Against slow kingside play
b4, b5 and the weak c-pawn
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14…Qxe7. Natural, but 14…Rxe7 was better: now b5 comes at once.
Lesson 1 of 7
The Minority Attack
Two pawns against three: White's b-pawn marches to b5 to leave Black a weak pawn on c6. How to prepare b4 and b5, when to take on c6, and the three moments where the push goes wrong.
In the Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit, White has two pawns on the queenside, on a2 and b2, against Black's three, on a7, b7 and c6. This pawn structure is called the Carlsbad structure. It looks as if Black has the extra space there, but White can use the minority to attack.
The plan is Rb1, b4 and b5. When White takes on c6, or Black takes on b5, Black is left with a weak pawn: a backward c-pawn on a half-open file, or an isolated d-pawn. White's pieces then attack it for the rest of the game. Meanwhile Black looks for play on the kingside or in the centre with …Ne4.
This lesson is about timing. The engine's numbers in these positions are smaller than in an attack on the king, because the plan wins a weakness, not the game, so this course uses a smaller margin (see "How these lessons were checked"). You get the checklist of three conditions, each shown in a position where the push works and one where it fails, the plan move by move, and five positions to solve.
The idea
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Two against three
White's a- and b-pawns face Black's a-, b- and c-pawns. The rook on b1 stands behind the b-pawn, ready to support b4 and b5 and to use the b-file once it opens.
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The push makes a weakness
After 16.bxc6 bxc6 Black's c-pawn can no longer be protected by a pawn and stands on the half-open c-file. White's queen, rooks and knights all aim at it, and the square in front of it, c5, is a home for a white knight.
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Black's answers
Black can meet the plan with …a5, which stops b4 for a while, with …b5, which blocks the pawns but leaves a hole on c5, or with counterplay: …Ne4 and a kingside attack. The checklist shows when each matters.
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.b4 is not stopped by …a5
Once Black has played …a5, a pawn on b4 is attacked twice, by the a-pawn and by the bishop on e7. Prepare with a3 first, or play elsewhere.
It works
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12.b4 Bd6 13.h3+0.4
Black has not played …a5, so the pawn is safe on b4 and ready for b5.
It fails
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12.b4 Bxb4−0.5
The pawn on b4 is attacked by the a-pawn and the bishop on e7 and defended only by the rook, so 12.b4? Bxb4 simply wins it.
The engine prefers h3 (+0.3).
2.b5 is supported
If Black has played …a6, the b-pawn needs the a-pawn behind it: a4 first, then b5, so that after …axb5 White takes back with the a-pawn and keeps the pressure.
It works
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16.b5 Nd7 17.Nf3+2.3
Black has not played …a6, so b5 comes at once: …cxb5 would leave d5 isolated, and otherwise bxc6 leaves the c-pawn backward.
It fails
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13.b5 axb5−0.6
With the a-pawn still on a2, 13.b5? axb5 simply loses the pawn. 13.a4 first, and only then b5.
The engine prefers a4 (+0.3).
3.No loose pieces behind the attack
A pawn push gives the opponent a free move. Before b5, check that none of your pieces is hanging, especially a bishop that Black can take with gain of time.
It works
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15.b5 Nf6 16.bxc6+1.4
The dark-squared bishops have been traded, so b5 comes with nothing loose, and after …Nf6 bxc6 Black's c-pawn is backward.
It fails
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14.b5 Bxh4−5.5
One move too early: the bishop on h4 is attacked by the bishop on e7, and 14.b5? Bxh4 wins it. 14.Bxe7 first.
The engine prefers Bxe7 (+0.4).
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.
872bfgYour turn
Each position has one best move. Find it, then check the solution.
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Exercise 1
White to move. Black has spent several moves on the kingside. What now?
Show solution
16.b5
16.b5! Black has not played …a6, and nothing of White's is loose. If 16…cxb5, d5 is isolated; otherwise bxc6 leaves the c-pawn backward.
Exchange Queen's Gambit, after 15…Qxe7.
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Exercise 2
White to move. The pawn is on b5. Exchange, or wait?
Show solution
16.bxc6
16.bxc6! Black has to take back with the b-pawn, and the c-pawn is backward on a half-open file for the rest of the game. Waiting lets Black play …cxb5 or …c5 on better terms.
Exchange Queen's Gambit, after 15…Nf6.
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Exercise 3
White to move. Black has defended c6 with the rook.
Show solution
15.bxc6
15.bxc6 all the same. Whichever way Black takes back, a pawn or a square on the queenside is weakened, and White's pieces have targets.
Exchange Queen's Gambit, after 14…Rc8.
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Exercise 4
White to move. Black has avoided the backward pawn with 15…c5.
Show solution
16.Nxd5
16.Nxd5 wins a pawn: with the c-pawn gone from c6, nothing supports d5.
Exchange Queen's Gambit, after 15…c5.
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Exercise 5
White to move. Black has taken on b5.
Show solution
16.Nxd5
16.Nxd5 again. After 15…cxb5 the d-pawn is isolated and falls at once.
Exchange Queen's Gambit, after 15…cxb5.
From history
A plan with a long pedigree
The minority attack has been a standard plan for generations. Tigran Petrosian used it against Nikolai Krogius at Tbilisi in 1959, with 12.b4 and 14.b5. Anatoly Karpov's win over Joël Lautier at Dortmund in 1995, with 20.b4 and 27.b5, is often cited as a model: Lautier resigned on move 44.
Take these into your games
Rook behind the pawn
Rb1 before b4: the rook supports the advance and takes over the b-file when it opens.
Watch …a5 and …a6
Against …a5, prepare with a3. Against …a6, play a4 before b5, so that you can take back on b5 with a pawn.
Check for loose pieces
A pawn push gives the opponent a free move. Trade or protect any loose piece first.
Then attack the weakness
After bxc6 bxc6, aim everything at c6: a knight on c5 or a4, rooks on the c-file, the queen on a4 or c5.
When you defend
Do not drift. Use the time for …Ne4 and play on the kingside, or meet b4 with …a5 at the right moment.