Hi all,

 A quick question about Pawns, I consider myself a novice at chess.  I am starting to understand and use basic tactics like forks, pins, skewers etc. but I wouldn't consider myself a club player yet!  Anyway, I am yet to understand the full use of pawns, I am never sure when to move pawns, I have read beginners books and understand the importance of keeping a solid pawn chain, but most of my games get to the point where things become cramped, and I can only really see the benefit of moving pawns, but this would break a valuable pawn chain, and also open me up to attacks.  If I am to move pawns, I assume I am better off moving edge of the board pawns, rather than central?

 Any comments on this would be appreciated.

 Thanks,

 Papa.

I would suggest going to chessgames.com or looking in a book to look over games by famous players.  After reviewing a bunch of games by GMs(being sure to try to see why they made each move), you'll have a better idea of the purpose of pawn moves.  After you've done that, play... alot.  Then study more games.  Then play alot.  Rinse and repeat.

Thanks for your replies, I am in the middle of a game at the moment where I am a little lost.  If I am kingside castling (which I usually do) I always leave my F, G and H pawns on their starting squares to protect my king, and will only move those towards the end of the game, where keeping the king hemmed in becomes less important.  When I mentioned moving the flank pawns, I meant the pawns which aren't protecting my king.

 

How do I post game data on here?  I will gladly post my current game progress so you can see what you think if it is possible.

 

Thanks again,

 

Papa.

Actually, posting about or talking about or discussing games in progress is against the rules on this site. My recommendation is to take your time thinking about the moves, and move what you think is best. After the game is complete, it can be posted using the little chessborad icon in the text editor. Post it in the Games Discussion forum on this site, and there are several people willing to help you learn from the game, win or lose.

Thanks guys!  I dont advocate cheating either, the game I am talking about is an unrated game, my opponent is a chess.com representitive, but I take on board what you are saying.  I shall make my move and post the game after we have finished to see what people think!

 

Will have to check those books out Reb!

I suggest you "Understanding Pawn Play" written by Croatian Grandmaster Drazen Marovic.Drazen Marovic is a veteran grandmaster with experience as a player, trainer, writer, editor and television commentator.

 

"Understanding Pawn Play in Chess discussed elementary pawn-structures, Dynamic Pawn Play in Chess dealt with the center and its subtle relation with pawn-formations, and Secrets of Positional Chess focused on the strength and weakness of pieces and space...  In writing this book, my intention was to throw more light on the essence of the game of chess, its never-ending changing of values, the unceasing metamorphosis of the three elements it consists of – material, space and time..."   Drazen Marovic

 

 

My understanding about pawn structure and how they relate to piece play and tactics comes from reading My System and  by Aron Nimzowitch.