The Mar del Plata
c5, c6 and the queenside
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13.b4. White prepares c5.
Lesson 1 of 7
Pawn Chains: Attack the Base
Locked pawn chains decide where each side plays. Attack the chain at its base, the one pawn no other pawn protects, and do it before the opponent's attack on the other wing arrives.
A pawn chain is a diagonal line of pawns, each protecting the next. Its weakest point is the base, the rearmost pawn, because nothing protects it. The way to fight a chain is to attack its base with a pawn.
In the King's Indian, White's chain d5–e4 faces Black's e5–d6. White attacks the base d6 with c4–c5, often prepared by b2–b4, and aims at the c-file. Black attacks White's chain from the other side with …f5, …f4 and …g5, aiming at White's king. It is a race.
Plans change the evaluation by fractions of a pawn here, so this course uses smaller margins (see "How these lessons were checked"). You get three conditions, each shown with a move that works and one that fails, the plan move by move, and three positions to solve.
The idea
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Two chains, two wings
White's pawns on d5 and e4 point at the queenside; Black's on e5, f4 and g5 point at the kingside. White plays on the queenside with b4 and c5, Black on the kingside with …g4 and the pieces.
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The break at the base
15.c5 attacks d6, the base of Black's chain, and prepares to open the c-file.
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A new base
After 17.b5 b6 Black's queenside pawns form a new chain, and its base is on b6. White attacks that one too, with 18.a5.
Before you play it: the checklist
Each condition with two positions: one where it holds and the move works, one where it is missing and the same move fails. The number is Stockfish's evaluation after the move, from the attacker's side.
1.Break at the base, in time
In a race on opposite wings, every tempo counts. When the break is ready, play it: a slow move gives the opponent's attack time.
It works
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15.c5+0.4
15.c5 strikes at d6 at once.
It fails
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15.h3−0.3
15.h3? is too slow, and Black's kingside attack gets ahead.
The engine prefers c5 (+0.3).
2.First the threats
A pawn break is a slow plan. If the opponent is threatening something now, deal with it first.
It works
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14.Ne6+0.3
14.Ne6 saves the attacked knight with gain of time.
It fails
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14.c5−4.0
14.c5? ignores the attack on the knight, and after 14…hxg5 White has lost a knight for a pawn.
The engine prefers Ne6 (+0.4).
3.Attack the new base
When the opponent changes the structure, find the new base and attack it again.
It works
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18.a5+0.6
18.a5 hits b6, the new base.
It fails
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18.h30.0
18.h3? gives Black time to hold the queenside.
The engine prefers a5 (+0.8).
Move by move
Click a move or use the arrows. Under each note you'll find the defender's other choices and how to answer them. The number under the board is Stockfish's evaluation from the attacker's side.
8721adefgYour turn
Each position has one best move. Find it, then check the solution.
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Exercise 1
White to move. Black has taken on c6.
Show solution
17.dxc6
17.dxc6 takes back. Anything slower leaves White a pawn down.
King's Indian, Mar del Plata, after 16…bxc6.
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Exercise 2
White to move. Black's queenside pawns have formed a new chain.
Show solution
18.a5
18.a5 attacks b6, its base. Other moves let Black consolidate.
King's Indian, Mar del Plata.
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Exercise 3
White to move. The pawn is already on c6.
Show solution
18.b5
18.b5 supports the pawn on c6 and adds to the pressure.
King's Indian, Mar del Plata.
From history
The d5-chain
Wikipedia's article on pawn structures describes this formation as a race for a breakthrough on opposite wings, most often reached in the King's Indian Classical. It was long thought to favour White clearly, until Taimanov–Najdorf, 1953, where Black found a new way to regroup for the kingside attack.
Take these into your games
Find the base
The base of a chain is the rearmost pawn. No pawn protects it, so attack it with a pawn.
Play on your wing
Your chain points to the wing where you should play. Attack there, not where the opponent is stronger.
Count the race
With attacks on opposite wings, a tempo can decide. Do not waste moves.
Threats first
Deal with the opponent's direct threats before continuing your slow plan.
New chain, new base
When the structure changes, find the new base and attack it again.