Master Preparation II

Lesson 5. The closed center:
Static pawn chains in the Spanish

Lecture by UMBC Chess Coach Igor Epshteyn

In this lesson we will study closed positions arising from the Spanish (Ruy Lopez) opening. We say that a pawn structure is closed if the pawns block each other; a closed center arises when pawns are blocked on the center files. In the closed Spanish, typically pawns are blocked on files e, d, and sometimes c.

In closed positions, typically space is more important than time. Here, space refers not only to squares controlled but also to possible invasion routes (e.g. squares, files, diagonals). When the center is closed, play on the flanks becomes especially important. In order to win, sometimes, it is necessary to invade (or threaten to invade) both flanks. Typically, but not always, knights work better in closed positions than do bishops. Particular attention should be placed to the problem of ``bad'' bishops, whose movements are obstructed by the pawn chain; opportunities to trade or to activate such bad bishops should not be overlooked. Usually, the queen is best placed in the center, where it can support multiple plans.

In Game 1 as White, Karpov pressured Black on the queenside by exploiting his superiority in space. After tying down Black pieces with invasion threats along the a-file, Karpov quickly maneuvered his forces to attack on the kingside, creating multiple weaknesses.

Game 1: Karpov-Unzicker (Nicca, 1974 Chess Olympiad)

Homework 1: Karpov-Anderson (Stockholm, 1969)

Questions:

1. What squares are weak in the Black camp?
2. What pieces should White trade in order to exploit these weaknesses?
3. What plan should White follow to attack Black?
4. How can White prevent Black's activity on the queenside?
5. What squares should be defended and supported from White's side, before White commences the attack?