STUDY ON THE VOLGA GAMBIT ACCEPTED

1) POSITION
After 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5 4 5 bxa6 Axa6 cxb5 a6 (1) ...

We obtain the basic position of the Volga Gambit Accepted, where the black has compensation in exchange for the sacrificed pawn. The two most important are: 6 Nc3 d6 7 e4 RXF1 Axfl 8 and 6 g3.

2) GENERAL STRATEGIC IDEAS

The black compensation can be summarized as:

(1) The advantage of black in development.

(2) The vulnerability of white pawns on a2 and b2 can be attacked by aybya columns along the diagonal a1-h8 and g8-a2.

(3) The difficulties of the target in the development and the pressure along the a6-f1 diagonal discouraging e4 and b2 inevitable pressure against which immobilizes the Ac1.

These factors make it very difficult if not impossible, to carry out its white natural plan of central advance e4-e5. The difficulty of finding a plan white harmonious than merely defensive, in contrast to the ease with which the black can develop their strength.

3) FINAL

3a) Final favorable to the black

If the black regains his pawn, can get a favorable end, because the pawn is left to white on the queenside is really a weakness (2).

The diagram illustrates a skeleton of an ending where the black has regained the pawn-b. Both sides have passed pawns, but while the white, a2, - despite being past - is isolated and therefore is weak, while the black at c5-despite being fairly central - is protected and therefore is strong. Similar considerations apply when the target has lost the pawn-a and b is the pawn.

Surprisingly, it sometimes appears that the black may also enter an ending like where the white retains his extra pawn but has been induced to weaken its structure on the queenside by playing a3 (3).

Usually the weakness in b3 is enough for the black's pawn by immobilice in fact an exchange of queens not able to reduce significantly pressure black.

3b) End favorable for white

The completion of advance b4 can generally be considered a strategic success for white but not able to close the queenside. These are basically two types of structure that are favorable to White (4).

This type of position is normally very promising, and if White wins with safety blocking the Black c-pawn, while at the same time reteniene mobility of his own pawn-a, then the black will be lost strategically.

A more fluid than we see in the following diagram is also strategically favorable for white (5).

White has a pawn altered favorable structure that avoid the dangers listed above ("Final favorable to Black") and we will see how it reacts the black with white well placed to convert his extra pawn.

It is understood that these concepts are merely a general guide and it should always be remembered that in specific situations require specific analysis.

4) DEVELOPMENT PLANS

4a) The development plan of the black

From the position in Diagram 1 the basic plan of development of black, is as efficient as direct: the King's Bishop fianchetto (... g6 and ... Bg7) followed by castling, putting the Lady Horse d7 (d6 and ... Nbd7 ...), the development of the Lady along the diagonal of d8-a5 (in c7, b6 or a5) and the transfer of the Tower of the King to a8 (6). The classic way to develop the Lady is a5, where maximum pressure is exerted on the columns a and b, but very little is opposed to the central topic of white breaking on e5.

Diagram 6
Here the black is the use of the maneuver ... Nf6-e8-c7-b5 to activate the Bg7 and increase pressure on the queenside, but rarely - especially when the target is weakened by the advance d3 e4 - this horse is also going to e5 by way of g4 or d7. As for the horse Lady of d7 can press the queenside pawns of the enemy by maneuver ... Nd7-b6-c4 (or a4). It is also notable that in the variant where the white-squared bishops were changed early after e4 and ... Bxf1, the black may decide instead to develop the Horse Lady by a6 to push the pawn on a2 and box d3 by ... Nb4. In this case, it may happen that the horses are exchanged roles: ... CB8-a6, c7 and ... Nf6-d7.

The possibility of progress ... c4 constantly emphasizes black plans. This can be useful simply to release the c5 and exploit a potential weakness in d3, or alternatively to break the defensive structure of the target once it has played b3. Finally, doubling rooks on the a or b, to win one of the white pawns.

4b) The development plan target

4b1) The mobilization of white kingside

As I noted before, the target is difficult to mobilize both his kingside as his queenside, as well as the problem of pressure in the a6-f1 diagonal. You must choose between following the natural expansion plan central (and e4 Nc3) and castle stop or give up or at least significantly delay the progression of e4, opting to prepare fianchetando castling king's bishop.

In addition to these two methods, which are most common in practice, there is a conceptual hybrid examine afterwards.

