By IM Orlov 

Pawn structure frequently determines the character of the game. It’s very important to have some knowledge and understanding of the most important pawn formations since it helps you pick the right plan. The pawn formation where White’s d4-pawn is facing the opponent’s e6 and c6-pawns often occurs in positions that arise in the Caro-Kann and French Defenses.

In this lesson we will concentrate, from Black’s prospective, on middlegame plans which are common for such positions. One plan is a direct attack against the d4-pawn, exchanging its defenders along the way. This plan usually works well when White’s c-pawn is absent, or stands on c4, as in the following game.

Vladimir Kozlov - Mark Tseitlin

Cheliabinsk 1975

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 Nf6 6.d4 dxe4 7.Qe3 Nbd7 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qxe4 Nf6 10.Qd3 e6 11.Be2 Be7 12.0-0 0-0 13.c4 Qc7 14.Be3 Rfd8 15.Rfd1 Rd7 16.Bf3 Rad8 17.Qc3 h6 18.g3

At first sight, White has a great game here. He possesses a pair of Bishops in a relatively open position and some space advantage in the center – it looks like White has no problems. In reality, things are not that simple. Firstly, White does not have any particular target to attack, and most importantly, his own d4-pawn is already under some pressure.

Black comes up with a rather simple plan: He pulls his Knight back, making the f6- and g5-squares available for his Bishop and, in some cases, his Queen. In case the dark-squared Bishops are exchanged, White will have a difficult defense of d4 ahead of him. As is typical in such positions, a central strike via …c6-c5 is always “in the air.”

18…Ne8 19.Qb3!?

White’s first step in the wrong direction. Instead, deserving attention is 19.b4!?, taking space on the queenside, and if 19…Bf6 then 20.Bf4!? Qc8 (20…Qb6 looks risky in view c4-c5) 21.Be5 and White has a good game.

After 19.Qb3, White intends to play d4-d4 next, but that’s rather easy to prevent, while placing the Queen on b3 does nothing to improve White’s position.

19…Qa5

This move stops d4-d5 and gives the Queen a bit of room. For instance, in case Rooks are exchanged, control of the e1-square may be important. Still, White is hardly in danger here. He brings his Rook closer to the center, setting up a small trap.

20.Rac1 Bg5

White was perhaps hoping for 20…Bf6? 21.d5! and after 21…cxd5 22.cxd5 exd5 23.Rc5! White would have an edge. Now 21.d5 would be met by 21…Bxe3.

21.Qc3 Qf5

Of course 21…Qxa2?? loses to 22.Ra1. After 21…Qxc3 22.Rxc3 Bxe3 23.fxe3, the ending is roughly even. Thus, Black decides to keep the Queens on board.

22.Bg4?!

A serious slip. Better was 22.Kg2, since White’s Bishop does nothing on g4.

22…Qg6

Now Black threatens …h6-h5-h4, so White (apparently somewhat panicked) decides to offer an exchange of Queens, missing a tactical shot. Objectively, White was already under some annoying pressure. For instance, 23.Be2 fails to 23…Bxe3 24.Qxe3 Qf6, attacking d4 and winning a pawn. In case of 23.Rd2, Black plays 23…Nd6, threatening …Nd6-e4 and …Bg5xe3 at the same time.

23.Qd3? Qxd3 24.Rxd3

24…Rxd4!

This move wins a pawn.

25.Rxd4 Rxd4 26.f4?

White should have settled for 26.Bxd4 Bxc1 27.b3, with some drawing chances. Instead he tries to complicate matters, but makes things worse.

26…Rd3 27.Kf2 Bf6 28.f5?

White makes another blunder. Instead 28.b3 was better. Now the game is immediately over.

28…Rxe3!,  0-1.

In the next game Black executed another interesting plan. It applies to positions with the c-pawn on c2. First, Black forces the pawn to go to c3. Then he attacks it with the b-pawn, indirectly undermining d4.

