Doubled Pawns after the Queens exchange 3
Doubled Pawns after the Queens exchange, part 1
Doubled Pawns after the Queens exchange, part 2
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Alexander Kotov - Grigory Levenfish
URS-ch Moscow, 1949
Black has some problems with pieces coordination as Nb7 and Bd7 are not perfectly placed. Rook is tied for a6 pawn, while b4 and e4 pawns might also come under attack. Still, Black might be able to consolidate over the next few moves, for example if he plays a5-a4, weakness from a6 will be eliminated and Rook gets open file. Knight can also activate via d6.
All this means that White’s advantage is time-sensitive and he should do something over the next few moves in order to maintain or increase it. Rook is holding the open c-file and it would be nice to reach the 7th rank. However, Black Queen, the only well placed Black piece at the moment, is covering c7 square. In one of the earlier articles “Positional factors and their importance”, we said: - Always try to exchange opponent’s most active pieces. In this case, trading Black Queen would open the gates to the 7th rank and e4 pawn would become increasingly vulnerable.
28.Qd4!
Kotov is not afraid of ghosts! Doubled central pawns are not really a weakness as Black won’t be having time to attack them with Nd6-Nf5. After the Queen’s exchange, Black will have to lose moves on protecting Bd7 and pawns a6, b4 and e4.
