and dissolving the IQP, or use the greater activity of his pieces to launch an attack probably making use of the e5-square for a knight and possibly lifting a rook to the kingside. Typically there may also be a sacrifice on e6 or f7. It is important that White try to use the IQP to support an attack or dissolve it before the endgame as it would then become weak. The advance d4–d5 or a tactic forcing Black to capture a piece on e5 and then recapturing with the d4-pawn would be typical ways of achieving this. Black has three pieces controlling the weak d5-square (king's knight, light-squared bishop, and e6-pawn). This helps to prevent White's thematic d4–d5 advance. has the dark-squared bishop pinnning White's queen's knight to the e1-rook to reduce White's control of the crucial d5-square. has the light-squared bishop well-placed to control the weakened light squares in the centre of the board. Black may decide to blockade the pawn on d4 with a piece (most likely a knight) or prevent its advance long enough to increase pressure on it until it falls. It is likely Black will try to place rooks on the open c-file and semi-open d-file to increase their activity and to increase the pressure on d4. It is crucial that Black prevents the d4–d5 break or otherwise renders it harmless. Black will try to exchange pieces as much as possible since the fewer the pieces on the board, the weaker the IQP becomes. Black needs to be wary of White using the e5-square to launch an attack, and keep vigilant for sacrifices on e6 and f7. See also Backward pawn Doubled pawns References Bibliography This book is entirely about the isolated d-pawn. Further reading Chess terminology Chess strategy