The Minority Attack | Chess Middlegames

Using the Minority Attack to create weaknesses in your opponent’s position is a very strong strategic weapon.

This attack was implemented into chess practice not so long ago, somewhere in the late 19th century. Before that, some openings which resulted with one side having a 3 to 2 pawn majority on the queenside were thought to have a superior position.

The minority attack changed that idea and made the variations sound and playable on the highest levels. The idea behind this aggressive pawn storm is that you use your two pawns to attack your opponent’s three, thus causing structural damage. The resulting structure often leave the defending side with a backward pawn he is condemned to defend for the rest of the game.

The minority attack most often occurs out if the Queen’s Gambit Declined and from the Exchange Caro-Kann. The prerequisites for it are a 3 to 2 structure on the queenside (with the c pawn advanced to the third/sixth rank to be used as a target) and pieces on the board. Without pieces to exploit the newly created weakness, the attack would make no sense, as the target couldn’t be pressured.

Here are example games in which the minority attack won the game. I would advise you to analyze them in order to get a feel for how the attack works in practice (you can find them all on chessgames).

Yasser Seirawan vs Mikhail Tal 1983 (Nimzo-Indian, Classical)

Larry Melvyn Evans vs Haakon Opsahl 1950 (QGD, Modern)

Anatoly Karpov vs Joel Lautier 1995 (Semi-Slav, Stolz)

Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian vs Nikolai Krogius 1959 (Gruenfeld, Three Knights)

Loek van Wely vs Nigel Short 2010 (QGD, Barmen)

#chess

[michaelvanzyl]

I love this because it is a simple plan in a quiet position. Something I struggle with quite a bit

[grandmaster]

this is some great quality content... Hope your channel grows just like that of agadmators

[D_Medusa]

I am 1850 elo, playing for over 30 years and believe it or not I have never understood the minority attack until I watched your video! Thank you! I finally completely understand the minority attack and have won my last three games with the Catalan because of it! Would love to see more pawn formation videos.

[sebastianosnofla]

Dude, this s by far the most instructional chess channel on youtube, and it gets less credit than it deserves. You've helped me improve tons my chess

[Saurabhsingh-yz]

I think for this much information other youtubers might have charged money through various courses ...but you did it free of cost ....heads off to you

[stanislavhadzhiev]

I'm happy I find this video 5 years later :D I'm playing QGD and the Caro-Kann as Black and will be super useful to be familiar with. Keep up the good work.

[lks]

After watching so many of your videos, my ratings are going higher than I hoped. Thanks for the hard work

[jakubsprega]

You'll never stop surprising me. Another great material. Amazing middlegame idea. Thank you!

[akashgupta]

Thank you, i was looking for a good video on minority attack no video explained this to me this well.

[saubhagyasingh]

This video has changed my way of thinking. Great work sir.
Please do make more of middle game ideas. This is more important and beneficial than openings. Although openings video are very good too

[jhadesdev]

perfect explanation, this channel is a gold mine i'm going through all the videos. I found it due to the content on my main Black opening the Philidor but stayed for the rest. Thanks for sharing!

[MrFilmmakerphil]

Stipen, you should seriously consider becoming a chess coach to new players. The way you explain things is so much better than anyone else i have encountered.

[danno]

Thanks for this — very well explained.

[ajarnray]

This is explained very well thank you again for an excellent video I hope more will come in this series.

[murengumulindi]

I look forward to your videos everyday. Thankyou

[cricketguyable]

this is such a good overview of this topic! thanks for this, love your channel 🙏

[naveediqbal]

Thanks Sir for an important idea for us to apply in our chess games.

[smoothbassoon]

What a good chess lesson! Well done, very easy to understand, concise, examples, good stuff 👍

[rachelthomas]

Thank you for all your efforts, your channel helps me more than anything. As soon as you have time, please post another problem in the commons section on these "lessons". Maybe viewers don't realize they are there, they haven't many views.

[marksteddom]

I’m new to your channel. Thank you for this lesson. You explain things very well. I’ll be going through your other lessons.