UWE BÖNSCH:

CENTRAL PAWN
STRUCTURES

THE "KARLSBAD PAWN

STRUCTURE" IN THE QUEEN’S

GAMBIT CLASSICAL AND

EXCHANGE VARIATIONS

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Introduction

The Karlsbad pawn Structure is based on
games played with the Karlsbad Variation
of the Queen’s Gambit. From the historical
point of view the 3rd Karlsbad Tournament
(28.04.-20.05.1923) is of paramount
importance in that it was there that this
variation was introduced to tournament
praxis and where it was employed on
several occasions. The list of participants
was an unusually strong one: Alekhine,
Bogoljubow, Maroczy 11,5, Grünfeld, Reti
10,5, Nimzowitzsch, Treybal 10, Yates
9,5, Teichmann 9, Tartakower 8,5,
Tarrasch 8, Rubinstein 7,5, Bernstein 7,
Wolf 6,5, Sämisch 6, Thomas 5,5,
18.Chajes, Spielmann 5.
Basic variation: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Sc3
Sf6 4.Lg5 Le7 5.e3 0-0 6.Sf3 Sbd7
7.Tc1 a6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Ld3 c6
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The names "Karlsbad Pawn Structure",

"Karlsbad Formation" or in short
"Karlsbad Structure"as used nowadays do
not quite fit in with the historically correct
development. Based on the original games,
the characteristic of the "Karlsbad
Variation" is the above move order, when
7.Tc1 a6 is followed by 8.cxd5 exd5.
In the modern form of the Exchange
Variation of the Queen’s Gambit, White
generally exchanges early with 4.cxd5.
The black move ... a6 is generally not
made until after White has played the
pawn moves b4 and a4. If White omits
these pawn advances, then ... a6 might turn
out to be a wasted tempo. In order not to
awaken any confusion in the minds of the
students, we propose in our treatment of
the pawn structures to proceed with the
black pawn still on a7. White: a2, b2, d4,
e3, f2, g2, h2; Black: a7, b7, c6, d5, f7, g7,
h7.
It should also be noted that in chess
literature Black’s 7

th

move ... a6 (after

7.Tc1) is also referred to as the Swiss
Defence.
The pawn structure which is given on the
title page as a model is among the most
important of central formations. It can
occur in the following openings or
variations:
1. Queen’s Gambit (Exchange
Variation)
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Sc3 Sf6 4.cxd5 exd5
See the Encyclopedia headings D02, D03,
D06, D11, D30, D31, D35, D56, D37,
D38, D43, D45, D51, D52, D53, D60
2. Bogoljubow System (E11)
1.d4 Sf6 2.c4 e6 3.Sf3 Lb4+ 4.Ld2 Lxd2+
5.Dxd2 0-0 6.Sc3 d5 7.e3 De7 8.cxd5 exd5
9.Ld3 c6.
As in E20, E35.
3. Nimzo-Indian Defence (E48)
1.d4 Sf6 2.c4 e6 3.Sc3 Lb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Ld3
d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Sge2 c6
4. Grünfeld Defence (with the pawn on
g6 = D91)
1.d4 Sf6 2.c4 g6 3.Sc3 d5 4.Sf3 Lg7 5.Lg5
Se4 6.cxd5 Sxg5 7.Sxg5 e6 8.Sf3 exd5
9.e3 c6
5. Caro-Kann Defence (Exchange
Variation)

2

After 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ld3
Sc6 5.c3 and a later ...e6, the same pawn
structure occurs with reversed colours.
The statistics for the much played
Exchange Variation of the Queen’s Gambit
appear remarkable. So far there have been
approximately 20.000 tournament games
with the above pawn structure:
White wins: 45 % (total 62 %)
Black wins: 20 % (total 38 %)
Draws: 35 %
In comparison the statistics for the
approximately 5 million games in the
database are:
White wins: 39 % (total 54 %)
Black wins: 31 % (total 46 %)
Draws: 30 %
Since the Queen’s Gambit Declined
constitutes an important component of my
personal repertoire as Black against 1.d4, I
have frequently been able to try out the
Exchange Variation with 4.cxd5 in my
own match and tournament praxis.
The pawn structure under discussion also
occurs with the white pieces relatively
frequently in my own praxis, with the
result that I am well acquainted with the
patterns and manoeuvres in the positions.

