There are well-known poisened pawn variations in the opening phase (Sicilian, Najdorf, PP-variation for instance). But also in the middle- and endgame this occurs. Fameous example is the second game in the Spassky-Fischer match (Rejkjavik 1972) for the WC title. Black (Fischer), on move 29, takes the pawn on h2 and will regret that later (although Fischer maintained that he had 'seen' this before making the move).
I think this is a good example. Game 578434 After 15...Qxb2, winning a supposedly 'free' pawn, white proceeds with a kingside attack. The cost of the pawn is that blacks queen is out of the way and cannot quickly aid the defence. In fact she is so poorly positioned after taking the 'poisoned pawn' she takes to further part in the game and black is quickly defeated!
Originally posted by ShallowBlue I think this is a good example. Game 578434 After 15...Qxb2, winning a supposedly 'free' pawn, white proceeds with a kingside attack. The cost of the pawn is that blacks queen is out of the way and cannot quickly aid the defence. In fact she is so poorly positioned after taking the 'poisoned pawn' she takes to further part in the game and black is quickly defeated!
Nice. A poisoned pawn, and a poisoned knight in the same game.
(and yes, I did see that he had to take the knight.)
Originally posted by Bosse de Nage Thanks for your comments...
Are there any, how you say, openings or tactics that attempt to set up poisoned pieces?
There is the poison pawn variation of the najdorf (and winawer as was mentioned, but I play the classical french lines so I know nothing about it).
My little pamphlet here is yellow and so old as to not be in algebraic notation (the cover is lost so I dont have a copyright, but if memory serves its roughly '67). Anyway, it gives
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 a6
6. Bg5 e6
7. f4 Qb6
with the pawn on b2 being 'poisoned'
Actually if memory serves me right black can get away with taking one pawn at the expense of a kingside attack/uncomfortable game. Taking more than one is supposed to be sure defeat. That however, is among GM's with nearly flawless play.
Originally posted by zebano There is the poison pawn variation of the najdorf (and winawer as was mentioned, but I play the classical french lines so I know nothing about it).
My little pamphlet here is yellow and so old as to not be in algebraic notation (the cover is lost so I dont have a copyright, but if memory serves its roughly '67). Anyway, it gives
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
...[text shortened]... than one is supposed to be sure defeat. That however, is among GM's with nearly flawless play.
The most common line is 8. Qd2 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 so yes black can take the pawn. However white has enough compensation for the pawn and the position is still considered even.
poisoned pawns
31 Oct '05 16:27
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