Lesson 4: Attacking with an Isolated Pawn

Guest lecture by UMBC Chess Coach Igor Epshteyn

Beginners are often told that isolated pawns are bad. Indeed, they can be difficult to defend, especially in the end game. Usually they should be avoided. Isolated pawns, however, are not always bad. An isolated pawn can control important central squares, support a knight outpost, and march forward in a ``central breakthrough.'' In addition, an isolated queen pawn can free lines for other pieces, facilitating a kingside attack. This lessons illustrates how to attack with an isolated pawn.

Game 1: Smislov-Ribi (London, 1983), seventh game of candidates match

1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 c4 d5
4 Nc3 c5
5 cd Nd5
6 e3 Nc6
7 Bd3 Be7
8 O-O O-O
9 a3 cd
10 ed Bf6
11 Be4 Nce7
12 Ne5 g6
13 Bh6 Bg7
14 Bg7 Kg7
15 Rc1 b6
16 Nd5 Nd5
17 Bd5 Qd5
18 Rc7 Bd7
19 Qg4 Rad8
20 Rd1 a5
21 h4! Rc8
22 Rd7 Qe4
23 Qg5 Bc6
24 f3 Qf5
25 Ra7 Ba4
26 Re1 Rc2
27 b4 Bb3
28 ba ba
29 Re4 h6
30 Qe3 Rb2
31 Rg4 h3
32 hg h5
33 Rg3 h4
34 Rg4 h3
35 g6 h2
36 Kh2 Rh8+
37 Kg3 Rg2
38 Kg2 Qc2+
39 Qf2 Rh2+
40 Kh2 Qf2+
41 Kh3 Qf1
42 Rg2 Qh1+
1-0

Position 1: Spassky-Antonomov (Leningrad, 1949)

White (to move): Kg1, Qe2, Ra1, Rd1, Bb3, Bc1, Nc3, Nf3, a2, b2, d4, f2, g2, h2
Black: Ke8, Qd8, Ra8, Rh8, Bb7, Bf8, Nb4, Nf6, a6, b5, e6, f7, g7, h7

Position 2: Gukko-Kaidanov (USA, 1994)

White (to move): Kg1, Qd3, Rc1, Re1, Bb3, Bd2, Nc5, Nf3, a3, b4, d4, f2, g2, h5
Black: Kg8, Qa7, Rc8, Rd8, Be7, Be8, Nc6, Nd5, a6, b7, e6, f7, g6, h7