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THE EXPLOITATION OF THE WEAK SQUARES AROUND THE CASTLE

We were saying in the introduction of the game Ragozin-Veresov that one of the attacking

premises is the weaknesses of the squares around the castle. The next game illustrates the way inwhich the pawn structure weaknesses may be used.

Baumstark,G - Levitina,I

Medellin ol (Women) Medellin, 1974

1.e4 Nf6

The Alekhine Defense is one of the most controversial openings. Black deliberately gives up the

center for White, at the same time losing several tempi by moving more times with the samepiece in order to attack the Whites center. This strategy may seem at least doubtful, but until

now there hadnt been found a clear overturn, White usually gaining just a little advantage in the

opening phase.

2.e5 Nd5 3.d4

White is able to bring his four pawns in the center with 3.c4 Nb6 4.d4 d6 5.f4 but after 5...dxe5

6.fxe5 Nc6 7.Be3 Bf5 or even 6...c5 White has problems in defending his own pawn center.

3...d6 4.Nf3 g6

The main variations are 4...Bg4 and 4...dxe5.

5.Bc4

The most aggressive variation against this system. The alternatives are 5.c4, 5.Be2 and 5.Ng5!?

5...Nb6

Possible is also 5...c6

6.Bb3 d5?!

The main continuation is 6Bg7 with the idea 0-0, keeping the possibility to undermine the

white pawn center. With the move in the game, Black restricts the activity of the bishop on b3,

but at the same time it allows White to keep the strong central chain d4-e5 which limits the

activity of the bishop on g7.

7.a4

White tries to occupy space on the queenside, this is why Black is force to make his next move.

7...a5

It seems that nothing has been changed, but there are some aspects that could be in Whites favorin the future. On of the moves through which Black can undermine the center is c7-c5. By

interposing the moves 7.a4 and 7a5, White obtains control over the b5-square, in case Black

plays c7-c5.

8.Nc3 Bg7 9.00 00 10.Re1

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White has no reasons to play 10.h3 in order to obstruct the move Bg4, because the exchange ofthe light-squares bishop for the knight on f3 doesnt improve Blacks position.

10...Bg4

Black decides to exchange the bishop for the knight because he has no possibility to place it in afavorable position. In order to undermine the center with c7-c5, Black is forced to play e7-e6, so

he chose to exchange the bishop, in order no to get it blocked.

11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3

White has achieved a superior position in the opening stage, with space advantage on the

kingside due to the central pawn chain d4-e5. Blacks main problem is the lack of counter play,

any opening of the position increasing the force of the white pair of bishops.

12...e6

Through this move, Black shows his intentions to undermine the center with c5, but this will costhim the chronic weakening of the dark squares on the kingside. So far Black has no reasons to

worry because the bishop on g7 defends those squares, but this bishop may be exchanged in the

future.

QUIZ

Indicate the best move for White

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13.Qg3!

White prepares the development with tempo of the bishop on g5, to exploit the weakness of the

dark squares on the kingside and to exchange the dark-squares bishop.

13...c5?!

Eager to free herself as quickly as possible, the soviet grandmaster starts to undermine the center,skipping the preparation of this move with 13Na6, 13N8d7 or 13N6d7. As White has aclear development advantage, opening the position is very risky for Black.

14.Bg5!

The white bishop is developed with tempo and takes the weak f6-square in his collimator.

14...Qe8

After 14...Qd7 15.dxc5 Nc8 16.Rad1 Qc6 17.Nxd5! exd5 18.Bxd5 Qxc5 19.Bxb7 White obtaineddecisive advantage in the game Haag-Kavalek, 1967

15.dxc5 Nc8 16.Rad1 Na6

Black threatens to take back the sacrificed pawn and at the same time prepares the move Ne7

with the ideas Nf5 and Rc8. The continuation 16Qc6 would have led to the game Haag-Kavalek mentioned above.

QUIZ

Find the best continuation for White

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17.Qh4!

Interdicts the move Ne7 and strengthens the control upon the weak black squares on the

kingside.

17...Nxc5

QUIZ

Find the best continuation for White

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18.Bxd5!!

A sacrifice which blows the entire defensive structure built by Black. Destroying the central

pawn chain will allow the knight on c3 to join the other white attacking forces on the kingside in

their fight for the f6-square.

18...exd5 19.Nxd5 Ne6After 19...Qxa4 20.Rd4 Qc6 21.Nf6+ Bxf6 22.Bxf6 h5 23.Qg5! the weakness of the dark squaresdecides the game, for instance: 23...Kh7 24.Rh4 followed by Rxh5+!

20.Nf6+!

Now Black is forced to give away his defender of dark squares, which weakens irremediably hisposition.

20...Bxf6 21.exf6

The dark squares on the kingside are now under Whites domination. The threat is Qh6 followed

by the elimination of the defender of the g7-square with Rxe6.

21...Kh8?

More resistance would have offered 21h5, even if after 22.Bh6 White remains with materialadvantage and attack.

22.Qh6

The queen occupies one of the weak squares around the castle, with decisive effect.

22...Rg8

QUIZ

Find the best move for White

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23.Re4!

And due to the threat 24.Qxh7 Kxh7 25.Rh4Black resigned. Possible was also 24.Rd4 cu with

the same idea.

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CONCLUSIONS

Weakening the squares around the castle may have fatal consequences if the opponent has the

possibility to occupy those squares with his pieces, threatening in this way the king in his

proximity. In case when those squares are defended by a piece, as in the case of the fianchetto

bishop, exchanging the defending piece emphasizes more the weakness of the squares.