To mobilize the queenside is worrying, large numbers of white options are subject to the decisions taken in the Kingside and therefore examine both together.

4b1a) The white castle stops

When White plays e4 and enables the shift from white-squared bishops, loses the right to castle, and is obliged to find a way to artificially castle to activate the Th1 (7).

Diagram 7
By far the most common system is to play in conjunction with g3 Nf3, freeing the white king to g2 (8).

Figure 8
The idea is to get the white king's rook into play as soon as possible to try to make the main rupture e5. The disadvantage of this plan is that the move will weaken the light squares. In consequence, the target has also tried to play instead of h3 and g3-h2 Rg1 continue with the same idea of ​​playing Re1 (centralize the tower as soon as possible, and perhaps move to e2 to cover the second row). However, this maneuver costs extra time, at this stage of the game, and assuming that White is behind in development, is likely to have more problems with g3. In any case, these lines follow the same strategy and the examples below are valid for both.

Another possibility for the target is the type of the position shown in Figure 5, can give way to the king g4, in which case the king tower can be used quite differently (9).

Diagram 9
If the black castling early, White can attack the black king storming the kingside pawns with, after which you can play the Lady of the h via g4 or f3, and developing the horse king g3 by way of e2.

It should be known that this plan has not played enough to know for sure its value.

4b1b) The White fianchetta on the kingside

Returning to the position in Figure 1, we see that the simplest way to get to the white castle is the bishop's fianchetto King (10).

Diagram 10
While the success of fianchetto entirely resolved most of the immediate problems of White, this means leaving the natural plan of expansion center, as well as weaken the light squares. Granting the a6-f1 diagonal to Black, the box d3 could be particularly weak and easily operated by a knight on e5 (11).

Diagram 11
Do not forget that progress also permanently weakens d4, which can reach the black king with his bishop and his horses by way of c7 and b5.

So not surprising and quite exceptional for white implementing this plan, and if you do need to be prepared very carefully with moves like h3 trying to prevent the black to place a knight on e5.

Assuming white in no hurry to play e4 after fianchetarse, try to force the black press d5.

4b1c) Action Cg1-h3-f4

As just indicated, the basic idea behind this maneuver, associated with the fianchetto the QB, is to protect d5 (12).

Diagram 12
In these positions, the Nf4 can easily secure its position by means of h4 if necessary. The target can maneuver his horse king to f4 without fianchetar the QB, in which case it can also try using the h-pawn advance to weaken g6 and develop an attack in column-h by h4-h5xg6 (13 .)

Diagram 13
Although it is difficult for the white lady to transfer the column h, but may increase pressure on the enemy king of putting it on the b1-h7 diagonal. It can weaken the black king position generally, and particularly h7, changing his horse lady by Nf6. The black king will also be weakened if he decideresponder with ... h5 g5 or h5 play ... h5 prevent it. In this later case, and also after the opening of the column h, the target is constantly looking at a possible sacrifice of Nf4-e6 after, according to circumstances, or he can simply capture on g6 with the lady or e6 with the pawn, opening the long white diagonal.

These ideas are necessarily general strike and not necessarily able to perform. However, the black should not underestimate the potential danger and the need to defend carefully, using small courtesies as rapid centralization e5 horse lady - taking advantage of the fact that white has the horse on his horse f4 e5 is more secure - and / or delaying castling.

4b2) The mobilization of white queenside

4b2a) Action Th1-e1-e2 and mobilize the queenside

The biggest problem in White's queenside pawn is defense-b that normally can not move forward because it would leave open the long diagonal attacks Ta1. The fact that the Black press down on the column by the need to mobilize his queenside, White is obliged to protect his pawn by the most usual way to do this is to maneuver the tower king Re2 (14 .)

Diagram 14
So white is able to develop the QB while released on a safe square e1 for a possible occupation of the lady who in turn may enable the queen's rook to be centralized. Of course, this maneuver tower is not the only way for White to unravel his queenside. Sometimes, for example, he can defend the pawn-b putting the queen on e2 or c2, or just playing Tb1.

4b2b) The development of combined queenside with b2-b3

As we saw in Diagram 18, Black maneuvers are not just aimed at the target have to play to protect d5, e4 playing, but also serve to pressure the side pawns on the queenside. Naturally, the target will not stand still while the black is doing.

