Decision Making : Should White Play c5 Here?

Should White Play c5 Here?

In this position, it is White to move

Would you play c5 here?

Before reading further, I recommend you pause for a few minutes and think.
Try to understand what the position is really asking for.

What Happened in the Game

In the game, White chose to play:
17\. c5
At first glance, this move looks logical.
The idea behind c5 is clear:

• Exchange pawns
• Open the c-file
• Create activity for the rook and Bishop

However, I felt that this decision was not the best choice in this position.

Let’s understand why.

The Hidden Positional Detail

The key point lies in Black’s d6 pawn.
In this position:

• The pawn on d6 is an isolated pawn
• It is not protected by any other pawn
• This makes it a long-term weakness in Black’s position

This pawn should be attacked, not released.

Why c5 Helps Black

By playing 17\. c5, White allows Black to:

• Exchange pawns
• Remove the isolated d6 pawn
• Relieve pressure from a weakness

In other words, White is helping Black solve a positional problem.

Exchanging your opponent’s weakness is often a strategic mistake.

A Better Plan for White

Instead of c5, White can slowly increase pressure on the d6 pawn:

• Qd2 – connecting pieces and eyeing the d6 square
• Rook to d1 – placing a rook directly behind the weakness
• b3 followed by Bb2 – improving the bishop and adding more pressure

With this setup, White can:

• Fix the weakness
• Force Black into passive defence
• Improve all pieces step by step

Key Positional Lesson

When your opponent has a long-term weakness,
your job is to attack it — not to exchange it.

Patience is often rewarded in such positions.

Thanks for reading.

Please share your thoughts in the comments—would you have played c5, or preferred a slower buildup against the d6 pawn?