White's a5, b5, c5 and e5 against a7, c7, d7 and e7. The breakthrough is there, but it demands precision: 1.e6! followed by the b6 sacrifice and a c-file passer wins, while the natural-looking 1.c6? lets the win slip into a draw.
The exact move 1.e6! Play the main line through to the queen.
White has a5, b5, c5 and e5 against a7, c7, d7 and e7. The exact order of blows breaks the corridor open: 1.e6! and then the b6 sacrifice, with a passer on the c-file. But 1.c6? is only a draw.
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At the branches several defences are available - take any of them. «Back» returns one move, «Main line» plays the principal variation automatically.
First 1.e6! - the outer pawn ties Black down in the centre. Then the sacrifice 2.b6 draws the c7 pawn away, and the c-file passer races to queen: 3.c6, c7 and c8=Q.
Change the order and the breakthrough falls apart. The point here is not to «advance pawns» but to strike in the right sequence.
Black trades the natural-looking 1.c6? off and has time to shut the corridor - a draw. The preparatory blow 1.e6 has to come first.
This is the typical subtlety of a breakthrough: there is one right move, and the ones that look like it are not.
What to avoid, so the breakthrough does not turn into a draw.
The direct 1.c6? throws the win away: Black trades off and holds the defence. Only the preparatory 1.e6! with the follow-up b6 sacrifice wins.
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Openings, endgame positions and breakthrough studies - the set-up appears on the board.
With the exact 1.e6!, then the b6 sacrifice and a c-file passer. The move order is critical.
After 1.c6? Black trades pawns off and shuts the corridor - a draw. The preparatory blow 1.e6 is needed.
The b6 sacrifice draws the c7 pawn out of the way, after which the c-file passer becomes unstoppable.
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Work through the other pawn studies in the VC series on the board - breakthroughs, races and overtakes.
Build your own position in the board editor, play through the chess openings move by move, or look into endgame walkthroughs such as king and pawn. If you are only starting out, read the rules of chess and how to set the pieces up.
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