Page 1 of 25

The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding.

Lesson-4: “Strategic Elements - Pawn Structure”

I am back once again and, starting from this lesson, we will analyze different specific rules PLUS how they help reinforce the guiding principles we discussed in
the previous lessons. Right here in the 4th lesson, we will have a closer look at pawns.

Let’s take a look at our general scheme again. The whole discussion we had about the guiding principles of chess apply both to pawns and pieces.

However, PIECES bring more activity to your position;

that’s why you should care about them first and foremost.

The overall function of pawns is more of a ‘backup’ – they can FAVOR pieces’ activity or HAMPER it.

Pawns, on their own, can be powerful only when they reach the eighth rank and get promoted. It usually happens in the endgame only. During the opening
and middle game, pawns work more like ‘backups’ for your pieces.

Note: If you are looking for a deeper analysis of pawns and how they work in the endgame, I would whole-heartedly recommend my course ‘An Endgame
Expert’: http://chess-teacher.com/endgame J

As we know, there are 2 factors of activity: material as well as the positioning of your forces (also called activity). These 2 factors determine 2 functions of
your pawns.

Let’s discuss the material factor first. Normally it’s impossible to capture an opponent’s piece, because it’s too mobile. With that in mind, the easiest way to
gain a material advantage is to attack the opponent’s pawns, which are not as mobile as his pieces. Pawns cannot retreat back and they can only take a step
(or rather a square) forward. With that in mind, the first thing you need to keep in mind about pawns is that…

They are GOOD objects for attack!

As for the activity factor, as I have said earlier: pawns can FAVOR or HAMPER pieces’ activity. This is the second function of pawns.
We will discuss these 2 functions in greater detail, BUT let’s start with the first one: pawns as objects for an attack.

There are 2 possible situations here:

(1) Pawns protect each other. In this case, they are strong and there is no way for your opponent to attack such pawns.

And the second situation:

(2) Pawns do NOT protect each other. In this situation, they are weak and are real objects for an attack.

Examples of strong pawns are: (1) Connected pawns and (2) Passed pawns. Connected pawns protect each other, while a passed pawn, on the other hand,
can be promoted into a queen… and this threat of promotion can distort the harmony and limit the activity of your opponent’s pieces.

Weak pawns, on the contrary, are disconnected pawns. Pawns can become disconnected in 3 main cases: (1) Pawn islands, (2) Backward pawns, and (3)
Doubled pawns.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 2 of 25

Such connected pawns are powerful, they can protect each other. You can defend any of these pawns by playing f5 or e5 or d5.

HOWEVER, if we remove the e4 pawn, then pawn islands appear.

They are weak and they end up as juicy targets for Black.

If we put the e4-pawn to e2, it’ll be a backward pawn. Such pawns are disconnected and don’t protect each other.

Another way to weaken pawns is to double them. If White takes e4xd5 it breaks pawn connection and also creates pawn islands.

It’s really simple: connected pawns are strong, disconnected pawns are weak.

P. H. Nielsen – V. Gashimov

White To Move

The position looks quite equal from a material stand point. However, Black has a weak pawn on c6 and this alone gives White a lasting initiative.

Weak pawns are easy targets for an attack!

Here White has a simple plan: to attack the Black’s c-pawn. Black has no objects for an attack and it’s hard to find any constructive plan for him.

By the way, how can you find weak pawns? It’s simple, look for pawns that cannot be protected by other pawns. In this position the Black’s weak pawns
are: a7, c6 and f7.

Back to the game, White played…

27.Qd2
Attacking the Knight and preparing a discovered attack.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 3 of 25

27…Qe7 28.a5

White also has a weak pawn on the a-file. That’s why he wants to push the pawn to a6, where it’ll be well-protected by the light-squared bishop.
Additionally it will fix the Black’s weak pawn on a7.

It’s useful to FIX AN OPPONENT’S WEAKNESS. You want potential weaknesses in your opponent’s camp to be ‘sitting ducks’…
immobile targets that are waiting for execution!

After that you can bring more and more pieces to attack this weakness; while your opponent can’t put it away.

28…Nc5 29.Qc2
White’s heavy pieces are setting their sights on the c6-pawn.