Assuming that sooner or later the black action need to find heavy in parts a and b columns, removing the a6 and / or Nb6 is easily understood that their fate is best c4. In view of this, the potential effect of cessation of these advances with the move b3 is clear (15).

Diagram 15
In preparing the advance of b3, white naturally need to take the precaution of removing the tower lady of the long diagonal to avoid attacks discovered. The basic idea is to play the long diagonal black and develop the queenside by Ab2 followed by Aa1 if necessary. Although control of c4 b3 disputed by reducing options Black, this is still a significant strategic weapons in their arsenal as ... Ne8-c7-c8-b5 or ... f5 (the latter especially when the target has played Dc2 and Tfd1).

The black of course try to avoid the formation of the defensive structure shown in the diagram above, for instance playing ... Qa5 b3 to prevent (16).

Diagram 16
In this type of position White can try to play b3 but first protects the Nc3 by Ad2, retiring to e1 if necessary. Even here, however, black can continue with the maneuver ... Ne8-c7-b5, and sometimes it is possible to play ... followed by ... Qxa2 Nxc3.

Wherever the black has set his lady, always keep in mind the possibility of playing ... c4 while the target is unable to block the queenside with b4.

4b2c) The maneuver Bc1-b2-c3

As became clear in Figure 4, when White plays b3 ideally it should be ready to respond ... c4 to b4. Not surprisingly, however, this is always possible when the black b4 taken under control (see, for instance Diagram 16). The best way for White to try and ensure that things go well is to maneuver his bishop to c3 as soon as possible. This can be achieved only by renouncing the natural development of the horse lady and answering the fianchetto of Black's kingside fianchetto immediately with a queen-side, followed at the appropriate time, for AC3 (17).

Figure 17
Once the QB c3 reaches the target will be ready to meet with the progress ... c4 b4. With this rapid maneuvers the target establishes a positive voltage on the long diagonal, in contrast to that which existed in situations of the type shown in diagram 20. However, the active QB situation has some negative impact, not only for the horse lady, you're bound to find a less active development, but also for the d pawn that lacks the support of the horse lady. To remedy this problem later, the target must resort to artificial development of the horse king.

5) IMPORTANT BOXES

5a) e5

5a1) The fight for control of e5

In view of the preceding ideas, not surprising that both players pay special attention to control e5. White can develop his QB by f4 or g5, the latter nailing the Nf6 against the pawn and who is helpless, while the black can maneuver their horses to converge on e5 or at least move the king's horse discovering the Bishop King (18).

Diagram 18
The black is ready, after Bg5, to defend his pawn-and passively tower king, if need be, to provide the ability to move his horse King. Similarly, often the target decides to sacrifice a h3 play time, in order to prevent falling into the hands of e5 black.

In addition to the path indicated in the diagram, remember that horses that Black can also converge on e5 in a more developed ... Nd7-b6-c4 Nf6-d7 and ....

5a2) The main break e4-e5

When White plays his rook to e1 king, the intention is to try and make the center break e4-e5 (19).

Diagram 19
Do not believe that the implementation of this plan will automatically constitute a success for the target, however, the effectiveness of advance e5 is directly proportional to the strength of the queenside.

The main break is best view to restore parity in the position positional to begin a violent assault on the black king. In other words, the goal is to weaken the opponent's pawn structure, while with it distract him from his relentless pressure on the pawns of the columns a and b. Once the target has played e5, the black can not avoid a degradation of his pawn structure after capture ... dxe5 remain the c5 pawn on e7 and weak, while not capturing d6 remains weak after exd6 exd6 . In the latter case, the target can also obtain the column and open, which is useful for changing the heavy parts.

5b) The d5

5b1) Pressure on d5

The pressure can lead to black d5 with several common maneuvers simultaneously pursuing other important goals (20).

Diagram 20
For example, combined with ... ... Ra7 Qa8 also puts pressure on a2. The same applies to the provocative ... Bc4, while leaving a horse in b6 can be a prelude to the occupation of c4 with consequent pressure on b2. In addition, the move theme ... Nf6-e8-c7 (b5) is stopped at c7, d5 protection can be reduced by the radical ... Bxc3. Despite the obvious drawbacks of position, it is sometimes possible to recover the black pawn gambit in this way without necessarily losing their initiative.

The vulnerability of d5 is greater when the white horse develops the natural square f3, instead of h3, which is more artificial but improves the protection of d5.

