James Mansson’s Chess Blog

While variations on the basic Hedgehog formation can arise from a range of different openings, here we are concerned with the position after 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 b6 3 g3 Bb7 4 Bg2 c5 5 0-0 e6 6 Nc3, which can naturally arise from a wide range of move orders. The essential characteristics of the position are:

• White has put a pawn on c4 and Black has put a pawn on c5.
• White has fianchettoed his king’s bishop with g3 and Bg2, while Black has counter-fianchettoed with …b6 and …Bb7.
• Black has played …e6 and is therefore aiming to develop his other bishop on e7.
• White is likely to play d4, which Black will meet with …cxd4, leading to the classic Hedgehog pawn structure.

When the classic Hedgehog pawn structure arises (after d4 cxd4), the game takes on the character of certain lines of the Sicilian. White has a space advantage, but in order to attack, he must expose his position in some way or other, which will give Black the chance to counter-attack. Continue reading →

One of the features of symmetrical positions is that the same basic moves are possible for each side. However, because one side is a move ahead, the same move does not necessarily have the same value. For instance, in the Petroff after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6, both sides are threatening the other’s e-pawn, with Nxe5 and …Nxe4 respectively. However, Black should not meet 3 Nxe5 with 3…Nxe4, because of 4 Qe2, and if 4…Nf6, then 5 Nc6+, winning the queen. Continue reading →