1. Contents

- the pawn formation known as the
"Karlsbad Structure" (cf. model position
above)
- strategic plans for White
- strategic plans for Black
- possible transformations to other pawn
structures
- resulting endgames

2. Learning outcomes

2.1. General outcomes
O1: General importance of the central
struggle.
O2: Presentation of the various central
pawn formations.
O3: Learning about the Karlsbad Pawn
Structure.

O4: Understanding the most important
plans for White against the Karlsbad
Pawn Structure.
O5: Plans for Black which result from
Black’s pawn structure and which are
aimed against White’s attacking strategies.
O6: Recognising the frequently occurring
endgames.

2.2. Specific outcomes

For O1:
- The simple and extended centre.
- Directly influencing the centre.
- Indirectly influencing the centre.
- Creating favourable pawn formations in
the centre.

For O2:
- The closed centre.
Brief description: on both sides relatively
rigid pawn chains determine the structure.
There are no open files or diagonals. The
main action takes place on the wings.
These result from closed openings such as
for example the King’s Indian Defence, the
NImzo-Indian Defence, the Ruy Lopez
(closed variations).
- The open centre.
Brief description: There are no central
pawns. This allows the possibility of lively
piece play. The struggle for open files and
diagonals dominates the play. The pawns
play a subordinate role.
- The mobile centre.
Brief description: Different pawn
structures on both sides determine the
central struggle. Sacrificial lines frequently
create in the centre rapid pawn chains,
which are meant to restrict the opposing
forces. Typical formations arise in, for
example, the King’s Gambit. Black tries to
blockade the white pawns or to attack them
from a distance.
- The fixed centre.
Brief description: There are two pawns
opposite each other in the centre, e.g. d4
d5. In this central constellation we can see
elements of either the open or the closed
centre. This often results in struggles on

3

the wings, for example in the form of the
minority attack on the queenside.
-The dynamic centre.
Brief description: The pawn structures
have not yet been fixed and are not yet
finalised. Because of the latent situation of
tension on the central squares the struggle
is not easy for either side. This is a form of
centre which occurs very frequently in
praxis.

For O3:
- Characteristic forms of the two pawn
chains in the Karlsbad Structure:
White: a2, b2, d4, e3, f2, g2, h2; Black: a7,
b7, c6, d5, f7, g7, h7
- Elementary strategic elements or motifs,
which play a role in the classical Karlsbad
Structure:

- Semi-open white c-file and semi-

open black e-file.
- The ram.
- Outpost squares, blockading
squares (supported points).
- Pawn levers.
- Points where a roll-up or
breakthrough is possible.

For O4:
- Standard white plans when White 0-0 and
0-0-0.
- The ideal setup for the white pieces.
- The minority attack.
- Working out a plan for strategic
domination.
- Working out a plan for tactical
domination.

For O5:
- Standard black plans when White 0-0 and
0-0-0.
- The ideal setup for the black pieces.
- Defensive ideas against the minority
attack by White.
- The exchange to aim for of the black Lc8
for the white Ld3
(Manoeuvre Sb8-d7-f8-e6-g7 and then
Lf5)
(Manoeuvre Lc8-g4-h5-g6).
- Exceptions to Black’s standard defensive
plans, e.g. ... 0-0-0.

For O6:
- Aiming for ideal types of endgame from
White’s point of view, e.g. white knight
against white-squared bishop for Black.
- Evaluating the resulting major piece
endings.

3. Analysis of material and
instruction

(The learning outcomes O1 and O2
concerning the general significance of the
central struggle or different central pawn
formations are pre-supposed as basic
knowledge and are not dealt with here.
They can be used as revision and thus as
an introduction to the new material.)

3.1. The pawn formation: "Karlsbad
Structure"

The various descriptions of the “Karlsbad
Pawn Structure” mentioned in the
introduction present in their characteristic
form a white and a black pawn chain,
which arise as a result of opening systems
such as the Exchange Variation of the
Classical Queen’s Gambit, the Bogoljubow
System, the Grünfeld Defence, the Nimzo-
Indian defence and in certain
circumstances also from other systems.

