[Event "Weak Squares: Weak Outposts"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/o8rkCdB0/Es2KXwvi"] [Result "*"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Kyle-and-Jess"] [StudyName "Weak Squares"] [ChapterName "Weak Outposts"] [FEN "rnbqk2r/1p3pbp/p2p1np1/2p1p3/P1N1P3/2NP4/1PP1BPPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2024.10.14"] [UTCTime "01:06:03"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/o8rkCdB0/Es2KXwvi"] [Orientation "white"] { The square d5 is weak for black since they have no pawns that can defend it. This creates an outpost of that square and white should aim to land a piece (particularly a knight) on that square. But first, it's important to consider which opponent pieces can defend d5. We should aim to get rid of them first before jumping in too soon (jumping in too soon could result in trades on the squares and we might lose the pieces that would be beneficial on d5 in the process). } 1. Bg5 { Pinning the defender of d5. } 1... h6 2. Bxf6 { Getting rid of it altogether works even better! } 2... Bxf6 3. Nd5 { Attacking the bishop but also preparing Nb6, landing on a new outpost even further into enemy territory. } 3... Nc6 4. Bg4! { Offering the trade of another black piece that can attack d5. This will ensure that our knight gets to stay on d5 permanently. } 4... Bxg4 5. Qxg4 Bg7 6. Ncb6 { Getting both knights onto a strong outpost where they defend each other. Now if black's remaining knight goes after d5, we have the support we need to keep a knight on that square. } 6... Rb8 7. a5 { Securing the other knight on the b6 outpost. Now both knights are overdefended and firmly planted on their respective outpost. } *