Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation is a unique chess opening that starts with 1. d4 d5 2. Bg5 Bg4. This move is a surprise for many chess players and can create difficulties for them to find a proper response.

The main strength of this opening is its surprise factor. It can catch the opponent off guard and force them to play defensively, giving you an advantage. Another strength is that it can lead to a closed game, which is suitable for positional players.

However, this opening also has some weaknesses. It doesn't develop any pieces, and it can allow the opponent to gain control of the center by playing e4. Moreover, it can be difficult to find a good follow-up move after Bg4.

In sum, Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation is not an easy opening to master. It requires a deep understanding of the position and a creative mindset to find the right moves. But if played correctly, it can be a powerful tool to surprise and defeat your opponent.

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

d4

+0.14

In the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation, White plays 1. d4 to take control of the center. This move prepares to develop the pieces and put pressure on Black's position. By playing d4, White also opens lines for the queen and bishop, potentially creating a powerful battery aiming towards Black's kingside. In sum, 1. d4 is a solid and common opening move for White, setting the foundation for a strong and flexible position. However, Black can counter by playing 1...d5, staking their own claim in the center and preparing to develop their own pieces. With the following move 2. Bg5, White unveils the Levitsky Attack, a tactical pawn sacrifice that can create havoc in Black's position.

Play on the board

d5

+0.57

After 1. d4, Black plays d5 to challenge White's control over the center and gain space for their own pieces. This move is a common response to 1. d4, and helps Black to prepare for the development of their own pieces. Additionally, by occupying the d5 square, Black restricts the potential scope of White's pieces and puts pressure on White's pawn structure. In sum, 1...d5 is a solid move for Black and helps to limit White's options in the early stages of the game. However, Black needs to be cautious of potential pawn skirmishes and tactical traps that can arise from such a move.

Play on the board

Bg5

-0.5

After 1. d4 d5, White plays Bg5 to put pressure on Black's pawn on d5 and potentially force its exchange. This move also develops the bishop and prepares to castle kingside, safeguarding White's own king. By attacking the pawn on d5, White also opens up the possibility of a tactical pawn sacrifice, the Levitsky Attack, which can create weaknesses in Black's defenses. Additionally, Bg5 can also provoke Black into weakening their own pawn structure or move their bishop to an awkward square. In sum, 2. Bg5 is an aggressive move that can lead to dynamic play for White and put Black on the defensive. However, it also entails some risk and requires careful calculation to avoid falling into any traps.

Play on the board

Bg4

+0.9

In the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation, Black plays Bg4 to pin White's knight on f3 and disrupt their development plans. By pinning the knight, Black creates a tactical threat to capture it with their pawn on d5, which would cause White to double their pawns. Additionally, Bg4 attacks White's bishop on g5, potentially forcing it to retreat and giving Black a small advantage in space. However, Bg4 also exposes Black's bishop to attack, and White can respond by playing h3, forcing the bishop to retreat to a less active square like h5. In sum, Bg4 is a useful move for Black that can lead to a slight advantage, but it requires careful consideration and calculation to avoid falling victim to any traps or counterattacks from White.

Play on the board

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

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation starts with 1. d4 d5 2. Bg5 Bg4.

The immediate plan is to pressure on the knight on c6 and force black to play a passive move such as Nd7.

The bishop can usually be placed on e2 or pushed to h5 where it can be a thorn in the side of black's position.

It can also often lead to a pawn trade on d5 followed by c4 and Nc3, developing the white pieces with central control.

White can expect to have a small advantage in these lines, but it depends on black's response.

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

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation can be a surprise that can lead to advantageous positions for White.

However, black can equalize with proper play. After Bg4, one strong option for black is to play 3.e3, preparing to respond to Bxf3 with exf3 followed by an e6 push to kick the bishop back to e2.

Another option is to play 3.c5, preparing a queen side expansion with b5 or targeting the center with d4.

Black's pieces should be developed quickly to counteract White's pressure and maintain the balance.

The key is to avoid being lulled into a passive position and to seize the initiative early on.

Pawn structure in the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation can typically lead to different pawn structures, depending on black's choices.

If black captures the bishop on g5 with 3...Bgxf3, it can result in doubled pawns for white on f3, which can weaken the king's pawn structure.

On 3...Nd7 instead, black has a solid center but can sometimes face Pawn pressure on d5.

Another possibility is a pawn exchange on d5 with moves like Nc3 and c4 that can lead to an isolated pawn structure for black in the center.

In sum, careful attention must be paid to the pawn structure in order to plan the right formation of pieces and attacks.

The papachess advice

Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation can spark interesting and dynamic games for both sides.

While it is not an easy opening to master, it can surprise and outplay unprepared opponents.

White players can take advantage of the variation's characteristics to control the game's pace and target black's uncoordinated pieces.

Black players must equip themselves with knowledge and be mindful of the traps and tricks that can lead to a quick demise.

With strong positional understanding and creative mindset, White can prevail after a successful transposition to a familiar position.

Black, on the other hand, can lead to a strategically advantageous position thanks to easy counterplay.

In conclusion, Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation is a dynamic opening that can be an enjoyable challenge for ambitious players and open the way for exciting and unpredictable games.