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The position illustrated in the first diagram
resulted from the frequently played
Exchange Variation of the Classical
Queen’s Gambit after the sequence of
moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Sc3 Sf6 4.cxd5
exd5 5.Lg5 Le7 6.e3 c6 7.Ld3 Sbd7.
The second diagram represents the
characteristic form of the pawn formation
which has arisen with its specific features,
namely the blocked central pawns (d4 d5)
and the two semi-open files (c- and e-
files).
The following elementary strategic
elements or motifs are available and can be
employed with the structure we have in
front of us:
- semi-open white c-file: squares c1-c2-c3-
c4-c5,
- semi-open black e-file: squares e4-e5-e6-
e7-e8,
- the ram d4-d5 as a pair of pawns which
are mutually blocking each other,
- white outpost squares c5 and e5 as
unoccupied squares on the opposing side
of the central demarcation line,
- a white blockading square on c5 (a
stopping square for the black c6-pawn),
- black outpost squares e4 and c4 as
unoccupied squares on the opposing side
of the central demarcation line,
- a black blockading square on e4 (a
stopping square for the white e3-pawn),
- squares to act as levers for a rolling up
(RU) and a breakthrough (BT) for White:
RU e4 (a lever against the black d5-pawn)
BT b5 (a lever against the black c6-pawn),
- squares to act as levers for a rolling up
(RU) and a breakthrough (BT) for Black:
RU c5 (a lever against the white d4-pawn)
BT f4 (a lever against the white e3-pawn).

3.2.

Strategic plans for White

 The minority attack: White advances his b-

pawn to b5.

In very rare cases, Black can capture on b5
himself. A very weak pawn on d5 would
be the result. After the exchange on c6, a
backward pawn has been created, which
can be besieged.

 The central advance e3-e4.



Preparation with f2-f3.

The intention is to set up a strong pawn
centre with f3 + e4.
Since the pawns will be mobile after an
exchange on e4, they can advance to the
fifth rank. If Black declines to exchange,
White achieves a major advantage in
space.
What has shown itself to be particularly
likely to be successful is the plan of e4-e5
followed up by Se4. The Se4 has such a
strong central position that a direct attack
on the king becomes a possibility.



The immediate advance.

After the capture on e4 White must
recapture with a piece. He retains an
isolated pawn on d4, but the outpost
squares e5 and c5 guarantee him good play
for his pieces.

 The attack on the king.



White castles long

White starts a kingside pawn storm with
h3+g4. If White’s king’s knight is on e2, it
is frequently transferred via g3 to f5.
Exchanging for the bad black white-
squared bishop secures for White the
bishop pair and also, after the recapture
with the g-pawn an open line for the
attack.
When the knight is on f3 the outpost
square e5 can be occupied. After that the
advance of the f-pawn to f4 becomes an
option. The outpost on e5 is supported and
space is gained. The weakness on e3
hardly matters.
In both cases a further advance e3-e4 is
possible.
White does not have to push on with the
attack come what may. Should Black play
...c6-c5, then after the exchange of his d-
pawn White obtains the nice d4-square for
his knight.



White castles short.

After short castling too, White can try a
pawn storm. Once more a knight on e5 is
required in order to press forward with f-
and g-pawns.

5

3.3. Strategic plans for Black

Strategic plans for Black very much
depend on the setup which White has
chosen.
There are the following options against the
minority attack:



Black survives the minority attack and tries

to compensate for the weakness on c6 by
active piece play (e.g. by occupying the
c4-square with a knight).



Blocking the white b-pawn by …b7-b5.

Since this plan involves considerable
strategic risks, it is necessary to
compensate for the weak c6-pawn by
having a knight on c4.



Creating tactical threats to White’s
kingside by means of a concentration of
pieces, e.g. transferring a knight from f6 to
g4 or ¤f8-g6-h4, putting the bishop on d6
to keep an eye on h2, transferring the black
queen to the kingside (on to h4, h6, g5 or
f6).



Occupying the e4-square with a knight.

White will be forced to exchange on e4,
which will result in a different pawn
structure (see point 3.4).