5b2) Protect Nf3 d5 after

When White played Nf3, it will usually try to play Cd2 d5 to protect the king bishop. At bloquer the defensive action of the lady, however, may be required to continue their defensive maneuvers such as Tel and CF1 (-e3), depending on how much grip you have on d5 (21).

Diagram 21
Under optimal conditions the target can sometimes use the e1 tower, to get back on their basic plan of a central break e4-e5.

Alternatively, White can choose placement Tfd1 Dc2 and where the prospects for the tower in e1 are not too good.

5b3) The pressure on the d5 pawn on a2 and

The black can also be organized simultaneously pressure against d5 pawn on a2 and playing ... Ra8-a7-a8 and ... Qd8 (14). You can also play with the same idea Ra6, which is the idea play. That experts prefer a6 tower, it is not too clear. In the tower covers a6 d6 and may allow dynamic rupture e6. However, a7 the tower is better prepared to combat the threat e5, e7 as is defended.

Diagram 22
The purpose of the pressure in a2 is evident, while in d5 acted more prophylactically against e5 central break of White and also creates a favorable opposition queen and king on the long diagonal. The black can sometimes increase its pressure on the a8-h1 diagonal in general, and particularly d5, also playing ... e6 or ... f5 the right time.

The play e6 can exert greater pressure on d5 and the large white diagonal, especially annoying if the white king is in g2, and the queen placed on b7 or b8. If White captures dxe6, the black fxe6 must capture and play d5 later.

Note that the black queen can apply pressure to the long diagonal also from b7. If White had played f4, can take the black and then white exd5 loses the chance to play e5.

F5 The play is a big move at an end. If White captures on f5, d5-pawn can become indefensible. And if that changes the black pawn e5 is the free end and in the future may be occupied by the black king. Note that f5 is a move that weakens the kingside, so it is difficult to find in the middlegame.

5c) Other important squares

5c1) The weakness of the squares d3 and d4

If establishing a black knight on e5, it can serve as a springboard to exploit the weakness of the box d3 (23).

Diagram 23
Here you can choose black or set the box d3-pawn with ... c4 (which can also be useful to release c5 for Nd7), or use the lady to converge with their parts. As can easily imagine, the conquest of d3 is almost always an excellent strategic success for black, simply from the standpoint of positional or that puts extra pressure on the b-pawn.

The problem of the advance to c4, d4 is that the box is free for the white pieces to occupy. If White can play Nd4 Nc6 followed, then c4 is not a good idea. The advance to c4 is excellent when the white horses have no access to d4, Nf3-d2 such or Ch3.

Another weakness that may try to exploit black box is d4, generally used to occupy the maneuver ... Nf6-e8-c7-b5-d4 (24).

Diagram 24
In addition, the horse lady can perform a similar maneuver with ... CB8-a6-c7-b5-d4 and of course the king bishop also takes part in the occupation of d4. White does not normally allow a black horse installed on d4 and change it on b5. This simplification, however, leaves the pawn on b2 vulnerable.

Be noted that the weakness of the boxes and d3 d4 is a direct result of White's decision to continue its expansion plan center with e4.

5c2) The pressure against the e4 pawn b2 and

The black will make this course everything in their power to keep the target tied to the defense of their workers and to prevent complete development. There are two basic methods of increasing the pressure on b2: doubling rooks in column b, or lead a horse to c4 and a4 (25).

Diagram 25
The black may be prepared to double its towers playing ... TB4, which also puts pressure on e4 and be more likely to occupy d4. The two possible locations of the horse contain different subsidiary ideas: when the horse will be put towards c4 also on e5, and when he goes to a4 may also serve to undermine the Nc3. Actually, the answer usually white ... Nc3-d1 CA4 by and not help the anti-double its towers. This allows not only the target also use the Black Horse as a shield in the column-a, but also prepares a possible transfer of the horse to e3, where the horse may prove useful or queenside (c4) or kingside (g4).

5c3) Blocking the columns b

The ideal way for white to escape the constant pressure exerted on the Black columns a and b is preparing a blockade. This possibility is usually effected at a later stage of the game when you can succeed through advances coupled a4 b3 and CB5 (26).

Diagram 26
Do not think that this defensive formation, automatically resolve all problems of the White. The black is still the possibility of undermining the blockade by ... c4, and therefore the idea of ​​White only gets really strong when c4 and a4 is also under control.

Source: http://davchess.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2601

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