pawn structure books

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123AMC
Hi all,

Is there an equivalent book for 1. e4 players to Sokolov’s Winning Chess Middlegames? That is based mostly on structures arising from d4 openings. I have Chess Structures, which is very good, but wondered if there was something more in-depth on the openings following 1. e4?

Thanks
OldPatzerMike

"Pawn Structure Chess" by Soltis and "Chess Structures: a Grandmaster Guide" by Flores have good coverage of 1. e4 structures as well as 1. d4 structures. For the Sicilian, the French, and the Spanish, there are books from an out-of-print series "Mastering the ... " that focus on the pawn structures from those openings.

blueemu

No love for "Pawn Power in Chess" by Kmoch?

OldPatzerMike
blueemu wrote:

No love for "Pawn Power in Chess" by Kmoch?

My omission of Kmoch was inexcusable. It does have excellent material on e4 structures. Thank you for adding it.

kindaspongey

In a previous discussion, someone reported a passage from Pawn Power in Chess by Kmoch: "The lengthening of the rearspan is often favorable, inasmuch as the expansion of territory behind the pawn increases the freedom of the pieces. By the same token, the shortening of the frontspan limits the freedom of the opposing pieces."
I'm not exactly a big fan of that sort of writing, but there nevertheless seems to be a widespread opinion that the Kmoch book is worthwhile.
"... [Pawn Power in Chess] should be on everyone's list [of favourites]. ..." - GM Nigel Davies (2010)
Another point of view:
"... Hans Kmoch’s Pawn Power in Chess is considered a classic by many. Nonetheless, most people found it daunting and confusing, given its weird terminology. Also the scope of the book was more theoretical than practical; not an easy book to read and study with. ... must be frustrating to read and study from for those rated below 1700. ..." - Stephen Ham (2000)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708110136/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review249.pdf

One can see a sample at:

http://store.doverpublications.com/0486264866.html

kindaspongey

Pawn instruction:

https://www.chess.com/article/view/learning-basic-pawn-structures

https://www.chess.com/article/view/learning-pawn-structure-for-chess-players-under-2000

https://www.chess.com/article/view/your-pawn-structure-is-your-friend

https://www.chess.com/article/view/more-pawn-structures

Simple Chess by Michael Stean
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708104258/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review400.pdf

http://store.doverpublications.com/0486424200.html
Pawn Structure Chess by GM Andrew Soltis (2013)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708101523/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review908.pdf
The Power of Pawns by GM Jörg Hickl (2016)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/the-power-of-pawns/
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9034.pdf

Chess structures: A Grandmaster Guide

https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/chess-structures-a-grandmaster-guide/

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7495.pdf
Small Steps to Giant Improvement
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/sam-shankland/
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7804.pdf

Understanding Pawn Play in Chess by GM Marovic
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Understanding_Pawn_Play_in_Chess.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708110136/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review249.pdf
Dynamic Pawn Play in Chess by GM Drazen Marovic (2001)
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Dynamic_Pawn_Play_in_Chess.pdf
http://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/books-of-many-flavours

Drawgood
There is a sub forum called chess books and equipment. There are many many archived posts that have excellent book recommendations. Usually people there have actually read those books so they can give a lot of detail you want.

Just make sure to use the forum search feature first because I am sure there are many old posts with good recommendations.
123AMC

Thanks all

RussBell

The Complete Guide To Pawn Structures...

https://simplifychess.com/pawn-structures/complete-guide-chess-pawn-structures/index.html

Pawn Structure Wiki...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawn_structure

Pawn Power In Chess by Hans Kmoch...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/pawn-power-in-chess-by-hans-kmoch