Skip to content
TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • iChess
    • ChessTeacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman`s Chess Lab
    • Foxy Series
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

Fighting The Isolated Pawn

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
10.28.2015
Category: Middle Game
Tags: chess, fighting, isolated, pawn,
Fighting The Isolated Pawn

A while ago we have shown you the advantages of the isolated queen’s pawn, the ideas and plans you can adopt when finding yourself on the side having such a structure. However, as everybody knows, an isolated pawn represents a weakness that should be exploited.

 

Like most of the times in chess, the concept of the isolani being a strength or a weakness depends on many other factors such as piece activity, better piece coordination or, in this particular case, the lack of pieces on the board.

First of all, let’s take a look at the most common plans used against the isolated pawn:

Look for simplifications

The isolated pawn is, or may become a weakness in the endgame; that means that exchanges always favor the side playing against it. It doesn’t mean that playing against an isolated pawn in the endgame will automatically bring you the win, as your opponent may find ways to defend, but it usually gives you a great advantage and increases your winning chances. In the king and pawns or minor pieces endgames there are several things that make this structure difficult to play with.

First of all, the isolani usually requires protection. This means that your opponent’s king or minor piece will be tied up to its defense, thus becoming passive. Secondly, the square in front of the pawn is difficult to control for the side having the isolated pawn and it may be used to make your own pieces more active.

Sometimes, the isolated pawn could be a passed pawn but, even so, advancing it is not easy, as your pieces are usually more active. When talking about major pieces endgames, the passivity of the opponent’s pieces usually represents an even greater advantage. In this case, you should use it in order to create a second weakness, as the defender’s pieces may find it difficult to keep everything under control.

Keep the square in front of it under control

One of the main ideas of the side having the isolated pawn is to create a pawn rupture in the center by advancing it and activating his pieces. Because of this, our pieces should concentrate on keeping this square under control. It is not necessary to occupy it, but to prevent our opponent’s ideas.

Create a second weakness

Focusing only on attacking and winning the pawn may not always work. However, putting pressure on it will make your opponent’s pieces passive and less mobile, while your pieces can easily get from one flank to another.

These are the most important ideas that you need to keep in mind when playing against the isolated pawn and we are going to see next how Grandmasters use them in their own practice.

Ready to start systematic training that actually works?

start chess training

Click here to start your training using the day-by-day program.

We are going to start with a game of the ex-World Champion Anatoly Karpov against Viktor Kortchnoi. Playing black, he started by forcing a few exchanges and, taking advantage of his opponent’s mistakes he took the game into a major pieces endgame. By increasing the pressure over the isolated pawn, he forced white to create a second weakness, on his king, which he went on to exploit in order to win the game.

The next example has Karpov on the losing side, against Gelfand. The isolated pawn resulted from the Queen’s Indian where Gelfand, with the white pieces, had good control over the d4 square and was ready to put pressure on the d5 pawn. After some exchanges, he reached a superior endgame where, in order to win, went on to create a second weakness on the queenside.

In the last example we can see how the side playing against the isolated pawn can try to play for a win in an apparently equal endgame. After reaching a rook and minor pieces endgame, Jussupow, playing as white, stopped trading pieces and started to improve his position and create a second weakness. The game could have been drawn with correct play, but white was always the one with better chances.

In conclusion, the plans used against the isolated pawn are fairly simple. The most important is fixing the pawn and forcing the trades. However, pay attention to the trades and always choose the ones in your favor! Then, in order to play for the win, a second front is usually needed. Good luck!

If you want to improve your chess level, you need to have a clear study plan. If you aim for a dramatic improvement at chess you need to work on all of the elements of the game in a systematic way:

  • tactics
  • positional play
  • attacking skills
  • endgame technique
  • classical games analysis
  • psychological preparation
  • and much more

That seems to be like a lot of things, and that is. But no worries, we have made it easy for you. Our comprehensive training course covers it all and much more. Sign up for 21 Day Training right now!

Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • 10 Reasons to Train with Chess Coach10 Reasons to Train with Chess Coach
  • Must-Know King and Pawn Endgames with GM Marian Petrov [TCW Academy]Must-Know King and Pawn Endgames with GM Marian Petrov [TCW Academy]
  • 2020 Recap and What to Expect in 20212020 Recap and What to Expect in 2021
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Login
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Join more than 30,000 subscribers and get access FREE Chess Study Guide!
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
TheChessWorld.com
http://pogonina.com/
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us support@thechessworld.com
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2022 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz