Lecture by UMBC Chess Coach Igor Epshteyn
The hedgehog system is characterized by a row of Black pawns on the 6-th rank: a6, b6, d6, e6 and alternatively g6 with open c-file, against white pawns c4 and e4. Substantial difference from Marocy bind is the weakness d6 (e7-e6 has already been played). The hedgehog can arise from the English, Queen's-Indian or Sicilian Defense. It is a relatively new approach; intensive development of Hedgehog started in the mid-seventies.
When playing the hedgehog, one suffers from the lack of space - all Black pieces are placed on the three last ranks. Many of Black pawns also need additional defense and in terms of 'chess statics' can be considered as weaknesses. The lack of space and necessity to defend the weaknesses create hurdles in pieces maneuvering and targets for the 'two weaknesses strategy'. But during the time passed, there was developed moves order that allows Black to maintain control over the fifth rank and center, to develop their pieces comfortably keeping the dynamic positional balance and waiting for a premature Whites activity.
On the other hand, the Hedgehog position with 'barbs' a6,b6,d6,e6 contains a strong dynamic potential and eventual reverse breakthrough d6-d5 and/or b6-b5, which may have result of decisive counter play with strong initiative for Black in Middlegame and/or endgame. That is why White have to be extremely alert in control of this squares, and modern strategical inventions include an exchange of the 'strong' pawn 'e4' for the 'weak' one 'd6' for the purpose of prevention later Black's activity and have available 'd' file (See the games Kramnik-Ivanchuk and Loutier-Kamski). Hedgehog system comparatively to Marocy bend sufficiently restricts an activity of White's knights by controlling the b5 and d5 squares. The lack of real tension for the pawns is completely imaginary, because variations 'behind scenario' having rich tactical content with pawn advances, breakthrough and cooperation, create the real picture of this play and determine the pieces value and behavior.
This lecture represents two games as substance of explanation, and one - for homework comments(to think about). First classical game shows very solid positional approach by world champion T.Petrosian against creative and patient defense by Y.Balashov. In time pressure Black were caught in fine positional trap that gave Petrosian serious chances to win.
But right before the second time control White passed along to the winning engame and Balashov managed to create the fortress against White king invasion. In the 2-nd game Black(Ivanchuk) missed to protect important square 'b5' and Kramnik converted middlegame position into favorable endgame.In time pressure he did not found decisive continuation and stubborn Ivanchuk drew the game.
1. c4 Nf6
2. Nc3 e6
3. Nf3 c5
4. g3 b6
5. Bg2 Bb7
6. 0-0 a6
7. Re1 d6
8. e4 Nbd7
9. b3 Be7
10. d4 cxd4
11. Nxd4 Qc7
12. Bb2 0-0
13. h3 Rfe8
14. Rc1 Bf8
15. Kh2 Rad8
16. Rc2 Qb8
17. Rce2 Nc5
18. Kg1 Qa8
19. Ba1 Qb8
20. Re3 Qc7
21. Qb1 Ncd7
22. Bb2 Ne5
23. Qc2 Ned7
24. Qd2 Rc8
25. Kh1 Rcd8
26. Nc2 Rc8
27. f4 Nb8
28. Rc1 Red8
29. Ne1 h6
30. Nd3 Nbd7
31. Kh2 Be7
32. h4 Nh7
33. Nd1 Bf6
34. Nc3 Bd4
35. Nd5 exd5
36. Bxd4 dxe4
37. Nf2 Nhf6
38. Nxe4 Bxe4
39. Bxe4 Re8
40. Bf3 Rxe3
41. Qxe3 Re8
42. Qc3 Ne4
43. Qb2 f5
44. Re1 Ndc5
45. Qc2 Qe7
46. Qd1 Qe6
47. Re3 a5
48. Kg2 Re7
49. Bb2 Kh7
50. Be2 Qf7
51. a3 Nf6
52. Rxe7 Qxe7
53. Bf3 Ng4
54. Bd4 Ne3
55. Bxe3 Qxe3
56. Qd5 Qe6
57. Qxe6 Nxe6
58. h5 Nd4
59. Bd1 g5
60. hxg6 Kxg6
61. Kf2 Kf6
62. Ke3 Ne6
63. Bc2 Ng7
64. Bd1 Ne6
65. b4 axb4
66. axb4 Nc7
67. Kd4 Ke6
68. Bb3 Kf6
69. Ba4 Ke6
70. Bc6 Ke7
71. Bb7 Kd7
72. Kd3 Ne6
73. Ke3 Kd8
74. Bg2 Ke7
75. Bd5 Nc7
76. Bb7 Kd7
77. Kf3 Ne6
78. Kg2
draw
1. Nf3 Nf6
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 b6
4. g3 Bb7
5. Bg2 c5
6. 0-0 Be7
7. d4 cxd4
8. Qxd4 d6
9. b3 0-0
10. Rd1 Nbd7
11. e4 Re8
12. Ba3 Nc5
13. e5 dxe5
14. Qxd8 Rexd8
15. Nxe5 Bxg2
16. Kxg2 Rdc8
17. Nb5 Bf8
18. f4 Nb7
19. Bxf8 Kxf8
20. g4 Nc5
21. b4 Na4
22. Rac1 a6
23. Nd6 Rc7
24. Kf3 Ne8
25. Ndxf7 Rxf7
26. Nxf7 Kxf7
27. Rd7 Kf8
28. Re1 a5
29. a3 axb4
30. axb4 Nb2
31. g5 Ra3
32. Kg4 Nxc4
33. Rxe6 Ne3
34. Kf3 Nd5
35. Ke4 Nec7
36. Rc6 Re3
37. Kd4 Rb3
38. Rdxc7
draw
1. c4 Nf6
2. Nc3 c5
3. Nf3 e6
4. g3 b6
5. Bg2 Bb7
6. 0-0 Be7
7. d4 cxd4
8. Qxd4 d6
9. Rd1 a6
10. b3 Nbd7
11. e4 Qb8
12. Ba3 Nc5
13. e5 dxe5
14. Qxe5 Ncd7
15. Qxb8 Rxb8
16. Bxe7 Kxe7
17. Nd4 Rhc8
18. Rac1 g5
19. Bxb7 Rxb7
20. f3 Rbc7
21. Nce2 h5
22. Kf2 Nc5
23. Ke3 Nb7
24. h3 Nd6
25. f4 Rc5
26. Kf3 Nfe4
27. Re1 Kf6
28. Nc3 g4
29. hxg4 hxg4
30. Kg2 Nxc3
31. Rxc3 b5
32. Rce3 bxc4
33. Nxe6 Rd5
34. Ng5 cxb3
35. axb3 Rc2
36. R1e2 Rdd2
37. Kf2 Rxe2
38. Rxe2 Rxe2
39. Kxe2 Kf5
40. Ke3 a5
41. Nh7 Ne4
42. Nf8 Nc5
0-1
Questions: