Type
Positions
An
important consequence when discussing the two main themes of the system, i.e.
prophylaxis and mobility,
is that Nimzowitsch identifies a number of pawn
configurations referred to as "type positions". Nimzowitsch
goes into deep detail when analyzing these features.
The
chief type positions are: doubled pawns, hanging pawns, the
pawn couple, the pawn mass, the qualitative majority,
islands of pawns, a backward pawn, and the isolani.
The
passed pawn is referred to as one of the "elements", and the
"candidate" is a potential passed pawn, not
opposed by the "antagonist".
In
connection with the discussion of the isolani the author says there is a
tendency towards “a complex of
weak squares of a given colour surrounding the isolani” (p.219), and his
analysis of this and the other type
positions and how to defend them (or take advantage of them) is very interesting
and useful for the chess student.
Let
us have a look at a few typical positions (1-4)
1) Two common types of doubled pawns (p.201):
a) b)
The
common characteristic between these two configurations is that both the pawn c6
and the one on f6 offer a
certain compensation for the surrendered centre.
In b) White cannot establish an outpost on e5, and Black threatens e6-e5, and
later f6-f5, maybe in combination
with Rg8, h7-h5, f5-f4 and h5-h4.
So a passive doubled pawn may turn out to be an effective means of attack,
however only if White does not play
correctly. Black's weak point is the isolated pawn h7. Similarly, in a) Black's weak point is the isolated pawn
a7.
*********************
2)
"The Frog"
An original comment on the problem of the doubled pawn is that its only
real strength is that it can stubbornly
endure the position by not trying to go forward, crouching in a
"frog's position". An
example of "crouching"
can be seen in the the following game:
Janowsky-Nimzowitsch, Petrograd 1914
This diagram shows the position after
White's move 13.Rae1. Nimzowitsch's comment:
"Black is now faced with the difficult task of forcing his opponent into a
central action, and he found
the plan Nf6-h7-f8-e6."
"An alternative was 13. - Nf8,
for instance 14.h3 Ng6 15.Nh2 Re7! 16.f4 exf4 17.Bxf4 Qe8,
and White has no comfortable protection of the pawn on e4."
The game continued in accordance with
"plan A" 13. - Nh7 14.h3 Nhf8 15.Nh2 Ne6! 16.Be3!
(He "endures"!); 16. - c5 (because there was no other way of coming to
grips with the opponent's
"endurance"). 17.d5 Nf4! 18.Be2 Nf8, and Black has a certain chance to
launch a combined attack
on both wings involving the points c4 and f4.
***********
3) The game Rubinstein-Nimzowitsch,
Karlsbad 1907 (p.223) serves as an example of the transition from
isolani (d5) to an isolated pawn couple (c6, d5), and from there to two
hanging pawns (c5, d5).
************
4) The next diagram shows a "backward pawn".
(From the game Nimzowitsch-Michel, Semmering 1926)
Nimzowitsch's comment: "White
establishes a 'movable pawn mass', keeping one of his pawns at home
to let it function as a wet nurse." The pawn d2 is lagging behind, but
ready to move forwards.
The game continued: 17.f4 Qe7 18.e4 Bc6 19.g4 "A pawn roller that can
hardly be destroyed." But
Nimzowitsch also says that prior to the attack on the King's wing White has to
restrain Black's (majority)
pawns on the Queen's wing (16.a4). So this game is about prophylaxis and
mobility.
2011-11-25