Strategies Vol. 4

Isolated pawn structures can obviously come from many different openings. In this video course I have picked up isolated pawn structures coming from the classical Tarrasch defence D34; for which a considerable part was inspired by the games of Garry Kasparov. I believe studying the classical Tarrasch isolated pawn structures (and related pawn structures) to be an excellent way to improve understanding of those types of positions. Choosing my games selection, I wanted to show typical plans for both sides based on high level instructive games. Hanging pawns in the centre can come from different (though usually 1.d4 systems) openings. “Hanging pawns in the centre” structures are difficult to master because a good feeling for the “transformation timing” is needed! Sometimes those “transformations” are pawn-break related, unleashing dynamic power; while sometimes they are related to taking space and not being bothered about surrendering central squares. I have tried to show typical plans aiming to improve the viewer’s knowledge, and also practical play level. Sicilian Rauzer double f-pawn structures are fashionable nowadays and are seen at all levels. Dynamic timing is everything! Most of the time, temporary pawn sacrifices are an essential part of this “dynamic timing”. While it is difficult to give exact set of rules here, typical ideas do repeat themselves and I have tried to show these in this video course.

• Video running time: 5 hours 30 minutes (English)

• Extra: Training - Play key pawn structures against Fritz on various levels

Contents:

Hanging Pawns in the center

Hanging pawns in the center: Capablanca vs Alekhine

Hanging pawns in the center: Bok vs Grischuk

Hanging pawns in the center: Petrosian vs Spassky

Hanging pawns in the center: Sokolov vs Riazantsev

Hanging pawns in the center: Carlsen vs Hou Yifan

Hanging pawns in the center: Carlsen vs Aronian

Hanging pawns in the center: Kasparov vs Portisch

Hanging pawns in the center: Korchnoi vs Geller

Isolated Pawns

Active Play: Beliavsky vs Illescas Cordoba

Transformation: Petrosian vs Spassky

Transformation: Kasparov vs Illescas Cordoba

Transformation: Zueger vs Kasparov

Transformation: Smyslov vs Kasparov

Transformation: Larsen vs Kasparov

Transformation: Van Wely vs Grischuk

Rauzer structure

Pawn sacrifice: Klovans vs Tal

Pawn Sacrifice: Ragger vs Salgado Lopez

Pawn sacrifice: Gan-Erdene vs Maghsoodloo

Pawn sacrifice: Geller vs Larsen

Practice positions

Description

Hanging pawns 1

Hanging Pawns 2

Hanging pawns 3

Hanging pawns 4

Hanging pawns 5

Hanging pawns 6

Hanging pawns 7

Isolated pawn 1

Isolated pawn 2

Isolated pawn 4

isolated pawn 4

Isolated pawn 5

Isolated pawn 6

Rauzer 1

Rauzer 2

Rauzer 3

Rauzer 4

Rauzer 5

Ivan Sokolov is a Dutch chess Grandmaster and author of popular chess books. He was Yugoslav champion in 1988 and Dutch champion in 1995 and 1998. For more than two decades he has been on of the elite players and has beaten many of the strongest players in the world.