threats on
the kingsidc. The usual reaction to
this pawn advance is 117-h5. but this
weakens the kingsidc still further.
White carries Qut a fronlal attack on
the d5-pawn by tripling his heavy
pieces on the d-filc with the threat of
c2-e4. and then the attempt to crect a
barrier by 17-f5 will catastrophically
weaken the kingsidc.
25. . .tIee8 26l!d2 tIe3. Black
tries 10 block the weakened diagonal.
27.l::t ed l tlI'cs (with the threat
of 28 . . . l:t xg3) 28.b4 ) .7 29.e3 h5.
Black resigns himself to the loss of
his dS-pawn, but hopes to exploit the
weakening of the a8-h 1 diagonal.
30.a3 Wh7 31..fr. xdS .fr. xdS 32.
l:txdS 'iII'e4.
33.t;:d8! The two kings arc in
equally dangerolls positions, but
White gels his attack in first, since
the rook at c3 is tied down by the
mate threat on h8.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
33 . . . W'n 34St>h2 l::t Se4 35.
!l ld7! gS 36.!lfS 0g6 37.!lg8+
Wh7 3S.l:txgS IIe8 39.l:ddS Wh6
40.l:!dfS. Black resigned.
KHENKIN - RUSTEMOV
Sochi 2005
Queen's Gambit D37
I .d4 dS 2.e4 e6 3.liJe3 .fr.e7
4.liJn liJf6 S.Sl.f4 0-0 6.e3 liJbd7
7.a3 eS 8.exdS lilxdS 9.lil xdS exdS
10.dxes lil xeS I I ..fr.eS .fr. r6 1 2 . e2
.fr. xeS 13.liJxeS W'd6 14.liJn Ji:.g4
IS.lild4 .fr.xe2 16.'I'\'.e2 Hae8 17.
0-0 36 18.�fd l.
White has a stable advantage
thanks to his secure blockade of the
d5�pawll.
1 8 . . . g6. This unprovoked wcak�
cning of the castled position creates
motifs for an <llIack on the king.
Black should have stuck to central
strategy: 1 8 . . . !I fe8 1 9.1iJ f5 IW e5
20.� g4 g6 2 1 .liJ d4 liJ e4 22.h4
l:t c4.
Chapter 7. The isolated pawn with
19.h4! White begins an attack on
the kingside.
1 9 ... IIcT!! 1 9 . . . hS was neces­
sary. not fcaring 20.g4?! in view
of 20 . . . >;\Ye7! 2 1 .gxh5 � xh4. I f
20.n ael there can follow 2 0 . . . 0 04
2 1 .til fJ ( 2 1 .� fJ � c5 22.� h3
n c7!) 2 1 . . . � d7 22.6' d3 n xc l
23.n xc 1 Y e g 24.!ld I � e6. and the
d5-pawn is indirectly defcnded in
view of thc threals on the first rank.
ǟƤ!·į†̬Ϗ Ç Ȗ†ɬ!ϏƬλ™5΁5Ϗin the event
of20 . . . h5 2 1 .g4 'i:Jc7 22.gxh5 � xh4
23.b4 it transpires that the rook on
c7 is badly placed. and White gains
the advantage.
2 1 .h5 �e5. 2 1 . . . 0 .4 22.11 xc7
I1 xc7 23.0 c2 (23.h6 � f1l) 2 3 . . .
til f6 24.0 b4 l:! d7 2H\l' fJ �c5
26 .l:t d4 I:I: c7 is also possible. ex­
ploiting the fact that the back mnk is
inadequately defended.
22.'i¥g4 W g7. I n the event
of 22 . . . 8 e6?! 23.1Ixc7 I:I: xc7
24.8 x06 � xe6 2 H!:l' f4 1:Id7 (2S . . .
llc4 26. '@' b8+ ) 26.� d4 White car-
a small number of pieces 181
ries out a frontal attack on the dS­
pawn. 26.h6 f6 27.'& d4 is also pos­
sible.
23.� h4.
23 . ! .W 18. The threat of h5-h6
has become a reality, and Black must
play with great care 10 resist the at­
tack on his king. 23 . . .€k6 24.h6+!
W f1l 2S.n xc7 1:I xc7 26.8 xe6+ fxe6
27.� d8+ Wfl was more accurate,
not fearing 28.c4!? (28.ll: f1 tI e7
29.l:t c l W hS) 28 . . . dxe4 29.l:t d7+
n xd7 30.� xd7+ I!1f6 3 1 . W xh7
'@' d6 with the threat of perpetual
check by � d6-d l -hS (Rustemov).
24.h6! f61 A fun her weaken­
ing of the king's defences, which
allows White to develop an attack.
24 . . .lij e6 was correct, leading to a
position from the previous note.
25.8fJ �e6. 2S . . : IYl xb2 was
also insufficient: 26.� b l '«:Y c3 (or
26 . . . gS 27.l:I: xb2 gxh4 28.tI xdS)
27.l:I xdS bS 28.ll: bd I .
26...... r4 'iJ:Je7. No better is 26 O Ļ O Ϗ
° Ƀ Ϗ 27. b4 � c6 28.0 d4 � d6
1 82
29.liJc2 b6 JO.li) f4, winning the dS­
pawn.
27.�xd5. White has WOIl a pawn
and with il thc game.
GH EORGHIU A PETROSIAN
-
. 26.8 d4 !:lc5 27.b3 �'Ycl 28.114
Bagncux 1 982
Queen's Gambit D58
I.d4 dS 2.e4 c6 3.Qie3 Sl.. c7
4.!il13 !ilC6 S.Sl.. gS h6 6.k h4 0-0
7.e3 b6 S.kd3 k b7 9.0-0 Ii:lbd7
1O:<'1c2 cS 1 I .1:trd 1 e,d4 12.!il.d4
li:leS 13 .I1/. ,C6 k ,C6 14.e.dS
•
li:l.d3 I SJ!hd3 SI.. .dS 16.IY'Ye2
:teS 1 7.tll d bS l:leS 18.1 ii .dS cxdS
19.1:!d2 �d7 20.ild4 t l:!Ce8.
Despite White's stable positional
advantage and his solid blockade of
the isolated pawn. it is not easy to
approach it - Black has good COlln­
tcrphlY on the c-file.
2 t.rIad I �a4'!! An inaccura­
cy, which allows White to drive the
queen to a passive position. 2 1 . . .1::c I
was bener, and now if22.b3 there can
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
follow 22 . . ..il. xd4 23.l:t xd4 l:! 8c2. In
the event of22.8 b3 !:[ xd I + 2H!hd l
the move 23 ϊϏ<14 is far more effec­
. . .
tive. for example: 24.a3 �"'Y c4 25.h3
(25.li:l d4 �c l 26.h3 .I1/. xd4) 25 . . ..5
'& xd I + 29.l:t xd I axb4 30.axb4 l:! c4.
22.b3 �aS 23.g3 !!e l 24.l!i g2
l:hd l 2S.l'J.dl !:IeS.
26.h4! White exploits the pas­
sive placing of the black pieces to
seize space on the kingside.
26. . . 'tt b4. I I is hard 10 ofter
Black any good advice. 26 . . . Sl..xd4
27.l:! xd4 ,i$'c3 28.'& 0 �'� c2 29.114
and 26 . . . b5 27.tZJf5 with the threat
of � g4 were both inadequate.
27.hS l:te7 28.��I3 l:teS. 11'28 . . .
� c5. then 29.n d2! with the threat
of lI c2 is possible.
29:ŰűϏf5. After .ying .he black
pieces to thc defcnce of the d5-pawn,
White prepares an attack un the king.
29. . .YJ:l'a3 30.��}d7! White at·
tacks the f7-pawn - 30 . . . � xa2
3 1 ...... c8+1" h7 32.11'1 xI7.
C ha pter 7. The isolated pawn with a small number of pieces 1 83

30 . . . Vf8 3 1 .'lJ b5. l nc i uding the 28.lDe2! Thc weakening of the

knight in the attack. The 'queen + a l -h8 diagonal, which is controlled
knight' duo does not leave the black by the white queen. restricts Black's
king any saving hopes. forces. White begins an attack on
3 1 . . .�b4 J2.'lJd6 Vg8 the d5-pawn.
3H'fxf7+ Vh7 34.l:t xd5 llc2? A 28. . .1:[<"5 29.ii:lf4 Ac6 30.�c5
time-trouble blunder, but equally 'lJd7 31.'!i:Yd4 4:1[6 32.34 b6 33."&c5
after 34 . . . ll xd5 35. "& xd5 the game 4:ld7 34."!0ib2 'lJf6 3S.1!:Yd4 \!;oh7. In
cannot be saved. the evem of35 . . . Vg7? 36."&'c5 rlc7
35.�lg6+ VhS 36."&xe2. Black Black has to reckon with the threats of
resigncd. 37.il.xh5 and 37.'lJ xc6+ f'xe6 38.g4.
36.<?\d3 lle6 J7.'lJcS lIeS
DREEV - GODENA 38.'lJd3 1Ie6 39.4:lf4 l!c5.
European Championship.
Warsaw 2005
Queen's Gambit D46

I.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.<?\e3 'lJ f6

4.c3 <'6 5.'lJn 36 6.b3 il.b4 7.il. d2
'lJbd7 8.Jl.d3 0-0 9.0-0 .ll. d6
I O.lIei c5 l I .ndS exdS 1 2.dxeS
'lJxcS \3.'lJxcS gcxcS 14.<?\c2 'lJg4
I S.h3 ii:lf6 16.gce3 �c7 17."lWe2
",," xcJ IS.�xcJ gcd7 19.'lJd4 l:1fc8
20.�3S iW'd6 21.Ac2 g6 22.il.n hS
2H'jld2 t11 33 24.!:!c3!:!xe3 25."lWxe3 40.g3. This solid move. thc
lle8 26. ' al as 27.l:tdl '!JJe7. last before the timc control. al-
1�4
lows Black to activate his bishop.
The immediate 40.b4 was better:
40 . . . axb4 (there arc also problems
after 40 . . . !:l c4 4 1 . tlY xb6 axb6 42.•5
*!!ic7 43.l:! b l ) 4 1 .� xb4, creating
a second weak pawn on b6, which
complicates Black's defence. For
example: 4 1 . . . tlY c7 42.'� d4 � c7
43 .tlY b2 l:1: c4 44.ll d4 *!!i dS 45.04.
40...Ȳ@Ϗ 41 .b4 axb4 42.6'xb4
�'fIc7 43.'i:l'd4 �c7 44.�b4 tlYc7
4S.Wg2 .l&.e4. 4S . . . � c6 46.ii:l e2
� c4 also came into consideration.
46..I&..e4 dxc4 47.l:!bl 1:1<6
48.'�flI.
48 ... gS? After putting up a dif­
ficult defence, Godcna loses his
sense of danger (he should have
maintained a defensive pose - 48 . . .
tlY d7 49.ll d I � e8) and weakens
his king's defences. He could have
been immediately punished for this
by 49.l:t b5!, when the mate threat
so.l:txgS can only be parried by
49 . . . :' c5. after which there follows
SO.1:I xb6.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
49. e2?! 't'H d7. Intending to
parry SO.l:! bS with 50 . . . CildS.
SO.tiJd4 llc8 5 1 .6'.3 ii:ldS
52.11b5 h4? Unwarranted activ­
ity, allowing White to fix the weak
f5-point. Black should h3vc stuck
to waiting t3ctics: 52 . . .l :t. d8 53.a5
bxaS S4. � xaS lt> g6.
53.g4 tlJr4+? With the nu'''ve
hope after the knight exchange of
returning with the rook to c2. But
equally after S3 . . . l:! d8 or S3 . . .J:t a8
Black is unable to withsI3nd the
combined attack or the white piec­
es. For example: 53 . . J:l a8 54.� b3
ll aS SS. � c4 ll xbS S6.axbS W g8
S7.ii:l fS ' eS ( S 7 . . . � d6 S8.� d4
f6 S9 'iiJ' a l � d7 60.� a8) SU' Uc8
� f6 S9. � d7 � e6 60.� d8 f6
6 U� f8.
S4.0.r4 �xd4 SS.�07! tlYc4
s6.11xgS l:lcs S7.fS llc6 S8.tlY flI.
Black resigned.
MOROZEVICH GELFAND -
FOgcn 2006
Petroff Defence C42
1 .04 .5 2.ii:lO ii:lr6 3.ii:lxeS d6
4.ii:lO lLl.e4 S.d4 dS 6.Jl.d3 ii:lc6
7.0-0 .l&.c7 8.c3 0-0 9.11.1 Ars
1 0..I&.r4 ll.8 I I .�b3 ii:laS IU)Yc2
Sl.d6 13 ..I&..d6 �.d6 14.it'la3 �r4
I S.ii:leSii:lc616.it'l bSit'l .cS 1 7.dxeS
ll.eS 18.ii:l.c7 l:!d8 1 9.ii:lbS .l&.g6
20.ii:ld4 ii:lcs 21.Axg6 h.g6 22.g3
�r6 23Jlxes �xeS.
Chapter 7. The isolated pawn wilh a small number of pieces
White is fimlly blockading thc
isolated d5-pawn. BI<lck's chances
lie in exploiting the c-filc and the
c4-poinl.
24.1.'tdl lle8 2S.tI d2 � r6
26.lflg2 lleS. In the event of 26 . . .
� a6 27.<13 tI c l Whitc liquidates
into a favourable knight endgame
- 28.11 e2 ll xe2 29.� xe2 'ilY xe2
30.tLlxe2.
27.tLlO tLle4 28.!le2 l:!rS. Black
is aiming for active play. by attack­
ing the targets on the f-file. but in
so doing he loses control of the c­
file. However, also after 28 . . J l e7
29.� d l 'Il' d6 30.tLl d4 a6 3 1 .'& e l
he is forced to concede it.
29.�d3 Iflh7 30.�e3 �36. If
30. . .a6 Black has to reckon with
3 1 .c4 liJ d6 32.h4!? with the threat
of tLlg5+.
3 1 .tLld4 l:!r6 32.0 tLlcs 33.33
tLle6 34.l:td2 tLlxd4·!! This ex·
change should have been prepared
by 34 . . . '$'b6, since in the event
of 35.'Il' e5 tLl xd4 36. 'Il' xd4 'Il' xd4
37.l:t xd4 rl b6! 38.l:td2 g5 39.\1;> 12
185
� g6 play transposes into a morc fa­
vourable rook cndgame than the one
occurred in the game.
3SJIl'xd4 ne6 36.1flf2! An ex­
cellent move! The king prevents the
invasion of the rook, which was pos­
sible after 36. 111xd5 n c2+ 37.W h3
:a xd2 38. 'tt h d2, when in the queen
endgame Black gains counlcrplay:
38 . . . � fI+ 39.lflg4 � c4+ 40.f4 f5+
4 1 .\I;> h3 (4 1 .1fl 13 � e4+ 42.1t1 12
'& h l �) 4 1 . . . � fI + 42.� g2 � d3
(Morozcvich, Kuzmin).
36_ .. �b6 (36 . . .l:td6? 37.c4)
37.�xb6 l:txb6 38.\I;>c3.
38 . . .J:ld6. Black is forced to
concede the e-filc. In the event of
38 . . . g5 the king perfonns an oul­
flanking manoeuvre: 39.W d4 ɌϏ
40.l:t 12 g4 (40 . . .l:l: f5 4 1 .g4 Il f4+
42.W xd5) 4 1 .f4 l:t f5 42.l:t e2 n h5
43.W c5 \i> g6 44 ';t' d6, penetrating
into thc heart of the black position
(Morozcvich. Kuzmin).
39.Wd4 b6 40.tIe2 gS 4 1 .b4 r6
42.:e7 36 43.!:t37 bS 44.\I;>cS rle6
186
4S.W xdS t'le3 46.1','d4. Black re - 34 . . . � .1 3S.fS Del
signed.
MOROZEVICH - ARONIAN
MorcliaiLinares 2007
Queen's Gambit D38
I.d4 illf6 2.c4 e6 3.<tl0 dS
4.ill c3 .l2.b4 S.cxdS exdS 6..I2.gS
ill bd7 7.e3 cS 8..I2.e2 W'aS 9.0-0 0-0
10.ill d2.12. xc3 1 1 .bxc3 W'xc3 1 2 cl
t'>'a3 l3.dxeS �xa2 14 .I2. f4 lleS
•
IS.ill o ill e4 1 6..I2.bS 36 17.Sl.34
ill excS 18.l:IxcS ill .cs 1 9-".xe8
il.e6 20-".eS ll.e8 2 1 .il. xg7 Wxg7
22.'Ii:I'd4+ Wg8 23.l:'I'xcS � Jc4 24.
�d6 l:1c8 2S.h3 W'c7 26.�b4 as 27.
�h4 �c2 28.illd4 ό˛Ϗ29.�;M b6.
30.W h2! The mum defect of
Black's position is the weakness of
the dark squares, especially in the
vicinity of his king, against which
While prepares an attack.
30 ....I2.fS 31.t1f6 il.g6 32.f4!
W.e3 33.l:10 We i 34.l:tg3. The
immediate 34.f5 is also good.
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
36.lle3
n h l + 37.Wg3 I:!e l .
38.�O. There was 'l forced mate
by 38 �d8+ W g7 39.f6+ W h6
.
40.W h4! I:'I' xd4+ 4 1 .g4 and ʋˬÆĥϏ
38 . . .11 fl 39.fxg6·! Here too
the above manoeuvre would have
led to mate; 39. I' d8+ \'J g7 40.f6+
� h6 4 1 5 � h4! But now, aftcr the
exchange of rooks. the outside
passed pawns counterbalance the
knight. which is forced to defend
its king.
39 ... 11xo+ 40.l:'I'xO �el + 4 1 .
l!J f4 hxg6 42.W'xdS W'f2+ 43.<tl0.
Draw.
BU XIANGZHI - BRUZON
World Team Championship .
Beer Shcva 2005
Queen's Gambit D37
I .ill o dS 2.<4 e6 3.d4 ill f6
4.ill c3 il.c7 S.il.f4 cS 6.dxcS ill a6
7.cxdS lil .dS 8.ill .dS exdS 9.e3
ill xcs 1 0 .I2.bS+ il.d7 I I .il.xd7+
•
Chapter 7. The isolated pawn with a small number of pieces 187

