Susan Polgar:

When is it OK to Play g4?

Concept
When we teach our students, it is
important to teach them the basic
principles of chess. Once they are
aware of those and are able to apply
them in their own games, it is just as
important to point out when it may
be ok not to follow those same
principles and recognize the
exception from the rule.
Let us imagine a situation when we
are in the opening (or middlegame)
with most pieces (especially queens)
still on the board, and we castle (or
plan to) to the kingside of the board.
In such situations, we generally do
not recommend playing g4 as it
typically would weaken our kingside
and put our king in potential danger.
The position below demonstrates that
it is a bad idea to play g4 and weaken
the kingside:

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+nvlpzpp0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zPN+-+0
9+-+L+N+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
FIDE SURVEY Susan Polgar

Here it would be pointless and quite

silly for White to play g4.
On the other hand, if we have castled
(or plan to) to the queenside, and
Black to the kingside, then of course
a g4 pawn advance would be normal,
typical, and generally a good idea.

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+pwq-vlpzpp0
9p+nzppsn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+QzPPzP0
9+-mKR+-tR-0
xiiiiiiiiy
In this survey, I would like to share
with you some examples when in
seemingly calm positions, with both
kings castled to the kingside, and yet
surprisingly g4 is a playable and in
fact the correct plan of action.
Lets start with a few classical
examples by Alekhine.

Alekhine A. : Kunze O.
Duesseldorf 1908

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqrsnk+0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9p+-+psn-zp0
9+-vlp+-+-0
9-+-+-zP-vL0
9+-sNL+-+-0
9PzPP+Q+PzP0
9+-+R+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
For most people the first thought in
such positions would be to try to play
against Black's backward pawn on
e6. However, the genius of Alekhine
had different plans.
18.g4!
White despite having his own king
also on the kingside, advanced his
own g-pawn to start an attack. Of
course the same idea would be
extremely dangerous if Black would
still have his lightsquared bishop on
the board. Now, White threatens to
open the g-file with the upcoming
g5.
18...Le7 19.Tg1 Dc7
If 19...Db6 White would get a
winning attack after 20.g5 hg5
21.Lg5 and now if 21...Db2 then
22.Lh6 Dc3 23.Tg7 Kh8 24.Tg3.
20.g5 hg5 21.fg5
21.Lg5 looked quite strong too.
21...S6d7 22.Tdf1 g6?
A big mistake which allows a nice
little combination to end the game
quickly.
FIDE SURVEY Susan Polgar

23.Lg6 Sg6 24.De6 Kh8 25.Dg6

Dc6 26.Dh5 Kg8 27.Df7 Kh8 28.g6
d4 29.Sd5 1:0.
Here is another example:
Alekhine A. : Ostrogsky V.
Moscow 1910

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9wqp+-+pzp-0
9p+lvlpsn-zp0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-zP-+0
9+PzPLzPQ+-0
9P+-vL-sNPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
In this position, the first thing that
comes to mind is the awkward
position of the black queen on a7. In
such situations, time is the essence,
as time given the black queen may
improve its current position.
17.g4!
Here White again confidently makes
the g4 advance despite his king being
right on g1. The two important
elements which allow it are:
1) The centre is closed and Black has
no realistic hope to open it.
2) The black queen is far from the
kingside where it could harm the
white king.
17...Tfe8?
Too slow. Black's best bet was
17...Lb5 .
18.g5 hg5 19.fg5 Sd7 20.Sg4
2

Now we see that the black rook

would have been better off staying
on f8 to protect the pawn on f7.
20...Te7 21.Dh3
Threatening mate in two.
21...Sf8 22.Tf6!
An elegant move, with a fancy
threat! On most Black moves, for
example if 22...cd4, White would
play 23.Th6! and mate after 23...gh6
24.Sf6 Kg7 25.Dh6 #.
22...Sg6
The game move prevents White's
direct threat, but it does not change
the end result.
23.Tg6 fg6 24.Lg6 1:0.
And one more example from the
former World Champions many
such games:
Alekhine A. : Bogoljubow E.
Budapest 1921

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-+k+0
9zp-+-wqp+p0
9-zp-+lsnp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+pwQPzP-+0
9+-sN-+-+P0
9PzPL+-+P+0
9+-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

Yes, and answer again is the

'magical' g4 move! Here White
actually simply has a very powerful
tactical threat, trapping Black's
bishop!
25...Lg4
A desperate sacrifice. However, as
the following variations demonstrate
it, Black's other options were not any
better either. If 25...Tc7 to clear the
c8-square for the bishop, then 26.f5
Lc8 27.Dd8 Dd8 28.Td8 Kg7 29.g5
and Black will be forced to give up
the knight after the f6 check. Or if,
25...Tc5 26.f5 Lc8 27.Dd8 Dd8
28.Td8 Kg7 29.e5 Sg8 30.f6 Kh8
31.Se4 Tc7 32.Sg5 and Black is
totally lost.
26.hg4 Sg4 27.Kg2!
An important defensive move. White
prepares against Dh4, to respond
with Th1.
27...h5 28.Sd5 Dh4 29.Th1 Dd8
30.Ld1 1:0.
Also another legendary World
Champion Mikhail Botvinnik has a
numerous similar examples. Let us
see one of them:

