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

Typical Pawn Breaks: Ruining the Opponent’s Pawn Structure

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
04.08.2020
Category: Middle Game
Tags: IM Renier Castellanos, Pawn Breaks, queenside pawns, The bishop, the white king, WGM Raluca Sgîrcea,
Typical Pawn Breaks: Ruining the Opponent’s Pawn Structure

We often stress how important it is to pay great attention to pawn moves, as they usually leave behind unpleasant weaknesses.

These are small pluses that can be developed during the game – they give something to play against and develop a plan around. In positions where there are no important weaknesses in the opponent’s camp one common idea is to provoke them by creating threats that can only be parried with a pawn advance. Even if this may not look like a big achievement at first, slow play can be developed around them.

In addition to this, another idea that you will often see in Grandmasters’ games is that of ruining the opponent’s pawn structure, even at the cost of one pawn. In general, the compensation is based on long-term pressure against the weakened pawns and play for the initiative.

In the following example black executes a typical rupture that is meant to create targets of attack in white’s position:

Magem, J – Lagarde, M, Catalan League 2020 Black to play

Magem, J – Lagarde, M, Catalan League 2020
Black to play

In many similar structures, black’s idea is to challenge white’s center with a timely c5-c4 advance. In this case, thanks to the pressure on the e4 pawn, this pawn break is even more tempting. Furthermore, after the e7 bishop’s diagonal is open, black could continue with Bxa3 when white will be left with two ugly doubled pawns – on the c and files.

The game continued with 9…c4 10.dxc4 – dxe4 11.Nd2 – Bxa3 12.bxa3 – Bg4, developing the light-squared bishop with tempo, 13.Qe3:

Position after 13.Qe3

Position after 13.Qe3

White’s structure is compromised and black has many good ways to start putting pressure on his pawns. He could continue, for example with 13…Be6, immediately eyeing the c4 pawn, or 13…Rc8 or 13…Qc7 followed by ideas such as …Be6 or …Na5.

However, in the game, he chose to go for the immediate 13…Na5, which allows white to grab a pawn, but black gets good play and active pieces in exchange. White took on e4 – 14.Nxe4 – Nxc4 15.Nxf6 – Qxf6 and now 16.Qe4 attacks both the bishop on g4 and the pawn on b7. Black played 16…Qe6 and now 17.Qxb7 – Rad8 18.Qxa7:

Position after 18.Qxa7

Position after 18.Qxa7

White has emerged with two pawns up, but black’s compensation is more than obvious – his pieces are active and coordinated, while white’s weak queenside pawns will represent a long-term weakness. Not only this but with the white queen so far away from the action, a new idea suddenly looks very interesting for black – building an attack against the white king.

He continued here with 18…e4, when his plan is pretty simple – trade the main defender of the king, his light-squared bishop, and play for the weakness of the light squares around the castle.

After 19.Bf4 – Bf3 20.Rfe1 – Bxg2 21.Kxg2 we reach the following critical moment:

Position after 21.Kxg2

Position after 21.Kxg2

Black has achieved his first part of the plan but needs to act fast. If allowed, white will continue with Qb7, keeping an eye on the kingside and the light squares and perhaps Rad1, looking to provoke some trades; let’s not forget that he does have two extra pawns!

In other words, black cannot lose momentum, so he plays 21…e3! sacrificing the third pawn in order to be the first to occupy the long diagonal and get to use the weakness of the light squares.

After 22.Bxe3 – Qc6+ white’s position looks very uncomfortable, while black’s next following ideas are pretty clear. Ne5 followed by Nf3 is suddenly a big threat in case white goes 23.Kg1, while 23.f3, as played in the game, doesn’t look like a great option either. The white queen never got back in the game and black went on to win a few moves later.

See the full game here:

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

  • Chess Strategy for Club Players – Complete GuideChess Strategy for Club Players – Complete Guide
  • Sicilian Dragon: Complete GuideSicilian Dragon: Complete Guide
  • Chess: Is it a Sport?Chess: Is it a Sport?
Related Products
3 2 votes
Article Rating
Login
1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Sujan
04.09.2020 11:06

Pawn break

0
Reply
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