my question is, how does one play against a pawn rush (kingside in particular).

in my experience, ignoring it may lead to connected passed pawns and general havoc and damage to the kingside structure, whilst responding likewise by pushing your pawns forward may leave your castled king exposed, with a wide gap between the pawns and the king.

also, i once read in an article that pushing pawns in the centre is more effective than on the side, but i have to admit i find it harder to defend against pawn rushes on the side unscathed than in the centre

coudnt find anything on the topic using search, be glad to recieve any links if they exist :)

a lot of the times you will be doing a pawn rush on the other side for counter play and to gain space (since you will most likely be cramped on the side he is rushing)  but if you notice you're behind and you're going to bust open before he does, going after the center tends to be your best hope.  each position may call for something different but that is the most common trend to the best of my knowledge.

The conventional wisdom has been that an attack on the wing is best met with a blow to the center. Then use the resulting open lines (mainly diagonals and ranks, typically) to your advantage.

That pawn storms are usually slow works to your advantage.

i agree, the amount of moves it takes does give me some time to respond on the other side of the board or in the centre, but i find that when i totally avoid confronting the pawn rush i am put in a position where ignoring it any longer results in the king being left exposed as pawns get exchanged

but wont ignoring it only invite the pawns closer?

normally they have the advantage on the side they're rushing if you play on that side of the board most of the time you're just making it easier on them. Pretty much you would be playing into their strength rather then into their weakness

so, the best option is to utilize the extra moves and attack before the pawns reach your side? thats sounds like a good plan, ill try it next time, thanks for the help

I was just wandering the same thing.  I played a very aggressive player on gameknot and handled his pawn storm this way with the black pieces.  It was a fast paced game, I was losing, but managed to counter attack and win.  Even though I won, I felt thoroughly attacked!!

1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4  cxd4  4. Nxd4 Nc6  5. Be3 Nf6  6.Nc3 a6  7. f3 Bb4 8.Qd2 O-O 9. a3 Be7 10. g4 d6 11. h4 Bd7 12. o-o-o Nxd4 13. Bxd4 e5 14. Be3 Be6 15. h5 Qc7 25. Nxd6 Bg5 26. Nxf5 Bxd2+ 27. Rxd2 gxf5 28. Rg1 Qxh7 29. Rgd1 Qxh6 30. Kb1 e4 31. fxe4 fxe4 32. Rd7 e3 33. Re7 Qg5 34. Rh1+ Kg8 35. Rxb7 Re8 36.Rbh7 e2 37. Rh8+ Kf7 38. Rh1h7+ Kf6 39. Rxe8 Qg1+ 40. Ka2 e1=Q 41. Rf8+ Kg6 42. Rhh8 Qb1+ 43. Kb3 Qb6+ 44. Kc3 Qb1xb2+   White resigns.