bb_gum234 wrote:
Not all pawns are equal. Center pawns, passed pawns, and far advanced pawns tend to be worth more.
Although, as usual, it all depends on the specific position. Far advanced pawns also tend to be weaker and flank pawns can be more dangerous in an endgame,
Sometimes to keep a pawn, your pieces will have to be passive defenders so it's not worth it... and sometimes to win a pawn your pieces are pulled out of position so it's not worth it.
I don't have an engine, but I'd love to see what computer does after the game. (A famous chess mentor problem shows where Deep Blue would take a pawn for gaining advantage agaisnt Kasparov, but that was a different scenario, under different circumstances.)
Hi,
It actually came up during a game I am playing now. So not sure if it is "ok" to ask this but the opponent is my friend anyway so he won't throw a hissy fit.
Given protecting a center passed pawn or taking a free pawn compromizing that: what should be an optimal strategy?
Thank you. And gesundheit!