White's a5, b5, d5 and e5 against a7, b7, d7 and e7 - two identical pairs of pawns. It looks as though the move should produce a breakthrough, but it does not: Black meets every attempt symmetrically and the game is drawn. Let us see why the narrow bridge cannot be crossed.
Every sacrifice is answered by a mirroring exchange. Play the line to the end.
Two identical pairs of pawns: a and b against a and b, and d and e against d and e. It looks as though the move gives an edge, but Black meets every breakthrough symmetrically. This is a draw - see why.
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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.
The pawns stand in two identical pairs: a and b against a and b, and d and e against d and e. Black has an exact capture for every white sacrifice, and after the exchanges the pawns are left head to head.
The move does not help: there is no spare tempo to be had, and neither side can create a passer. A legitimate draw.
A breakthrough works when the attacker has a «spare» pawn on the right file or an advantage in tempi. Here the symmetry is complete - no such resource exists.
Compare it with the studies where the breakthrough does work (VC0001, VC0003): there the set-up is asymmetrical, and after the sacrifices one of the pawns becomes unstoppable.
What to avoid, so the breakthrough does not turn into a draw.
A symmetrical pair of pawns cannot be broken: every blow has an exact capture in reply. Do not shed pawns hunting for a breakthrough that does not exist - a quiet draw is the proper result here.
The starting position is already loaded - move the pawns yourself or paste your own FEN.
Drag a piece onto the board, or click a piece and then click the squares. The cross beside the pieces sweeps every piece of that colour off the board, and a single piece can be dragged off the edge.
The pieces will be arranged into the chosen pattern.
It is the mating side to move. Find mate in one.
Openings, endgame positions and breakthrough studies - the set-up appears on the board.
Nobody - it is a draw. The pawns are symmetrical, there are no spare tempi, and neither side can create a passer.
Black answers every sacrifice with a mirroring capture, and after the exchanges the pawns are left locked head to head. There is not enough tempo for a breakthrough.
In the winning positions the set-up is asymmetrical - there is a spare pawn or an advantage in tempi. Here the symmetry is complete, so no breakthrough is possible.
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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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