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Secrets of Trapping Pieces: Bishop Dominated by Pawns Part 5 of 5

KevinSmithIdiot

Updated: Jul 5, 2024, 3:37 PM | 3

I'll presume everyone has played enough to have trapped a Bishop with pawns, or had a Bishop trapped by pawns. But there is quite a variety of traps that Bishops can fall into--and the defender may have ways to make those traps partially or fully ineffective.

Because someone asked I will point out that all material in these blogs is newly developed. The name "Secrets of Trapping Pieces" is taken from a book, but the puzzles presented are original.

"Some General Observations" were presented in Part 1. I won't repeat that material here for the sake of brevity, merely point to it. Secrets of Trapping Pieces--Bishop Dominated by Pawns Part 1 of 5 - Ches.com

CRITICAL POINT that bears repeating: Just because a piece is trapped, does not mean you are necessarily winning or losing. It's just one feature of the game.

KEY POINT: These are quite generic configurations. There could quite well be other pawns or pieces on squares in each of the quadrants depicted. However, these specific configurations are what I deemed the most salient features after examining several hundred games. The location of other pawns and pieces varied substantially in the games I considered. By focusing on the 'standard' features I believe one is then able to apply that knowledge to the broader assortment of in-game positions one is likely to encounter.

WARNING: There will always be outliers. This information is to simplify chess life in general, not to solve every specific problem related to the entrapment or freeing of Bishops that find themselves corralled by pawns.

RIGHT-HAND SIDE A configuration that recurs very frequently, in middle and endgames. The nature of the position clearly changes dramatically if White has a pawn on f4. Then the dangers of an actual entrapment are significantly curtailed. A key aspect that does not show up in this limited setting: A key issue is whether or not Black pieces control the f6, e7 and d8 squares. If so, that can be a significant issue. on the other hand, the Bishop on h5 exerts pressure on the e7 and d8 squares. The d8 square can be particularly relevant if the d-file is open. Combine that with a White pawn on f4 and suddenly Black may find it difficult to fight for the d-file or, alternatively, to prevent White's major pieces successfully penetrating to e7.

LEFT-HAND SIDE I'm going to offer some gross oversimplifications on such positions based on ratings. I'll add some overlap in the ratings to affirm that some people will be attuned to these ideas, even if they have other areas where they are not as well prepared.

2300+ FIDE: If this typical configuration appears no assumptions should be made about who is winning or losing. These players (should) know that this type of configuration was about to appear and both sides were aiming for it... willing to take their chances OTB.

1950-2350 FIDE: If this typical configuration appears the individual with more familiarity will win or draw.

2000 and below FIDE: The person who traps the Bishop is quite likely to win. Piece is piece and the number of individuals below 2000 FIDE who know how to play this from the side of the trapped piece is likely to be quite limited.

Some attacking ideas for the side with the trapped Bishop:

A. Win two pawns by capturing on b4.

B. Retreat to b6 and if the Bishop is captured seek attacking chances down the now half-open a-file.

Some considerations for the side that has trapped the Bishop:

A. Unless the c7 pawn can move, there may be no hurry to capture the Bishop. Patience can indeed be a virtue.

B. Consider carefully any latent attacking chances Black may have if White precipitously captures the Bishop.

A SUGGESTION BEFORE YOU GET STARTED ON THE PUZZLES
For learning purposes, you might want to take some mental or other notes on how you would assess the position before starting and after completing the puzzles you suspect are difficult. Nothing too deep, just some key points. Then compare your thoughts to my assessment.

FM SanQui (2392) - IM AttilaTurzo (2534) Titled Tuesday 10.01.2023

White just responded to a check on the first rank by fleeing to safety with 29.Kf2. White correctly calculated that retreating the Rook to block the check would lose the pawn on e4. And White perhaps feared the retreat 29. Be1 because that creates a self-imposed pin along the first rank. At blitz thoughts happen that fast.

But White needed to entertain a third thought as well. What was that thought and how did IM Turzo respond to White's absent realization?

Observation: A Bishop's diagonals can disappear astonishingly quickly, even though Pawns can only move one square at a time (except when that first move serves the same purpose as this pawn that only advanced one square.)

Tragicomic Insight: Not very often in an endgame that you actually should place your pawns on the SAME color as the opponent's Bishop.

What Black knew: Keep it simple, it's a blitz game. No meaningful checks. Captures don't lead anywhere. So, trap the Bishop.

Konstantinopolsky, Alexander - Kortschnoj, Viktor URS-ch20 Final 30.11.1952

White just played 17.cxd5 though the comps prefer 17.c5. How did Black proceed?

Outcome: White stole a victory because of Black's swiss cheese center and Kingside. Aided by Black inaccuracies.

Lessons learned or revisited: A decisive advantage does not equate to victory. Even for one of the best players of all time.

Blackburne, Joseph - Gossip, George DSB Kongress-06 19.07.1889 #1

White just played 16.a3 threatening to trap Black's Bishop. Black has two ways to avoid falling behind in material, but one of those ways is far better than the other!

Can you find the better path?

Observation: On the first move every baser instinct cries out to play ...c6 and give the Bishop some air. Realizing that the pawn push should be delayed requires both equanimity and good calculation skills. Not to mention visualization and understanding chess geometry. For which I highly recommend GM Maurice Ashley's The Secrets of Chess Geometry.

Assessment: Material will be equal after White captures on b7. But Black will follow by capturing on c5. White's pawn structure is NOT enviable. Black's minor pieces are better than their counterparts, particularly that Knight perched on d5. And Elmer, ecstatic e5-pawn is strutting in place, all but guaranteeing a win if the game were to reach a King and Pawns ending.