And against the e3-e4 pawn advance in the
centre:



The pawn advance with a preparatory f2-

f3:
- exchange the pawn on e4 and play
against White’s hanging pawns on d4 and
e4,
- allow the advance e5, and then employ a
lever against the central d4-pawn by means
of … c6-c5 (this is only possible if White
does not manage to get in f4-f5).



The pawn advance without a preparatory

f2-f3 .
Exchange off the e4-pawn and then play
against the isolated white d4-pawn

The following defensive plans have proved
their worth against a kingside attack by
White:



The pawn advance ...c6-c5 with the aim of

opening the c-file, or gaining space by
…c5-c4.



A queenside pawn storm with a7-a5-a4-a3

possibly in conjunction with b7-b5-b4.



Gaining relief by exchanging minor pieces

after ¤f5-e4.

In principle, Black should be seeking to
exchange pieces so that White’s attacking
operations run out of steam!
In modern tournament praxis, from time to
time efforts are made to force the exchange
of the White’s black-squared bishop at a
very early stage. This enables Black to
avoid variations which have been analysed
in great detail (e.g. 1.d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3.Sc3
Sf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5.Lg5 Le7 6.e3 c6 7.Ld3
Sbd7 8.Dc2 Sh5).

3.4. Possible transformations to other
pawn structures



Pawn structures which arise after the

minority attack:

- pawns on d4, e3 against c6, d5
- pawns on d4, e3 against c6, d5 (with a-

pawn).



Pawn structures which arise after White’s
central advance:

- pawn on d4 against c6 (after the exchange

of the e4-pawn for d5 and the preparatory
move f2-f3).



Pawn structures which arise after an

exchange on c5:

- pawns on c5, d4, e3 against b7, c5, d5

(White has recaptured on c5 with the b-
pawn).



Pawn structures which arise after Black’s
advance …c6-c5:

- pawn on e3 against d5 (the Tarrasch

structure: White exchanges on c5)

- pawns on d4, e3 against c4,d5 (White

allows the advance …c5-c4).

4. Plan for teaching module with
suggested method

Good planning for each teaching module is
determined by the didactic principles for
chess education and by the skills and
abilities of the students. Of course it is also

6

necessary to take into account the age

range of the children or young people.

The plan outlined here for a lesson (a
double period = 90 minutes) is aimed for
didactic purposes at a level of 1600-2000
Elo. It refers to a youth training group of
students aged up to about 18.

Example of a chess lesson (90 minutes) –
(see appendix 1)

Suggestion as to which teaching method
to employ:

"By exposition". Because of the relatively
high proportion of new theoretical material
to be put across, this is the most
appropriate method to ensure an

acquisition of the knowledge. The revision
which is undertaken at the start of Main
part A can also be carried out in the form
of "Problem orientated chess teaching".

5. Exercises to check acquisition
of learning outcomes

Solve the exercises on the worksheet.
(see appendix 2)

6. Thematic games

See ChessBase file.

APPENDIX 1:

Example of a chess lesson (90 minutes)

Divisions

Min.

C o nt e nt

Introduction

5-10

Clarifying the aims of the lesson, the importance of central structures
for positional understanding.

Main part A

Main part B

60-80





10-20

Theoretical instruction, revision of the general importance of the
struggle for the centre and the various central pawn formations,
explanations about the subject (i.e. the Karlsbad Pawn Structure)
including strategic plans for White and Black and the resulting
endgames.

Revision, solving tasks from the work sheets (exercises)

Conclusion

5-10

Finishing, brief summary and evaluation

7

APPENDIX 2

Worksheet for chess lessons

Exercises to check acquisition of learning outcomes
Name:
Subject: The "Karlsbad Pawn Structure"

1. Draw on the diagram opposite the
“Karlsbad Pawn Structure”!








2. Which opening systems can produce the “Karlsbad Structure”?
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3. Name four important plans for White.
a).....................................................................................................
b).....................................................................................................
c).....................................................................................................
d).....................................................................................................

4. Name three important plans for Black.
a).....................................................................................................
b).....................................................................................................
c).....................................................................................................

5. What do we understand by the minority attack?
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