Chess Strategy

Typical positions with Karlsbad pawn structure involve the following arrangement of pawns: white - a2, b2, d4, e3, f2, g2, h2, and black - a7, b7, c6, d5, f7, g7, h7. The variation got its name from the Karlsbad Tournament in 1923, where some of the participants wanted to avoid the sharper Cambridge-Springs opening. If we examine the arrangement of pawns, we see that a symmetrical pawn balance in the center does not exist. The pawn structure is dynamic and can develop into positions with isolated pawns or into positions with hanging pawns. Karlsbad pawn structures occur mainly from Queen’s Gambits, but they can also arise from Nimzo-Indian, Gruenfeld and Caro-Kan as well.1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5

After 4…Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 white obtains a full center, which is typical for the Half-Tarrasch Defense.

5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3

6.Nxd5 isn’t good, because of 6.Nxd5 Nxd5 7.Bxd8 Bb4+ 8.Qd2 Bxd2+ 9.Kxd2 Kxd8 and black has an extra piece.

6…Be7 7.Bd3 c6 8.Qc2 0-0 9.Nf3

One of the greatest chess players of all time, Mikhail Botvinnik, used to play this line with 9.Nge2 and, after 9…Re8 10.0-0 Nf8 11.f3, white tries to create a position in which he opens the center, with e4. There are many positions with pawn structures other than the Karlsbad which fit in with Botvinnik’s line. Many modern chess players play 9.Nge2 with much success. Such players as Gary Kasparov and Evgeny Bareev have had successful results with it. We will elaborate on 9.Nge2 variations later.

9…Re8 10.0-0 Nf8

In this lesson we will explore one of the possible plans for White - struggle in the center. Other two plans will be presented in the extended lesson for registered users.

Let’s see game between Jusupov and Kramnik, played in Vienna, 1996.

11.Rae1

By playing this move, White wants to create play in the center. A possible plan is e4.

11…Ne4

Another possibility is 11…Be6

12.Ne5 N6d7 13.Bxe7 Rxe7 14.f4 f6 15.Nf3. White’s plan is to attack black’s kingside by f5, g4, h4, while maintaining his pawn on d4, because it totally restrains the bishop on e6. 15…Rc8 16.f5 Bf7 17.g4 c5 18.Qf2

It is necessary that white don’t move the d4 pawn. 18…a6 19.Nh4 b5 20.a3 Qb6 21.Ng2 Rce8 22.Rc1Qd6 23.Qf4 Qxf4 24.Rxf4 cxd4 25.exd4 g5 26.Rf2. White stands better in Rogers-Speelman, Spain 1994.

11…Ne4

12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Nd2 f5

The pawn structure in the center has been transformed.

15.f3

Also possible is… 15.d5 Bd7 16.f3 exf3 17.Nxf3 cxd5 18.Nxd5 Qe4 19.Qxe4 Rxe4 20.Nd4, with an equal position, Spasov – Van der Sterren, Albena 1983)

15…exf3 16.Nxf3 Be6 17.e4 fxe4 18.Rxe4

The whole strategy of white starting with 11.Rae1 is to play e4 and grab the initiative. But, with a series of precise moves, black is able to prevent white from creating play in the center.

18…h6 19.Rfe1

If 19.Ne2 then 19…Qb4 20.a3 Qb3 21.Qd2 Bd5 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Ne5 Ne6 24.Nc3 Qb6 25.Nxd5 Played in the game Timman - Jusupov, Tilburg 1986 25…Qxd4+ 26.Qxd4 Nxd4 An equal position according to Timman’s analysis.

19…Rad8

The position has equalized, but it has to be played very carefully. I will show you a game between Timman and Short which was played in Amsterdam, 1988. White, having played carelessly, got into trouble very quickly. 20.R1e3 Qf7 21.Ne5 Qf5 22.Rg3 (22.Rf3 Qh5 23.Qe2 Qg5, with an equal position) 22…Rxd4 23.Ng4 Kh8 24.Nxh6 gxh6 25.Qc1 Qf6 And black stands slightly better.

20.h3 Qd6 21.R1e3 Bf7 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Rxe8 Bxe8 24.Qb3+ Kh7 25.Qxb7 Bh5 26.Ne4 Qf4 27.Qxc6 Bxf3 28.gxf3 Ng6 29.Nf2 Qxd4 30.Qc2 Qd5 31.f4 Qf3 32.f5 Nf4 33.f6+ Kg8 34.Qc4+ Kh7 35.Qc2+ Kg8 36.Qc4+ Kh7 Draw by repetition