Pawn structure: d4 vs.

pawns on c6 and e6
By IM Orlov
Pawn structure frequently determines the character of the game. Its very important to have some knowledge
and understanding of the most important pawn formations since it helps you pick the right plan. The pawn
formation where Whites d4-pawn is facing the opponents e6 and c6-pawns often occurs in positions that arise
in the Caro-Kann and French Defenses.
In this lesson we will concentrate, from Blacks prospective, on middlegame plans which are common for
such positions. One plan is a direct attack against the d4-pawn, exchanging its defenders along the way. This
plan usually works well when Whites c-pawn is absent, or stands on c4, as in the following game.
Vladimir Kozlov - Mark Tseitlin
Cheliabinsk 1975
1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 Nf6 6.d4 dxe4 7.Qe3 Nbd7 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qxe4 Nf6
10.Qd3 e6 11.Be2 Be7 12.0-0 0-0 13.c4 Qc7 14.Be3 Rfd8 15.Rfd1 Rd7 16.Bf3 Rad8 17.Qc3 h6 18.g3
At first
Bishops
center it
simple.
most
Black
making
cases, his
will have
positions,
18

sight, White has a great game here. He possesses a pair of

in a relatively open position and some space advantage in the
looks like White has no problems. In reality, things are not that
Firstly, White does not have any particular target to attack, and
importantly, his own d4-pawn is already under some pressure.
comes up with a rather simple plan: He pulls his Knight back,
the f6- and g5-squares available for his Bishop and, in some
Queen. In case the dark-squared Bishops are exchanged, White
a difficult defense of d4 ahead of him. As is typical in such
a central strike via c6-c5 is always in the air.
Ne8 19.Qb3!?

Whites first step in the wrong direction. Instead, deserving attention is 19.b4!?, taking space on the
queenside, and if 19Bf6 then 20.Bf4!? Qc8 (20Qb6 looks risky in view c4-c5) 21.Be5 and White has a
good game.
After 19.Qb3, White intends to play d4-d4 next, but thats rather easy to prevent, while placing the Queen
on b3 does nothing to improve Whites position.
19Qa5
This move stops d4-d5 and gives the Queen a bit of room. For instance, in case Rooks are exchanged,
control of the e1-square may be important. Still, White is hardly in danger here. He brings his Rook closer to
the center, setting up a small trap.
20.Rac1 Bg5
White was perhaps hoping for 20Bf6? 21.d5! and after 21cxd5 22.cxd5 exd5 23.Rc5! White would
have an edge. Now 21.d5 would be met by 21Bxe3.
21.Qc3 Qf5
Of course 21Qxa2?? loses to 22.Ra1. After 21Qxc3 22.Rxc3 Bxe3 23.fxe3, the ending is roughly even.
Thus, Black decides to keep the Queens on board.
22.Bg4?!
A serious slip. Better was 22.Kg2, since Whites Bishop does nothing on g4.
22Qg6
Now Black threatens h6-h5-h4, so White (apparently somewhat panicked) decides to offer an exchange of
Queens, missing a tactical shot. Objectively, White was already under some annoying pressure. For instance,
23.Be2 fails to 23Bxe3 24.Qxe3 Qf6, attacking d4 and winning a pawn. In case of 23.Rd2, Black plays 23
Nd6, threatening Nd6-e4 and Bg5xe3 at the same time.
23.Qd3? Qxd3 24.Rxd3

24
This
25.Rx
White
drawing
things
26
White
is
28

Rxd4!
move wins a pawn.
d4 Rxd4 26.f4?
should have settled for 26.Bxd4 Bxc1 27.b3, with some
chances. Instead he tries to complicate matters, but makes
worse.
Rd3 27.Kf2 Bf6 28.f5?
makes another blunder. Instead 28.b3 was better. Now the game
immediately over.
Rxe3!, 0-1.

