Half-open file

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Van-Wely-Polgar, Hoogeeven 1997

In chess, a half-open file, or semi-open file, is a file with only pawns of one color. The half-open file can provide a line of attack for the opposing player's rook or queen. A half-open file can only be used by the player with no pawns on it.

Many openings, such as the Sicilian Defense, aim to complicate the position. In the main line Sicilian (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 [2...e6; 2...Nc6] 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4) White obtains a half-open d-file, but Black can pressure White along the half-open c-file.

The game van Wely–Polgár, Hoogeveen, 1997 [1], demonstrates the power of half open files in attacks. Despite having one less pawn than White, Black's possession of two powerful half-open files gives her a winning advantage, her rook on the f-file and the queen on the g-file. Black played 30...Rxf2+! and White resigned, anticipating 31 Rxf2 Qxg3+ 32 Kf1 Qxf2#. The demolition of the pawn structure is a common theme in positions with half-open files, since doubled pawns or isolated pawns may create a half-open file.

See also

• open file

References

• Alburt, Lev; Lawrence, Al (2003), Chess Rules of Thumb, Chess Information and Research Center, ISBN 1-889323-10-1