29…Nb7 30.Qa4
It’s easy to find attacking moves (remember The Principle Of Attack? J) when you have an obvious object of an attack.

30…Qc5 31.a6 Nd8

The move shows us a sad reality. Black was forced to put the knight on such a passive position to keep protecting the c6-weakness.

32. Na2 Qb6 33.Qb4

If Black goes back with 33…Qc7 White can simply play Bf3, then bring the knight closer to center and he will keep attacking Black’s weak pawns.
Taking on the b4 is even worse: after 33…Qb4 34.Nb4 Re6 White can win the c6-pawn after 35.Bf3. Also White has even more powerful idea 35.Rd1
attacking the knight 35…Bf6 36.Rd7 and White wins another weak pawn on a7.

What can we learn from this example?

Your attack goes smoothly when you have an easy target.

Weak pawns are such vulnerable targets.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 4 of 25

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 5 of 25

Karpov – B. Parma

White To Move

In this position Black has a weak pawn on d6. His queen-side pawns are also weakened. However, it doesn’t create any real problems for Black. His minor
pieces cover all the weaknesses easily.

This is a very typical situation: minor pieces are good defenders of weak pawns.

From the diagram, we can see that the e4-knight does a good job of guarding the d6-weakness and it also serves many other functions simultaneously.

So if minor pieces defend weak pawns without breaking a sweat, what should we do then?

Here’s the answer: when you attack weak pawns, it’s useful to trade minor pieces and leave heavy pieces.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 6 of 25

Let’s imagine the same position BUT without the minor pieces. It’ll look like this.

In this case White has a clear advantage. White can triple heavy pieces on the d-file attacking the weak pawn. Black will have to do something similar.

You can see a great difference: White’s pieces are active and are attacking Black. Black’s pieces, on the other hand, have been reduced to TOTAL passivity.
It’s very sad to use such a powerful piece like a rook to perform the menial task of defending of a weak pawn.

This example is a crystal clear explanation of why you should trade minor pieces and leave heavy pieces in such positions!

Additionally it helps you to prevent any counterplay, while you can keep attacking weak pawns.

Going back to the game, White realized this plan and started forcing exchanges of minor pieces.

17.b4 Nc3 18.Qc3 Ne6 19.Qd3

Attacking the pawn.

19…Rfd8 20.Bf3

White is trading another pair of minor pieces.

20…Bf3 21.Nf3 g6 22.Nd2 Nc7 23.Ne4 Attacking the pawn. 23…Ne8 24.Qd5

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 7 of 25

Look at the domination of White’s pieces especially his heavy pieces on the d-file! White didn’t make anything special except trading minor pieces. However,
his position became much better now.

24…Kg7 25.h3 Nf6 26.Nf6 Kf6 27.Qe4

White was looking for something like this from the beginning of this example.

Now White can do whatever he wants, while Black is doomed to passive defense.

White will put his heavy pieces on the d-file and will breakthrough with c5 or f4 at some point. White won this game afterwards.

As you already know, connected pawns are strong; disconnected pawns are weak. However, even connected pawns can be attacked if they are too far
advanced. The reason is obvious:

When You Advance Pawns, You Bring Them Towards Opponent’s Pieces!

Take a look at the following example.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 8 of 25

A. Fedorov – A. Baburin

Black To Move

Although White’s pawns are connected, Black can still attack them. Black played 13…Bf3, which eliminates the d4-pawn defender. 14.gf 0-0-0 and now, the
d4-pawn is under attack.

15.Rd1 Bh4 16.Ng3 f6

Now it’s pretty obvious that White’s pawns are rather objects for the Black’s attack. These pawns are far advanced and are close to the Black’s pieces. That’s
why Black attacks them automatically.

17.b5 Ne7 18.Qa5 Kb8

The White queen can’t create real problems for Black.

19.Be2 Nf5
Attacking everything in the White’s position (g3-knight, e3-bishop, d4-pawn).

20.Bf2 Qf7
This opens the d-file for the rook and prepares Qg6 in some variations.

21.f4
White still tries to keep his pawn chain intact. However, Black easily break it after his next move.

21…g5!

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 9 of 25

Now White’s position crumbles away quickly.

22.Nf5 Bf2 23.Kf2 fe!

This move opens lines against White’s king!

24.Ng3 gf 25.Ne4 f3

And Black has a crushing attack. After 26.Bf3 Rhf8 Black attacks the bishop, the d4 and c4 pawns and it should be winning.

Let’s take a look at the starting position of this example again. Why does White experience problems with his pawns? It’s because Black’s piece activity is
higher.

‘Thanks’ to his lack of development; White can’t provide enough support for his pawns. That’s why pawns became weak.

If we imagine the same position with White’s completed development (let’s say after Be2 and castling), then White is probably winning! His strong pawns
give White domination.

From here, we can conclude a rule: You may advance pawns when you have at least equal pieces’ activity with your opponent.

Otherwise your advanced pawns will be attacked.

There is one more rule based on this idea: advanced pawns are good for attack, but bad for defense. And this leads to this rule: don’t move pawns when
you are under attack.

You don’t need to remember all these rules, you need to understand them. They are only logical consequences of the general principles.

Pawns serve an auxiliary or backup function: they can favor or hamper pieces’ activity. If your activity if higher – you should move pawns. They will provide
more space for your pieces and will restrict opponent’s pieces.

If your activity is lower – you should avoid moving pawns. Otherwise your advanced pawns will be attacked by your opponent.

Everything is simple and logical.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 10 of 25

Ok, let me remind you that we are still talking about the 1st function of pawns: they are objects for attack. Here are the main CONCLUSIONS:

(1) Connected pawns are strong, disconnected pawns are weak.

(2) While attacking weak pawns, you should trade minor pieces and leave heavy pieces.
(3) You may advance pawns when you have at least equal pieces’ activity with your opponent.

Next, we will analyze the 2nd function of pawns: pawns can favor or hamper pieces’ activity.

First let’s talk about a very IMPORTANT and popular topic: weak squares.

There is nothing groundbreaking here. We know ‘The Principle Of Maximum Activity’. It states that you should move your pieces as forward as possible
(preferably on opponent’s half of the board). However, opponent’s territory is usually under the control of his pawns.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 11 of 25

Take a look at the Black pawns - they control all the squares on the 6th rank. Also they can easily push away any intruder from the 5th rank.

Now I’ll tell you the whole concept of weak squares summarized in 2 sentences.
1) To follow the principle of maximum activity, you need to penetrate into the opponent’s territory.
2) Thus you should occupy accessible squares into opponent’s territory – those that can’t be protected by opponent’s pawns.

All specific rules are only logical consequences of the base principles. For example, a concept of weak squares is based on ‘The Principle Of Maximum
Activity’. If you understand this well, everything becomes simple for you.

Nevertheless, I’ll tell you some specific rules about weak squares. They will help you to make decisions faster and simpler during a practical game.

Here is the 1st specific rule: it’s better to place your KNIGHT on a weak square.

The knight is the only short-range piece. That’s why it must be delivered to the place of operation. In contrast to the knight, other pieces can work at a long
distance. Take a look at this diagram:

The White’s long-range pieces can attack the Black’s king from the 1st rank. Moreover, even if we move White’s pieces forward (Ba1-d4, Qg1-g4) – it will not
change much in this particular situation. They still attack on the same directions.

An opposite situation happens with the knight. If we place it on the 1st rank – it’ll be totally passive.

The knight must be delivered to the Black’s territory… to the scene of action so to speak. This is the only way to bring the knight into an attack. That explains
why it’s better to place a knight on a weak square. This is very important.

Here’s an example from one of my old games…

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 12 of 25

I. Smirnov – A. Zhigalko

White To Move

Black has a weak square on the d5 and White certainly should place one of his pieces there. In the game White played - 13.Bd5.

This avoids an exchange of a bishop on the Black’s a5-knight, BUT places the wrong piece on a weak square.

This bishop doesn’t attack much on the Black’s territory. Its activity became only slightly higher compared to its previous position on b3.

At the same time the c3-knight now has no prospects at all.

Let’s look at the game continuation. Black played…

13…Rc8 14.Qd3 Nc4

Attacking the b2 pawn.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 13 of 25

15.Rab1 Qa5

And Black got the initiative position.

