Why is h5 the best move for black here? I don't understand pawn breaks

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the_elders

I don't understand pawn breaks, when to attack, when to defend. The best move here is black plays pawn to h5 but I have no idea why that is a good  move. What can I study or practice to understand this situation better? Most of my games I just make a bad pawn move and the engine tells me it is a 3 point swing.

Toldsted

h5 is a threath and not a pawn break. In this position c5 or f6 are pawn breaks (attacks on the White pawn chain).

To be better at chess you need to study. Often you need explanations and not just best move. Find a book or video that suits your level, interests and learning style and invest some energy (learning is always troublesome).

If you really will like to understand pawn breaks then I would recommend Nimzowitsch's My System.

matthalifax

1700 analysis, so probably wrong but I'll give it ago. Black has pawn on C4, next move they want to build a pawn chain with b5. White is essential stopping that and then will target the pawn on C4. Also we are going space, which as it's a closed position will help us later on

blueemu

Speaking of PAWN BREAKS, people...

White's K-side activity will often involve getting the f-Pawn from f2 all the way up to f5, where it can open lines or threaten to advance to f6.

Playing h7-h5 (with or without a later h5-h4 move) makes it more difficult for White to get his g-Pawn up to g4 to support the f4-f5 Pawn break.

Cloaked_Schemer

The point is h5 threatens h4, trapping the bishop and winning immediately. Additionally, it fully develops the rook from its starting square. It's a fairly common idea with a bishop on g3/g6/b3/b6. For reference, see the Tal Variation of the Advance Caro Kann.