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
    • TCW Academy
    • iChess
    • Chess-Teacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman Chess Lab
    • Foxy Chess
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
    • Rules Chess Strategies
    • Improve My Chess
    • Others
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

Provoking Weaknesses in the Opponent’s Position

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
02.21.2020
Category: Middle Game
Tags: IM Renier Castellanos, Kateryna Lagno, Pawn moves, Provoking weaknesses, WGM Raluca Sgîrcea,
Provoking Weaknesses in the Opponent’s Position

Weakness is probably the most important part of the chess game. Most of the ideas that can surface in a position are usually based on some kind of weakness. Whether it is a pawn, a square or a whole bunch of squares, weaknesses are something we try our best to provoke in our opponent’s position and then exploit at the maximum. Although most players will frame this concept under positional play, that is not always the case. Even when preparing an attack, it is important to first provoke weakness in the castle and create a rupture point and then get to the action.

Pawn moves always leave weaknesses behind and we should think twice before unnecessarily pushing one forward. It may look like nothing immediate will happen to us, but in reality, we might have created a long-term weakness that our opponent will be happy to use if allowed.

Something similar happened in the recent game between Carrisa Yip and Kateryna Lagno played in the Cairns Cup in Saint Louis. In an equal position, the Russian player went for the normal-looking 18…Rab8, attacking the pawn on b2:

Yip, C – Lagno, K, 2nd Cairns Cup, 2020

Now white has to make a choice between 19. Rab1 or 19. b3. Her young opponent almost immediately went for the latter, not noticing the dangers that could lie in the resulting position. This move is far from being the losing mistake, but it does weaken the position unnecessarily. In the diagrammed position white has a perfect structure. There are no weaknesses that black could use to create pressure.

Her more experienced opponent understood this and, with her last move, is trying to provoke a pawn advance in order to get something to play for. After the game moves the dark squares are suddenly weak and black could at some point use this by means of Ba3, Bb4 or even Be5.

After achieving what she was hoping for, Kateryna went on to improve her now no-longer-useful-on-the-b-file rook by playing 19…Rbd8. Suddenly, the position is not so easy to play for white and the threat is now …Bb4.

The game continued with 20.Be1 – g6 21.Bc2-a5 22.Rd3 and now: 22…Nh5! Intending to improve her knight to f4:

Position after 22…Nh5

This is, of course, something that white wouldn’t like to allow, but the right way to parry this threat is no longer as easy to spot. Again, it was important for white not to create any additional weaknesses in her position, since black’s pieces are active and well-coordinated, while white’s are still struggling to find a good set-up.

The correct move in this position was awkward-looking 23.Bd2! avoiding weakening at any cost. Instead, the game continued with 23.g3, when the bishop on c6 becomes a monster. Again, black is happy with what her last move has achieved and proceeds to bring the knight back home: 23…Nf6! New weaknesses have been created, so the pieces must be arranged accordingly. The knight is now headed to g4, from where it not only hits on f2 but can also be rerouted to f3 via e5.

It is incredible to see how much black has achieved from our first diagram only through-provoking weaknesses in her opponent’s camp. The game continued with 24.Rad1 – Ng4, threatening the deadly …Ne5. White went 25.Nd5, trying to block the nasty bishop on c6, but now she loses control over the entry square on e2:

Position after 25…Re2

Black responded with 25…Re2 and her pressure are now more than obvious. White is still not entirely lost, but the defense is extremely difficult and her position soon crumbled into pieces. Amazing positional play from Kateryna Lagno!

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

  • Sicilian Dragon: Complete GuideSicilian Dragon: Complete Guide
  • Chess: Is it a Sport?Chess: Is it a Sport?
  • Chess Notation: The Complete GuideChess Notation: The Complete Guide
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Login
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
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 [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • 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