'l'hd7 1 2.0-0 0-0 l3.l!I'e2 J::I ac8

14.14e5 a6 1 5.� d4 l1le4 1 6.l1le5
f1fS 1 7.l:!acl thel 1 8.!:txcl !:te8
1 9.1:[,c8+ �,c8 20.l1ld3 .af6
2 1 .J>.xf6 Iil xf6 22:�l'd2 h6 23.0
�c4 24.b3 �Yc7 25.lilf4 �\Ye5 26.h3
� a l + 27.ltIa �b l 28.Ii'e2 h5.

33 . . . g6'! This weakening of the

long diagonal. with the white queen
already st.1llding on iI, is contrary 10
the spirit of the position and it al­
lows White to launch an altaek on
the king. I -!owcver, it was not easy
for Black to prevent the queen's
threatened invasion on c5. 1f33 . . . b6
29.h4! While blocks Ihe hS­ there would have followed 34.e4!
pawn, which may become a po­ dxe4 3S.liJrs. BUI he could have
tcntial weakness. since its defence tried to parry the threat to the d5-
by g7-g6 will irrepanlbly weaken pawn by cuuntt:rplay against Ihe
the dark squares. The threatened h4-pawn - 33 . . . �g6 1 ? 34.�cS
penetration of the white knight to �f6 3S.g3 �cS and if 36.c4 Ihere
f5 forces Black to concede the e­ is 36. . . tZle6.
file. 34.•4 'liYa2 35.lIig3 'IiY.3 36.'iWc7
29. . .'ti:1 h I 30.'.!i g3 ""b I 3 1 /ild4 �. I 37.'liYe7! nel+.
tDd7. After the return of the queen
to Black's rear by the elaborate ma­
noeuvre 3 1 . . . t'fe4!,! White also
takes control of the e-filc - 32.vtHcl
�eS+ (32 ��g(,+
. . . ' 33.117 12) 33.111 12
�b8 (33 . . . �hn 34.�e8+ ItIh7
3S.� fS+ ,!lg8 36.� gS) 34.'ilYc2,
but in this case he gains control of
the f5-point.
32.'iWc3 tZlf8 33.l!.1 h2.
188
38.W f4! The king goes into the
attack against its opposite number!
38 . . .� d2'! 'Cooperative' play!
But Black also loses after 38 . . . b6
39.g3 with the idea of � e7·d8xd5.
39.VgS! �xg2+ 40.I!� h6 I1'l'b2
4 1 .f4. Black resigned.
IVANCHUK - KORCHNOI
Lvov 2000
French Defence C08
l .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.ild2 t cS
4.exdS exdS 5.IDgO a6 6..I'L.2
IDc6 7.0-0 cxd4 S.ne l ;".7 9.lilb3
ID f6 1 0.ID fxd4 0-0 I I ..il.f4 .il.d6
1 2ixd6 �xd6 13.c3 l:!eS 14.�c2
j/,g4 ISJhg4 IDxg4 1 6.IDo ID eeS
1 7.IDbd4 IDxo+ 1 8.ID xo �cS
19.h3 IDf6 20.6'b3 b6 2 I .l:!ad 1
l:!e4 22.IDd2 :x.l + 23.� xcl as
24 .•3 h6 2s.ID o neS 26.: xe8+
IDxeS 27.IDeS ID f6 28.'11:1 .4 W h7
29.ID c6 g6 30.IDeS Wg7.
I n this position Black failed to
cope with the rotalion o f the while
pieces around the d5-pawn.
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
3t.�r4. From f4 the queen indi­
rectly attacks the f7-pawn. creating
the threat of advancing the g-pawn.
3 1 . . .gS. By removing his control
of f5, Black creates a new weak­
ness in his position. The rcason for
this outwardly anti-positional move
is that other candidate moves have
their drawbacks. I f 3 1 . . . h5? there
follows 32.g4. 3 1 . . . b5? will not do
because of 32. t'V xf6+!. nor 3 1 . . .
�i'Y d6'! because of 32.liI xg6' Aner
3 1 . . : & c7 32. �� d4 Black cannot
endure thc pin on the long diagonal
and he is forced to rcturn with 32 . . .
� c5. ufter which he has to reckon
with the consequences of the knight
endgame: 33.t�Yxc5!? bxc5 34.b4
cxb4 35.cxb4 <lxb4 36.axb4, where
the b-pawn advances to b6, divert­
ing the knight.
32.t!l'd2 IDe4 33.t!l'e2 'tlI'd6
34.IDg4 �e6 35.Wd3 hS 36.�Jd4+
Wg8 37.IDe3 IiI f6 3S.0 WfB
39.W f2 We8.
40.b4! This shows the result of
the weakening of the f5-point. White
Chapter 7. The isolated pawn with a small number of pieces
creates an outside passed pawn.
Black cannot prevent this: his queen
is unable to control all the invasion
squares.
40 ... axb4 4 1 .e,b4 Wd7 4Z.04
We8 43.WeZ h4 44. dZ Wb7
45.Wd3 Was 46.Wc3 \I;1e6+
47.W b3 \I;1e6 48.';t; bZ Wb7
49.Wa3 1"Yd6 50.W b3 1;/I'e6 51..5
buS 52.bu5 W.6 53S\]b4 1;iYd6+
54.li!I'.5.
189
S4 . . .'t:9 b8+?! Black cracks un­
der the prolonged pressure 011 the
dS-pawn and suddenly aims for un­
warranted activity. II was safer to
comrol the bG- and fS-squures with
'he queen. by playing 54 . . . Y!;IIe6. I f
55.lb c2, 'hen 5 5 . . . W b7 is possible,
and in the event of S6.tiJ d4 activity
with S6 . . . '& e l + is now appropriate.
55.We3 Y!;II b l ? A blunder. lead­
ing to defeat. The defence could have
been held by 55 . . . � c5+! 56. Wc2
t;)d7!? (56 .. .' � e6,?! is inadequate
in view of 57.>il d2 lb d7 58. c8+
W xa5 59. "& d8+ W b4 60. ..... g5 d4
6 1 . lb c2+ '," c4 62. $' xh4 willI ad­
vantage to White) S7.� c6+ W xa5
58 . ..... xd5+ � xd5 59.lb xd5 W b5
r.o.W d3 W c5 6 1 .>'7 e4 W d6 62.W d4
6ɯĈϏand Black is alright.
56.lbc2. Black resigned.
 Chapter 8

The isolated pawn

in the endgame

When the queens arc exchanged. I LYIN-ZHENEVSKY -

the dynamic possibilities orthe iso­ BOTVINNIK
lated pawn arc greatly reduced. and Leningrad 1932
it Illay become a target. Therefore French Defence COB
a decision by the side with the iso­
lated pawn to exchange the queens 1 .04 <6 2.d4 d5 3.7
1\ d2 <5 4.cxd5
should be carefully weighed up cxd5 5.tLb5+ tLd7 6.�c2+ 'I!!I e7
and taken only if counlcrpll.ly is 7.tLxd7+ i1 hd7 8.dxc5 li"lxc5
guaranteed. Often this problem has 9.'l-Yxe7+ A xe7. This variation oc­
10 be solved as early as the opcn­ curs rarely now;ldays. since Black
ing sUlge. I n Chapter 5, using the maintains t.'quality withoul difficulty.
cxmnplc of the game Flohr - Ca­ to.� e2. White aims to blockade
pablanc,1 ( Moscow \935). we have Ihe d5-pawn.
already touched on the topic of
White's opening strategy employ­
ing the slmtcgic procedure of ex­
changing queens and going inlo
an endgame. In modem play this
procedure occurs most often in the
T'.1rTasch Variation of the French
Defence. where Black docs 110t ob­
ject 10 exchange queens, counting
on gaining sufficient counterplay in
it compl icaled endgame. For siudy­

ing Ihe defensive technique in Ihis

Iype of position, it is usefu l in Ihe to . . .ti\e6! Black forcefully hin­
first instance 10 tum 10 Ihe games of ders While's plan and is the f"irsl 10
Mikhail BOlvinnik. take control of d4.
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
1 1 .4J f3 SH6! I t can be said that
this is the key move of Black's
countcrplay. Already then Botvinnik
considered control of the blockading
point d4 10 be an important clcment
in the defencc.
1 2.i.e3 liJe7. The second knight
is also included in the fight for the
d4 blockading point.
13.0-0-0 0-0 14.r.:thcl llfd8
IS.4<\fd4 CiJe6 1 6.f4'!! A needless
weakening of the position.
1 6 . . .11e8! Black rejccts winning
ofa pawn by 1 6 . . .4<\ exd4?! 1 7.CiJ xd4
.il.xd4 I S.Sl.xd4 CiJ xf4. which aficr
1 9.11 e7 b6 20.I1 n 4<\e6 2 1 .l'l fxf7
lZ'l xd4 22.t:. xg7+ would have led to
a draw by perpetual check (variation
by Botvinnik) and threatens to win a
piece .:Jfler exchanges on d4.
1 7.CiJxe6 Ihc6. This is stronger
than I 7 . . . fxe6.
I H.JO/.f2 !:te8 1 9.• UϏ ɧ˧ϏcOllrse,
I
1 9. hd5? is nol possible because of
1 9 . . .4<\b4 20.Ye5 tkeS.
1 9 . . .0a5. TIlreatcning20 . . .tiJ c4
191
and therefore White cannot play
20.!:t xd5? CiJ c4 2 1 .c3 U ce8 22.:c5
<1'ld61
ZO.e3.
2o .. .lilc4'!! By subtle manoeu­
vring Black has weakened White'spo­
sition, and after 20 . . .11 ce8! 2 1 .ttJ g3
II xe I 22." xe I ll xe I + 23.Sl. xc I
iL h4! U i 1d 24 . . .iL xg3, with a knight
against bishop and weak light squares
in the opponent's position. he would
have gained a favourable endgame
(Botvinnik). Now, however. White
succeeds in simplifying the position
in a more favourable situation.
Z I .li1d4 IIe4. If 2 1 . . . tt ee8 there
follows 22.li'lc2, attacking the d5-
and a7-pawns.
2z.l:Ixe4 dxe4 23.li1c2! as 24.
CiJe3 CiJxe3 2S,JO/.xe3 bS 26.Sl.d4 Sl.e7
27.15, and White now stands better.
since the e4-pawn is obviously weak.
However, with accurate play Black
succeeded in holding the position.
, 27 . . . b4 28.•xb4 axb4 29.l:Iel
bxc3 30.bxe3 IleS 3 J .\!Ie2 Sl.d6
1 92
32.h3 � g3! (restricting the rook)
33.l!e2 f6 34.tte3 SI. f2 3S.!!e2 Sl.g3
36.!!e3 lI. f2 37.!:!c2 .ll:.g3 38.lii d l
1ii f7 39.);te3 ͙˭Ϗ 40.Ue2 .ll:. xd4
4 1 .cxd4 g6 42.g4 gxfS 43.gxfS e3
44.We2 l::t e4 4s.lii d3 ttf4 46.!!xe3
1:.xfS. Draw.
FLOHR - BOTVINNIK
8th match game, Lcningnul 1 933
French Defence C08
I.d4 e6 2.e4 dS 3.tiJd2 eS 4.exdS
exdS S..ll:. bS+ .ll:.d7 6.�e2+ �e7
7.�xe7+ lI. xe7 8..ll:.xd7+ Clixd7
9.dxeS Cli xeS IO.Cli b3. Of cOllrse.
Flohr knew the previous game.
where I O.ttJ c2 was played. but he
decided 10 otTer the exchange of
knights.
1 0 . . .tiJa4! tiJ aturally, Black
avoids the exchange and with a sub­
tle manoeuvrc he prcvcnts Ihe de­
velopment of Ihe bishop. 1·l e subse­
qucntly plans to transfer this knighl
to c4.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
I I .qJe2 � f6! As in the previous
game. this is a key move in the con­
trol of the d4 blockading point.
1 2.c3. Botvinnik recommends
1 2.liJ bd4, in order 10 free the bish­
op.
12 . . .tiJe7 13.0·0 0·0 1 4.l:td l
ttfd8 I S.tt b l . Otherwise i t is dif·
ficult to develop the bishop.
I S .. J:tac8 16S!lfI.
1 6 ...a6! The knight at a4 has
c"rried oul its duties and it !llllSI be
switched 10 the more active square
c4, but after the direct 1 6 . . . ttJ b6?!
White plays his bishop to d4 -
1 7.lI. c3! tiJ c4 1 8 .lI.d4, exchanging
the important dark-square bishop.
Therefore Black makes a useful
waiting move, intending 10 meet
1 7.Sl.e3 with 1 7 . . .tiJf5.
17.tiJed4 tiJb6 1 8.tiJ aS tiJc4.
Forcing the retreat or the exchange
of the knight, since 1 9.1iJ xb7? l:t d7
leads 10 the loss of a piece.
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
1 9.1iJxc4 dxc4. The isolated
pawn theme is exhausted.
20 .<I.c3 t;)d5 2 l .liJf3. Draw.
• is by no means obliged to give up).
2 1 . . .l11xc3 22.fxc3 is unfavourable
ror Black. since White obtains the
d4-point (Botvinnik).
And now a modem example of
play in an endgame. where with the
help of the bishop 011 f6 Black suc­
ceeds in controlling the d4-point.
ARONIAN - BELIAVSKY
Warsaw 2005
In this position White is not able
to establish his knight on the d4
1 93
blockading square, 1Il view of the
activity of the black pieces.
23 . . ').:I.c8! 24.llcd2. In the
event of 24.l::t xc8 !.'t xe8 25.l:! d2 (if
25.l:l xd5 both 25 . . . l:! c2 and 25 . . .
.ic xb2 arc good) 2 5 . . . a5! White
cannot prevent the exchange of his
knight - 26.e3 a4 27.liJd4 .ic xd4,
transposing into an easily tenable
rook endgame: 28.l:t xd4 l:t c2 29.
͑ʳϏʰϏ30.bxa3 l:1 xa2 3 1 .l:I xb6 l:t xaJ,
which Black is not in danger of losing
even without his d5-pawn (which he
24. . .l'Ic4! A subtle rook manoeu­
vre with the aim of demobilising the
knight.
25.c3 1:tb4! 26.1:1.2 J:!d8 27.WfI
as 28.l:! dd2. 28.liJ d4 .a xd4 29.l:t xd4
l:t xd4 30.cxd4 W f& 3 1 .!.'t e5 leads to
a drawn rook endgame.
28 . . . d4! A worthy conclusion to
Black's active play.
29.liJxd4 ˻Ϗxd4 30.cxd4 l:ldxd4
3 1 .l:txd4 !.'txd4. The conflict is ex·
hausted.
194
32.l:!c8+ Wh7 33.Wc2 l:!b4 34.
h3 34 3S.l:tc3 axb3 36.axh3 l:tbS
37.!lc3 gS 38.h3 hS 39.>'1d3 "fS
40.''Ic3 l:tbS 4 1 .1'Id4. Draw.
These examples clearly illustrate
how important it is, in this type of
complicated endgame. to retain the
minor pieces. which can cover the
weakness of the squares adjacent to
Ihe isolated pawn. With regard 10 the
dS-pawn. this relates mainly to the
dark-square bishop, the exchange of
which makes it harder for Black to
defend the dark-square periphery.
We saw this in the middlegame po­
sitions examined in Chapler I . The
same problems are also typical of the
endgame. Here is a classic example
from the heritage of Clpablanca.
CAPA 8 LANCA TEICHMANN
- 1 8.liJd4 �,e2 1 9.ti.lcxe2! lIe8.
Berlin 1 9 1 3
Queen's Gambit D63
I.d4 dS 2.liJ f3 tilf6 3.c4 c6 4.
Sl.gS Sl.e7 S.tilc3 liJ bd7 6.e3 0-0
7 l:!el b6 8.exdS exdS 9.Sl. bS Sl.b7
. 2 1 .:II. h4 (2 1 .:11. f4· :ll.e8 22.liJ cd4
1 0.0-0 .6 1 1.:11. 34 lIe8 12.�e2
eS 13.dxeS tilxeS 14J::trd l liJx34
I S.liJ xa4 bS 1 6.l:t,e8 � xc8
17.liJc3.
(See diagram)
The dS-pawn needs defending.
and Black offered the exchange of
queens - 1 7 . . :�c4, counting on
the notorious <tdvantagc of thc two
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
bishops. But, as Capablanca demon­
strates, this plan is faulty. since the
bishop on b7 is passive. and Black
cannol bring it into play other than
at the cost of the d-pawn. Black
should have avoided exchanges, and
therefore 1 7 . . . I:ld8 was more logi­
cal. with the possible continuation
1 8.a3 h6 1 9.:II. f4 liJe4, intending
ɺϏf6.
Black forcstalls Whitc's intention 10
occupy thc e-filc. and as a result he
comes under a mortal pin. I-Iowever,
it was not easy for him to disentan­
gle himself: 1 9 . . . h6 2o.lil fS :ll. d8
followed by J:ld I -c i is also good)
2 1 . . . :II.c8 22.liJcd4 :ll. xfS 23.til xfS
g6 24.li.Jd4! (weaker is 24.tLl xh6+?!
Wg7 2S.:II.xf6+ Sl.xf6 with active
play for the pawn) and then l:[d 1 -
c I . The eXChange of rooks also docs
not solve Black's problems: 1 9 . . .
g6 2o.II c l He8 2 1 .I1xc8+ Sl.xe8
22.liJe6 ʡϏ 23.liJcd4 Sl.b7 (23 . . .
:ll.d7 24.:II. xf6 Sl.xf6 2S.liJ b4 leads
Cha pter 8. The isolated pawn in t.he endgame
to the loss of a pawn) 24.tDxe7
�t·?xc7 2S.0 with a clearly better
endgame for White.
20.li1f5! White exploits the pin
on the knight to exchange Black's
dark-square bishop.
20 WfS. In the event of 20 . . .
. . •
Ad8 White wins the dS-pawn
- 2 1 .iLl d6 llc7 22.iLlxb7 llxb7
23.�xI6 �x f6 24.llxd5 Ilc7
25.l::t d2.
2 1 .Iil,e7 \!1 xe7 22.lild4 g6 (par­
rying the threat of 23.lilf5) 23.13!
Emphasising Black's helplessness
- to escape from the pin. he is forced
to give up a pawn.
23 . . . h6 24..liLxh6 Iild7 2S.h4
Iilcs 26 ;. [4 liJe6 27.lil xc6 Wxc6
28.1Jd2 IIh8? A loss of time. since
White ignores the threat to his h4-
pawn. 28 . . . b4 was better, with the
idea after a6-aS of activating the
bishop. White would have contin­
ued g2-g4 and h4-h5, creating a
passed pawn.
29.nc2! Forcing the exchange of
195
rooks. after which. despite the pres­
ence of opposite-colour bishops,
White achieves a won endgame.
29 . . .llc8 30.!txc8 � xc8 3 1 .
ëœĤϏ
3 1 . .. d4. A forced pawn sacri­
fice. since after the transference of
the white king to d4 Black is unable
to avert the threat of it penetrating
to c5 or eS.
32.cxd4 \!IdS 33.Wc3 .liLc6
34.\!Id3 \!ic6 35.•3 .liL c4+ 36.';/;>c3
.liLe6 37..liLh6 IiId5 38 ? g7. Black
resigned.
In modem practice. improved
defensive technique means that far
more effort is demanded of the at­
tacking side, and onen a direct at­
tack aimed at winning the isolated
�
pawn prov insufficient. To convert
the advantage it is nonnally neces­
sary to create an additional weak­
ness in the opponent's position. and
it is this that determines the attack­
ing side's strategy.
196
We will examine some lypical
examples of the play in compli·
cated endgames. in which rooks arc
present.
S.1. Play with four rooks
on the board
I t can be considered that the
main strategy in complicated end­
games with rooks present is the co­
ordination of them with the minor
pieces. Therefore the defender must
be careful about exchanges that
weaken the periphery. The absence
of his dark-square bishop may tell
when there is a frontal attack on Ihe
isolated pawn. The all<lcker may al­
ternate threats to the pawn with the
invasion of the rooks on the files ad­
jacent to the pawn. which may lead
to Ihe transfonnation of the position
into a morc favourable endgame.
We will begin with an ending
without any minor pieces.
BAREEV - FARAGO
Rome 1 990
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
In view of the threat of a frontal
attack by the white rooks, the black
rooks arc tied to the defence of the
d5.pawn and are unable to make lise
of the c-file, since the 8th rank is in­
adequately defended.
19 . . X:tod8 ( l 9 . . .%%e8 20.l:Ioe l )
.
20.1:%ocl WfH 2 1 .l:!c7 l:!6d7
22.IJ:dc I . It is important for White
to consolidate his grip 011 the c·file,
since the weakness of the d5·pawll
alone is insufficient for a win. and
he necds to creatc a second weak­
ness 011 the quecnside.
22 \'; c7.
. . •
23."" d3 l:!xc7 24.l:!xc7+ l:!d7
25.:c8. The exchange of olle pair
of rooks favours White. since it re·
duces Black's possibilities of coun­
lerplay to the minimulll.
25 ... h5?! An inaccuracy. 25 . . . a5
was stronger, when White could re­
ply 26.g4 ! . preventing h7-h5.
26.b4! White carries out the plan
of creating a second wcakness on
the queenside.
Chapter' 8_ The isolated pawn in the endgame
26 . . .We6 2H9 d4 16 28.h4. Pre·
venting 28 . . . h4 followed by g7-gS.
28 . . .WIS 29.13 Wg6. If 29 . . . gS,
then 30.hxgS fxgS 3 1 .1:1:1&+ Wg6
32 Il e8 followed by tics, winning
. complicated positions with minor
the dS-pawn.
30.•4 WI? 3 1 ..5.
3 1 . .. We6. After 3 1 . . . bxaS 32.
bxaS Wc6 White would have sur­
rounded and won the dS-pawn 33. -
llc6+ We7 34.WcS W I? 3s.Ild6.
32.a6. Fixing tJle weakness on a7.
32...Wd6 33.bS We6 34.g3
g6 3S.tle8+ Wd6 36.l:trs We6
37.1:: <8 Wd6 38.1:« 6+ W e7 39.g4
,VI? 40.gxh5 gxhS 4 1 .1:1:<8. Now
Ihat Black has acquired three weak
pawns on a7. d5 and hS. his position
is hopeless,
4 1 . . .We642.l:: e8+ Wd6 43.l:Ih8
)de7 44.11d8+ We6 45.nxdS fS
46.e4 Ixc4 47.lxc4 l:t h7 48.l::l d8 l:tc7
49.11e8+ WI6 50.eS+ W I? SI.l:th8
ncS s2.lhhS lI;oe6 S3.n h6+ We7
S4.We4 l:txb5 ffīlj ƫeĬϏ Black rc·
signed.
197
I-laving familiarised ourselves
with the problems of defend­
ing an isolated pawn in a double
rook endgame, let us turn to more
pieces on the board. We will begin
with a typical example of a frontal
attack.
RIBLI - PINTER
Baile IIcrculnnc 1 982
White's advantage is obvious: the
black rooks arc lied 10 the defence
of the d5-pawn. and the bishop is
stronger than the knight. However.
the standard idea of a frontal attack
with the preparation of e3-e4 docs
not work here.
For the conversion of the ad­
vantage, ttlC"one weakness at d5 is
insufficient: another target must be
created.
27.g4! This pawn offensive on
the kingside, supported by the bish­
op, should lead to the creation of a
second weakness.
198
27 ...W f7 28.Wc2 �]c6 29.f4
f5?! The opening of the position fa­
vours White. who has a long-range
bishop. 30 . . . g6 was morc cautiolls.
30.g,fS+ W , fS 31 .Wf3 We6
32.h4 tIrs 33.Wg4 g6·! Black ig·
norcs the threat of c3-c4, which
could have been parried by 33 . . .
IilbS.
34.o4! hS+. 34 . . tIfdS leads to
.
a losl position after 35.cxd5+ ttxd5
36.ll xd5 l: xd5 37.1:% xd5 W xd5
3S.f5.
3S.WgS d4 36.I>.xd4. tzIdH
37..I>.g7 tzIf7+ 3H.W .g6 tzIh8+
39.Wh6 1ilf7+ 40.WxhS. Black reo
signed.
One of the modem defensive
ideas is to protect the dS-pawn with
the rook from c5. Here the rook is
more actively placed than in the rcar.
since it not only defends Ihe pawn,
but also participates in play 011 the c­
file. Nevertheless, the defender has
to be on the alen.
Part Ii. The isolated d5-pawn
IVANCHUK - ARONIAN
MorcliaiLinarcs 2007
Queen's Gmnbit. D38
I.d4 tzI f6 2.c4 <6 3.lilfJ dS
4.tzIc3 .l>.b4 s.kgS Iilbd7 6.cxdS
cxdS 7.'I!�c2 cS H.a3 .1>. «3+ 9.YW xc3
h6 I 0 .I>. .f6 �hf6 I I .e3 0-0 1 2 ..I>.e2
•
h6 13.0-0 kb7 I 4.11fc I !lacK
15.d.cS �.c3 1 6.ll .c3 XIxcs.
1 7.t!ccl! Showing a deep under­
standing of the position. White takes
measures to retain the rooks. since for
a successful frontal attack on the iso­
lated pawn he needs both of them.
1 7 . . .ttfc8?! To case the de­
fence Black should have exchanged
rooks - 1 7 . . . 11xc l + I S.llxc l !JcS
1 9.thc8+ ¯xc8, reaching a minor
piece endgame of the type examined
below in Avcrbakh - Matanovic.
IS.tld l ! l:Ic2 1 9..I>. bS! ɐBϏ
20.l%abl. I n an unusual way White
has retained both his rooks.
20 ..lit2c7. A prophylactic re­
.
treat in the event of ͨ f]-d4. After
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
20 . . .lDe6 2 1 ..I'l.d7 l:tl&! ( 2 1 . . .l:td8'!
22 ..l'l.xe6 fxe6 23.lDd4) 22.l:tdc l in
order to hold the c-file Black has to
make positional concessions: 22 . . .
!:Ic4 23.b4 followed by lD t3·c5.
2 1 .J'l..4 lDe6 22 ..tb3 Wf8
23.h3 :c5. This side protection of
the isolated pawn against a frontal
attack is one of the safe methods of
defence.
24.Wh2! By moving his king
away, White avoids the exchange of
rooks on the back rank.
24 . . . \I;e7 25.11d2 llb5 26.J'l..2
llbe5 27.lDe I .5 28.Ilbd I l:!d8
29.Wg3 !:[b5 30.n.
199
3o .. Jlc8? A mistake, leading
to the loss of a pawn. Black should
have played 30 . . .11c5 with a defen­
sible position.
3 1 .tiJd3! (lIlrcatening to trap
the rook) 3 1 . . . d4. A forced pawn
sacrifice. It was possible to defend
against the threat of 32.b4 by 3 1 . . .
a4, but after 32.1iJb4 lDc7 33.e4!
dxc4 34.l:td7+ WeS 35.:xf7 l:Ig5+
36.\1;12 ext3 37.gxt3 the invasion of
the second rook is decisive.
32.J'l..e6 W.e6 33.liJf4+ We7
34.l:t.d4 llc7 35.: Id2 l:tbc5
36.e4 !lc4 37.11d6 !l4c6 38.e5 !le2
39.11 xc2 IIxc2 4o.Ilxb6, and with
two extra pawns White won easily.
AKOPIAN - SADVAKASOV
Moscow 2007
26.!!edl . Apan from the frontal
attack, the plan of playing the king to
d3 and exploiting the c-filc deserved
serious consideration - 26.l:tf1!?
W g8 27.Wc2 IiJc6 28.Wd3 with the
possible variations:
200
I ) 28 . . .liJ xd4 29S\]xd4 litc4+
30.Wd3 l:tc4 (aller 30 . . . W f1l 3 I .b3!
White drives back the rook follow(.-d
by Wd3-(4) 3 1 .11fe3 (3 1 .llxc4 dxc4+
32.�!ixc'4 l:td2=) 3 1 . . . f6 32.II I e2,
and White forces the exchange of a
pair of rooks with the subsequent ad­
vance <l1d3-d4 and f2-f4-f5;
2) 28 . . f6''! 29.IHe3 (in Ihe evenl
.
of 29.ttJxc6 bxc6 Black can obtain
coulllcrplay on the b-filc: 3o.11fc3
Inn 3 1 .ttc6 as 32.b3 cS 33.:a6
c4+ 34.Wd4 cxb3 3S.axb3 ttb8
36.l:tb I :bS or 30.l1f4 cS 3 1 .Ile6
c4+ 32.Wd4 l'.'tb7) 29 . . . liJxd4
30.Wxd4 J::[ c4+ 3 1 .Wd3 bS 32.llc6
ll f4 (aller 32 . . . W n 33.l:Ixa6 d4
34.ltIc2 dxc3 3S.bxc3 b4 36.11.7+
Wg6 37.]:Ic3 or 32 . . . d4 33.:e8+
]:Ixe8 34.l:txe8+ w n 3S.:e4
Black has no compensation for the
losl pawn) 33.l:!xa6 J::[ x f2 34.l:te2
J::[ xc2 3S.ltIxc2 d4 36.Wd3 dxe3+
375.itxc3 with advantage to While.
In the rook endgame, apart from the
weakness of the b5-pawn. BI:: l ck has
to reckon with the crealion of an
outside passed pawn.
26 . . .Ild6 27.J::[ Id2 ttcd7
28.lJ\ b3 b6 29.lJ\d4 bS 3o.lilb3
!!e7 3 1 .03 rt b6 32.llc2 g6 33.<l1c l .
The flank atlack on the d5-pawn
- 33.liJd4 J::[ d6 34.l:IcS is parried
- fcctivc than from thc rear, since thc
by 34 . . . f6 3S.l:tc6 llcd7 36.11xd6
l:%xd6 37.g4 (37.liJb3 liJc6) 37 . . .
wn.
33...l:!d6 34.l:ted2 Ye8 3S.<l1d I
.t1c7. Black sticks to waiting tactics,
Pal-l II. The isolated d5-pawn
retaining both rooks. This leaves
him hopes of gaining eoulllcrplay ,
whieh is morc difficuh aftcr the
cxchange of a pair of rooks - 35 . . .
!!e6 36.liJd4 ];lcs 37.!lc2 llxc2
38.Wxe2.
36.1t:l d4.
36 ...liJ c8! Black lakes Ihe op­
portunity to activate his knight
- from b6 it will not only defend the
d5·pawn. but also have an influence
on the quccnsidc.
37.liJe2 liJb6 38.liJ c3 lled7
39.b3. Without thc preparation of
cJ·c4 the frontal attack on thc d5·
pawn is poillliess. But this move
weakens the c3 pawn · .
39 ...l:[c7 40.<l1c2 lldc6 4 1 .111 b2
l:cS! The flank defcnce of an isolat·
cd pawn by a rook is oftcn marc cf·
rook is more actively placed.
4Vi)c2 as! Black defends splcn·
didly. Hc intcnds by a5·a4 to deform
Whitc's pawn stnlcture, which will
removc c3·c4 from thc agenda.
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame 20 1

