Since the “Hanging Pawns” are very broad and complex field of chess strategy, I will compile an e-book composed of the material posted on the blog and include other examples that are left over. There is still much to be said about the d-pawn movement and undermining on hanging pawns. I hope Bogdan Girmacea, who wrote excellent column on former WorldChessNetwork, will help me make it good.
by Bogdan Girmacea
Download lesson in PGN for your own game viewer.
If in previous lesson we saw how the things could evolve by changing hanging pawns configuration pushing c pawn, in today’s lesson we will analyze what happens after we push d-pawn. And as example I would like to show you the game Korchnoi - Karpov, Merano 1981. The opening was a Queen’s Gambit and after 12 moves we reached the position presented in the diagram:
1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 0-0 7. e3 b6 8. Rc1 Bb7 9. Be2 Nbd7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. 0-0 c5 12. dxc5 bxc5
We have a typical position with hanging pawns for Black. For the moment the situation is still complex because there are still many pieces on board. So White will try to simplify position and Black will try to complicate game and to prolong middle game as long as possible. As we can see, those hanging pawns controlling d4 and e4 central squares leaves White with less space for maneuver, that’s why White is a bit limited in moves. In this game Korchnoi tried a series of maneuvers to double rooks on d-file and to press over pawn d5, but we will see it won’t be enough. The game continued:
Finally, the long awaited second part of Hanging Pawns trilogy. We will present another example of counterplay on b-file and plans for undermining on the hanging pawns. The 3rd and final part will display the huge attacking potential that sometimes goes with this kind of pawn structure.
One feature added after readers’ feedback. You can now replay the lesson in your browser or download PGN file for your own game viewer. Enjoy.
Akiba Rubinstein - Aron Nimzovich
Karlsbad 1907
A position very similar to Bertok - Fischer from previous lesson. Again, Black is pushing c4 to nail b2 pawn on its starting position. Possible drawbacks were mentioned before - White gets d4 square for its pieces and Black can be vulnerable to e4 breach. Still, playing c4 here makes perfect sense because White will be busy defending b2 pawn and he won’t be having time to reach d4 with the Knight.
16… c4 17. Be2
It takes away desired e2 square for Nc3, but White wants to organize counter-pressure against backward d5. 17. Bc2 with idea Ne2-d4 Rab8 18. Rb1 a5 19. Ne2 Qb4 20. Nd4 Rb6 with Ne4 and Rfb8
Hanging pawns are, alongside with isolated d-pawn and Karlsbad, one of the most complex pawn structures that demands careful study. In this post, we will see some basic examples. For deeper exploration, I suggest reading “Pawn Structure Chess”
Let’s mention some of the main characteristics of hanging pawns. The pawns are standing on c4 and d4 (or c5 and d5 for Black), without friendly pawns on adjacent files and without opponent’s pawns on the “c” and “d” files.
The advantage of having hanging pawns is the control over large number of important central squares and certain limitation of opponent’s pieces. They give wonderful e5 (e4) outpost and ability to create strong heavy pieces’ pressure along the “b” file. The hanging pawns’ advance can carry huge energy and rip off the opponent’s center and castle after opening of files and diagonals. But be careful, the pawns’ advance can be double-edge (next paragraph).
The main problem with having hanging pawns is that they have no support from the other pawns and the pieces might be tied for constant defence, which is seriously limiting mobility. Moving any of the hanging pawns might create serious weaknesses in the center, by giving good outposts for opponent’s pieces and allowing him to block the pawns. In addition, the backward pawn can be vulnerable to attack. Very often, opponent doesn’t have to wait for pawns’ advance, he can provoke it by pushing and even sacrificing “b” or “e” pawn. This plan is usually connected with the wonderful pieces’ play over the freshly available squares.
