Pawn positions

Each pawn structure has its own general ideas and plans. For example, in the position arising from the French Advance variation, 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5, white enjoys a spatial advantage and chances of a strong kingside attack with the main pawn break being f4-f5. Black usually wants to trade his light-square bishop, his "bad" bishop due to being hemmed in by black's own pawns, and will play for pawn breaks via c7-c5 or f7-f6. With the latter, black accepts a backward e-pawn for a bit more freedom for his pieces as well as the possibility of a further break by pushing the e-pawn. Like I said, every structure has a general strategy. Knowing these strategies makes it easier for you to develop your own plan during play by giving you a nudge in the right direction.

A good starting point for understanding the strategy behind various pawn structures is Pawn Structure Chess by Soltis. 

Pawn Structures.

 Pawns on d4-e4/d5-e5.

If you OWN the center:

You have to be able to consolidate the center from attack by suitable development.

You use the center to cramp the enemy development.

You have to be ready to advance the center at the right moment to start an attack.

If you are FIGHTING AGAINST the center.

You have to place your pieces aggressively to prevent consolidation.

You have to try to destabilize the center with appropriate pawn levers.

This type of center is strong only when it is sufficiently protected and potentially mobile.

The Open Center, Open e, or d file.

Deploy your pieces as actively as possible.

If you have an Isolated Pawn, you need to keep pieces on the board, and play actively.

If you are playing against an Isolated Pawn, you want to exchange pieces, and aim for an endgame.

Control the open file.

Half Open Center. Pawns on d4-e6, or e4-d6/e4-d6-e6.

Half Open Centers can lead to positions of imbalance.

Half Open Centers are not permanent and can change at any moment.

Deploy your pieces as actively as possible.

If you have a d6-e6 pawn structure, you must find a way to free yourself, or you will remain passive, and give your opponent the initiative.

The side with the advanced central pawn will develop his pieces actively and try and start an attack.

Blocked Pawn Center.

What are the guidelines for blocked pawn centers?

•Patience.

•Pawn Breaks.

•What are the “good and bad” pieces?

•Exchanging the “bad” pieces.

•A good understanding of where the pieces should be placed.

Isolated Queen Pawn Centers.

Long term the IQP is a weakness, and the opponent should be thinking of the following:

·         Active development,

·         Blockading the pawn.

·         Trading pieces, where the IQP becomes a weakness in the endgame.

·         Generally defensive ideas – slow your opponents attack.

The side with the IQP, should strive for the following:

·         Trade off the IQP.

·         Avoid exchanges.

·         Attack.  Keeping the pressure off of the IQP.

·         Active piece play.

Doubled Pawns.

If you have the doubled pawns:

Doubled pawns can be a weakness.  You want to avoid piece exchanges, unless it benefits you.

The side with the doubled pawns will often times have the bishop, or knight pair, which allows them to take advantage of a color complex.

Doubled pawns create half open files.  The half open file can be used for active piece play.

A center pawn push can eliminate doubled pawns.

A doubled pawn can be used to restrain the opponent’s pawns, and or pieces.

If you’re playing against doubled pawns:

Doubled pawns can be a weakness.  You want to initiate piece exchanges.

If you can, you want to freeze the pawns so they cannot move.  This creates targets to attack.

Hanging Pawns.

Hanging pawns are useful in the middlegame, especially if they can be pushed forward at the right moment with pieces behind them.

Hanging pawns tend to become weaker as pieces are exchanged and can be a liability in the endgame.

When you’re playing with hanging pawns:

·         Keep pieces on the board.

·         Start an attack.

·         Advance the hanging pawns at the right moment.

When you’re defending against hanging pawns:

·         Attack/Destabilize the hanging pawns.

·         Force piece exchanges.

Pawn Chains.

An effective pawn chain can win a game for you.

Active piece play.

Attack the pawn chain at the base if possible.

Try and make your pawns work with your pieces.

Trade off your bad pieces for your opponent’s active pieces.

Use a pawn chain to gain space and cramp your opponent.

Passed Pawns.

Passed pawns can be used to tie the opponent down in the opening, middle, and endgame.

You always try to create a passed pawn in the endgame.

When you’re playing against a passed pawn:

·         You want to try and blockade the pawn.

·         Create counter play, by playing around the passed pawn.

·         Passed pawns become stronger as the endgame approaches, so you want to keep material on  the board.

When you have the passed pawn:

·         You wat to advance the pawn, gaining space, and tying down the opponents pieces.

·         Passed pawns become stronger in the endgame, so strive for exchanges.

in today's game Magnus vs MVL Magnus had a passed pawn but he some how just gave it up. engine wasn't to happy. but right after that he created another which worked and MVL resigned...