16.Bb7 Nb2 17.Rb2 Rc3

And now, it’s White who fights for a draw. It happened because of the mistake in the starting position of this example.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 14 of 25

The Knight INSTEAD Should’ve Gone To d5

White should have played 13.Nd5 putting a knight on a weak square. This single move does A LOT:

(1) The knight is very active here and it attacks many squares on the Black’s territory.

(2) It restricts the queen’s activity, attacks the f6-bishop and…

(3) It can jump on b6 somewhere in the future.

With just one move, the White position is slightly better.

Let’s move on. So, if a hopping knight is good for taking advantage of weak squares, what should his long-ranged buddy, the bishop, do? Get this: a BISHOP
is the main defender of weak squares.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 15 of 25

Weaknesses appear after a pawn move.

For instance if White moves his d-pawn here, it will create a couple of weak squares around (b3, c4, d3, e4, f3). Here’s an important thing to note: all these
weak squares are on the same color.

Which piece can protect the squares of the same color?

You guessed it! It’s the bishop. Well, the queen can also get the job done, but the queen can be attacked by opponent’s minor pieces. And come on, the
queen is way too powerful to be assigned to such a boring job of guarding a weak square!

She’s better off wrecking havoc in the opponent’s camp and participating in the offensive. Anyway, back to what we are talking about, the bishop is the
ideal defender of weak squares.

The same thing happens with a single pawn.

White still has some weaknesses around (f3, e4, d3) and they are all on the same color. Actually it’s another disadvantage of a weak pawn. Such a pawn is
an easy target for an opponent’s attack and also it creates weak squares around it.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 16 of 25

Here Black played 9…g5 weakening the light-squares on the king-side. We already know a few rules for such situations:

White should bring his knight on these weak squares.

White should exchange Black’s light-squared bishop, who is the main defender of the Black’s weak squares.

In the game there followed…

10.Bg3 Nh5 11.Nd2

White is preparing an exchange of the Black’s light-squared bishop after Bg4 move.

11…Nf4 12.0-0
White obviously needs to protect his g2-pawn.

12…Nc5 13.Bg4
After this exchange Black will have no possibility to cover his f5 weakness. The White’s plan is very simple: to bring the knight to f5. For example, the d2-
knight can be transferred there (Nf1-e3-f5). Black also has a strong knight on f4, but it can be kicked away after g3.

This is the difference between a weak square f5 and a usual square f4: a weak square can’t be protected by pawn.

13…a5 14.f3
White wants to bring his dark-squared bishop into the game.

14…Ncd3 15.Qc2
The Black’s pieces’ activity is a temporary factor – White will push away these knights. The weaknesses of the Black’s pawn structure are permanent and
they can’t be repaired.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 17 of 25

15…c6 16.Kh1 h5
Black has to create a counterplay. Otherwise White will simply realize his plan.

17.Bc8 Rc8 18.a3 cd 19.cd Nc5

This move back isn’t a good idea. However White could push away Black’s knights in any case: White was ready to play Bf4 and g3 then.

Back to the game, White played 20.Bf2 g4 21.g3 Ng6 22.fg hg 23.Be3 Now Black has lots of weaknesses and White can occupy them all. White is going to
play Rf5, Raf1, Nc4, Nb5, White can attack the g4-pawn and so on.

All light squares in the Black’s position are defenseless. He has a losing position.

Let’s imagine that Black has a light-squared bishop on d7 (instead of his dark-squared bishop). It changes the situation greatly! Now the position is totally
unclear. That’s why it’s so important to exchange a bishop, who is the main defender of weak squares.

In the actual game, White won easily.

Black played 23…b5 24.Nb5 Qb6 Black is trying to mix things up, but it doesn’t work. 25.a4 Qa6 26.Nc4 White is occupying all weak squares. 26…f5 27.Rf5

Down in material with a horrible position, Black resigned soon.

We have seen how it’s powerful to trade opponent’s bishop, who is the main defender of weak squares. Often it makes your opponent defenseless and he
can’t resist your invasion.

And speaking of weak square invasion, the ideal situation is to…

Fix your knight on an opponent’s weak square and

to make it impossible for your opponent to neutralize this knight!
(it usually involves exchanging the bishop that can control the square)

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 18 of 25

I. Boleslavsky – G. Lisitsyn

White To Move

Black has a weak square on the d5 and White found a great way to exploit it. Can you find the move?

