This article is a summary for the full article on the Stonewall Chess Opening please visit William’s site.
In part 3 of the Stonewall Attack Beginner Series, I review a few side variations by black and the best common plans for white. As we’ll continue to learn we’ll find more variations that certain sidelines require a new game plan.
- Part 1 – Sac to Attack
- Part 2 – The Zukertort System
- Part 3 – Important Sidelines
- Part 4 – How to beat a Fiancheeto Defense (Coming Soon)
Early bf5 = deviate to this new idea
Starting with a common line involving an early …bf5, I recommend deviating from the Stonewall in favor of a simple continuation aimed at exploiting black’s weak pawn on b7 with a rapid c4 and Qb3. This will typically allow white to obtain a small advantage out of the opening as black does not have a comfortable way of defending this b7 pawn without incurring long-term weaknesses.
Bishop complications …
For the second half of the video, I check out an interesting idea for black to immediately exchange off white’s powerful light-squared bishop on d3 with 4. …Nb4 and 5. …Nxd3+. I recommend white to recapture with cxd3 to enhance control over the center, especially the critical e4 square. Next, white needs to play extremely actively to take advantage of black’s time-consuming knight maneuver in the early opening. Although white no longer has the light-squared bishop, he should continue with the normal attacking plan involving Ne5, Rf3, Rh3, Qf3, and g4.
Missed the first video on the stonewall attack?
This article is a summary for the full article on the Stonewall Chess Opening please visit William’s site.
Follow William for fresh daily updates: Follow @OnlineChessLessWilliam Stewart is a National Master. He specializes in Online Chess Tutoring and maintains a daily updated Chess Blog
Good opening.