Playing a4 or for black a5 is very common in the italian game.
White threatens to expand with d4 or b4, attacking the Bc5. With a5 the move b4 would blunder a pawn, and meanwhile you also create a safe haven for the Bc5 on a7.
In general pawn moves are the lowest priority. For starters pawns can never move backward.
Hi folks, I was analyzing a game and here I am playing black to move. The top engine recommendation is a5. Could someone explain the benefit of that? It seems like a wasted move to me, but I am obviously missing something.
When reviewing games I often get missed move recommendations for moving the a (black) or h (white) pawns that I never understand. Is there some pattern or theme here for early development of side pawns that I need to investigate further?
Thanks, Russell.