In this position White has some

space advantage, active pieces, and
good control of the d-file. But how to
proceed to make progress?
25.g4!
FIDE SURVEY Susan Polgar

Botvinnik M. : Zagoriansky E.
Sverdlovsk 1943

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+k+0
9+-+r+pzp-0
9-zp-+l+-zp0
9zp-wqpwQ-+-0
9-+-tR-+-+0
9+P+-zPL+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9+-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has been playing against
Black's weak isolated pawn for a
good numbers of moves. After
maximizing the pressure on the d5pawn, White had to realize that
Black has sufficient number of
defenders on it. It was time to look
for a new target.
25.g4!
The goal is to open up the g-file for
the white rooks to attack Black's
king.
25...Dc6
Black had no way to prevent the g5
advance as all their pieces were busy
guarding the pawn on d5.
26.g5 hg5 27.Dg5
The first part of the plan has been
accomplished. The next phase of the
plan is to get at least one rook to the
g-file.
27...f6 28.Dg6 Lf7 29.Dg3 f5
30.Dg5 De6 31.Kh1!
A typical move, to clear the g1
square for the rook.
31...De5 32.Tg1 Tf8 33.Dh6
FIDE SURVEY Susan Polgar

Next the second rook is coming to

the h-file.
33...Tb8 34.Th4 Kf8 35.Dh8 Lg8
It is clear that White has made a lot
of progress. However, yet again
White has to refocus its target.
36.Tf4
This time it is the pawn on f5.
36...Tbb7 37.Tg5 Tf7 38.Dh5
Now that the third attacker on the f5pawn has arrived, Black is helpless.
38...Da1 39.Kg2 g6 40.Dg6 Lh7
41.Dd6 Tfe7 42.Dd8 1:0.
My own sister Judit is also known
for her dominant g4 moves. Here is
one the many memorable victories of
Judit (she was only 13 years old at
the time of this game) with our
theme.
Polgar J. : Ree H.
Amsterdam 1989
1.e4 c5 2.Sf3 e6 3.d4 cd4 4.Sd4 Sf6
5.Sc3 d6 6.Le2 Le7 7.00 00 8.Le3
a6 9.f4 Dc7

XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0
9+pwq-vlpzpp0
9p+-zppsn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNPzP-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.g4
4

I have to admit that it is not unusual

to play g4 in the 'Scheveningen'
variation of the 'Sicilian Defence',
but usually it comes after some
further preparation. The rule of
thumb is in most Sicilians when
White plays g4, respond with ...d5 if
you can. This is what Black should
have done here too. Playing
passively typically leads to no good
as we shall see in this game too.
10...Te8 11.g5 Sfd7 12.Lh5
White threatens to take advantage of
the freshly created pin and capture
Se6.
12...g6 13.Lg4
White purposefully wasted a tempo
to provoke a weakening on the
kingside with ...g6.
13...Sc6?

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9+pwqnvlp+p0
9p+nzpp+p+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-+-sNPzPL+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-+-zP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black underestimated the dangers
that lay ahead. 13...Sf8 was needed.
Now, a nice combination follows.
14.Se6! fe6 15.Le6 Kh8
If 15...Kf8 16.f5; or 15...Kg7 16.Sd5
followed by Ld4, are both rather
strong for White.
16.Sd5 Db8
FIDE SURVEY Susan Polgar

16...Dd8 17.Ld4 Sde5?! 18.Lb6+-.

17.Lf7!
17.Ld4 Sde5 18.Lc8 Dc8 19.fe5 de5
20.Le3 gave also a clear advantage,
but Judit felt that the game move was
even more powerful.
17...Tf8 18.Ld4 Sde5 19.Se7! Se7
20.fe5 de5 21.Lc5 Kg7
After 21...Dc7 22.Dd6 Black cannot
avoid material loss.
22.Le7 Da7 23.Kh1 Lh3 24.Df3 1:0
Finally, let me share with you a few
examples from my own practice:
Polgar Z. : Spiridonov N.
Albena 1986

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trlmkn+0
9+pwq-+pzp-0
9-+-zp-sn-zp0
9zp-zpP+P+-0
9P+P+-vL-+0
9+-zP-+Q+-0
9-+L+-+PzP0
9+-+-tRNmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has a significant space
advantage and more active pieces.
Therefore, it is time for ...
1.g4! Sd7 2.Dg3 Sb6 3.Sd2
Aiming to play Se4 next, to put more
pressure on the d6-pawn.
3...Sf6 4.g5 hg5 5.Dh3!
The most direct and powerful way to
continue the White's attack.
5...Sbd7

After either 5...gf4? 6.Dh8 Sg8 7.f6

gf6 8.Lh7; or 5...Sg8 6.f6! gf6
(6...Sf6? 7.Dh8 Sg8 8.Lh7) 7.Dh8
White wins.
6.Dh8 Sg8 7.f6!

