...Work in progress
I have a lot more pawn structures to go over but this seems to be a good way for me to learn them since I feel that I am actually retaining the information better by doing this.
Any critiques or further insight to what I have so far is welcomed.
maybe you should now try and place the black pieces as well?that way you can learn how to play against the isolani as well...pawn structures are fascinating although confusing at times...the isolated queens pawn has the advantage of controlling c5 and e5 which is why you could place a knight on e5...but the iso pawn is also weak as you cant defend it with other pawns...if black got a knight on d5 he might be able to attack the blockaded pawn...my knowledge of pawn structures is still rather limited so maybe someone else could give you some insight☺
I am doing it this way in an attempt to avoid clutter and etch a theoretical "dream position" against different pawn structures. If I put the black pieces in the position I might as well just post an opening's tabiya so I have limited placement of the black pieces to only structures that it seems particularly relevant. If I missed some black pieces that you feel meets this criteria, please let me know. I am however keeping in mind common placement of black's pieces when I make these diagrams and keeping it as accurate as possible in regard to the themes that are common. I want the structures to be as clear as possible and the main goal is for the diagram to present the themes against the opposing structure rather than the opposing pieces for a more instructive approach towards the learning objectives as stated in the title. I am going to eventually cover both sides of the positions in this way though.
The isolani plans seem rather simple to me compared to others. It's a fight over the d5 square. Black wants to put a knight there since knights are best at blockading pawns. It seems you missed what I would say is the most important feature of this structure though: White usually has strong attacking chances in the middlegame (especially if d5, even as a sacrifice, is achieved which usually releases the potential of white's pieces) and black has the better endgame. Chess is made up of force, space, and time. I would say that in the isolani white is committing to a kingside attack and time is the biggest factor working against that (white is fine in terms of space and force) so as to justify why the above statement is important.
I wish chess.com would allow you to mark up a position i.e. highlight key squares, arrows showing the ideas, etc...
lol force space and time...last person a heard saying that was a 2100...good memories ☺ good luck there budz☺
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I wish chess.com would allow you to mark up a position i.e. highlight key squares, arrows showing the ideas, etc."
Are there websites that do this? That would be cool.
This post is based on my need of a visual representation of the ideas based on certain pawn structures and how it correlates with piece placement and plans.