15.c4!
This pawn sacrifice helps White to trade the Black’s light-squared bishop, who is the main defender of the Black’s weaknesses.

15…Bc4 16.Nc3
White is transferring the knight to d5.

16…Qb3 17.Bc4 Qc4 18.Bg5

Now White is going to eliminate the last defender of a weak square d5.

18…Qe6 19.Bf6 Qf6 20.Nd5

White realized his plan successfully. The d5-knight is very powerful; it controls lots of squares on the Black’s territory.

Also Black has no way to exchange the knight, that’s why it’s usually called an “eternal knight”. Here White has a stable advantage and he won the game
afterwards.

There are practical rules about such positions:

If you can fix your piece on a central weak square on the 5th rank – it gives you a stable advantage.

If you can fix your piece on a central weak square on the 6th rank – it gives you a winning position.

Of course I am now talking about White; for Black it’ll be 4th and 3rd ranks.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 19 of 25

M. Botvinnik – J. H. Donner

White To Move

In this position Black has a couple of weak squares: a6, b5, c6, d6, e5. It’ll be the best for White to occupy the central weaknesses on the 6th rank (c6 and d6
squares). And White found the way to reach this goal!

14.Nd4
First White trades the bishop, who is the main defender of the Black’s light-squared weaknesses.

14…Bg2 15.Kg2
Now the knight is ready to jump to c6.

15…Qc7 16.Qb3 Rfc8 17.Rfc1 Qb7 18.Qf3

Now White is offering an exchange of another defender of the c6 square.

18…Nd5 19.e4 N5f6 20.b5

Fixing the weaknesses and preparing Nc6.

20…a6 21.Nc6
Attacking the bishop.

21…Bf8 22.a4

White fixed his knight on the 6th rank and it gives him a winning position. This knight controls many squares in the Black’s position. Black is paralyzed, he
can’t do anything really. That’s why invasion on a central weak square usually gives a winning position.

In the game there followed 22…ab 23.ab Ra1 24.Ra1 Ra8 25.Rd1 Black position is running out of space so, logically, White avoids exchanges.

25…Ne8 26.Nc4 Nc5 27.e5 Rc8

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 20 of 25

It’s a mistake but Black has nothing to do anyway.

28.Ra1
White is threatening Ra7 and Black can’t prevent it. If he tries to oppose his rook 28…Ra8, White will play 29.Ra8 Qa8 30.Ne7 winning a queen.

I’ve told you some rules about weak squares. Please, don’t be confused, everything is simple actually.

To wrap up this section, according to ‘The Principle Of Maximum Activity’, you should move your pieces as forward as possible (preferably on opponent’s
territory). One of the BEST ways to realize it practically is to occupy weak squares in opponent’s position. That’s it. All other rules just describe this process
in GREATER detail.

Now I’d like to tell you another important note about weak squares. For many years chess players are not able to grasp this. HOWEVER, it’s pretty obvious if
you know general principles of a chess game. Here is the rule: Piece activity compensates weaknesses.

We know that pieces bring much more activity to your position than pawns. We know that pawns have a rather ‘backup’ function: they can favor or hamper
pieces’ activity.

In any case we should care about pieces first of all. Then it’s not surprising that piece activity is more valuable than pawn weaknesses.

Probably you know Sveshnikov’s variation of Sicilian defense:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cd 4.Nd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5

In the time of classical chess, when Steinitz and Tarrasch reign supreme, such moves like 5...e5 considered as a huge positional mistake. Just look at that
gaping hole on the d5 and d6 squares and, to add to that, there’s a backward pawn on d7. Yes, it really worsens Black’s pawn structure.

However, it’s compensated by Black’s piece activity. The …e7-e5 move (1) pushes away White’s central knight; (2) it opens a diagonal for the bishop (f8-a3
diagonal) (3) and it’s a forcing move, so it gives Black additional tempo for development.

We may conclude that the 5…e5 move worsens Black’s pawn structure, but raises his piece activity. As I have emphasized, chess is all about piece activity.
Therefore the 5…e5 move is good.

I’m explaining everything in great detail, because I want you to deeply UNDERSTAND chess and its guiding principles.

