Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack is an uncommon chess opening that begins with the moves 1. d4 d5 2. Bg5. It's named after the Russian chess player Stepan Levitsky, who used it to defeat the strong player Frank Marshall in 1912. Unlike other Queen's Pawn openings, the Levitsky Attack aims to control the central squares indirectly, by putting pressure on the black d-pawn with the bishop. It also prevents black from playing the solid e6 pawn move, which often leads to a Queen's Gambit Declined.

The main strength of this opening is that it can surprise unprepared opponents and lead to unusual and interesting positions. Moreover, the bishop on g5 can pin the knight on f6 and create tactical threats, such as the possibility of capturing the d5-pawn. On the downside, the early development of the bishop may expose it to attacks by black's pawns or pieces. Additionally, the Levitsky Attack requires precise play and understanding of the resulting pawn structures, since black can potentially gain a central pawn majority with moves like c5 and e6.

In sum, the Levitsky Attack is a challenging and provocative opening that can reward white's creativity and knowledge of patterns. However, it's not recommended for beginners or players who prefer more conservative and solid setups.

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, move by move

d4

+0.14

In the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, White begins with the move d4, aiming to control the center and establish a solid pawn structure. This move also opens up lines for the Queen and Bishop to exert pressure on Black's position. By occupying the center with his pawn, White creates a solid base for his pieces to develop and control the board. With this move, White takes the first step towards initiating a strong and aggressive game plan against Black.

Play on the board

d5

+0.57

Black plays d5 to challenge White's control of the center and establish a pawn presence of their own. This move aims to create a strong pawn structure and limit White's possibilities for expansion. By occupying the center with their pawn, Black aims to control the board and create attacking opportunities in the game. This move also opens lines for the Queen and Bishop to support Black's pieces in exerting pressure on White's position, setting the tone for a complex and strategic game.

Play on the board

Bg5

-0.5

With Bg5, White is aiming to put pressure on Black's pawn on d5 and disrupt their pawn structure. This move also allows White's Bishop to exert pressure on Black's pieces and control key squares such as e6 and f7. By capturing Black's d5 pawn, White aims to open up the center of the board and create more attacking opportunities. This move is a part of a broader strategy to initiate an aggressive game plan against Black and gain an advantage early on.

Play on the board

How to play the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack begins with 1. d4 d5 2. Bg5. After this, white usually develops their knight to f3 and castle their king. They also aim to control the center with pawns on c4 and e3. Black can either play 2...Nf6 and challenge the bishop or 2...h6 to force the bishop to move and weaken white's kingside. White should be aware of a potential pin with ...Ng4 and the counter strike on d4. The resulting positions are usually tactical and require careful calculation and understanding of the pawn structure.

How to counter the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack can be effectively countered with 2...Nf6, which puts pressure on white's bishop and prepares to capture the d4-pawn. Black can also play 2...h6 to force the bishop to retreat and create weaknesses around white's king. Another option is to play 2...c6 and limit white's pawn advance to d5. Black can also play 2...e6 and transpose into a Queen's Gambit Declined or play the more aggressive 2...c5 aiming to undermine white's center. It's crucial for black to be aware of the tactical motifs and to play actively to equalize the position.

Pawn structure in the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack

The pawn structure in Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack features a white pawn on d4, supported by the bishop on g5 and potentially the knight on f3. This pawn structure restricts black's c5 and e5 pawn moves, but can also become a target for black's pieces. Black generally plays a pawn on d5, creating a symmetrical pawn structure, but with one minor difference. White's bishop is on g5, pinning black’s knight on f6, which means black must act carefully, avoiding moves like ...g6, or ...e6, which would lose the knight. The pawn formation is often fluid, with possibilities for black to play moves like ...c6, ...e6, or ...c5 in an attempt to change the pawn structure and gain more space in the center.

The papachess advice

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack is a flexible and bold opening choice that can surprise unprepared opponents and create interesting positions. It's a moderate difficulty opening that demands precise calculation and pawn structure understanding. The bishop's pressure on the black d-pawn and the quick development of white's pieces are its main strengths, while the weakness of the early undeveloped bishop and the risk of creating artificial positions are important factors to consider. Countering the Levitsky Attack requires active play, tactical awareness, and an understanding of black's pawn structure options. Analyzing the opening move by move can reveal the nuances and variations that make it a challenging and playable opening for white. While not suitable for beginners or players seeking more solid and traditional setups, the Levitsky Attack is a valuable weapon for those looking to expand their chess repertoire and test themselves against creative and dynamic players.