Lecture on Break Moves in Chess

Break Moves Lecture

(for more, see the Novice Nook on Break Moves)

Hi, welcome to lecture #1, "Identifying Break Moves"

This lecture has been prepared by NM Dan Heisman, "Phillytutor" on ICC.

Let's start with the Queen's Gambit ideas:

1. d4 d5

This is a "double d-pawn opening" with pawns on d4 and d5

A "break" move is a pawn move that breaks up an opponent's pawn chain by attacking the opponent's pawn with that pawn.
In this position, White's two break moves are c2-c4 and e2-e4
Black's two break moves are c7-c5 and e7-e5

2. c4

Break moves are important for at least three reasons:
1) You need a pawn to best attack any pawn that can easily be guarded by other pawns - piece attacks against them are usually ineffective,
2) You can open files for Rooks when either side exchanges after a break move
3) It can enable you to trade a flank pawn for a center pawn.

In the double d-pawn positions it is much more difficult to break with the e-pawns because they are not easily supported by Bishops and the King Knight's guard those squares from f3 and f6.

In addition, breaking with the c-pawns enable one to trade a flank pawn for a center pawn

Finally, the break c2-c4 allows White to put his Knight behind the c-pawn where it is not only far more effective, but gives White some needed space for his other pieces.

So that is why the move c2-c4 is White's most common move here and is the famous "Queen's Gambit".

The Queen's Gambit is not really a Gambit.
For example, if Black takes the c-pawn with dxc4, then White could always recover it with Qa4+, although that is not his best move.

This also helps explain the guideline: "Don't put your Knight in front of your c-pawn in double d-pawn openings."

For example, suppose instead of 2.c4 White plays the innocuous 2.Nf3 on his 2nd move:

2. Nf3

Then it is a mistake for Black to play the natural looking 2.Nc6?

2…Nc6 (?)

This is because the Black Knight blocks his natural break move …c5

Therefore later Black will be cramped and it will be difficult for his Rooks to find open lines. For example, the c-file will be closed for him.

But White can still play his break move 3.c4

3. c4

Now if Black plays e6 he has a cramped position and his only remaining break move, e5, is hard to achieve and wastes time .

3…e6

After 4.Nc3 White has more than his normal "White" advantage

4. Nc3

For example, the game might continue:

4…Nf6 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 O-O 7.Bd3 Bd7

Passive, but consistent with Black's previous play.

8. O-O Rc8 9.Rc1

…when White has a very nice advantage due to his extra space and mobility.

For example, compare the two queenside rooks:
White's rook has more mobility and he can make the c-file semi-open for him.
Black's rook has moved "toward the center" but is not really doing anything primarily because White's break move was achieved and Black's was blocked.

In the normal move order with 2.c4

2. c4

Black has three main replies, all pawn moves:

1) 2…c6 (Slav),

2) 2…e6 (Queen's Gambit Declined), and

3) 2…dxc4 (QG Accepted)

Other moves are much rarer and may lead to a cramped game.

Break moves occur in many positions, but especially in positions with locked centers, like the Advanced Variation of the French Defense:

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5

This is the "Advanced Variation", marked by Whites 3.e5, locking the center.
Here Black's break moves are c5 and f6.
Break moves are best played against the base of the pawn chain

Just like it is better to chop down a tree from the base - that weakens the top, too!

Here the most effective break move for Black is c7-c5

3…c5

…hitting the base at d4.

So c7-c5 is the main (and mostly only) move for Black here!
Consistently, White usually keeps his pawn chain intact with c3

4. c3

…and Black continues with the pressure on d4 with ...Nc6

4…Nc6

Now suppose White blunders and plays Bb5?

5. Bb5?

…and Black plays the normal Queen move ...Qb6

5…Qb6

So White plays Bxc6 - How should Black recapture?

6. Bxc6

The answer is that while 6...Qxc6 keeps the pawns undoubled...
but 6…bxc6 allows Black a second break move on d4 after the first capture!

6…bxc6

So that now White's center will fall after

7. Nf3 cxd4 8.cxd4 c5

And with this second break move White can no longer maintain a pawn on d4 and Black has a good game because e5 is also weak and his bishop pair is worth about an extra half pawn.

Break moves do not have to be played against fixed pawns, but they are most effective then because the enemy pawn does not have a chance to advance.
However, break moves against non-fixed pawns can still be effective. For example, you might consider the "Open" variation of the Sicilian as having a break move:

1. e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6

…or 2…d6 or 2…e6

Now White wants to "break" Black's control of d4, so he plays:

3. d4

Now White threatens 4.d5 with a huge advantage.
So in this case Black is forced to capture the break move, which in the Queen's Gambit, he does not have to capture.

3…cxd4 4.Nxd4

And now we have the Open variation of the Sicilian!

Any time you play an opening you should be aware of where your break moves are, what are the most effective times to play them, and where the pieces go before and after the break.
That way you will have a much smoother development and more to do in the middlegame!

Thanks for attending my lecture!

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