SC Week 3/1: Hecht - Forintos, Wijk 1974 (Weak Pawns)

 "A weak pawn is one which cannot be protected by another pawn and so requires support from its own pieces. Note that the criterion is the ability to be protected by another pawn, not the existence of such protection."

Michael Stean

Notes and Observations

18 Bg5 It seems counter-intuitive to trade Black’s bad bishop in this way, but the Be7 holds Forintos’ centre together. 

Black’s c- and d- pawns are vulnerable because they can’t move forward without causing other problems. Remove the bishop and the d-pawn is likely to follow.

19 Rc1 Another benefit of moving the bishop is that it clears c1 to attack the c-pawn.

20 Rc3 A clever move that gives White multiple options, attacking either the c- or d-pawn or even launching a direct kingside attack.

Reminder

20 e4 from Game 6 in Reykjavik is good example of attacking side-by-side pawns with a pawn advance rather than by pieces - an option not available to Hecht because of the pawns locked on e4 and e5.

See also Spassky - Karpov, the last game in this chapter, Stean's note to Black's 13th move.