43.1il <3 :C:d7 44.:C:d4 84 G ELFAND - KARPOV

45.II2d3 axb3 46.Wxb3 We7. Vienna 1 996

In contrast to st;:Uldard positions with

47.:!'lf4. As a resul! of the
,Ul isolated dS-pawn. a small advantage
flank counterattack the two sides
is conferred by Whites doubled f4-
now have the same number of
pawn. which is controlling the centre.
pawn weaknesses. After 47. W b4
But to convert his advantage he must
there follows 47 . . . W d6. while i f
create a second weakness in Black's po­
47.liJg4 Black can sacrifice a pawn
sition, and with this aim he begins a
- 47 . . . t'la7!? (weaker is 47 . . . h5?1
pawn offensive on the queenside.
48.l::t 03+ W ill 49.lil f6 I:!d8 50.g4.
2 1.b4 1il.6. The active 2 1 . . .
establishing the knight at ƷIϏ
tL'lce4 is not good because of22.ttJa4
48.liJ xh6 ?.ld6. with play against
with the threat of ŒĞĩϏ
the weak queensidc pawns: 49.1:1f3
22.1il«2 l::t .7 23.04 Iil d8 24.05
ll ec7 50.lilg4 (50 . . . f5 was thrcat·
$.e6 25.lilc3 $.e8 26.$.f1 bu5
ened) 50 . . .lilc4.
27.bxa5 l::t b7.
47...1!I.6 48.1 i) e2 W.5 49.l:Ib4
ll.7 5o.lild4 l::t .5 5 1 .l::t.3+ Vd6
52.l::t <2 lile4 53.l::t . 2 lile5 54.V e2
lile6 55.4)«6 lIxe6. Black has
successfully defended, and after the
transition into a double rook ending
the game soon ended in a draw.

We will consider some exam­

ples of flank strategy with the use of
rooks to �ltIack the rear periphery.
202 Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn

28.l.da I ! A Petrosian·style move.

The removal of this rook from its ac·
tive position has the specific preven·
tive aim of defending Ihe a5-pawn,
in order 10 begin a piece attack on
the weak a6· and d5·pawns.
28 I:1cT!! An aimless move,
..•

which merely invites the knight to go

to ~ąϏ for where it is aiming. Black
should have brought up his forces 10·
wards the centre - 28 . . We7 or 28. . .
.

lile6. whereas the obvious 28 . . . 7\e4

t 39. . .'ilc6 40 xe7+ 'il.e7
would have nm into 29.liIdb5! �xb5
3o.lilxc4.
29. lila2 ttb7 30.13 t;)c6
31 .l:dbl. Now, after the seizure of
the b·filc, the game is decided, and
the subsequent lengthy stmggle is
merely explained by Karpov's fine
defensive technique.
31 . ..l:tc7 32.'il b4 lile5. After
the passive defence of Ihe a6-pawn
- 32 . . . lilxd4 33.exd4 tt07 White
liquidates into a technically won
endgame: 34.lilxa6 l:!axa6 35..1",.6
nxa6 36.ttb6 ttxb6 3 7.oxb6 il.c6
38.:cl (Gelfand).
33.l:lc l Il b7 34.Ilabl 'ilfd7
35.lilbe6 1:te7 36.lilc5 W c7 37.l:t c3
f6 38.lilxd7 W.d7.
4U'lf2 Wc7 42.f5 g5 4H 'Jcl . The
king heads for d4.
43 . . .�bS. Black pins his lasl
hopes on the rook endgame.
44.il..b5 lilxb5 45.lilxb5 axb5
46.l:txb5 l:tc6 47.l::! xd5 lle3 48Slid2
!:ta3 49.Wc2 Ilx.3 50.19h2 llc2+
5 1 .11)b3 ll.h2 52.06 rIh l 53.1I1b4
!:I. I 54.L"laS !:Ibl+ 55.We5 !:tb8
56.a7 na8 57.�t>c6, and White won.
NAIDITSCH - BUNZMANN
Bad Wicssee 1999

(See diagram)

39.I:tb8! The attempt to tmns­

fonn the positional advantage into
a malerial one by the pin 39.11bc I
lilc6 4o.lilxe6 1:%xc3 4 I .lilf8+ Wc7
42.lilxg6+ hxg6 43.l:Ixe3 allows White has an enduing positional
Black to become active with 43 . . . d4. advantage in view of the weakening
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
of Black's queens ide pawns. and. as
a consequence. of the dark squares.
which makes it morc difficult for
him to defend the isolated d5-pawn.
20.a4! White is threatening to
win the dS-pawn after setting up a
bind with 2 1 .(15 and invading with
his bishop on b6. Therefore Black is
forced to go in for a further weaken­
ing of his pawn structure.
20 . . . b6 2 1 .a5! bxa5. Avoid­
ing the exchange by 2 1 . . . b5 leads
to the loss of a pawn after 22 ...&.b6
llSd7 23.liJc5 1iJxc5 24.i.xc5 !le6
2S.)!L xc7 I1exe7 26:1lxdS.
22.liJa4 \l)d7 23.li'lxaS :r.:tbS
24.c4. White goes in for a forcing var­
iation, provoking d5-d4, but 24.tZ.'Ic3
was simpler: 24 . .liJc7 (or 24 . . . d4
. DREEV - RIAZANT8EV
25.liJc4! IiJd5 26.Sl. xd4 IiJxc3
27.Sl.xc3) 25.Sl. 1� !lc6 26.liJ xd5
<1I Ixd5 27.!:txd5+ IiJxd5 2S.Sl.xb8
with an extra pawn.
24 ... d4 (24 . . . l:tc8 25.W b l ) 25.
c5 IldS 26.Sl. xd4 l:txd4 27.l:xd4+
IiJxd4 28.lhd4+ We7 29.Wc2
IiJd7 30.b4.
203
White is a pawn up with a win­
ning position.
30 ...Sl.f6 3 1 .l:te4 nbS'! This
leads to further loss of material.
3 1 . . .liJc5 32.liJb6 l:!d8 33.liJbc4
IiJxc4 34.liJxc4 IId5 was more le-
naClous.
32.liJc3 Sl.xc3 33.W xc3 IiJxeS.
Otherwise the invasion of the rook
is decisive.
34.11c4 ,l)b6 3S.l:xe5 l:txeS+
36.bxcS+ It.'xcs 37.liJb3+ WdS
38.',v d3 gS 39.liJd2 g4 40.f4 WcS
4 1 .1iJe4+ I'Ib4 42.Wc2 b4 43.liJ d6
ill eS 44.liJ xf7 g3 45.bxg3 bxg3
46.tiJ b6 >'1d4 47.liJfS+. Black re­
signed.
8oohi 2005
Contrary 10 popular opmion,
with other pieces on the board, op­
posite-colour bishops by no means
guarantee a draw. Moreover. the
side with the more active bishop has
a definite advantage. I n the given
204
position White's dark·squarc bishop
is influencing events on both wings,
and the black king will be tied 10 the
defence of its pawns.
23.gS! White fixes the, kingsidc
pawns.
B ...l:t.eS 24.XLd4. I. "ands
10 rcason that play on the c-filc
- 24.l:acl I.Ic6 25 ..il.d4 ɍΑϏ gelS
White nowhere.
24 . . . f6'!! This natural desire to
escape from the pressure of the g5-
pawn creates a problem with the 16-
pawn. Black's best chance was to ac­
tivate his rooks as much as possible.
Riazantsev gives the following varia­
.ion: 24 . . .l:tc2 25.Wh2 nicS 26.Wg3
̓˅Ϗ 27.:h I l:!cc2 2S.:l:h2 !:Ixa2
29.l:!ah I Will 30.l::I hS+ IYc7 3 1 .tlb8
l:!xg2+ 3H!lf4l:ta12 33.t!xb7+ �}d6
34.:tb6+ �d7! and, in view of the
threat of a mating attack after 35 . . .
1:1g4+, White is forced 10 open the p0.­
sition with 35.e4, which increases the
mobility of the black rooks. Here arc
some possible variations: 35 . . . :tt d2
(35 . . .!lg4+ 36.\!;e3 Hgg2 37.1:Ic l
l:Ie2+ 38.W f4 l:tg4+ !? 39.fxg4Hxe4+
40.Wf3 l:Ixd4 4 1 .l:!xa6 .il.xg4+
42.We3 l:!c4+ 43.Wd2 .l\.c6 is also
possible. with sufficient compensa­
tion for the exchange) 36.SLxg7 dxc4
37.fxc4 l:!d3 3S.""f6 I!g4+ 39.We5
t'lxb3 40.1:[x.6 llb5+ 4 1 .Wd4
rIxc4+!. forcing a draw.
2S.gxf6 gxf6 26.Wf2 \YgT?!
Black should first have included
26 . . .1:lc2+ 27.\!;g3 and now 27 . . .
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
<;!}g7, denying White a possibility
which occurred in the game.
27.g4! l:!h8 2S.Wg3 gS 29.I!h l
ldxhl 30.l:t x h l . The black king is
tied 10 the defence of the to-pawn.
and at the same lime White can at­
tack with his f-pawn.
30 ... Wg6 3 1 .f4 5! Afterlhe pas·
sive 3 1 . . . �gS 32.f5+ Wg7 33.l:th5
(� 17 White prepares the creation of
a second weakness on the queen­
side: 34.a4 l:Ic6 35.a5 !:tc I 36.l!Jh6
ldc6 37.b4 I!9g7 38.!lg6+ ,1] 17
39.W12! Ah7 40.l:Ih6 .il.g8 4 1 .We2
�lg7 42.l:g6+ W17 43.0d2 .il.h7
44.l:!h6 .il.g8 45.11h I l:!c4 46.l:!b I
followed by b4·b5.
32.l:!hS! gxf4+ 33.oxf4 fxg4
34.l:tgS+ \!;h6. I f 34 . . .>1]17, .hen
35.f5 XLd7 36.l:!g7+ "leS 37.f6 is
decisive.
35.ll eS?! A loss of lime. The
immediate 35.Wh4! was stronger:
35 . . ..il. 17 36.l::I f5 J;!c7 37.l:H6+
Wh7 3s.11d6! l:!c7 39.\!;xg4 \!;g8
(or 39 . . .l!Jc2 40.I!d7 Wg6 4 1 . f5+
Cha pt er 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
,bh6 42.l:!d6+ II1h7 43.lI1g5 with
the invasion of the king) 40S9g5
Wf8 4 1 .Wf6 with a complete bind.
35 ... lJe8 36.lI1h4 il. n?! Black
misses a chance (0 activate his piec­
es: 36 . . . g3! 37.\tlxg3 ̚ĄϏ which
would enable him to hold the po­
sition. For example: 38.1: f5 iLe6
39.l:If6+ II1h5 40.f5 Ag8 4 1 .!:lb6
Wg5 42.f6 11e4= ( Riazantscv).
37.t'trS SLg6. There is not much
choice. 3 7 . . . .l!i.g8 38.:lf6+ Wh7
39.lt>xg4 Ile6 leads to a lost bishop
cnding aflcr 40.lI1g5 (40.l:tffi lle4)
40 . . . 11xl'6 4 1 ."-9xf6 ,Vh6 42.f5
Ji. h7 43.lI1c6 .l!i.g8+ 44.l!Ie7 Wg5
45SVffi, while the active 3 7 . . .I:!e4
38.:lxf7 l:txd4 39. xg4 J:: d2
40.l:Ixb7 l:!xa2 4 1 .II1f5 leads to a
di ITicult rook ending.
38.r1xdS iz.e4. More tenacious
wa538 . . . g3 39.Wxg3 il.e440.l:Id6+
ctc.
39,):!h5+ II1g6 40.f5+ ! I!In,
In this position White could
have won by an attack on the
205
king: 4 1 .!:lh7+ W ffi 42.lt>g5!
Wg8 (42.. .g3 43.>9f6) 43.!:lg7+
W ffi 44.f6 1:1c8 45.b4 g3 46.il.c5+
l:txc5+ 47.bxc5 g2 48.lI1f4 with
a simple win (Riazantsev). But
there followed 4 1 .W xg4? il.b l !
4Z.WgS !:tda! and Black held the
position: 43.!lh7+ It>e8 44.!:lh8+
�
9 d7 4S.l:thZ We8! 46.il.eS IId l
47.1%118+ II1d7 48':h7+ It' e8!
49.1:I.b7 rig l + SO.lt>r6 l:t n SI.il. e3
I:.rs+! SZ.lI1e6 I1b5 53.II e7+ Wd8
S4.!ld7+ WeB SS.l:!dZ :aeS S6Sl.eS
ll:e6+ S7.We7 il.fS s8.IId8+ Wb7
S9.J'l.d6 !:te8. Draw.
I.SOKOLOV TREGUBOV-
Reykjavik 2006
White has a slight advantage
thanks to his more active bishop.
which is able to support his pawn
offensive on the kingsidc.
28.l:c3. While prepares to ex­
change rooks on a defended square.
Afler 28.b3 II xc I 29.IIxc I il.xa3
30.:aa I JJ.c5 3 1 .l:txa7 il.xd432.exd4
2UM Parl lL The isolated d5-pawn

