Exercise 6.1Find the move
White to move
Black has castled. Continue the attack.
6
The London System · Kapilash Chess Academy
Surprise Weapon: the h-Pawn Attack
h4–h5 against ...g6
In this lesson you will learn
- Why h4–h5 is dangerous against a fianchettoed king
- The sacrifice ♖xh5 to open the h-file
- When Black should not take on h5
- How to keep the attack going after the sacrifice
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
6.1 A Real Surprise
Against ...g6 setups you can choose a much sharper plan: ♘c3 and an early h4. If Black castles kingside, the h-pawn marches to h5 and opens the h-file towards the black king. Many players are not ready for this so early.
Diagram 6.1Black to move
Example 6.1 · h4 against the Grünfeld setup
White announces the attack before Black has castled.
If Black castles, h5 comes at once. If Black blocks with ...h5, White has stopped Black's kingside castling from being comfortable and can switch to central play with ♘f3 and ♘e5. Either way White has dictated the game.
6.2 The Rook Sacrifice on h5
Diagram 6.2White to move
Example 6.2 · ...♘xh5? ♖xh5!
Black has taken the h-pawn with the knight. Now the h-file is open.
11.♖xh5! gxh5 12.♕xh5 gives up the exchange to reach the black king. White threatens ♕h7#, and the bishop on f4 can join in. White has given up the exchange for a pawn, but the attack is dangerous and engine analysis rates White's chances as better.
LessonWhen the h-file opens in front of a castled king, count the attackers: queen, rook and bishop together are often enough for mate, even after a sacrifice.
Remember
- Against ...g6, ♘c3 and h4 is a sharp surprise plan.
- If Black castles early, h5 opens the h-file.
- After ...♘xh5, the exchange sacrifice ♖xh5 and ♕xh5 brings the queen to the king.
Exercises · Lesson 6
Each exercise comes from a real London position. Find the best move, then play it on the board.
Exercise 6.2Find the move
White to move
Black grabbed the pawn on h5. Open the file.
Exercise 6.3Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...O-O. How does White punish it?
Exercise 6.4Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 9...♗h6. How does White punish it?
Exercise 6.5Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 9...♗f5. How does White punish it?
Exercise 6.6Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 5...♗h6. How does White punish it?
Exercise 6.7Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...♗h6. How does White punish it?
Exercise 6.8Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...♘g4. How does White punish it?
Exercise 6.9Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...♗g4. How does White punish it?
Exercise 6.10Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...♗h6. How does White punish it?
Exercise 6.11Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 7...♗h6. How does White punish it?
Exercise 6.12Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 8...♗g4. How does White punish it?