In the next game Black executed another interesting plan. It applies to positions with the c-pawn on c2.
First, Black forces the pawn to go to c3. Then he attacks it with the b-pawn, indirectly undermining d4.
Matanovich - Petrosian
Kiev 1959
1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Bc4 Bf5 8.Qe2 e6 9.Bg5 Be7 10.0-00 Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Nd5 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Rhe1 0-0 15.Kb1 Rad8 16.Bb3 Qf6 17.Qe2
The
players
Petros
in his
putting
c3.
17
White

position is roughly even. Neither side has weakness and both

have solid pawn structures and good positions for their pieces.
ian begins regrouping his army, trying to provoke a weakness
opponents position. First, he doubles Rooks along the d-file,
some pressure on the d4-pawn with the idea of provoking c2-

Rd7 18.c3
defends d4 and gives his Bishop access to the c2-square; so far
everything is fine.
18
b5!?
This
move presents the beginning of a very interesting plan, which
has
become standard in such positions. Black intends b5-b4,
which
will result in either an undermining of the d4-pawn (provided
White takes on d4), or after Black exchanges on c3, White will have an isolated pawn pair (i.e., pawns on c3
and d4) which can be attacked with either c6-c5 or e6-e5. In the end, White will end up with an isolated
pawn. Whites King will also be in a less secure position this comes as a bonus.
19.g3 Rfd8 20.f4?!
Perhaps 20.Bxd5 was a bit better here. After 20Rxd5, however, Black would retain a small edge. For
instance, 21.Qc2 b4! when 22.cxb4 Rxd4 23.Rxd4 Qxd4 looks better for Black, due to a full control of the
very important d-file.
20
b4 21.Qf3?
This
mediocre move leads to more problems. Deserving attention
was
21.Bxd5 Rxd5 22.cxb4, and if 23Rxd4 (23Qf5+ 24.Qc2)
24.Rxd4
Qxd4, then 25.a3 leads to a defensible position.
21
Now
24.dxc5
to the
pawn
23.Re5

bxc3 22.bxc3 c5!

White has problems with his pawns. In case of 23.c4 Nb4
Nd3 25.Re2 Nxc5 28.Rxd7 Rxd7 Black has a better game due
superiority of Knight over Whites light Bishop and a better
structure. White is trying to force exchanges now.
cxd4 24.Bxd5 Rxd5 25.Rxd5 exd5!

A very important move. After 25Rxd5 26.Rxd4! Rxd4 27.cxd4 White hangs on, thanks to known
technical difficulties that arise when converting a positional advantage in a Queens ending. Black keeps the
Rooks on the board instead, intending to launch an attack against his opponents King.
26.Rxd4 h6
In a heavy piece ending, checkmating situations are very common, so it helps to have some room for the
King.
27.g4
Facing some threats on the queenside, White tries to create some counter-threats on the kingside. He also
takes control of the f5-square.
27Qe7!
A very strong move. The immediate attack 27Rb8+ 28.Kc2 does not look very promising, so Black takes
b4 and a3 under observation and also prepares Qe7-e1+ at some point. Of course, 28.Rxd5? loses to 28
Qb7+.
28.Qf2 Rb8+ 29.Ka1 Qa3
This is the beginning of a final storm.
30.Qc2 Re8!
Now White has to defend both the e1- and e3-squares, but 31.Qd2 runs into 31Re2! 32.Qxe2 Qc1 mate.
31.Rb4
White is prepared to meet 31Re3?? With 32.Rb8 mate, and 31Re1+ 32.Rb1 looks fine. But
31
This
a pawn
36.Qd8+
Black
36.a4
Now
White

d4!!
strong move breaks Whites defense. Now White is forced into
down Queens ending.
32.Rxd4 Re1+ 33.Rd1 Rxd1+ 34.Qxd1 Qxc3+ 35.Kb1 Qxh3
Interestingly enough, White does not have many good moves:
Kh7 37.Qd7 Qf1+ 38.Kc2 Qxf4 39.Qxa7 Qxg4 40.Qxf7 h5 and
should be able to win.
h5! 37.gxh5 Qf5+ 38.Kb2 Qxf4
Black simply threatens to approach the h5-pawn with his King.
plays a couple more moves, but then resigns.
39.Kb3 Qf5 40.Kc4 Kh7 41.Qd2, 0-1.