In a practical game you don’t need to think about all these generalities. When you understand the base principles of a chess game, they just come to you
and you should simply follow them.

‘The Principle Of Attack’ states: “If you can attack – do it.” Thus if you can play e5 – you should do it. Base principles are the PRIMARY factors; you don’t
need to sink your head on other secondary factors.

Piece activity compensates weaknesses. Well, certainly it also depends on a position. But, while there are exceptions, in most cases, this rule is correct.

H. Nakamura – I. Krush

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 21 of 25

White To Move

The White’s position is quite active and he wants to take advantage of this by attacking. HOWEVER, White needs to activate his c1-bishop and invite it to the
party. 16. Bf4 move is possible, but will give Black an extra tempo after 16…Nbd5. 16.Be3 is also fine, but it forces exchanges and helps Black to equalize a
position.

In the game White played 16.g4! Of course it creates a lot of weaknesses on the king-side. However, after 16…Qe7 and 17.g5 hg 18.Bg5 White was able to
place his bishop on the most active square. Yes, White has weaknesses around his king, but how can Black use them? The White’s piece activity is higher and
that’s why he is on the attacking side. Black has to care about defense and there is no way for him to exploit White’s weaknesses. This shows how piece
activity compensates for weaknesses.

In the game, there followed 18…Rfd8.

Here White had an interesting combination 19.Nf7. Black can’t recapture by the queen19…Qf7 because of 20.Rd7 following with 21.Be6 winning the queen.

Therefore 19…Kf7 is forced, but after 20.Ne5+, White will recover the material with interest – in form of a better position. I will not analyze all the variations
now; you can find them yourself. I just want to show you that only White can attack in this position. That’s why White’s weaknesses don’t matter really.

And it happened all because of White’s greater piece activity!

Back to the game White played 19.Kh1, this is also fine. White is intending to play Rg1 and to attack the Black’s king.

Black played 19…Bc6 20.Nc6 Rd1 21.Rd1 bc 22.Ne5, attacking the c6-pawn. After Black’s 22…Qc7, White has a winning combination with 23.Bf6 gf 24.Nf7

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 22 of 25

24…Qf7 loses the queen after 25.Be6. 24…Kf7 gives White a mating attack after 25.Qe6, then Rg1 and so on.

OK. We have talked about weaknesses: weak pawns and squares. Let’s review and look at the main conclusions:

(1) It’s better to place your KNIGHT on a weak square. A knight is a short-range piece and it must be delivered to the place of action.

(2) A BISHOP, on the other hand, is the main defender of weak squares. A bishop guards all the weak squares of the same color.

If you can fix your piece on a central weak square on the 5th rank – it gives you a stable advantage; on the 6th rank – a winning position. Your piece on
the 6th rank can totally paralyze an opponent.

Piece activity compensates weaknesses. Piece activity is the main factor in a chess game; it compensates anything actually.

Whew! That was quite a discussion, BUT we are not done yet. Aren’t you glad this lesson is overflowing with chess wisdom? J

Let me remind you that we are still talking about the 2nd function of pawns: they can FAVOR or HAMPER pieces’ activity. One of the specific aspects of this
issue is a concept of weaknesses. We have analyzed it already. Another aspect is a space advantage.

It’s all really simple. We know that all specific rules are only logical consequences of the general principles.

According to ‘The Principle Of Maximum Activity’, we should move our forces as forward as possible. Moving your pawns forward raises your activity
(because you get more space under your control); and decreases opponent’s activity (because your pawns restrict opponent’s pieces). This means you have
a ‘space advantage’.

You see, there is nothing new for us here. It’s still about ‘The Principle Of Maximum Activity’.

There are only 2 specific rules associated with a space advantage. Here is the 1st one: you should trade pieces in a tight position; and you should avoid
exchanges when you have a space advantage.

It’s a well-known rule and probably you’ve heard about it already.

In a cramped position you don’t have enough free squares for maneuvers; your pieces hamper each other. Exchanges help you to solve this problem.

The side with the space advantage should avoid exchanges due to the same reason. Also you need to have enough pieces for controlling your large territory
and supporting your advanced pawns.

