We will explore the Queen’s Gambit a little more. In this episode, we look first of all at the structure that arises after the pawn exchange c4xd5 e6xd5. In the literature, this formation is known as 'Carlsbad structure'.
That there is so much to say about this pawn structure may surprise many. Most club chess players will be familiar with the so-called "minority attack" (i.e. when White advances on the queenside with b2-b4-b5xc6) and in my book "Understanding before Moving - Queen's Gambit Structures" I try to explain in detail under what circumstances this plan has a chance of succeeding.
But apart from the minority attack, White has several other possibilities at his disposal, which I review very briefly. Of course, I also discuss various concepts Black might follow. These are sometimes related to preventing/delaying White's possibilities on the queenside but can also consist of setting up a dangerous initiative on the kingside after White castled short.
All in all, quite fascinating stuff. In the diagram position below, White played f2-f3 to open the f-file and to undermine Black's center. Black just played ... Bc8-a6, attacking White's rook on f1. How would you now proceed with White?
This week’s show (for Premium Members only)
