A brake system for a land vehicle includes at least one wheel brake; a pump configured to pump hydraulic fluid from the inlet side of the pump to the outlet side of the pump; at least one intermediate store for receiving hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic connection between the intermediate store and the inlet side of the pump; at least one first valve arrangement for blocking a hydraulic connection between the outlet side of the pump and the at least one wheel brake; at least one second valve arrangement for blocking a hydraulic connection between the at least one wheel brake and the inlet side of the pump; and at least one third valve arrangement for blocking a hydraulic connection between the outlet side of the pump and the intermediate store. A method for controlling a brake system is disclosed wherein the braking pressure in at least one wheel brake is reduced by pumping the hydraulic fluid from the at least one wheel brake into the intermediate store, and the second and third valve arrangement are in a conducting position.