Lessons learned or revisited:

A. A pawn push to open a flight lane for a trapped piece can serve more than one purpose. Black's Knight would have been loose on the e3 square following White's Queen check on b3 if the move c5 had not also secured the d5 square.

B. Another reminder that trapped does not mean losing.

C. Create a greater threat! Black's Knight move to d5 both created a threat it also pointed out that, as a group, Black's minor pieces had more opportunities than their White counterparts.

Blackburne, Joseph - Gossip, George DSB Kongress-06 19.07.1889 #2

Black just went from winning to losing with the mistaken 16...Bb5. Correct was 16...Nxd5 17.b4 c6! Preparing to extricate the Bishop and ensuring the Knight will be safe on d5. The idea plays out as follows if White captures the Bishop. 18. bxa5 Nxe3 19.Qb3+ Double attack on the King and the Knight on e3. 19...Nd5 and the Knight posts securely on d5 thanks to the lowly c-pawn.

How did Blackburne point out the errors of his opponent's ways?

Lessons learned or revisited:

A. Black was befuddled upon realizing their dark-squared Bishop was about to be trapped. Consequently, they chose the wrong tactical solution.

B. If you examined the notes in the puzzle introduction closely, you would have found a solution to Black's not-so-lethal dilemma. The key point is the loose White piece on e3 providing Black with a tempo that allows resolution of all difficulties.

C. The previous puzzle demonstrated that the trap should not have proven effective. And the next puzzle demonstrates that proving a trap is efficacious, even when aided by an opponent's missed opportunity, takes some hard work and correct execution.

Blackburne, Joseph - Gossip, George DSB Kongress-06 19.07.1889 #3

Black just captured a stray pawn on d5, conveniently attacking White's Bishop on e3. And perhaps allowing sacrifices on b4 to gain some compensation for the trapped Bishop on a4.

White has several options that leave them clearly better, but only one "best" move. Blackburn settled for one of the very good moves, second-best per Stockfish 15.1, and Black resigned on move 29.

Can you play White's most accurate move?

Observation: There are many competing first moves that are sufficient to retain a pleasant edge. But determining which is objectively best requires a lot of thought. For those who focused on the essential cues of "first look at checks and captures" this was probably relatively easy.

Lessons learned or revisited:

A. A reminder that when f-pawns move it may open a diagonal that allows double attacks. In this instance White's Qb3+ was actually a triple attack!

B. A reminder that loose pieces fall off (LPFO).

Aronian, Levon 2780 - Jobava, Baadur 2703 Leuven GCT rapid 28.06.2017 #1

White has only one good move here, all others lose. And that conveniently takes us to the starting point of this series of three puzzles. As always, a key question will soon loom.

In the near term should White trap the Black Bishop on h5, or not?

Observations:

A. Black obtained two pawns in return for the piece, but White controls the key h2, g3, f2 and e3 squares with Rooks.

B. Black's other minor piece is far, far away from the center of action.

C. Conversely, White's Knights will be quite quick to join the battle.

D. Until the last move in the sequence, White's moves were essentially just playing the obvious. That said, "the obvious" is not always the best. And advancing the pawn to g4 requires an accurate evaluation of the outcome after an expected Black sacrifice of the Bishop for two pawns.

Lessons learned or revisited:

A. Black's had several ways to approach the imminent entanglement of their lone cleric. The choice to sacrifice His Eminence for two pawns was not supported by the placement of the remaining pieces for both players.

B. This was a rapid game. At a classical time control, it is unlikely that a GM of Jobava's stature would have misevaluated this position and played 21...Ne5?

Aronian, Levon 2780 - Jobava, Baadur 2703 Leuven GCT rapid 28.06.2017 #2

After White captured the Black Bishop with 21.Rxe3 the Kingside pawns threaten a pincer movement to encircle Black's Bishop.

How should Black have proceeded?

Assessment: White is down an Exchange and a Pawn. With no ready-made targets in the Black encampment. And a Black Knight about to park on the e5 square where it defends f7 and attacks numerous squares on White's side of the board.

Observation: It's easy to focus on the imminent demise of His Holiness, perched on his lonely outpost on h4. But the chess gods love activity! And that may require looking inside yourself to find fighting chances just when things appear dimmest on the board.

Lessons learned or revisited:

A. Trapping a Bishop can be dangerous indeed when the piece can throw itself into that briar patch! Black simply smashes into the wall of pawns, defiant and correct!!

B. Centralizing the Queen only one square gave her access to the critical h6 square.

C. The correct mindset is, "My Bishop is lost. How do I get the most possible compensation? Are there weaknesses or loose pieces on the enemy's side of the board? Can I create a greater threat?"

Aronian, Levon 2780 - Jobava, Baadur 2703 Leuven GCT rapid 28.06.2017

In the previous puzzle we noted that we would examine what happens if Black plays 22.. .Qd6 one move later?

Can you solve this one? I don't think it's obvious, but others often see more than I. Or is that "eye"?

Assessment: White is even threatening to take over the initiative with 27.f6, inflicting damage on Black's previously stable Kingside pawn configuration. The tide has turned definitively in White's favor.

Lessons learned or revisited:

A. A single tempo, delaying the Queens's journey to d6 by one move, deals a crushing blow to Black's prospects. Such is the double-edged nature of critical positions.

B. Just winning material is often the easiest step in the process. Then comes the hard part. Proving there is a win.

C. Correctly assessing threats, evaluating the enemies potential counter play after winning some of their material, and defending well while working to consolidate the bounty earned can be difficult.

Secrets of Trapping Pieces: Bishop Dominated by Pawns Part 5 of 5

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