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

Hedgehog According to Karpov

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
09.26.2016
Category: Openings
Tags: chess, hedgedog, karpov
Hedgehog According to Karpov

Hedgehog is one of the most popular set-ups for black nowadays and it can arise from several openings. However, it is one that’s not to everyone’s taste. Black willingly gives white a space advantage right from the start and chooses a compact position where his pieces are placed behind the wall of pawns. After the exchange of the black c and white d-pawns, black continues by placing his pawns on a6, b6, d6, and e6.

This formation acts as the spines of the hedgehog – short, but dangerous when provoked. White, on the other hand, usually responds with a Maroczy-like structure where his pawns are placed on e4 and c4, although an English Opening set-up, where the pawn remains on e2 and the light-squared bishop is developed via g2, can also be employed.

The Maroczy Bind against the Hedgehog

Hedgehog – Part 1

Right from its early beginnings, the Hedgehog has been more about positional understanding and less about memorizing theoretical lines. Although the modern theory has developed a lot in this system, it still requires good strategic skills to play it. Black is short of space but has plenty of ideas. The ruptures b6-b5 and d6-d5 have to always be taken into account. Moreover, depending on the way white develops, he can take action on the kingside, trying to weaken white’s position. While it’s true that black’s play usually unwinds on the last three ranks, white shouldn’t relax.

With more space at his disposal, the white player might feel confident and try to cash in on this advantage, but an over-expansion can cost him the game. These positions require a lot of maneuvering for both sides and any unnecessary weakening will be speculated by the opponent. Sometimes, the position won’t change much for many moves and it can get boring for someone watching it. However, playing this set-up requires a lot of precision and patience, as it is very important to make moves that keep the position intact, not giving the opponent targets of attack.

Ready to start winning at chess?

start chess training

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

There are many strong players who chose this system as their main weapon, but one of the pioneers of it is former World Champion, Anatoly Karpov. The resulting positions, where the play is slow and requires a lot of maneuvering suited his style well and he scored good results with both colors. In this article, we are going to show you three of his most instructive wins in this set-up and the plans he adopted in order to fight for the win.

Part 2

In his game against Zoltan Ribli played in the 1986 Olympiad in Dubai, Karpov showed a lot of technique in this structure. He kept making useful moves that improved his position, without committing to weakening moves and letting black guess his plan. Black also played well and kept parrying white’s ideas, but one move that weakened his structure was enough to give his opponent the advantage.

Against the Romanian Grandmaster Florin Gheorghiu Karpov employed a different plan that involved actions in the center and kingside. Again, we can see how both players handle the position with great patience and do their best to keep it compact. Black kept the game level and correctly responded to white’s set-up. But, a small inaccuracy gave the first player a slight edge and the position became uncomfortable for black. See the full game with commentary below:

Karpov also handled the Hedgehog well with the black pieces. In his game against Eugene Torre, we can see clearly the strategy black employs in the Hedgehog. After the opening, he kept making moves that provoked white to over-extend and, as a consequence, weaken his position. White went all-in and allowed black to counter-attack in the center when the tables turned. And, it was white’s king who was in danger.

Hedgehog – Conclusion

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

  • 5 Things You Can Learn From the Classics5 Things You Can Learn From the Classics
  • Bishop EndgamesBishop Endgames: Karpov
  • karpov best games10 Best Chess Games by Anatoly Karpov
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
  • Play Computer
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Money Back PayPal SSL Comodo
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