Double Isolated Pawns, Or Split Pawns
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Which is worse? If you were in a position where you had to have this happen, which one would you choose?
I'd rather have split pawns in most cases. If, for example, you are down to endgame just kings and pawns, opponent can't cover both pawns with his king. One will promote.
Interesting. I quite agree with that.
The reason I started wondering about this is that I had a rapid game today where my opponent who was down material was forced to give up his knight. I was wondering if he would move it back to f3 or h3. He resigned, oh well.
The reason I started wondering about this is that I had a rapid game today where my opponent who was down material was forced to give up his knight. I was wondering if he would move it back to f3 or h3. He resigned, oh well.
I really try to avoid doubled pawns even early in the game. When my knight is pinned by a bishop, I try to make sure that if he chooses to trade, I can take back with a bishop, queen or another knight....not a pawn. Sometimes doubled pawns are worse than just losing a pawn...they can really block development.
Doubled pawns can at times be very good. They can control more squares or open up files. In general, I will assess the position before choosing to get my pawns doubled. Sometimes I like it, other times I hate it.
Jul 11, 2022
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#6
Doubled Pawns aren't really a problem if they cover important squares.
One of the main reasons that doubled Pawns are bad in general is that the collective mobility of the entire Pawn constellation... the total sum of the mobilities of each of the individual Pawns... is reduced when Pawns get doubled.
But if the doubled Pawns cover important squares, you probably wouldn't have been moving them anyway, so the loss of mobility (due to the doubling) is not an issue.
Jul 11, 2022
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#7
Split pawns imply one of the pawns is isolated, so it's a strange list.
Anyway, doubled pawns are typically undervalued by newer players who learn it's a structural defect (which is true) but don't realize it's not so bad. With doubled pawns, other than decreased overall mobility as @blueemu points out, it can eliminate your ability to create a passed pawn in an endgame... but backward pawns and isolated pawns are typically more of an issue since they can't be defended by friendly pawns.
Thank you both for the insight.