Scheveningen Pawn Structure

Question 1

Set up the Scheveningen pawn structure from White’s perspective.

Answer 1

Question 2

Set up the Scheveningen pawn structure from Black’s perpsective.

Answer 2

Question 3

Set up the reversed Scheveningen pawn structure from White’s perspective.

Answer 3

Question 4

Set up the reversed Scheveningen pawn structure from Black’s perspective.

Answer 4

Question 5

How do you pronounce “Scheveningen”?

Answer 5

Shy-ve-neen-gen.

Question 6

How would you describe the Scheveningen relative to other Sicilian pawn structures?

Answer 6

It’s the hyper-aggressive one.

Question 7

What are the five plans for White in the Scheveningen pawn structure?

Answer 7

1. f4+e5 push
2. f5 push
3. g5+f5 push
4. g6 hook-creation
5. Preventing d5

Question 8

What are Black’s three plans in the Scheveningen?

Answer 8

1. d5 break
2. e5 transition to Boleslavsky Hole
3. c-file attack

Question 9

What are the pro/con to White castling Kingside in the Scheveningen?

Answer 9

Pro: Avoids Black’s queenside pawn storm

Con: Makes it harder to kingside pawn storm because Black can attack on the diagonals.

Question 10

What are four things White gains after f4+e5 when Black exchanges on e5?

Answer 10

1. Open d-file
2. Open f-file
3. Open h7-diagonal
4. Open h1-a8 diagonal

Question 11

What should White do if Black doesn’t exchange after pushing f4+e5?

Answer 11

Push f5 and attack.

Question 12

What are Black’s two sources of counterplay after White pushes f4+e5?

Answer 12

1. Hitting the open diagonals with the bishops
2. Attacking the isolated e5 pawn

Question 13

Besides attacking the king, what does White gain from an f5 push?

Answer 13

Weakens Black’s control over d5

Question 14

Why might it be better for White to leave a pawn on e4 when pushing f5?

Answer 14

After Black pushes e5, d5 is a hole for the knight.

Question 15

How does Black win after white pushes f5?

Answer 15

Get control of d5.

Question 16

Where should the f-pawn be for White if he’s going to create a hook via g6?

Answer 16

On f3, defending e4.

Question 17

What are three moves White plays to restrain Black’s center before attacking? Play them on a board.

Answer 17

1. Nxc6
2. c4
3. Na4

Question 18

When is it a terrible idea to try to restrain Black’s center before attacking? Why?

Answer 18

When Black can play d5 after Nxc6 bxc6.

Then he will have a huge center.

Question 19

What three things does Black gain after driving the Nc3 away with b4?

Answer 19

1. Attack e4
2. Hit c2
3. Push d5

Question 20

What is a common sacrifice in the Scheveningen after White pushes g4?

Answer 20

The d5-vs-g4 middlegame pattern. d5 e5 Ne4.

Question 21

What five moves does Black play to prepare a Kingside attack? Play them on a board.

Answer 21

1. a6
2. b5
3. Bb7
4. Rc8
5. Nb6-c4