Winning Pawn Structures [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

Before I go any further, you should know I am a LIFE - Master at chess, and that I teach chess to make a large part of my living.

How I got this book is a little story in itself. It was a gift from my good friend Sig, who is a bookseller from Tallahassee. He gave it to me as a gift, and it is even personally autographed by the author. At first I just glanced at it, and threw it down in my "books to read" pile.

Then one day, (a couple of months later); I just happened to pick it up and start reading. I was immediately and totally engrossed. I worked my way through like the first 3 chapters before I could even put it down.

I eventually went through the entire book. I was already familiar with many of the games in this book, but I found the analysis to be new, refreshing, and informative. The author even found many new ideas that I was not familiar with or had not seen before. (For example, see the analysis of the classic game: Boleslavsky - Kotov; Zurich Candidates Tournament, 1953 ... on page 15 of the book.)

A common assumption is that only players who play the Queen-Pawn Openings need to study this book, as the positions with the IQP only result from these types of openings. Nothing could be further from the truth. A position containing an Isolated QP is the natural result of dozens of different opening variations. For example, an IQP could result from any of the following variations: The Queen's Gambit, (Accepted & Declined); Tarrasch Defense, (to the Queen's Gambit); Reti Opening. The IQP also can arise from a French Defense, and is the natural result of many variations of the Panov-Botvinnik Variation of the Caro-Kann Defense. I could go on and give you a dozen more examples, but by now you should realize that either White or Black can get an IQP, and these formations can result from almost any opening.

This book was a major revelation to me. Having grown up under the influence of Nimzovich, I had mostly assumed that the positions containing an Isolated Queen's-Pawn, like any isolated pawn; was weak and should be avoided at all costs. (I almost never allowed myself to be saddled with an IQP, mostly as a result of what I had learned from Nimzowitsch's "My System.") This is a fallacy. For instance, take the 1974 Karpov-Korchnoi Candidates Match played in Moscow. (This match was won by Karpov by the slimmest of margins - 3 wins to 2, and was the de facto World Championship Match . . . since Fischer did not play in 1975.); Black seven times allowed himself to be given an Isolated Queen's Pawn, always equalized and never lost.

This book shows ALL the "do's and the don'ts" of this type of structure. The author has carefully and meticulously laid down virtually every aspect of the positions that contain an isolated Queen's Pawn.

The book is laid out in many chapters in three main parts. Part One discusses the advantages of the IQP. For instance, in Chapter 1 the author examines the energetic freeing advance d4-d5. In Chapter 2, we see the repeated motif of a sudden and unexpected attack on the f2 or f7-squares. In Chapter 3, we see the oft-repeated tactic of a Rook luft on the King-side. And on it goes. Seven chapters in the first part of the book, all focusing on ideas that appear constantly and repetitively in positions with an Isolated QP. In Part Two, (which is dedicated to the disadvantages of the IQP); Chapter 8; the author examines the strengths AND weaknesses of the isolani in every type of endgame that could have arisen from these types of positions, or has arisen in praxis. In Chapter 9, the author poignantly demonstrates when and where the IQP becomes weak in the average middle-game position. In Chapter 10, he shows the best methods for dealing with the Isolated QP. The Third Part of this book discusses all aspects of associated pawn structures. The author shows what types of positions can lead to an IQP, and when you should embrace them and when you should avoid them.

There are many other facets of this book that I find outstanding. The author uses many, many complete and well-annotated games to make his point. (It has always been my belief and teaching that whole games are the best vehicle to really learn the game of chess.) There are exercises at the end of each of the three sections of this book, for you to test and hone your new skills and knowledge. There are also many areas where the author will stop and elaborate ALL the ideas of a given position, so one cannot help but to learn (and be entertained) by such a narrative. All-in-all, I find this to be an above average chess book. I found almost no flaws in this book, and I found much information that even a Master of the game (like myself!) could learn and profit from!

This book receives my highest recommendation and praise. One can only hope this is the first book in a series on certain pawn patterns, and the author will continue (in the future) to educate us in the correct play of pawn structure and the proper way to play various pawn formations.

If you are trying to better learn and understand pawn structure, I can also recommend several other books, in the following order: #1.) "My System," by Nimzovich; #2.) "Pawn Structure Chess," by Andy Soltis; and #3.) "Pawn Power In Chess," by Hans Kmoch.

One other tip?....

If you are trying to learn - or master pawn play … THEN GET THIS BOOK!!!

(Warning: If you are a raw beginner, then this book may not help you much and would be something of a difficult read. Read my profile, and see my website - for a complete training plan … and what books to read ... for any level player.)

But my REAL complaint (with a segue back to Baburin's work) is with A.J.Goldsby's misrepresentation of Nimzowitsch's "My System", which happens too often for me to let this one go by (especially by a top 1000 reviewer who presents himself as a chess authority -- which he probably is). To quote Goldsby's review:

"This book was a major revelation to me. Having grown up under the influence of Nimzovich, I had mostly assumed that the positions containing an Isolated Queen's-Pawn, like any isolated pawn; was weak and should be avoided at all costs. (I almost never allowed myself to be saddled with an IQP, mostly as a result of what I had learned from Nimzowitsch's "My System.") This is a fallacy."

I am yet again amazed by a chess critic's misinformation regarding "My System" (while, admittedly, the later "Chess Praxis" tends to tarnish the IQP's reputation). It's as if they've never even read this classic!

In "My System," Nimzowitsch has a chapter entitled: "The isolated d-pawn and its descendants." In it he addresses both the potential weaknesses of the IQP and the inherent strengths. He refers to the IQP as "permeated with dynamic strength." He COMMANDS that the student experience "how dangerous an enemy isolani may be." He says the IQP's strength "lies in its lust to expand (advance)," and that it "protects and indeed creates the White outpost stations at e5 and c5 [noting the enemy has only one outpost, and that White's at e5 "would have a sharper effect than is ever possible to an opposing Knight on d5."]. He shows how to take advantage of the extra open file that comes with the IQP. And he even has a section entitled, "4. The isolani as a weapon of attack in the middlegame." While, yes, he fully explains how the IQP can be weak, especially in the endgame (suggesting as a countermeasure that you make a timely use of the IQP's attacking possibilities in the middlegame), the fact is that Nimzowitsch gives a FULL understanding of the IQP's advantages... as well as weaknesses.

Which brings us back to "Winning Pawn Structures." Just like Nimzowitsch, Baburin discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of the IQP. How to attack WITH it and AGAINST it. Nimzowitsch covers this topic (and that of isolated pawn couples and hanging pawns!) in about 10 pages. Very effectively, I might add.

Thus, if you already have a good grasp of positional chess, then read Baburin's great book. Otherwise, pick up a more general book on positional chess that includes, but does not dote on, the IQP....

How about this little gem: "My System"