Position and strategy
The slow advantages: structure, squares, files and piece quality.
- Open FilesA file with no pawns on it: a clear road for rooks.
- Semi-Open FilesA file where only the enemy has a pawn: a target.
- Center ControlControl e4, d4, e5 and d5, and your pieces have room.
- Space AdvantageMore room behind your pawns, so your pieces move freely.
- Open vs. Closed GamesTraded pawns open lines; locked pawns close them and slow the game.
- Weak SquaresA square no pawn of yours can ever guard again.
- HolesA square in your camp no pawn of yours can ever guard.
- OutpostsA square your pawn defends and no enemy pawn can attack.
- Color ComplexesWhen a bishop is gone, the squares of its colour get weaker.
- Backward PawnsA pawn left behind, which no other pawn can defend.
- Passed PawnsNo enemy pawn can stop it, so a piece has to. 12 puzzles
- Doubled PawnsTwo pawns of one colour on the same file.
- Isolated PawnsA pawn with no friendly pawn on either side of it.
- Hanging PawnsTwo pawns side by side with no pawns beside them.
- Pawn ChainsPawns on a diagonal, each defending the one in front.
- Pawn MajoritiesMore pawns on one wing, and the passed pawn they can make.
- ProphylaxisStop your opponent's plan before it starts.
- BlockadePut a piece directly in front of a passed pawn.
- Good vs. Bad BishopA bishop hemmed in by its own pawns is a bad bishop.
- Knight vs. BishopThe pawn structure decides which minor piece is better.
- Rooks on the 7th RankA rook on the seventh attacks pawns and hems in the king.
- Doubling RooksTwo rooks on one file, one behind the other.
- The 8th RankA king behind unmoved pawns can be mated on its back rank.
- Minor ExchangeTrading a bishop for a knight, and what the trade buys.
- DominanceTake away every square a piece could go to.
- ZugzwangHaving to move when every move makes things worse.
- The InitiativeMaking threats so your opponent must answer you.
- Prophylactic ThinkingBefore every move, ask what your opponent wants to do.
- Creating WeaknessesWith nothing to attack, force a pawn move that makes a target.
- SimplificationWhen ahead, trade pieces and keep pawns.