IDEA OF THE WEEK #13: Andersson vs. Karpov
This position comes from the game Ulf Andersson vs. Karpov (1995). Ulf Andersson is a Swedish grandmaster, and there was a saying about him that he was so good at endgames, if a chess game started without queens, he'd easily become world champion.
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Here, we have a position from the early middlegame. What's the best way for White to continue?
White should attack in the center
1.d5!
The isolated pawn moves forward, creating threats, opening lines, and activating White's pieces. The threat of dxe6 is powerful, and now Black has several options:**
1... Nfxd5 (this happened in the game) 2. Nxd5 (Bxe7 is also good) Bxg5 3. Nxb4 Qe7 4. Nd5 Bxd5 5. Bxd5 and Black resigned because White is up a piece.
1... Nbxd5 doesn’t change much. 2. Nxd5 Bxd5 3. Bxd5 Nxd5 4. Bxe7 Qxe7 5. Rxd5, and White has a huge advantage as well.
1... Bxd5 2. Nxd5, and it’s the same as in the previous line.
1... exd5 2. Qxe7, and White wins the piece.
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LESSONS TO REMEMBER
How to play when you have an isolated pawn?
- Try to push it forward — it creates confusion and opens up play.
- Organize an attack with your pieces (especially the minor ones) on your opponent's king or in the center.
How to play when you're fighting against an isolated pawn?
- Block it (so it can't be pushed). The best blockader is a knight, the worst is a queen.
- Exchange pieces, especially minor pieces, so your opponent can't create a strong attack.
