H.P.Chavan

Know The Structures-The Isolani

There are many different types of pawns, but an isolated pawn (also known as an isolani) is a pawn that cannot be supported or protected by another pawn. Unlike a backward pawn, an isolated pawn is never part of a pawn chain because there aren't any pawns on adjacent files. In deeper sense, an isolated queen pawn (IQP), also called an isolani, is often a special case. It’s an attempt to provide an easy-to-understand strategic guide to the most frequently-occurring position in chess.

The isolated queen's pawn - the isolani - is an extremely important pawn structure. It arises in many Opening variations; the Queen's Gambit Accepted, Slav, Tarrasch Defense, Sicilian Alapin, French Tarrasch, etc. This structure is equally common with either colour, but here, we will assume it is White who has the isolani.

White has better middle game prospects considering the control of the advanced squares given by the isolani, while Black has better prospects in an endgame, as after all, isolani is nothing but an isolated pawn. Therefore, White's main aim will be to build an attack in the middle game, while Black's hope will be to neutralize such an attack, simplify the position and obtain a superior endgame.

White's plans

1. Create a kingside attack. Most standard plans will include the moves Ne5, Bg5 and the battery Qd3-Bc2. In some cases, a piece sacrifice on the kingside is needed to break through the defense. Rooks are typically placed on e1 and d1 {or c1), and a rook transfer using rook-lift via the third rank is possible.
2. Break in the centre with d4-d5, trading pawns and opening lines with an overwhelming initiative {or even sacrificing a pawn with the same purpose).

Black's plans

1. Trade pieces to win an endgame. In particular, exchange White's good bishop {the light squared bishop).
2. Place a knight on d5. This prevents the central break d4-d5, and controls some key squares. In an endgame, a rook, bishop or even a king would be strong on this square.

In the following game, we see how White uses the e5 square as a launchpad to generate a strong attack on the Kingside.

In this 2 game, we witness White breaking the center with d5 and his lead in development and superior piece placement helps him launch a decisive attack on Black’s King.