Chess Tips: 7 Most Basic Pawn Structures You Need to Know
Hi everyone! Welcome to my seventh blog suggested by @TheInfiltrater77. I created the series called "Chess Tips" where I teach you some useful skills you can use in your own games. Now let's get started!
‘’Pawns are the soul of chess." Stated Philidor. In this blog, I will tell you the 7 most basic pawn structures and ideas from both sides. Once you go through the position 1 by 1, you will be able of understand which pawn structure are good or bad. Now let's get started!
#1. Passed Pawns
A passed pawn is an pawn that can not be prevented by any other enemy pawns. In other words, that pawn have an open file all for itself. It can create a very dangerous threat to your opponent in endgames since it can walk its way to promotion.
In the position above, you can see a passed pawn. However, what is so special about it is it is on the a-file. That means the black king are unable to stop it. That would mean a safe promotion, which will also get you a higher chance of winning.
#2. Isolated Pawn
Isolated pawns are pawns that can't be protected by any other pawns. This makes them extremely weak in critical king and pawns endgames. They have to be constantly protected by the king.
In the diagram above, you can see the isolated pawns are a weakness black can exploit. White's best option will be exchange the b-pawn for a c-pawn.
#3. Backward Pawn
A backward pawn is a pawn that can't move forward because it can be captured by the enemy's pawn for free. We should avoid this case.
In the position above, the highlighted pawn is a backward pawn. Since white have another protected passed pawn, this put white at an advantage.
#4. Doubled Pawns
Doubled pawns are one of the weakest pawn structure. Doubled pawns are pawns on the same file and can't protect each other. In addition, they can be blocked by 1 single pawn.
In the diagram above, even though white have 2 pawns and black have 2 pawns, white is losing because they have doubled pawns that are blocked by a single pawn. This proves how weak doubled pawns are sometimes are and how powerful passed pawns are in endgames.
#5: Connected Pawns
Connected pawns are one of the most strongest pawn structure. The reason why is they can always protect each other. You should always aim for this structure in your own games.
In the diagram, you can see how the connected pawns can outsmart a rook. Note that if 2 pawns holding hands together are both on the 6th rank, a rook are unable to stop them. One of the pawns are able to promote. This is an example on how the connected pawns can be useful.
#6. Hanging Pawns
Hanging pawns are pawns that can be attacked by your opponent's pawns when they move.
In the diagram above, the d and e-pawns are considered to be hanging pawns. However, they can have an advantage because their control of space.
#7. Pawn Majority
Pawn majority means there are more pawns of one color than the other side. Pawn majority is a valuable weapon because after all the exchanges are done, a passed pawn can be formed.
In the position above, white have 1 more pawn than black. This can mean black can lose because of the passed pawn. If you want to learn more about King and pawn endgames, click here.
(Note: Endgames are indeed important. But you really want to improve, you should study tactics, openings, strategies, attacking skills, and defending skills, etc.)
That is all for this blog! Thank you so much for reading it, I really appreciated it and pls comment if you learned something new! I hope you have a nice day! Now see you next week!
