d5 chain

Question 1

Set up the d5 chain from White’s perspective.

Answer 1

Question 2

Set up the d5 chain from Black’s perspective

Answer 2

Question 3

Set up the d5 chain (reversed) from White’s perspective

Answer 3

Question 4

Set up the d5 chain (reversed) from Black’s perspective

Answer 4

Question 5

Both sides have the same plan. What are its two components?

Answer 5

1. Attack the base of the opposing pawn chain.
2. Trade off the bad bishop.

Question 6

What are the pros and cons of

exf5

B/N xf5

for Black?

Answer 6

Pros: You get Nd4

Cons: White gets the e4 square, to use in Kingside operations.

Question 7

What are White’s two plans after

exf5 gxf5

?

Answer 7

1. Attack the f5 pawn
2. Push f4

Question 8

If White wanted to attack f5 after exf5 gxf5, what four moves would that involve? Play them on a board.

Answer 8

1. Bd3
2. Qc2
3. g4
4. Ng3

Question 9

What is the one time in this pawn structure where White castles Queenside and attacks the kingside?

Answer 9

After

exf5 gxf5

when White’s attack on the f5 pawn is going well and he wants to break open the kingside with g4

Question 10

What are three reasons why after

exf5 gxf5

Black does NOT want to push e4?

Answer 10

1. No counterplay
2. f5 pawn is weak to g4 wing attack
3. d4 hole

Question 11

What is Black’s best response to

exf5 gxf5
f4

and what’s the follow-up? Play this on a board.

Answer 11

Best response is exf4.

Follow-up is Ne5.

Question 12

After

exf5 gxf5

what are the two reasons why Black does not want to push f4?

Answer 12

1. Opens up the d3-h7 diag
2. Creates a hole on e4

Question 13

After

exf5 gxf5

how can Black take over the light squares?

Answer 13

Push

e4
fxe4 f4

Then put a knight on d5

Question 14

How can White sieze control of the Kingside?

Answer 14

Play f3+g4, the Makaganov system.

Question 15

What is the Makaganov system?

Answer 15

Pushing f3+g4 to sieze control of the Kingside.

Question 16

In the Makagnov system, if Black pushes to f4, what does White do?

Answer 16

Push h4+g5

Question 17

In the Makaganov system, what does White do if Black pushes h5?

Answer 17

Push g5+h4

Question 18

In the Makaganov system, why is White not afraid of fxg4?

Answer 18

Black is not ready to control the f-file. White can get control of it.

Question 19

What is Black’s best plan for counterplay when White plays the Makaganov system?

Answer 19

Seek counterplay on the Queenside

Question 20

How can Black lock down the Queenside?

Answer 20

Push c5

Question 21

What is the White plan for attacking a pawn on c5? What is the goal? Play these moves on a board

Answer 21

a3, b4, bxc5, Nb3, Be3.

The goal is to force Black to play b6.

Question 22

What is White’s plan after forcing Black to defend the c5 pawn with b6?

Answer 22

Push a5.

Question 23

What is White’s long-term plan on the Queenside after Black pushes c5?

Answer 23

Take over the a- and b- files.

Question 24

When Black pushes c5, then plays cxb4, what is White’s plan?

Answer 24

Break up the Queenside with c5.

Question 25

After White gets in the c5 break, what is the natural follow-up move? Recreate this break and play this move on a board.

Answer 25

Nc4

Question 26

What is so interesting about the position after Black plays c6+cxd5?

Answer 26

It’s the same position as after White pushes the c5 break and plays cxd6.

Question 27

Who benefits from Black playing c6+cxd5?

Answer 27

Whoever can control the open c-file.

Question 28

After Black plays c6, if White wants to blow open the center, how would he do this?

Answer 28

Push c5.

Question 29

What are three indicators that White should consider f4?

Answer 29

1. Black has Kingside weaknesses
2. It would be possible to push f4-f5
3. Black has successfully locked down the Queenside