Weak Pawn Structure
CCT Final RR 2024
Oslo NOR
2024.12.17
2024.12.17
1-0
(White) Magnus Carlsen vs
(Black) Vincent Keymer
(WhiteElo) 2831
(BlackElo) 2733
1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. b3 c5 4. Bb2 g6 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxf6
White, by taking the knight on f6 was able to destroy Black’s pawn structure. Black was left with no choice but to take the Bishop on f6.
exf6 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8. c3 Nc6 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bb4+ 11. Nfd2 Rc8 12. O-O O-O 13. a3 Bd6 14. Nc3 Ne7 15. Ne2
The resulting position shows that White has the advantage. Black’s pawn on f6 is weak. The pawn on d5 is isolated. While Black temporarily controls the c file, this is easily challenged by White. If you are playing the white pieces in this position, what will be your strategy? As what Carlsen has done, he simplified the game by exchanging pieces.
Rc6 16. b4 Rfc8 17. Rc1 Rxc1 18. Nxc1 Qc7 19. g3 Qc2 20. Ncb3 Qd3 21. Qb1 Qa6 22. Qb2 b6 23. Rc1 Rxc1+ 24. Nxc1 h5 25. Qb3 Qc8 26. Ne2 h4 27. Nc3
White’s strategy is to exchange pieces starting with the exchange of Queens. If White succeeds to exchange pieces, White’s pawn structure will be decisive. White threatens Black’s weak d5 pawn. Black will have to defend this pawn throughout the game.
Qf5 28. Qb1 Qg4 29. Kg2 hxg3 30. hxg3 Kg7 31. Qd1 Qxd1 32. Nxd1
White finally succeeded in exchanging Queens. The exchange of Queens further revealed White’s advantage. White’s pawn structure is overwhelming to say the least. Black’s f6 and d5 pawns are permanent weaknesses that is very hard to defend.
Moreover, White’s pawns are placed on the black squares of the board that limited the actions of the Black’s Bishop. This is another strategy in chess that must be remembered during an endgame which is to place your pawns at the same color of your opponent’s Bishop. If your opponent has a dark squared Bishop, place your pawns on the dark square.
f5 33. Nc3 Kf6 34. Nf3 g5 35. Kf1 g4 36. Ne1 Ke6 37. Nd3 Ng8 38. Ke2 Nf6 39. Kd2 Ne4+ 40. Kc2
White refused the exchange of Knights. To take the Knight on e4 will only strengthen Black's pawn structure. White's move (40. Kc2) activates the King as a very valuable fighting piece. In the endgame, the King must be must be used both in defense and attack.
Nf6 41. a4 Ne4 42. Kb3 Nd2+ 43. Kb2 Ne4 44. Kc2 a6 45. Ne2 Kd7 46. Nec1 Kc6 47. Nb3 Kc7 48. Nbc1 Kc6 49. Na2 Kd7 50. Nc3 Ke6 51. a5 b5 52. Nd1 Kd7 53. Nc5+
Black has no choice but to take the Knight with either the Bishop or the Knight. Otherwises, the pawn on a6 falls. Black eventually exchanged the Bishop which was rendered useless by White's well placed pawns. The exchange resulted to a winning passed pawn for White.
Bxc5 54. dxc5 Kc7 55. Kd3 Kc6 56. Kd4 f6 57. Nc3
Black is forced to exchange its remaining piece. Otherwise, White will take the pawn on d5. If Black takes the pawn on f2, White is still winning.
Nxc3 58. Kxc3 Kc7 59. Kd3 Kd7 60. Ke2 Kc7 61. f3 Kd7 62. fxg4 fxg4 63. Kd3 f5 64. Kd4 Ke6 65. c6 1-0
Black resigned after White pushed the pawn to c6. After 65.__Kd6; 66. c7, Black's pawns are at the mercy of White's King.
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