Boleslavsky Hole

Question 1

Set up the Boleslavsky Hole from White’s perspective.

Answer 1

Question 2

Set up the Boleslavsky Hole from Black’s perspective.

Answer 2

Question 3

Set up the Boleslavsky Hole (reversed) from White’s perspective.

Answer 3

Question 4

Set up the Boleslavsky Hole (reversed) from Black’s perspective.

Answer 4

Question 5

Set up the Filled Hole structure from White’s perspective.

Answer 5

Question 6

Set up the Filled Hole from Black’s perspective.

Answer 6

Question 7

Set up the Filled Hole (reversed) from White’s perspective.

Answer 7

Question 8

Set up the Filled Hole (reversed) from Black’s perspective.

Answer 8

Question 9

What are White’s two main plans in the Boleslavsky Hole structure?

Answer 9

1. Establish firm control over d5
2. Attack the king

Question 10

What are Black’s two main plans in the Boleslavsky Hole?

Answer 10

1. Play d5
2. Take away White’s piece control over d5

Question 11

What are the two typical knight maneuvers by which White establishes control over d5? Play them on a board.

Answer 11

1. Nd4-b3-d2-c4-e3
2. Nf3-h2-g4-e3

Question 12

What are three moves White can play to take away Black’s control over d5?

Answer 12

1. g5 to kick out the Nf6
2. Bg5 to take the Nf6
3. f5 to kick out the Be6

Question 13

What are two moves Black can play to take away White’s control over d5?

Answer 13

1. Push b4 to kick out the Nc3
2. Rc8 to pin the Nc3 to the c2 pawn

Question 14

When White is forced to play exd5, we transition to a Filled Hole structure. When is this good for White? When is it bad?

Answer 14

It is good for White when Black had to take Bxd5 AND White still has a light-squared bishop.

It is bad for White in all other circumstances.

Question 15

What are White’s two plans in the Filled Hole structure?

Answer 15

1. Use the weakened light squares to generate queenside pressure.
2. Make a passed pawn with c5.

Question 16

What is the typical tactic White uses to force a good Filled Hole structure? Why does it work?

Answer 16

Playing a protected Nd5 when there’s Bc6 and Nc6. Black can’t capture with the knight because B+N would be forked. So he must capture Bxd5.

Question 17

What are Black’s two plans in the Filled Hole structure?

Answer 17

1. Push f5 to take over the center
2. Control the dark squares on the Queenside

Question 18

What three moves does Black play to establish control over the Queenside dark squares in the Filled Hole structure? Play them on a board.

Answer 18

1. a5
2. Na6-c5
3. Nd7

Question 19

Why is the Filled Hole so much worse for worse than the Marco Hop?

Answer 19

The main reason the Marco Hop is good is because White can target e7 on the e-file. White can’t do that with the pawn on e5.

Question 20

How does White launch a kingside attack? Play it on a board.

Answer 20

Play f4, then Nd4-f5 after exf4.

Question 21

When is the best time for White to launch a kingside attack?

Answer 21

When Black plays Nbd7 instead of Nc6, meaning White can play Nd4.