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trlmknwQ0
9+pwqn+pzp-0
9-+-zp-zP-+0
9zp-zpP+-zp-0
9P+P+-vL-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9-+LsN-+-zP0
9+-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
An important motive which repeats
itself in various variations, to open
the diagonal for the bishop on c2.
7...Sdf6 8.Lg5
Threatening to trade on f6, followed
by Lh7.
8...Dc8 9.h3!
Preventing any potential counterplay
by Black.
9...Se4 10.Se4 f6

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+qtrlmknwQ0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+-zp-zp-+0
9zp-zpP+-vL-0
9P+P+N+-+0
9+-zP-+-+P0
9-+L+-+-+0
9+-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
FIDE SURVEY Susan Polgar

11.Sf6! And Black cannot avoid

mate. 1:0.
In the next example, the primary
purpose of g4 is simply to gain
space.
Polgar Z. : Serper G.
FIDE-Wch U20, Adelaide 1988

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+nwq-trk+0
9zpp+r+pvlp0
9-+p+p+p+0
9+-zPp+-+n0
9P+-zP-+-+0
9+P+LzP-+P0
9-vLQ+-zPP+0
9tR-+R+NmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
20.g4! Sf6 21.f4
Quite impressively, at this point
White has moved all her pawns
already. Surprisingly it works!
21...Se8 22.Sh2 f6 23.Sf3 Te7
24.Tf1 Sc7 25.b4
White has the advantage in all parts
of the board.
25...a6 26.Dh2 Se8 27.Tad1 Sc7
28.h4 f5 29.g5 h5
Otherwise h5 and the opening of the
h-file was coming.
30.gh6 Lh6 31.h5 Tg7 32.Kf2 gh5
33.Dh5 Tf6 34.Se5 Se7 35.Tg1 Se8
36.Lc3!
A nice plan, Lc3-e1h4 to bring the
final weapon to the attack.
36...Sc7 37.Tg7 Lg7 38.Tg1 De8
39.Dg5 Tf7 40.Le2! 1:0.
6

Polgar Z. : Hulsey M.
Saltwater 2004

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+-+0
9zpp+n+-vlk0
9-+-zp-+pzp0
9+-zpP+p+n0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-sNLvLN+P0
9PzP-wQ-zPP+0
9+-+-tRRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.g4!
A very important move. Otherwise,
the black knight returns from h5 to f6
and Black has a decent position.
15...fg4 16.hg4 Shf6 17.g5 Sg4
After 17...hg5 18.Sg5 Black is lost.
18.gh6 Sde5
18...Se3 19.hg7 Sf1

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+-+0
9zpp+n+-zPk0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-zpP+-+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-sNL+N+-0
9PzP-wQ-zP-+0
9+-+-tRnmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

Black loses after 18...Lh6 19.Lh6

Te1 20.Te1 Sh6 21.Lg6! Kg6 22.Te6
Sf6 23.Dg5 Kf7 24.Dh6 Le6 25.Sg5
Ke8 26.Se6 De7 27.Dh8 too.
19.Sg5!
This in-between move wins a piece.
After 19.Se5 Le5 Black would get
some counter chances.
19...Kg8
Moving into a discovery with
19...Kh6 would be deadly too.
20.hg7 Sd3
If 20...Se3 21.De3.
21.Dd3 Lf5
My opponent actually thought he
was doing OK until he realized that
after 21...Se3 I don't have to
recapture on e3, but can play
22.Dg6!.
22.Sce4
The rest was easy.
22...Se5 23.De2 Kg7 24.Kg2 De7
25.Lf4 Sf7 26.Dd2 Dd7 27.Dc3 Se5
28.Sd6 1:0.

and now 20.Dg5!!, a beautiful quite

move that wins the game: 20...Dg5
21.Sg5 Kg7 22.Te8 and the black
knight on f1 gets trapped: 22...Sd2
23.Te2 Kf6 24.f4 .
FIDE SURVEY Susan Polgar

Conclusion
In most positions with queens (and
most other pieces) on the board and
White castling to the kingside, you
normally do not want to play g4
without a good reason.
A good reason could be concrete or
tactical one, which will lead to some
material or other gain.
However, as we have seen from the
above examples, there are also
numerous situations where even
without any immediate justification
White can afford to break the rule
and still play g4.

FIDE SURVEY Susan Polgar

As we know, once a pawn advances

forward, it can never move
backwards. That means that we have
to be rather careful with that type of
committing moves.
How would you know when is it ok
and when not? You need to evaluate
the following elements:
a) Will your opponent be able to take
advantage of the weakened light
squares around your king?
b) Will the g4 pawn advance likely
lead to some kind of significant
positional gain or advance your own
attack?