Attack at the Flank
Steinitz wrote that it is better to attack on that part of the board you are stronger than your opponent. The king is of course the most tempting attacking object, nonetheless active actions can also be directed against other targets. These may be located on either flank of the board, and as in most cases, the majesties are hidden on the kingside, this leads to a queenside attack.
The aim of a queenside offensive (with both kings located on the kingside) is naturally not mate but the gain of material. In this case the main attacking objects are pawn weaknesses. An encouraging factor for a queenside approach could be a pawn superiority on this flank; open and semi-open files, seized by the attacker, can benefit the offensive as well.
Pawn superiority at the flank Attack on the weak c6-pawn
A variety of strategical tools can be applied in the queenside attack (Pressure on a semi-open file, creation and use of and outpost etc.) The most frequent and effective tool, however, is the pawn minority attack, and this method we are going to examine in detail.
The Carlsbad Pawn Structure
An important pawn formation with the pawn minority attack is the so-called Carlsbad Structure:
The Carlsbad Pawn Structure
The history of the name of this typical pawn structure and the related Queen's Gambit variation takes us all the way back to the international Carlsbad Tournament of 1923. In order for White to avoid the Cambridge-Springs Defense Variation, (one of the more lasting contributions to opening theory and still has a solid reputation), which was very popular in those days, some very skilled chessplayers resorted to a new line of play, which later got the name of The Carlsbad Variation.
Pawn Minority Attack
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The goal of the minority attack is to create a weak black pawn on c6 by advancing White's b-pawn, followed by a full-scale attack against that weakness. The main implementation stages of this plan are show in the diagrams below: |
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Advance of the b-pawn Exchange on C6: 1. bxc6 bxc6 Attack on the c6-pawn
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When b4-b5 is about to be played, it is important for White to prevent the possible response c6-c5. To that purpose he needs good contol of the c-file, especially the c5-square.
Controling the c-file and the c5 square
Typical playing tools for the attacker
1. Advance of the b-pawn - b2-b4-b5 - followed by its exchange for the opponent's c6 pawn. This results in a weak black pawn on c6, which cannot be protected by other black pawn.
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The weak pawn on c6 |
2. Pressure against the weak c6-pawn by heavy and or/light pieces, The most frequent method is the doubling of rooks along the c-file.
The heavy artillery attacking the c-pawn
5. Use of the c5-outpost. Very typical is a knight transfer to that square along the route Nc3-a4-c5 or if the a4-square is occupied by a white pawn - Nf3-d2-b3-c5.
Knight transfer - Nc3-a4-c5 Knight transfer - Nf3-d2-b3-c5 |
6. Play against the black a-pawn. This pawn is often assailed by the queen and/or rooks, the attack running concurrently with the besieging of the c6-point. As it is most difficult for Black to defend two weaknesses at once, usually one of the vulnerable pawns eventually falls.
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Attack on the a7-pawn by the Queen |
7. Seizure of the b-file in order to invade along the 7 th or 6 th rank to attack Black's weaknesses.
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Rook invasion of the 7th rank |
8. Pressure against the d5-pawn. This can come about when after b4-b5 Black captures on b5 with his c-pawn. White's play should be directed not only against the d5-point but also against the b7-Pawn and involve pressure along the c-file.
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Removing the c6-Pawn Pressure against the d5-Pawn
Typical playing tools for the defending side
If the defending side is not engaged in any active plans of his own, then he should do his best to prepare an effective way to respond to b4-b5. Such preparatory measures may include:
1. The advance a7-a6, forcing White to bring his a-Pawn to the attack. In that case the exchange on b5 releases Black of his a-pawn, which if left on a7 could become a second weakness for him.
2. Preparation for the advance of the c-pawn in response to b4-b5. To that end the knight is left on d7, while the rook is transferred to c8
(Ra8-c8)
Now let us go back to Page One and look at some very instructive games on this theme.