which IS bound 10 decide the KAIDANOV - BRADFORD

game. USA Championship 2007
28.l:tx.l W f8 29.gS! Aller the
pushing back of the knight. the d5-
pawn becomes morc vulnerable.
29 . . . hxgS. Aller 29 . . . iLlh5
30.gxh6 gxh6 3 1 .s... f5 Axf5
32.tihf5 the h6-pawn is lost
30.hxgS .8 3 1 .111 .3 �e7
32.Wf4 It)e6+. No better was
32 . . .lles 33.tlh l iLle6+ (J3 . . . WgS
J4.Ah7+ ,!lf8 J5.Sl. f5) 34.lII e5
III gS (J4 . . . iLlxg5+? 35.Vd6 JLh3
36.f4 loses a piece) 35.iLlxc6 JLxe6
36.Wd4 with the threat of advanc­ 20.1.lcS! II is important to retain
ing the f-pawn. the rook. in order to control the
33.iLl xe6+ JL xe6 34.l'lh l Wc7 c-filc and attack the isolated d5-
3S.l:Ih7 I1gS 36.';!;>.S d4. A forced pawn.
pawn sacrifice. After the pas­ 20 . . . .Iil.d7 2 1 ..lib3 .lic6 22.l:!ael
sive defence 36 . . . g6 37.f4 Vd7 .5 23,.3 h6 24.f3 .4 2S,J!l..2. The
White carries oul a pawn break­ bishop has pcrformed its role on the
through on the kingside. For ex­ a2-g8 diagonal, and now was the
ample: 3S.f5 gxf5 39.JLxf5 JLxf5 time to switch it to the weakencd
40.I1xf7+ WeS 4 1 .!:!x f5 with a g6-squarc ailer 25 ..iic2!
won rook endgame. Also good is 2S ... l:I.6 26.1:! 1.2 ldb6 27,l:IfS
3S ..Iil. b5+ Vc7 39.a3 l:Irs 40.l::t g7 !Irs 2S.l:!feS I1dS (28 . . . ͂˳Ϗ
l:Ih8 4 1 .f5! Sl. xf5 42.li!xf7+ III bS 29.:c6) 29.Wfl lld7.
43 .W xd5 . threatening an attack on
the king.
37.•3 g6 3S.Wxd4 I1dS+
39.111 .3 <JId6 40.!:!h4 l:!.S 4 1 .l:I d4+
ill eS 42.b4+ .xb4 43.axb4+ <JIe6
44.<JIf4 .Iil..2 4S.e4, and White con·
verted his extra pawn.
Chapt er 8. The isola ted pawn in the endgame
30..ii. bt. White has discovered
the Achilles' heel of Black's posi­
tion - the g6-point.
30...I!d8 31 .1:I.7 .iLb5 32.li.l.b5
I:Ixb5 33 g6 II<h8 34.lI<el 1:Ib6
• the pawn on b2, the weaknesses at
35.h4 h5 36.l:!7e6 1:Ib5. 36 . . .l:Ixc6
37.1:Ixc6 d4 38.cxd4 l:Ixd4 39.lIb6
l:!d7 40.1:Ib4 also fails to save Black.
37 .lid3 llc5 38.l::t e7 b5 39.l::t b7
• manoeuvres skilfully with his
d4 4o.11xb5 lIce8 4 1 .04. Black re­
signed.
8.2. Pial' with one pair of rooks
In positions where there is one
pair of rooks remaining. an increas­
ingly important role is played by the
king, which may take an active part in
the attack on weaknesses. When con­
ducting the strategy of an attack on the
isolated pawn, still important is the
motif of creating an additional weak­
ness and transposing into a favourable
rook or minor piece ending.
HORT - VELIMIROVIC
Budapest 1 973
209
The weak d5 and a4 pawns in
Black's position give White a slight
advantage. But if Black should suc­
ceed in exchanging the a4-pawn for
d5 and c3 may cancel each other
out.
24.li.ld4 .lie8 25.li.la6! White
knights, preventing a4-a3 and keep­
ing the d5-pawn under fire. For ex­
ample. in the event of 25 . . . l:1xa6
26.l:txc8+ llJf8 it is not easy for
Black to escape from the pin:
27.li.lf5 f6 28.iiJc7+ 1.11 f7 29.li.lxd5
II<xeS 30.li.lc7+ II<d7 3 1 .li.lxa6
�d6 32.tlJb4 with an extra pawn
for White.
25 . 11<18 26.li.lb4 li.le7?! M iss
.. ·
ing the oppommity to play 26 . . . a3
27.bxa3 lIxa3 2S.li.ldc2 (2S.g3 l:!a5)
28 . . .:a5, when Black's chances of
a draw increase.
27.q)dc2! Now the a4-pawn is
securely blockaded. and White can
embark 011 a siege of the d5-pawn.
21U Pal't il. The isolated d5-pawn

27 . . .ll b8 28.Ild3 �d7 29.t;\c3 42 . . .1:c2+ 43.l'lb3 !hg2 44.bS

1I.e6 30.13 g6 3 1 .W IZ J:lb6 32. IoV e7. Or 44 . . . !lg l 45.!lc5 ƻϏ 46.
\I) c I . tIe2 with the Ihreat of b5-b6.
45.b6 llgl 46.Wc2! l!g2+ 47.
\l)c3 l:[gl 48St'c2 l:!g2+ 49.Io') c3
rIgl SOJlbS llc l + S I .Wd4 l!d l+
S2.>'lcS : c l + S3.l'I dS z:td l +
S4.Wc6 llcl+ sS.llcs !l.cS+
S6.WxcS l':Id7 S7.\';dS rs SS.h4.
Black resigned.

PARMA - PUC
Ljubljana 1 969

32 . .Ji.)c6'!! An unnecessary
knight exchange. leading to an end·
ing with a st<lhlc stnlcl'urc, where the
remaining knight is clearly stronger
.han .he bishop. 32 . . . g5 33.Wd2 ʙ)Ϗ
came into considcralion.
33.t;\ .c6 !Ixc6 34.\l)d2 ncS
35.lt)c2 .£LfS'! In order to prcvcnl lhc
knight from reaching the d4 blockad­
ing point, Black is ready to go into a
rook endgame, in which White finds White's advantage consists in the
a winning manoeuvre. Black should possibility of organising an attack on
have held his ground with 35 . . .nbS the d5-pawn. and also the morc ac­
36.Wcl <he7 37.lt)d4 l!b6. tive role o f his king, which, in COIl­
36.l! d4 � xc2 37.1!1 .c2 HaS trast to ils opposite number, is rcady
38.W b l ! The threat of the king ma­ to arrive at the centre of events.
noeuvre 10 a3 forces Black to part 26.g4! White seizes space on the
with one of his weak pawns - d5 or kingsidc and prepares to switch his
a4. knight to c3 for an attack on the dS­
38 . . . a3 39.b4 a2+ 40.W a l IIa3 pawn.
4 1. 11.dS ll.c3 42.<h xa2! Wi.h .he 26 .. .ti)d7. I r26 . . . g6 .here would
king cut ofT. the h-pawn is bound 10 follow 27.l1Jc2 with the threat of
decide the game. 28.gS, which can only be parried by
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
g6-g5, leading to a weakening of the
f5-point.
27.lilfS I1'Ib6 28.b3. Nothing
is given by 28.tt1d6?! on account
of 28 . . . !:c6! (28 . . .J:!c7? 29.IIc3)
29.lilxb7 l1'Ia4 30.l::t xd5 lJb6. and
Black regains the sacrificed pawns.
28. . .g6 29.l1'Ie3 ncS. I f 29 . . .
tldS" there follows 30.c4 d4
3 1 .4)e2. winning a pawn.
30.We2. For the <ltt<lck on the
dS-pawn the knight must be evicted
from b6, and this cannot be done
without the support of the king.
30 ... h6'!! Jlealising that it is too
late to support the dS-pawn with the
king (30 . . . lt.Ie7 3 1 .a4 �j;>e6 32.b4
llc8 33.a5, and White wins the
pawn), Black prepares to hring it
into play via f6. Stmnge logic - il
would have been better to spend a
tempo on 30 . . . a5!?
3 1 .� d2 �g7'? The black king
is still unable 10 come 10 the rescue
of the d5-pawn - 3 1 . . . l!Ic7 32.b4
(32.a4 is also good) 32 . . . l;tc8 ( i f
211
32 . . . ttb5,? a l l the same there fol­
lows 33.a4! Iilxa4 34.lilxd5+. also
winning the exchange) 33.q)xd5+
C1\xdS 34.!txd5, and in the rook
endgame White has an cxtm pawn
on Ihe queenside with the king cut
off. But here too it was not yet too
late for 3 1 . . . as, not fearing 32.b4
l:!:b51?
32.l:l:d4! An important blockad­
ing move. which supports the pawn
offensive on the queenside. In the
cvent of 32.b4 >lbS'? 33.l:Id4 a5
34.a3 a4 3S.�d3 � f6 the king suc­
ceeds in defending the d5-pawn, and
then aller b6-d7 the rook is also
released from captivity.
32...oS 33.•4 It.If6 34.b4 axb4
3S.cxb4 rie6 36.•S lile8. Even worse
is 36 . . . �e5? 37.Wd3, when the tac­
tics do not work: 37 . . .llc3+? 38.W xc3
11'134+ 39.,Vb3 Wxd4 40.lild I .
37.!1xdS ")06 38.f4 Iild6
39.lleS+ Wd7 40.J:l.dS mc6.
4 I .fS+! Before breaking
through on the quecnside. it is use-
212
ful also to advance a pawn on the
kingsidc.
4 1 . ..gxf5 42.gxf5+ l!<e7 43.b5
ne8 44.a6 bxa6. 44 . . . r:aS 4S.axb7
ʥϏb8 was morc tenacious.
45.bxa6 ... lId7 46.ll:05 l!< e6
47.li1d3 Wb6 48.l:t04 Ii:lb5 49.07!
l:%d8+. 49 . . . lLlxa7'! is not pos�
sible because of 50,lt i c4+ �b7
S l .li:ld6+.
50.li:ld5+! Wb7 (SO . . . l:IxdS+
S l .l!<e4) 51 .08'&+ l:Ix08 52.l:Ib4
:et05 (S2 . . . Vc6 S3.J:[xbS !) 53./iJ e3
Ve6 54.J:[xb5 l:lxb5 55.li:lxb5
WxbS S6.Wd4. This is where the
foresight in playing 4 1 . f5+ is secn.
56 . . .We6 57.\&>e5 IlId7 58.Wf6
We8 59.Wg7 We7 60.f6+ We6
6 t .h3. Black resigned.
NIKOLIC - PORTISCH
Ter Apel 1 994
24Jlc2! An important move
- the a2- and fl-pawns arc possible
targets for Black's countcrplay and
therefore they must be defended.
Part II. The isolated d5-pawn
24 .. .tiJe4 25.lile5 ll: b7 26.WfI
Ã˪Ϗ27S�e2 ,'ge7 28.g4 1i:lf6 29.h3
g6 30.f3 h5 3 1 .g5 lileS 3Hlid3
lil e7 33.l'!e5.
33 . . . d4. An essentially forced
pawn sacrifice. since Black is
in a kind of zugzwang: the d5-
pawn is weak and 33 .. 5� Jd6? is
not possible because of 34.1lc6+
We7 (34 . . . WxcS?? J 5 . [4+ W fS
36.l: f6#) JS.Il:r6. After JJ . . . lila6
34.l:taS li:lb4+ JS.WcJ Wd6 J6.f4
when a zugzwang position again
arises - the n-pawn is weak. Also
dubious is 33 . . . f6 J4.gxf6+ Wxf6
35.l'i'lc6 :cIb2. and now. if there
is nothing belter, 36.l1Jc7 Wxc7
37.ldxc7+ W e6 JS.tlxa7 winning
a pawn.
34.exd4 1i:le6 35.l:ta5 Ii:lxg5 36.
Iilxg6+ W f6 37.li:lf4 h4 38.lilh5+
l'lg6 39. f4+ W f6 40.!da6+
W f5 4 1.Ii:lg2 Ii:l xh3 42.ll:a5+
We6 43.We3 Wd6 44.lil xh4
:e7+ 45.Wd2 We6 46.li:lf5 nd7
47.We3 Wb6 48.t!e5 Ii:lg5 49 .• 4,
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame 213

and White gradually converted his

extra pawn.

MAMEDYAROV - KVEINYS
Reykjavik 2006

26 .. J%c8. Serious considera·

tion should have been given to the
exchange 26 . . . fxg4+!? 27.hxg4,
when Black sets up counterp!ay:
27. . .Gi:lgS+ 28.lt>e2 Gi:le4 29.Gi:ld3
as 30.11c I gS! For example: 3 1 .b4
White's advantage is minimal. axb4 32.axb4 lla8 33.l:I:c2 gxf4
He cannot extract anything real from (3J . . .J:l:a3 is also good) 34.exl'l d4'
the blockade of Ihe d4·point and 3S.Wf3 WdS, and the black pieces
the c-file - 2 1 .Wd3 Wd6 22.Gi:ld4 become very active - 11a3 is thre.tt·
<1\cS+ 23.We2 g6 etc. Therefore his cned.
chances lie in creating a new weak· 27,Gi:l.2 I:cs 28,Gi:lc3 Wc6
ness on the kingside. 29.l:I d3 Gi:lc7 30.gxfS gxfS.
2 1.f4 fS!'! The blockade of the at­
I.acking pawn allows White to create
a new targel - the fS·pawn. I I would
also not have been easy to breach
Black's position after the passive
2 1 . . . Wd6 22.g4 J:!e8. although he
can also go in for counter-activity
- 22 . . . aS with the idea of 23.l:Id I
a4 24.<1\d4 Gi:l xd4+ 2S.t'lxd4 'oII cs,
rcaching a tenable rook endgame.
22.h3 b6 23.g4 ͏AϏ 24.lld l g6
25,'011 13. 2S.I%xdS fxg4 26.hxg4
IIxf4 favours Black. 3 1 .h4. White plans to invade
2S . . .W d6 26.Gi:lc l. with his rook along the g-filc with
214
an attack on the h7-pawn. which in
the end proved successful, and first
he advmlccs his h-pawn. However,
as the course of the game shows.
Black gains countcrplay on the op­
posite wing. The invasion of the
king looks more logical: 3 1 S�g3
,Vd6 ( 3 1 . . . 0\bS? 32.0\xbS lIxbS
is not possible on account of 33.b4
015 34.11d4, when the black rook
is immobiliscd) 32.b4 (weaker is
32.Wh4 We6 33.WgSliJc8 34.Wh6
IiJIO 3S.liJe2 liJe4 36.liJd4+ WID)
32 . . . 1'%c6 33.Wh4 ,ve6 34.WgS .S
3S.bx.S bxaS 36.h4 (36,<;%6 ĕĖ ƭlüϏ
3H!;>gS ƾ Ϗ 38.0\xdS is also pos·
sible. winning the d5-pawn. but not
37.\I;> xh7?? liJe6 and Ihe king finds
itself in a maling net) 36 . . . :c5
37.liJe2 (37.Wh6 Wf7 38.h5 l:1:e6+
39.WgS ʤϏ is less ciTeelive) with
the decisive IIncal of 38.CZ\d4+.
For example: 37 . . . t;)b5 (or 37 . . .
IiJcS 3S.liJd4+ Wf7 39.li'lb3 ldc6
40.WxfS) 3S.a4! tle2 39.axbS l:Ixc2
40.1'%a3 btg2+ 4 1 .WhS 1'%g3 42.b6
and the b-pawn decides the game
- 42 . . . d4 (or 42. . .1I1d6 43.b7 Wc7
44.btx.S ll:xe3 4s.llxdS Wxb7
46.lld7+ We6 47.llxh7) 43.r.txaS
d3 44.b7 d2 4S.bteS+ Wd7 46.l::t dS+
We7 47.btxd2 etc.
3 1 . ...5 32.h5 IiJ b5 33.0\c2 .4
34.l:r:d2. Defending againsl lhc inva­
sion orthe rook, which was possible
aner 34.rId I . In Ihe evenl of 34.b3
axb3 3S.a4 IiJd6 36.liJd4+ Wc7
37.ti)xb3 l:le4 (37 . . . Yc2? 3S.l:!xdS
Parl ll. The isolated d5-pawn
!l:h2 39.ti)d4 l:IxhS 40.ti)bS+ QJxbS
4 1 .axb5 Icads to a lost rook end·
game) 38.llxdS r.!xa4 39.0\d4 lIaS
Black retains the b<ll< mcc.
34 .. .'Bd7 35.I:!dl I9c6 36.l:!g l
I!c2 37.rIg7 d4. Black m.kes space
for his king, enabling him to usc his
rook more actively. But the simple
37 . . .!:txb2 38.LIxh7 ti)xa3 39.0\d4+
\'Jf6 40.I! h6+ ƿlϏ 4 1 .):(h7+ \t' f8
was also possible, defcnding suc·
cessfully.
38.cxd4. After 38.rIxh7 d3 il is
White who has to fight lor a draw.
38 . . Jlxb2 39.l:Ixh7 rlb3+
40.\!lg2.
40 . .t!b2. Black intends to cap­
.
ture the a3-pawn with his knight, but
the coordination of his picces would
also h;'lVC been adequately con­
solid.,ed after 40 . . . l:te3!? 4 1 .0\g3
:ex.3. For example: 42.l:tb7 (42.
llh6+ Wf7 43.liJxfS rIb3 44.r.txb6
is parried by 44 . . . liJxd4) 42 . . .0\xd4
43.h6 !:te3 44.11xb6+ Wf7 4S.I:tb4
rIc2+ 46.l9h3 IiJ I3 47.liJxfS \t>g6
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
48.'ll e7+ Wxh6 49.Ilxa4 Wg7,
reducing the pawn material to the
Illtnllnum.
4 1 .W fI l1>u3 42.h6 I1>c2. The
alternative 42 . . . CiJc4 43.d5+ (nothing
is given by 43.llc7 'lld2+ 44.Wgl
IilO+ 4S.\l] n Iilh2+46.Wcl 'llO+)
43 . . . W f6! (43 . . . WxdS'!! 44.�d7+
,l]c6 4S.h7 llb l + 46.�!7g2 l1>e3+
47.WO !;th I 48.l:r.d8 Ieads to the loss
of the knight) 44.�'f2 'll d6 causes
Black great problems. For example,
the variation 45.Jlc7 liJe4+ 46.r,ve3
I'tb3+ 47.l;I;>d4 llb4+ 48.l;I;>d3 rIb l
49.l1>c3 ! (49.l11 c I llb2 50.h7 ll:h2�)
49 . . . a3 50.h7 !Ih I 5 1 .1iIxc4+ fxc4+
52.Wxc4 a2 53.rla7 11xh7 54.IIx.2
IC<lvcs White with chances in the
rook endgame.
43.d5+!'! A useful move, which
unexpectedly proves effective. In
the event of 43.l!g7 IIb I + 44.Wg2
l1>e3+ 45 .W IJ I1>d5 46.l1>g3 llb3+
Black neutralises tlte It-pawn.
43 ...Wd6? This loses. 43 . . .
W f6! would have held the position.
215
44.liIg7 llbl+ 45.l17g2. 45.Wf2
a3 46.r!a7! would also have won.
45 . . .l1>c3+ 46.W h2 'll fl+
47.W h3 llb2. 47 . . .1:c l 48.11g6+
Wxd5 49.'ll c 3+ Ii'c4 50.h7 'lle3
5 1 .Wh2 'll fl + 52.Whl 'll g3+
53.�g2 would also not have saved
the game.
4sJ:l:g2 11103 49.11g6+. Black
resigned.
CHLOUPEK - STOHL
Prague 1992
In this position with an isolated
d4-pawn the advantage is with Black
- his blockading knight is obviously
stronger lhan the bishop. To eonvcr1
this advantage it is impor1ant for
him to coordinate the actions of his
knight and rook.
30 . . .l:rb8! Black prepares a pawn
offensive on the quccnside. Hc docs
not occupy the open c-filc with his
rook, since aner the exchange of
rooks it i s not easy to win the minor
piece ending.
216
3 1 .:c l Wflj 32.Wf\ ,l]c8
33.W.2 Wd7 34.W d3. While de·
cides against preventing Black's
pawn offensive on the kingsidc,
since :'Ificr 34.h4 h5 his pawns arc
on squares of the same colour as
his bishop. and after Ilb8·g8 Black
could prepare g7-g5, trying to obtain
a passed pawn or create a weakness
at h4.
34... gS! TIle adv(lncc of the
black pawns has the :Iim of fixing
White's pawns on dark squares.
35.13 h5 36.:c2 g4! 37.:12 @Ϗ
38 . c I .
Part U. The isolated d5 pawn-
38... hS! And now, in tum, weak­
nesses arc crc.tled on the quccnside.
39.fxg4. I f 39.h3 Ihere follows
39 . . . h4! 40.fxg4 hxg3 4 1 .Il:11 1'4 .
39 ... hxg4 40.J:l. f4. While
should nOI have conceded the c-file
- 40.I!c2.
40 ...!Ic8 4 1 SLd2. I f 4 1 .:c2
there would have followed 4 1 . . .
liJxf4+ 42.gxf4 1:Ih8 wilh Ihe inva·
sian oflhe rook - 43 . . .: h3+.
41 ....4 42.bx04 bx.4 43s.. b4
l:!c 1 44.1:I b2.
44...liJf6! The knighl has ful·
filled ils blockading function on dS
and it now switches to e4.
45.il. c5 liJe4 46.1:Ib7+? 46.J:l.b4
<;!}c6 47.Jla5 was more tena­
cious. After the exchange of rooks
- 47.:c2+,/ 1:Ixc2 48.Wxc2 g5
49.Wd3 liJf3 (bul nOI 49 . . . Wd5
50.<t>e3 liJ13? 5 I .h4!) While loses
his h2.p�twn.
46. . .<j;>c6 47J:! b6+ W e7 48.
:C:xe6? This loses a piece, although
it was possible to restrict the loss to
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame 217