Matanovich - Petrosian

Kiev 1959

1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Bc4 Bf5 8.Qe2 e6 9.Bg5 Be7 10.0-0-0 Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Nd5 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Rhe1 0-0 15.Kb1 Rad8 16.Bb3 Qf6 17.Qe2

The position is roughly even. Neither side has weakness and both players have solid pawn structures and good positions for their pieces.

Petrosian begins regrouping his army, trying to provoke a weakness in his opponent’s position. First, he doubles Rooks along the d-file, putting some pressure on the d4-pawn with the idea of provoking c2-c3.

17…Rd7 18.c3

White defends d4 and gives his Bishop access to the c2-square; so far everything is fine.

18…b5!?

This move presents the beginning of a very interesting plan, which has become standard in such positions. Black intends …b5-b4, which will result in either an undermining of the d4-pawn (provided White takes on d4), or after Black exchanges on c3, White will have an isolated pawn pair (i.e., pawns on c3 and d4) which can be attacked with either …c6-c5 or …e6-e5. In the end, White will end up with an isolated pawn. White’s King will also be in a less secure position – this comes as a bonus.

19.g3 Rfd8 20.f4?!

Perhaps 20.Bxd5 was a bit better here. After 20…Rxd5, however, Black would retain a small edge. For instance, 21.Qc2 b4! when 22.cxb4 Rxd4 23.Rxd4 Qxd4 looks better for Black, due to a full control of the very important d-file.

20…b4 21.Qf3?

This mediocre move leads to more problems. Deserving attention was 21.Bxd5 Rxd5 22.cxb4, and if 23…Rxd4 (23…Qf5+ 24.Qc2) 24.Rxd4 Qxd4, then 25.a3 leads to a defensible position.

21…bxc3 22.bxc3 c5!

Now White has problems with his pawns. In case of 23.c4 Nb4 24.dxc5 Nd3 25.Re2 Nxc5 28.Rxd7 Rxd7 Black has a better game due to the superiority of Knight over White’s light Bishop and a better pawn structure. White is trying to force exchanges now.

23.Re5 cxd4 24.Bxd5 Rxd5 25.Rxd5 exd5!

A very important move. After 25…Rxd5 26.Rxd4! Rxd4 27.cxd4 White hangs on, thanks to known technical difficulties that arise when converting a positional advantage in a Queen’s ending. Black keeps the Rooks on the board instead, intending to launch an attack against his opponent’s King.

26.Rxd4 h6

In a heavy piece ending, checkmating situations are very common, so it helps to have some room for the King.

27.g4

Facing some threats on the queenside, White tries to create some counter-threats on the kingside. He also takes control of the f5-square.

27…Qe7!

A very strong move. The immediate attack 27…Rb8+ 28.Kc2 does not look very promising, so Black takes b4 and a3 under observation and also prepares …Qe7-e1+ at some point. Of course, 28.Rxd5? loses to 28…Qb7+.

28.Qf2 Rb8+ 29.Ka1 Qa3

This is the beginning of a final storm.

30.Qc2 Re8!

Now White has to defend both the e1- and e3-squares, but 31.Qd2 runs into 31…Re2! 32.Qxe2 Qc1 mate.

31.Rb4

White is prepared to meet 31…Re3?? With 32.Rb8 mate, and 31…Re1+ 32.Rb1 looks fine. But…

31…d4!!

This strong move breaks White’s defense. Now White is forced into a pawn down Queen’s ending.

32.Rxd4 Re1+ 33.Rd1 Rxd1+ 34.Qxd1 Qxc3+ 35.Kb1 Qxh3

Interestingly enough, White does not have many good moves: 36.Qd8+ Kh7 37.Qd7 Qf1+ 38.Kc2 Qxf4 39.Qxa7 Qxg4 40.Qxf7 h5 and Black should be able to win.

36.a4 h5! 37.gxh5 Qf5+ 38.Kb2 Qxf4

Now Black simply threatens to approach the h5-pawn with his King. White plays a couple more moves, but then resigns.

39.Kb3 Qf5 40.Kc4 Kh7 41.Qd2, 0-1.