One pawn? Meh...

Submitted by Kingfisher on Tue, 05/20/2008 at 9:15am.

The mistake I see most often among beginners is poor pawn play. They often sacrifice them needlessly, ignore opportunities for pawn captures, or just don't sufficiently protect them. When they see a complex combintion that wins a pawn, they say: "All that trouble just for a pawn? So not worth it..."

The most probable reason for this attitude is the material table. In it, the pawn has the lowest value of all chess pieces, a mere one point. But as you might have heard, this table is very misleading in regard to actual piece value. For example, bishops are more valueable then knights, and not of even value. Same is true of the pawns. When played correctly, their value rises exponentially. The game featured ilustrates that

If you wish to put your rating over 1400, pawn play is something you must learn.

» posted in For Beginners

| 522 reads | 4 comments |

1 vote:

Comments:

by Wrenn - 46 days ago
Massachusetts United States

Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 38

It is often said to beginner's to take care of your pawns, but this game demonstrates why this is the case. Not only does it demonstrate this, but it explains what is going on as well, in a clear manner. Thank you :)

by Kingfisher - 4 months ago
zagreb Croatia

Member Since: Sep 2007
Member Points: 1212

I'm glad you like the game. But what have you learned from it?

by God2 - 4 months ago
Malaysia

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 1082

very nice!

by yavuz1990 - 4 months ago
Istanbul Turkey

Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 44

Good game! Please tell me: if 10.d5 is good then why white is left with one missing pawn with equal positions? Could 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Nd4 have more chance?

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