a pawn - 48.We3 e5! 49.l:t.6 l:tc3+ pawns on squares of the opposite

50.Wc2 cxd4 5 U1.xd4 l:txa3, colour to your bishop.'
which. however. would not have
prolonged the resistance for long. FLOH R - PIRe
Also bad was 48.!:!b2 l:!c3+ 49.Wc2 Podcbrady 1 936
0c6 and 50 . . . Wd5 - While has no
defencc.
48. . .I:txc5 49.dxc5 tDxc5+ 50.
Wd4 tD xe6+ 5 1 .W c5 Wd7 52.W xfS
tild4+ 53.l!1xg4 tilb5 54.l!1f4
tDx33 55.W o4 tDc4 56.Wd3 33.
White resigned.

8.3. Minor pit.'Cc cndings

The most typical minor piece

endings with an isolated d5-pawn
A typical position for the struc­
are characterised by the presence
ture with an isolated d5-pawn. De­
of a blockading knight on d4. I n
spite the obvious virtues of White's
them a sharply enhanced role is
position, it is not easy for him to
played by the king, which turns
convert his positional advantage
into an active fighting piece.
- with accurate defence Black can
Therefore it is important to cen­
hold the position.
tralise the king CiS quickly as pos­
275J;c2. In simple endings it is
sible, so that it may join the atlelck
important to centralise the king as
on the isolated pawn. coordinat­
quickly as possible.
ing its actions with the knight.
27 ...tilc4 28.13 tDc5 29.Wc3.
When playing such endings, it is
also important to create additional
targets. which largely depcnds on
the pawn structure. I n this connec­
tion it is appropri;.ue to remind you
of Capablanca's advice regarding
the general rules for arranging the
pawns in such endings: ' I f you
have a bishop. then, irrespective
of whether or nol the opponent has
C1 bishop. you should keep your
21� Part 11. The isolated d 5 pa wn
-

29 . . .W d6?! Black misses a

chance to take play into a simpler
III
endgame - 29 . . . lil xb3! 30. !lxb3 " .I. , ,
with drawing chances. by selling , .t. .; ,
lip a defence with 30 . . . b6!, as dcm· £:, ,
onstralcd in the game Flohr - Ca· £:, t:,
pablanca ( Moscow 1 935). which It:) W t:,
was examined in section 5.6.
� t:, t:,
3o.Ac2! g6? 30 . . . h6 was nec­
essary, arranging the pawns on
squares of the opposite colour their
38.g4! White carries out the plan
own bishop.
of fixing the kingside pawns.
3 1 .a4. 3 1 .b4 was more accurate
3s. . .lilf6 39.lile5 lileS. In the
(Flohr).
event of J9 . . .Illc4+ 40.liJxc4 dxe4
J I . . . X2.d7. The correct way of
4 1 .g5 followed by 42.IVd4 Black
defending W<lS 3 1 . . . a5 or 3 1 . . . b6,
would have lost a pawn. bUi at least he
preventing White from selling up a
should have avoided the creation of'l
bind on the qucensidc.
weakness al h7 by playing 39 . . . h6.
32 .•5 tiJe6 33.b4 liJe7. After
40.gS. Now Black has as many
the knight exchange 33 . . .l.uxd4
as three weak pawns at d5. b7 and
34.Wxd4 the bishop endgame is
h7 - more than sufficient for the
clearly in White's favour, in view
conversion of White's advarllagc.
of Ihe weakness of the d5· and b7-
40... <7 4U'<. d3 lil e8 42.lilb3
pawns.
Sl. d7 43.lil d4 lile7 44.Sl.e2 Sl.c8
34.Sl.d3 ;;'.S. Black waits pas­
45.h4 ":"d7 46.h5 IiJc8 47.h6 Itic7
sively. whereas he should have tried
4S.Sl.f3 Sl.e6 49.lilb3 1iJc7 50.lil c5
to crect a barrier against a possible
Sl.eS 51 < c2 \l]d6 52..�d3 lilcs.
attack by White on the kingside
- 34 . . . h6 with the idea ofg6-g5.
35.f4 Sl.d7 36JLc2 €l e8 37.liJb3
ftc6. The passive conduct of the
endgame may slowly but surely lead
to defeat. It was essential to prevent
White's next Illove, by playing 37.
115.
Chapter' 8. The isolated pawn i n the endgame 219

53.c4! The exchange o f the d5- switched to e7, where it defends the
pawn enables White to expand the kingside. and the bishop established
space he controls, after which his at d7. from where it prcvents the ad­
king invades the black position. vance of the a-pawn.
S3. . . dxe4 S4 . xe4 tiJe7. l rS4 . .
. 29.Sl.d3.
Wc7, then SS.�';>d4 lild6 S6.WeS is
decisive.
SS.tiJxb7+ Sl.xb7 S6.Sl. xb7 tiJc6
57.Sl. x.6 lIl d4 58..iLe4. Black re­
signed.

AVERBAKH - MATANOVIC
Belgrade 1 9 6 1

29 . . . g6?! In such positions the

dcfending side should place his
pawns on squares of the opposite
colour to his bishop. The correct de­
cision was 29 . . . h6.
30.\I;>e3 tiJe7 3 1 ..4 b6? Black
creates a weakness at a6. 3 1 . . . .i.d7
was beHer.
32.•S buS 33.bxaS ill eS
White has a slight advantage, but
34.tiJ b3+ W d6 3S.Wb4 tiJc6
by correct play Black should be able
36.g3.
to defend. White's plan is to central­
ise his king and fix the black pawns
on light squares.
2S.l!7 n W f8 26.Wcl (26.';tlg3
gS!) 26 . . . We7 27.W d2 Wd6. 27 . . .
as was weaker: 28.\I;>c3 Wd6 29.b4
b6 30.bxaS bxaS 3 1 .tiJb3.
28.b4. White aims to fix Black's
queellsidc pawns on light squares.
28 . . .'tJ e8?! As Yuri Averbakh
showed, the knight should have been
220
36 .tiJdS'!! The idea of exchang.
.•
ing knights is incorrect. since the
bishop endgame is lost. Black should
have restricted hirnscJflo 36 . . . h6.
37.lild4 lilc6+ 38.lilxc6 W xc6
39.f4! White needs to create a sec­
ond weakness on the kingsidc.
39. . . CS. If 39 . . . h6. then 40.e4!
dxe4 4 1 ..I>.xc4+ Wd6 42.Wc4 J?l.g4
43.\t>d4 J?l.c2 44 .I>.c2 J?l.g4 45.J?l. d3
. 28 . . .lile6 29.lile2 (29.lilxc6 fxe6�)
J?l.c8 46.h4 J?l.b7 47.g4! J?l.c8 24.g5
hxg5 25.hxg5 J?l.b7 26.J?l.e4 and wins.
40.h4 Wd6 4 1 .hS! (with thc
thrcat of h5-h6) 4 1 . .. gxhS 42.Wc3!
Black rcsib'llcd. I f 42 . . . Wc5 White
drives back the king by employ­
ing the 'triangulalion' mechanism:
43.AfI ! Ab7 44.J?l.c2 J?l.c8 45.J?l.d3
W 06 41i1!1d4 Wd6, afler which for
further gain of space he again em­
ploys triangulation.
rOLUGAEVSKY - MECKING
Mar del Plata 1 9 7 1
I n this endgame the pawn struc­
ture is idelltical to that in the Flohr
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
Pire game. Of course, for Lev
Polugaevsky, who had made a deep
study of the classical heritage. it was
easy to play this ending.
28.aS! It is imponant to fix
Black's quecnside pawns. giving
him a second weakness - the b7-
pawn.
28 . . . Wf8. After the more active
29 . . .lilc5 30.J?l.c2 1'?f8 3 1 .lilf4
Black would still have had defen­
sive problems.
29.W n We7 30.We2 g6. In a
similar position Capablanca arranged
his kingside pawns on dark squares
and defended the d5-pawn with his
bishop. but Mecking is intending to
go into a bishop cndgame.
31 S ll d2 lile6.
32.lDxc6. A concrete decision:
Polugaevsky goes in for the tempo­
rary liquidation of the isolated pawn.
hoping to win the bishop endgamc,
but Black has a defensive resource
discovered by Timll1an.
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
An alternative was 32.Wc3
<11 cS 33 ..lic2, but .fier 33 . . . <11e4+
34..li xe4 dxe4 3S.ltle2 fS 36.Wd4
Wd6 it is not apparent how to loos·
en Black 's position. Howcver. Tim·
man's suggestion 33Jie2!? comes
into consideration, not fearing 33 . . .
0)e4+ 34.Wb4ltlxf2 3S.WcS Itlc4+
36.Wb6 Itld6 37.Wc7 gS (or 37 . . I'S .
38 .ƟϏf3 ,Uc6 39.ltl(2) 38.S/. f3 ,Uc6
39.g4 with the idea of 40.CiJf5+, and
White retains definitive chances.
32 . . . fxe6. The bishop endgame
after 32 . . ..£txe6? 33.�t'c3 is lost for
Black.
33.f4 eS! With the exchange of
this pawn Black reverts to a struc·
lure with an isolated d5·pawn. But
this cannot be avoided, since other·
wise White plays his king to d4 and
breaks through with f4·f5. winning
the d5-pawn.
34.g3.
J4 . . . W d6? A fter this natuml
reply (which is what Polugaevsky
was hoping for) the bishop endgame
22 1
is lost for Black. The only saving
chancc consisted in 34 . . . .1!Lb5! But
whcn short of time it is not cvcryone
who would decidc to go inlo a pawn
endgame - 35.�xb5 axb5, without
calculating the variations 36.fxe5
Wc6 37.Wd3 WxcS 38.b4 gS 39.g4
h6 40.h3 \te6 and 36.';/;>c3 �e6
37.b4 W f6 38.g4 hS, where Black
succeeds in maintaining the oppo·
silion. The variation pointed out by
Timmall is also nol easy to calculate:
3S.'uc2 Wd6 36.Wc3 .lie2 37 ..li b l
,Un 38s\lb4 d4! 39.exd4 exd4
40.'ue4 Wc7 4 1 .WcS d3 42.Wd4 d2
43.'u f3 b6 44.axb6+ Wxb6 4S.Wc3
Wc5 46. xd2 Wd4, where While is
unable to convert his exira pawn.
3S.W<3 .lie6. Here 3S . . ..libS
36.'uxbS axbS 37.Wb4 d4 no
longer works because of 38.fxe5+!
WxcS 39.exd4+ �xd4 40.�xbS
and White wins.
36.W b4 exf4 37.gxf4 i.g4
38.W<3 .lif3 39.�d4 X/.g2 40.h4
Sl. f3 4 1.b4 .lih. 42.Sl.e2 .\tg2
43.Sl.g4 Sl.e4.
222 Part 11. The isolated d5 - paw n

44.s.t..c8! A subtle manoeuvre, KARPOV - HORT

which has the aim of wcakcning the Budapest 1 973
g6-pawn.
44 ... Wc7 45 .l't.c6 Wd6 46 ' g8
•

h6 47.1l.f7 h5 48.Sl.c8 Sl.c2 49 .l't. f7

•

Sl.c4.

Apart from the weakness of the

ciS-pawn. Black's a6- and b5-pawns
are on squares of the colour of his
bishop and arc potential weakness­
es.
50.(5! Thedccisive breakthrough,
32.b4! White fixes Black's
placing Black in zugzwang.
quccnsilic pawns on squares of the
SO SL xfS. In the event of
. . •

colour of his bishop.

50. . . gxf5 5 1 .Sl. xh5 ʠe6 52 .ƞe2
32 . . .g6. 1 f 32 . . . h6. then 33 . Ɣ g6
ώϏƼgϏ While decides matters with
is unpleasant.
53.Jiixa6! bxa6 54.b5! when one of
33.g4! White also strives to fix
the pawns will queen.
the kingsidc pawns, creating a new
5 1. 3I.xd5 Sl.c8 52.<4 We7
weakness on h 7.
53.We5 g5 54.hxg5 h4 55.g6 h3
33 . . .ti.) d7 34.14.
56.g7 h2 57.g8� h l li;Y 58.'!'�f7+
�O)d8 59.'t':YflH. Black resigned.

