The minority attack is a classic strategy associated with the Queen's Gambit Declined and similar pawn structures. White typically plays b4-b5, exchanging the b-pawn for Black's c-pawn. This leaves Black with either an isolated a-pawn or a backward c-pawn on a semi-open file — both structural weaknesses.
The key to a successful minority attack is timing and piece coordination. The advancing pawns need support from pieces (particularly rooks on the b- and c-files), and the attack should be launched when the opponent cannot generate sufficient counterplay on the other side of the board.
Defending against a minority attack requires active counterplay, often on the kingside. Simply waiting passively allows the attacker to create structural weaknesses without resistance. The defender should also consider blockading the advancing pawns before they reach their target squares, using pieces to prevent the critical pawn exchanges.