Earlier in this lesson, we analyzed that advanced pawns can be attacked, if they don’t supported enough by the pieces. This is another argument for
avoiding exchanges in such positions.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 23 of 25

E. Lasker – J.R. Capablanca

Black To Move

White controls 4 ranks, while Black – only 3 ranks. Therefore White has a space advantage. Due to the lack of space Black experiences some problems: the
e7 bishop is locked, the queen can’t go out; the queen blocks the a8-rook also and so on.

Black needs to trade pieces in order to ease his position.

8…Nd4 9.Qd4 Bb5 10.Nb5 Nd7

Black uses a tactical trick for bringing his bishop on the long diagonal. 11.Qg7 is out of the question because of 11…Bf6 winning the rook.

White played 11.Ba3 a6 12.Nc3 Bf6 13.Qe3 0-0 14.Rad1 Bc3!

Black keeps trading the pieces. Another bonus is that it prevents White from placing the knight on d5.

15.Qc3 Re8
After several exchanges Black has no problems. He can easily bring all his pieces into the game. The knight can go to e5, the queen can be developed along
this diagonal (d8-h4), and the rooks will play in the center. The players agreed to a draw after a few next moves.

The 2nd rule for positions with a space advantage is ‘The Principle Of 2 Weaknesses’.

A space advantage gives you better mobility. You can transfer the pieces from one flank to another easily. Your opponent can’t do it so quickly for lack of
free space. That’s why a side with a space advantage can play on both flanks successfully.

It’s called ‘The Principle Of 2 Weaknesses’. This is a quite simple idea and I’ve explained it in the course "An Endgame Expert” already.

The last issue I’d like to discuss in this lesson is The Blockade. Nimczovich wrote almost a whole book about it. However, let’s not complicate things.
Everything is much simpler if you understand general principles of a chess game.

‘The Principle Of Maximum Activity’ is, once again, at work here. It states that you should move your pieces forward and not allow your opponent to do the

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 24 of 25

same. It’s applicable for pawns as well. When you stop an opponent’s pawn, it’s called blockading it. That’s it!

There is only 1 useful practical rule about a blockade and probably you know it: the KNIGHT is the best blocking piece.

E. Eliskases – S. Flohr

Black To Move

White has a passed pawn d5 and Black needs to blockade it. It’s possible to use a rook for this purpose (21…Rd6). However, the rook will be totally passive
and will not perform any other work.

That’s why Black should use a knight instead.

21…Nc4 22.Re2 Nd6

Thanks to its unique movement, the knight can stop the pawn without reducing its activity. That’s why a knight is the best blocking piece. In this position the
d6-knight attacks the e4 pawn, supports f5-move and b5-move, and those are just to name some of the PROs resulting from the move.

Black has a huge positional advantage here. He can create a passed pawn on the queenside and attack the White’s weak pawns e4 and a2. Black realized
this plan and won the game afterwards.

Now let’s make a final conclusion about a PAWN PLAY. Once again, I’d like to repeat that there is nothing special here. All these rules are only logical
consequences of the general principles.

According to the principle of maximum activity you should move your pawns as forward as possible. It will give more free space for your pieces and will
restrict opponent’s pieces.
So, how should you use YOUR PAWNS?

At the same time you should move your pieces first of all. Pawns realize rather auxiliary function.

It’s useful to keep the pawns connected. In this case they will protect each other and your opponent will not be able to attack them.

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17

 Page 25 of 25

As for OPPONENT’S PAWNS, there are 3 things you should do:

(1) Blockade them. You should restrict opponent’s activity and prevent him from moving forward. It’s valid for pieces and for pawns as well.

(2) Attack his weak (disconnected) pawns. This is how you can gain a material advantage.

(3) Occupy the holes in his pawn structure (weak squares). This allows you to move your pieces forward onto opponent’s territory.

All these rules are logical consequences of the principles of material and of maximum activity.

This lesson was a bit long, but we analyzed all important aspects about pawns. I think it’s pretty good. J Get ready for the NEXT info-packed lesson!

<< Previous lesson | Contents | Next lesson >>

All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2011. Smirnov I. http://chess-teacher.com/

ebook:1.11).VIDEO LESSONS\5.11.LESSON 4.HTM 12-Jul-17