In the preceding examples we

looked al endings where both sides
had a stable pawn structure, which
White could transform at his discre­
tion. We will now examine an exmll­
pIc with a poor pawn structure for
Black.
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame 223

34 . . .4 H'S?! Too p'lssive. but resigned. There is no reasonable de­

also after 34 . . . <1\b6 3S.G\c6+ Wd6 fence against the threat of 46.52.c8.
36.<1\eS <lJc4+ 3Hild4 White in­
creases his advillltage. thrc<ltcning RAUSIS - FARAGO
to crente a passed fwpawn. For ex- Germany 1 996
ample: 37 . . . ll1 e7 38.gS! (38.VxdS?
<1\e3+) 38 . . . Wd6 39./)\17+ <1\e7
40.I;)h6 /))d6 4 1 .g4 etc. The imme­
diate 34 . . . �Jd6 35.g5! lilb6 is more
i i.
accurate. but here too White can
obtain a similar position: 36.tiJf3
i
<1\e4+ 37.Wd4 and then 38.<1\cS.
35.g5! ,'ld6 36.Wf3 <lJc6'! Go­
ing into a bishop ending. in which
all the pawns arc on squares of the
same colour as the bishop. IC4:lds to a
rapid defeat. Black should have rc­
I n this position the conversion of
tumed with his knight to d7.
the pawn majority on the kingside
37.<lJxe6 Jhe6 3S.W e3 .\!..g4
proves decisive,
39 . .i d3 J!l.e6 40.Wd4 iLg4.
30.J!l.rs! J!l..6 3 1 .f4 liJgS 32.hS
IiJ f6 33.Wf3 .ab7 34.il.g6 We7.
Black also loses after 34, . . X2.e8
3S.gS J..g4+ 36.Wg3 .\txhS 37.gxf6
.\!.. xg6 38.fxg7 .a n 39.liJfS+.
3S.gS.

4 1 ' . e2! A triangulation maw

nocuvre to seize control of the h3-
c8 diagonal. from where the weak
a6wpawn becomes accessible,
4 1 . . .iLe6 42..:l.. b3 J!l.n 43.J!l.d l 3S . . .<1\04. Blaek IS unable to
J!l.e6 44.ɘϏf3 J!l. n 45 ' �4. Black oppose the potential passed pawn.
224 Part II. The isolated d5-pawn

Things arc nol changed by 35 . . . White's advantage lies 1101 only

hxg5 36.fxg5 'ile4 37 ..ltxe4 dxe4+ in the advantage of the two bishops
38.WcJ E ¥ Ϗ 39.'il f5 .Qd5 40.h6 over a pair of knights which have no
gxh6 4 1 .gxh6 �g8 42.l/;>xe4 etc. strong points. but also in the possi­
36 . xe4! This exchange leads bility of active manoeuvres with the
10 the win of a pawn. threat of transforming the position
36 ...dxe4+ 37.l/;>e3 .QdS 38.b4 to his advantage by exchanging one
axb439.axb4.Q f7. 39 . . I/;> f7 40.17\ f5
. of the bishops.
hxg5 4 1 .fxg5 .ltb3 (41 . . EΌϏ42.h6)
. 28.$. bS l7\e4 29.f3 'ileeS 30.
42.W,e4 .Qd l 43.liJg3 leads to the āºœϏ 'ile6 3 1 .$.c3 'ilc7 32 " .4
same stnlcture as in the game. We6 33 .ltb4 'ile8. Black's defence
•

40.'ilfS+ WIB 4 1 .'ilg3 .ltb3 42. is rather more flexible after 33 . . .

",e4 W f7 43.W e5 hxgS 44.fxgS
, 'ila6 34 ..Qc3 'ilc7.
$.<2 45.g6+ wrs 46.,l]f4 .Qb l 34.Wc2 'ild6 3S.$.b3 ˠɫĭϏ Parry­
47.lt>gS .ltd3 48. fS Wg8 49.l7\d4 ing the threat of 13- 4 .
.It<4 SO.liIfS. The immediate 50.h6
gxh6+ 5 1 .Wxh6 ª΋Ϗ 52.'ilf5 is
also possible, followed by playing
tJ1C king to h8.
so. . . ơͲϏ S l .wgS .lte4 S2.h6
glh6+ S3.W x.h6 $..2 S4.>'JgS w rs
SS.lt>f6 We8 S6.g7 .ltg8 S7.'ilfS
.lth7 58.'ilh6 Wd7 S9.>Y<5. Black
resigned.

PANNO - DONNER
Palma de Mallorca 1971
36.h4! It is important to fix the
pawns. after which there is a poten­
tial threat of exchanging the dark­
square bishop at the appropriate
mOlllent, with play against Black's
pawns on the light squares.
36. . . 'ileS 37.i1.cS Il\d7. After
37 . . ./iJdc4 38.J!La4 I7\d6 39..l'i.xd6!
\!lxd6 40.-'<e8 We7 4 1 .f4 ! Ǎ Ž Ϗ
42.�xfi White would have won i n
the pawn endgame.
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
38.Sl.d4 €lbS'! 38 . . .€l f6 was
belter, agreeing to give up the dS­
pawn.
39.Sl.b2 €lcs 40.Sl.c2 Wd6?
Black underestimates the threat of
opening up the kingside. 40. . .€ld7
was essential, retaining possibilities
of a defence after both 4 1 .g4 hxg4
42. fxg4 fxg4 43.Sl.xg6 €le5 44.Sl. h7
€ld6. and 4 1 .Sl.a4 €lc7 42.Wf2 (or
42.Jl.d4 Wd6 43.Wf2 €le5 44.Wg3
€le6) 42 . . . €lb6 43.Sl.c2 €lc4. Now,
however, White exploits the poten­
tial of his light-square bishop.
41.g4! White discloses Black's
pawn weaknesses.
41. . .hxg4?! At any event, 4 1 . . .
W c6 42.gxh5 gxh5 was more tena­
cious. and although the weaknesses
at h5 and f5 are not easy to hold, there
would still have been some possibilities
of counterplay (43.<;t>f2 f4!'1 44.exf4
ˇôģϏ Now. however. the breakthrough
of the h-pawn proves decisive.
42.fxg4 We6 43.h5 €lc7 44.
hxg6. Black resigncd.
225
8.4. Endings with one pair
of minor pieces
Endings with a mlllimum
number of minor pieces and an
isolated pawn (most often this is a
d5-pawn) arc usually of a technical
nature. The most common forms
of this ending are bishop v. bishop
and knight v. bishop. When talking
about bishop endings, what is im­
plied is a conflict of light-square
bishops, in which the black bishop
is restricted to the passive defence
of the d5-pawn. The technique of
converting sueh an advantage was
demonstrated fully enough in the
previous section. Therefore here
we will dwell in morc detail on
the endgame where the black bish­
op has to fight against a knight,
deployed on the d4 blockading
squarc.
In Chapter 5 [p.1 40] we looked
at the ending of the Flohr - Ca­
pablanca game (Moscow 1 935). in
which CapabJanca displayed vir­
tuoso defcnsive technique against
manoeuvres of the knight and king.
In order to see how difficult it is
to defend in such endings, we will
examine an endgame played two
years later. VyachesJav Rauzer was
undoubtedly familiar with the great
Cuban's defensive methods, but he
was unable to save the gamc.
226
BELAVENETS - RAUZER
Moscow 1937
In this position White has
grounds for playing for a win thanks
to the superiority of his knight.
which is controlling the important
dark squares. We know that the con·
version of such a positional advan­
tage is possible only iran additional
target is created in Black's position,
apart from the dS-pawn.
2S.W fI. In minor piece endings
the king must play an active role.
25 . . . 11718 26.13. 26.l17e2·) is pre­
mature because of26 . . . d4!
26 ...l17e7 27.l17e2 Ill e6 28.l17d3
<;-!leS 29.f4+. The crealion of a new
weakness is most realistic on the
kingsidc, where the black pawns
arc badly placed from the positional
point of view. Therefore White be­
gins a pawn offensive here.
29 . . .l17e6 30.l17d4.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
JO Wd6'!! From a comparison
..•
of this position with that in the Flohr
- Capablanca game it can be con­
cluded that 30 . . . a5 would be a use­
ful move, relieving Black of a weak
pawn on a7. The weakening of the
light squares is not dangerous. since
they are controlled by the bishop.
31.b4! Wc6?! Black is toocareles..�.
3 1 . . .a6 was now essential. preventing
the cTCation of a wC<lk a7-pawn.
32.bS. Before starting manoeu­
vres with his knight. White must
safeguard himself against the inva­
sion of the black bishop. If Black
should succeed in forcing g2-g3 af­
ter playing his bishop to fI , he will
acquire chances involving Ihe march
of his king 10 h3 (Bclavenels).
32 �b7 33.liJ.2 I9d6. Here
..•
100 33 . . . a6 was possible. gelling rid
of the weak a7-pawll.
34.ii'b4 l17e6'!! Black slill reo
mains passive, whereas it was now
essential to play 34 . . . 1"6. aiming to
hinder the creation of a weak pawn
on the kingside.
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame 227

