Wednesday 26 December 2012

Queenside Majority


Queenside majority positions generally work in favor of the side that has the pawn majority on the queen side rather than the king side, since it is much easier to push your extra pawn in the queenside rather than the kingside. There are two main factors that are going to influence positions with pawn majorities on opposite sides. The first one would be the control of the central file (most commonly the 'd' file). The second factor is using your minor piece, in particular your bishops. The long diagonals and the general open nature of the position gives a lot of scope for your bishops.

The following queenside majority puzzle comes from the game Bobby Fischer - Tigran Petrosian. It is White to play. How does White increase the torture? White's pieces are better placed, he has a strong knight on c5, the better bishop because Black bishop's activity is limited by his own pawns and black has two weaknesses to defend (the pawn on a6 and the pawn on d5). Usually one weakness can be defended, but two weaknesses can be fatal. Moreover White has a queenside majority so he can create a passer on the queenside. Here White has a variety of moves to improve his position. But don't rush! Never rush in endgames. If you have a static advantage such as in this queenside majority puzzle then just slowly step by step improve your position and prevent all counterplay.


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