d5 chain Flashcards
Set up the d5 chain from White’s perspective.
Set up the d5 chain from Black’s perspective
Set up the d5 chain (reversed) from White’s perspective
Set up the d5 chain (reversed) from Black’s perspective
Both sides have the same plan. What are its two components?
- Attack the base of the opposing pawn chain.
- Trade off the bad bishop.
What are the pros and cons of
exf5
B/N xf5
for Black?
Pros: You get Nd4
Cons: White gets the e4 square, to use in Kingside operations.
What are White’s two plans after
exf5 gxf5
?
- Attack the f5 pawn
- Push f4
If White wanted to attack f5 after exf5 gxf5, what four moves would that involve? Play them on a board.
- Bd3
- Qc2
- g4
- Ng3
What is the one time in this pawn structure where White castles Queenside and attacks the kingside?
After
exf5 gxf5
when White’s attack on the f5 pawn is going well and he wants to break open the kingside with g4
What are three reasons why after
exf5 gxf5
Black does NOT want to push e4?
- No counterplay
- f5 pawn is weak to g4 wing attack
- d4 hole
What is Black’s best response to
exf5 gxf5
f4
and what’s the follow-up? Play this on a board.
Best response is exf4.
Follow-up is Ne5.
After
exf5 gxf5
what are the two reasons why Black does not want to push f4?
- Opens up the d3-h7 diag
- Creates a hole on e4
After
exf5 gxf5
how can Black take over the light squares?
Push
e4
fxe4 f4
Then put a knight on d5
How can White sieze control of the Kingside?
Play f3+g4, the Makaganov system.
What is the Makaganov system?
Pushing f3+g4 to sieze control of the Kingside.
In the Makagnov system, if Black pushes to f4, what does White do?
Push h4+g5
In the Makaganov system, what does White do if Black pushes h5?
Push g5+h4
In the Makaganov system, why is White not afraid of fxg4?
Black is not ready to control the f-file. White can get control of it.
What is Black’s best plan for counterplay when White plays the Makaganov system?
Seek counterplay on the Queenside
How can Black lock down the Queenside?
Push c5
What is the White plan for attacking a pawn on c5? What is the goal? Play these moves on a board
a3, b4, bxc5, Nb3, Be3.
The goal is to force Black to play b6.
What is White’s plan after forcing Black to defend the c5 pawn with b6?
Push a5.
What is White’s long-term plan on the Queenside after Black pushes c5?
Take over the a- and b- files.
When Black pushes c5, then plays cxb4, what is White’s plan?
Break up the Queenside with c5.
After White gets in the c5 break, what is the natural follow-up move? Recreate this break and play this move on a board.
Nc4
What is so interesting about the position after Black plays c6+cxd5?
It’s the same position as after White pushes the c5 break and plays cxd6.
Who benefits from Black playing c6+cxd5?
Whoever can control the open c-file.
After Black plays c6, if White wants to blow open the center, how would he do this?
Push c5.
What are three indicators that White should consider f4?
- Black has Kingside weaknesses
- It would be possible to push f4-f5
- Black has successfully locked down the Queenside