3S.g4! Threatening not only g4� 37.h3! Subtlc conduct of the

g5, fixing the \ĝ and h7-pawns, endgame! White gains a tempo for
but above all 36.�c6. which did the switching of his knight to g3.
not work immediately. since in the In the event of37.h4 We6 38.�a2
pawn endgame al1cr 35.0Jc6'! �xc6 Wd6 39.�c3 Wc6 40.�c2 SLc8
36.bxc6 1!1d6 3 7.c7 1!1xc7 38.111 xd5 4 1 .�g3 SLd7 42.a4 .il.e8 Black
f5 ! White is unable to win. is able to prevent h4-h5 (Be­
35 ... fS. Black is forced to block lavenets).
the f-pawn. In the event of 35 . . . h6 37 . . .l!Ie6 38.�a2 I!1d6 39.�c3
36.�c6 SLxc6 37.bxc6 Wd6 38.c7 We6 40.h4. Here is this tempo!
�]xc7 39.Wxd5 the pawn endgame Black is forced to take up the oppo­
is losl in view of the strong posi­ sition with his king.
tion of the while king. For example: 40 .. .\!id6 4I.1i'tc2.
39 . . . l!Id7 40.e4 \l)c7 4 1 .c5 rnd7
42.f5 gxf5 43.gxf5 Wc7 44.c6 f6
45.h3 h5 46.h4 a6 47.a4 a5 48.l!Ic4
Wc6 49.e7 Wd7 50.l!Ib5 and wins
( Belavencts).
36.gS. White fixes the weak­
ness of the h7-pawn. His further
plan consists in advancing h2�h4-
h5-h6, after which the knight sacri­
fices at f5 or h6 will be threatened,
whilc aflcr the exchange on h5 the
knight will go 10 f6, � I tlacking the
h7-pmvn. 4 1 . ...1l c8? Black submissively
36 . . . l!Id6. goes along with White. As Bc-
228
lavcnets showed, the last savlIlg
chance was 4 1 . . . a6 (but not 4 1 . . . a5,
since the knight goes to <14, threaten­
ing the b6-pawn) 42.tbc3 (42.a4 a5)
42 . . . axb5 43.tbxb5+ Wc6! 44.tbc3
IY d6 45.tba4 Wc6 46.'ot>e5 Wb5
47.tbb2 Wc5 48.Wf6 d4 49.exd4+
Wxd4 SO.Wg7 We4 S I .Wxh7
Wxf4 52.Wxg6Wg4 53.hS I>l S4.h6
3Lc4+ 55.Wf6 !\!]h5!. and it is not
apparent how White can win.
42.tb g3 .ltd7_ 42 . . . a6 is now too
late in view of 43.bxa6 Sl.xa6 44.h5
We6 4S.h6 with the threat oftbhS.
43_04. If 43 . . .il.c8 there fol­
lows 44.hS gxh5 45.tbxf5+ We6
46.li:lg7+, winning the d5-pawn.
43 . . .We6 44.h5 .ltc8. Black
loses after 44. . . gxhS 4S.tbxhS il.c8
46.'it>c3! (zugzwang!) 46 . . . WI7
47.Wd3 We7 48.tbf6. when he los­
es a pawn (Bclavcncls).
45.h6 Wd6.
White has carried oul his plan,
and Black. with three ( ! ) weak pawns
at d5, a7 and h7, has no defence.
Part H. The isolated d5-pawn
46.llJe2. Here the game was ad­
journed and White was awarded a
win. Here is the main variation given
by Bclavcnets: 46 . . . Jld7 47.lbc3
̙Ϗe648.tb.2 ̒\Ϗ(48 . . . ̑Ϗe 8 49 .tb b4
.tb7 50.tbd3 .te8 S l .tbeS and
there is no defence against 52.tLlxg6)
49.tbb4 .te6 SO.tbc6 as 5 1 .bx.6'
\!lxc6 S2.a7 Wb7 S3.\!le5 .td7
S4.'ot>f6 .txa4 5S.Wg7 bS 56.\I;>xh7
b4 57.Wxg6 b3 S8.h7 .te8+ 59.Wf6
b2 6O.h8'iilY b l � 6I .a81i!'+ I!Ixa8
62.'@xe8+, and the queen endgame
is ci.\sily won for White.
Despite all the problems caused
by the isolated pawn. we would like
to end this section on an optimistic
note and give an example where the
dynamic potential of this pawn was
revealed deep in the endgame.
V.KOVACEVIC - VELIKOV
Olympiad, Luzem 1 982
In this position Black cannot
exploit the weakness of the iso-
Chapter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
lated d4-pawn, since the d5-square
is inaccessible to his king, but he
could have maintained the balance
by 40 . . . lLleS (with the idea of tak­
ing control of the d5-square after
We7-d6 and lLleS-c7) 4 1 .WeS ILlc7
42.Sl.c4 tDe8, sticking to waiting
tactics. But there followed . . .
40 . . . Wf6?! 41.g5+ W e7 42.d5!
and White opened up the position,
which enabled him to activate his
king and expand the scope of his
bishop.
42 .tiJb7. Things have become
..
much more difficult for Black. In
the event of 42 . . . exd5 43.We5
White obtains a great spatial ad­
vantage, ensuring the superiority of
the bishop over the knight, and real
winning chances. Kovacevic gives
the following variation: 43 . . . d4!
44.Wxd4 We6 4S.G! (weaker is
4S.Sl.e4+?! ILlxc4 46.Wxe4 Wd6
47.f4 Wc6, when the breakthrough
48. ˰Ϗ does not work because of the
simple 4S . . . Wd6! 49.fxg6 fxg6
229
50.Wb5 Wc?, and Black maintains
Ihe opposition; 46.bxe4 Wd6 47.f4
We6 4S.WeS WeS 49.fS Wxe4
SO.f6 gxf6+ S I .Wxf6 bS also leads
to a draw) 4s . . . lLl fS+ 46.Sl.xfS+
WxfS 47.'.ildS W f4 48.Wc6 W x t1
49.Wxb6 rs! SO.gxf6 gxf6 S I .WxaS
1'S S2.b4 f4 S3.bS I!;>g4 S4.b6 t1
SS.b7 1'2 S6.b8� fl '/I;Y SH11b4+!
with good winning chances in the
queen endgame.
43.dxe6 liJcS. In the event
of 43...Wxe6?! 44..lte4+ We7
45.�')c5 the spatial advantage also
proves decisive: 4s . . .lLld6 46.WdS
Wd7 47..ltd31 lLle8 48.Sl.bS+ We7
49.f4 ILld6 (49 . . .lLle7+ SO.W cS
ILlrs S l .hS) SO.Sl.d3 Wd7 S I ..lt fl
We7 S2.WeS Wd7 S3.Sl.h3+ We6
54.f5. and White breaks through on
the kingside.
44..ltc4.
44 . . . r6? The decisive mistake.
The exchange ofpawns allows White
to make a breakthrough with his h5-
pawn. Saving chances were offered
230
by 44 . . . fxc6! 45.�]c5 1i?d7 (if45 . . .
ttJd7+ White uses the triangulation
method 10 reach the same position as
in the preceding variation: 46.�c4!
lZlc5+ 47. d4 1Yd6 48.f3!) 46.'.Yd4
Wd6 47.f3' Wc7 48.Wc3 Wd6
49.i2.c2 (with the threat of transfer­
ring the bishop 10 c2) 49 . . . e5 (ancr
49 . . . We5? 50.Wc4 W f4 5 1 ..il.d I
We3 52 ..tl.c2 White transfers his
bishop to b5 and wins the qllccnsidc
pawns) 50.Wc4 (50..il.c4 can be met
by 50 . . .ti.Je6!, and in the pawn end­
game afier 5 1 . .il.xe6 ,"" xc6 52.<;I;>c4
Wd6 53.Wb5 Wc7 Black maintains
the opposition) 50 . . .ttJc6!, and
Black succeeds in exchanging his
g6-pawn for the h4-pawn - 5 1 ..il.d3
lZlf4 52 ..il.c4 g2 53.Jhg6 lZlxh4
54.Sl.e4 lZlg2 55.Wb5 W c7, and in
holding the position.
4S.gxf6+ gxf6. I f 45 . . . W xf6.
then 46.c7! Wxc7 47SbgS is deci­
sIve.
46.<bg4! White prepares the ad­
vance of his f-pawn.
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
46. . .lZle4. I f 46 . . .lZlxe6 White
transposes into a won pawn end­
game: 47 ..il.xc6 Wxc6 48.f4! fol­
lowed by f4-f5.
47.13 lZld2 48.f4 lZle4. Black also
loses afier48 . . . lZlxc4 49.bxc4 W xe6
50.fS+ ª ͱ Ϗ S I .Wf4 Wg7 52.fxg6
OOxg6 53.Wg4 (Kovacevic).
49.fS. Black resigned.
8.5. Pawn endings
In pawn endings with an isolated
pawn. the possibility of weakening
the opponent's position in the battle
for the opposition acquires decisive
importance. We will examine two
examples.
EHLVEST - RAUSIS
Zonal Toumament. Riga 1995
32.04 <;\;>06 33.13. The start of a
battle for the opposition, after which
the white king will penetrate to e5
orc5.
33...Wd6.
Cha p ter 8. The isolated pawn in the endgame
The critical factor for the solution of
this position is the advance 34.aS! bxaS
35.bxaS. and after 35 . . S9c6 36.We5
"Vc5 White gains the lateral opposition
of the kin!}<> by 37.f4! A possible con­
tinuation is 37 . . Wc4 (also aOcr 37 . . .
.
>9b5 38.WIO Wxa5 39.Wxg.6 play
reduces to a queen endgame with an
extm pawn for White) 38.We6! Wb5
39.Wf6 and in the resulting queen end­
game White has real winning chances.
Here are the main variations:
I ) 39 . . . Wc4 40:.!lxg6 Wd3
4 1 .Wxf5 >9xe3 42.19g6 <14 43.f5 d3
44.f6 d2 45.17 d l �3 46.f8'& '&g4+
(after 46 . . . 'i!:1a4 47.'i!:1f4+! 'i!:1xf4
48.gxf4 >9xf4 49.Wxh5 White wins
the pawn endgamc) 47.Wh6 (with
the threat of � f4+) 47 . . . We2 (47 . . .
�xg3? loses ancr 48.�a3+ W f4
49.�xg3+ Wxg3 50.Wxh5) 48.'i'f4,
and White wins the h5-pawn. after
which the game is decided by the
pair of connected passed pawns;
2) 39 . . . Wxa5 40.Wxg6 Wb5
4 1 .W xf5 a5 42.Wg6. and aner the
advance of the a- and f-pawns a
23 1
queen endgame with practical win­
ning chances is reached.
34.W c3 I'J cS 3S"l1d3. Here it
was alrcady essential to play 35.a5!,
since !lOW by 35 . . . a5! Black could
have rcstrictcd Whitc's possibilities:
aner 36.bxa5 bxa5 37.l!Ic3 >ge6
38.Wd4 III d 6 39.f4 III c6 40.We5
I'Ic5 4 1 .WIO Wc4! 42.'� xg6 Wd3
43.Wxf5 W xc3 44.Wg6 d4 with
the appcamncc of the queens the
a4-pawn comes under allack. This
remark also applies to the next two
moves of the game.
3S . We6 36.\t>c3 (36.•5 ! ) 36. . .
. .
I'Ics (36 . . . a5!) 37.';I;>d3 (37.a5!)
37 ...We6 (37 . . . a5!) 38.Wd4 Wd6
39 • 5 buS 4O.bxaS I!Ic6 41.WeS
.
�bS'! This loses quickly. More tena­
cious was 4 1 . . . We5 42.f4 (i f42.';/;> IO?
Black is saved by42 . . . l!Ie4! 43.l!Ixg6
WdJ 44.Wxh5 Wxe3) 42 . . .Wc4
43.We6. reaching a position analysed
in the note to Black's 33rd move.
42.W .dS \!I.aS 43.WcS. Black
resigned.
232
YURTAEV - TEMIRBAEV
Olympiad, Elista 1998
In contrasl lo the previous exam­
ple, here the b6-point is securely de-
Part 11. The isolated d5-pawn
fended and White is unable to pell­
etrate 10 c5.
34. . . hS! First of all Black elimi­
nates the threat of a pawn offensive
on the kingside, not forgetting sub­
sequently to carefully maintain the
opposition of the kings.
35.04 Wc6 36.•5 Wd6 37.06
�.Je6 38.e4. White tries to exploit
the slightly better position of Ihis
king, but this proves insufficient.
38 ...dxe4 39.f.o4 fxo4 40.1'1.04
g6 41.'t>f4 W f6 42.g3 b5 43.g4 hxg4
44.W xg4 111 c6 45,lI1f4 Wf6 46.111 04
We6 47.Wd4 Wd6 48.'t>e4 Wc6
49.Wf4 1!1f6 SO.Wg4 Wc6. Dmw.
 INDEX OF PLAYERS
Numbers refer 10 pages. 111ey are holded ifa player was White.
AGZAMOV - Geller 134; Tal 165
AKOPIAN Karjakin 70;
Sadvakasov 199
ALEKHINE Botvinnik 5M;
Capablanca 56
ANAND - BOlzon 78; Kasparov 53
ANDERSSON - Murey 175
ARONIAN Beliavsky 193:
Ivanchuk 198; Morozevich 1 86
AVERBAKH - Matanovic 2 1 9
AVTONOMOV - Spassky 36
BACROT - Bologan 145
BALASHOV - Lplltian 1 8, 122:
Matulovic 1 20; Petrosian T. 45
BARDELEBEN - Steinitz 35
BAREEV - Beliavsky 1 27: Farago
196: Ivanchuk 166
BELAVENETS - Rauzer 226
BELIAVSKY - ATOnian 193:
Barecv 1 27: Damljanovic 77; Inkiov
126; Karpov 50; Korchnoi 1 68;
Pelrosian T. 1 33
BERGER - Bronstein 2 1
BOLESLAVSKY - Botvilillik 1 23:
Kotov 38
BOLOGAN - Baerot 145
BOTVINNIK - Alekhine 58;
Boleslavsky 1 23; Flohr 192; lIyin­
Zhcnevsky J 90; Pctrosian T. 39;
Vidmar I I ; Zagoryansky 1 12
BRADFORD - Kaidanov 208
BRAGA - Karpov 104; Portiseh 92
BRONSTEIN - Berger 2 1
BRUZON - Anand 78; B u Xiangzhi
1 86: Dominguez 30; Ivanchuk 100
BU Xiangzhi - Bruzon 186
BUNZMANN - Naiditsch 202
CAPABLANCA - Alekhine 56;
Flohr 140; Lasker 55, 73; Rubinstein
172: Teichmann 194
CHANDLER - Karpov 1 50
CHLOUPEK - Stohl 2 1 5
DAMUANOVIC - Beliavsky 77
DELGADO - Ivanchuk 157
DJURIC - LobTOn 25
DLUGY - 011 23
DOLMATOV - Drccv 26
DOMINGUEZ - BOlzon 30
DONNER - Panno 224
DREEV - Dohnatov 26; Godena
183: Riazantsev 203
EHLVEST - Rausis 230
ElNGORN - Gelfand 37
FARAGO - Bareev 196: Rausis
223; Velikov 1 8
FILIP - Fischer 1 79
FILIPPOV V. - Rustemov 1 1 5
FISCHER - Filip 179
FISH - Lautier 165
FLOHR - Botvinnik 192; Capa­
blanca 140; Pire 2 1 7
FURMAN - Keres 1 5
GAVRIKOV - Hulak 43; Marin 98
GELFAND - Eingom 37; Karpov
201 ; Morozcvich 1 84
GELLER - Agzamov 134: Karpov
65
GERSHON - Izona 1 6 1
234
GHEORGHIU - Petrosian A. 182
G H ITESCU - Rcshevsky 1 63
GLiGORIC - Suclin 80
GODENA - Dreev 1 83
GULlYEV - Milov 42
GUREVICH M. - Yudasin 95
HJARTARSON - IIleseas Cordoba
139
" IORT - Karpov: Vclimirovic 209
HOBNER - Ivkov 1 73; Vaganian
20
HULAK - Gavrikov 43; Marjanovic
176
ILLESCASCORDOBA-Hjartarson
1 39
ILYIN-ZHENEVSKY - Botvinnik
190
INKIOV - Beliavsky 126
IVANCHUK - Aronian 198; Barcev
1 66; Bmzon 100; Delgado 1 57;
Karpov 6 1 ; Kharlov 1 77; Korchnoi
188: Riazantsev 1 18; Savchcnko S.
1 58; Van Wely 1 60
IVKOV - Hubner 1 73
IZORIA - Gershon 1 6 1
KAIDANOV - Bradford 208;
Vyzhman3vin 1 03
KAMSK Y - Karpov 46, 83
KARJAKIN - Akopian 70
KARPOV - Beliavsky 50; Braga
104; Chandler 150; Gelfand 20 1 ;
Geller 65; Hort 222; Ivanehuk
6 1 ; Kamsky 46, 83; Kasparov 52,
64 136; Korchnoi 75: Kuzmin
G. 1 2 1 : Ljubojcvic 1 74; Spassky
1 13; Taimanov 94; Vaganian 124;
Yusupov 1 9
KASI'AROV - Anand 53; Karpov
Index of players
52, 64, 1 36: Kharilonov 143;
Kramnik 32: Psakhis 49; Smyslov
1 37; Vallejo Pons 86
KAVALEK - Larsen 48; Prilehcll 22
KEENE - Miles 1 7
KERES - Furman 1 5 ; Tal 90
KHAIRULLIN - Korolylev 1 69
KHARITONOV - Kasparov 143;
Lerner 1 3
KHARLOV - Ivanehuk 177
KHENKIN - Rustemov 1 80
KORCHNOI - Beliavsky 168;
Ivanchuk 1 88; Karpov 75;
Ljubojevic 66: Pinier 60
KOROTYLEV - Khaimllin 169
KOTOV - Boleslavsky 38
KOVACEVIC V. - Velikov 228
KRAMNIK - Kasparov 32; Topalov
87
KUPREICHIK - Rashkovsky 59
KUZMIN G. - Karpov 1 2 1
KVEINYS - Mamedyarov 2 1 3
L'AMI - Sargissian 162
LALlC - Mikhalchishin 1 0 1
LARSEN - Kavalek 48: Penrose
142
LASKER - Cap"blanea 55. 73;
Tan-asch 1 7 1
LAUTIER - Fish 1 65
LEKO - Topalov 1 28
LERNER - Kharilonov 1 3
LJUBOJEVIC - Karpov 174;
Korchnoi 66
LOBRON - Djuric 25
LPUTIAN - Balashov 18, 1 22
LUTIKOV - Polugaevsky 1 6
MAKARlCHEV - Mikhalchishin 97
MAKSIMENKO - Neverov 1 4
236
STEINITZ Bardclebcn 35;
Zukcrtort 4
STOHL - Chloupek 2 1 5
SUETIN - Gligoric 80
SVESHNIKOV - Riazantscv 8S
SVIDLER - Navara 29; Radjabov
27
TAIMANOV - Karpov 94
TAL - Agzamov 165; Keres 90;
Wirthcnsohn 164
TAR RASCH - Lasker 1 7 1
TEICHMANN - Capablanca 194:
Rubinstein 1 1 0
TEMIRBAEV - Yurtaev 232
TIMMAN - Yusupov 168
TOPALOV - Krnmnik 87: Lcko
128
TREGUBOV - Sokolov I. 205
UHLMANN - Neukirch 1 5 1
VAGANIAN - Hilbner 20; Karpov
1 24; Naumann 1 56; Nunn 1 35;
Psakhis 1 53; Sokolov A. 1 54. I S S
VALLEJO PONS - Kasparov 86
VAN WELY - Ivanchuk 160:
Ponomariov 68
VELIKOV - Farago 1 8; Kovacevic
V. 228
VELIMIROVIC Hort 209;
Rukavina 24
VIDMAR - Botvinnik I I
VOLOKITIN - Moiscenko 99
VYZHMANAVIN - Kaidanov 103
W I RHIENSOHN - Tal 164
YUDASfN - Gurevich M. 95
YURTAEV - Tcmirbacv 232
YUSUPOV - Karpov 1 9 ; Timmall
168
ZAGORYANSKY - Botvinnik 1 1 2
ZAITSEV A. - I'olugaevsky 144
ZUKERTORT - Steinitz 4
 INDEX OF OPENINGS
Numbers refer to pages

NIMZOVICH-LARSEN ATfACK QUEEN'S GAMBIT

AOI - 142 020 - 20; 021 - 86, 103;
024 - 37; 026 - 4; 027 - 1 2, 1 3 ,
ENGLISH OPENING 1 5, 25, 39, 40, 42. 43, 53, 59, 60,
AI3 - 78, 1 1 2, 1 33; A 14 - 1 79 80, 87; 028 - 36, 38; 030 - 56, 90,
1 7 1 ; 032 - 1 1 7, I SO, 1 6 1 , 1 63, 1 64,
CARO-KANN DEFENCE 1 65; 033 - DO, 1 75; 034 - 1 3 1 ,
814 - 23, 24, 46. 48. 50, 83, 85. 93 1 37, 139. 1 44, 148, 1 58, 1 76;
036 - 1 00; 037 - 1 1 3, 1 45, 1 69,
SICILIAN DEFENCE 1 80, 186; 038 - 162, 1 86, 198;
822 - 6 1 . 92. 104; 840 - 68; 850 040 - 1 6, 99; 04 1 - 58, 1 0 1 , 1 73;
- 70 042 - 1 7, 22, 63. 97; 045 l i S,-

168, 1 1 8; 046 - 1 83; 047 - 30;

FRENCH DEFENCE 053 - 75, 77; 055 - 64, 134, 1 36;
C08 - 1 24, 1 27, 1 35, 1 43, 1 56, 056 - 1 9; 058 - 65, 1 82; 060 - 1 1 .
1 57. 1 88. 190. 1 92: 2 1 ; 061 - 73: 062 - 140:
C09 - 1 20, 1 2 1 , 1 22, 123. l S I , 063 - 194; 064 - 55; 068 - 1 8
1 52, 1 53, 1 54, I SS, 1 72
KERES DEFENCE
PETROFF DEFENCE EOO - 26
•C42 - 1 84
QUEEN'S INDIAN DEFENCE
GIUOCO PIANO EI2 - 1 68; EI4 - 95: E17 - 1 74
C54 - 35
NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENCE
QUEEN'S PAWN GAME E21 - 52; E22 - 1 1 0; E32 - 128;
002 - 1 77 E37 - 1 66; E41 - 1 4; E42 - 49,
1 26; E48 - 8 1 , 99; E54 - 32, 6 1 ;
SLAV DEFENCE E55 - 94; E56 - 66, 1 65; [57 - 45
015 - 67. 160: 0 1 6 - 27. 29. 33