Hanging pawns are two pawns of one colour side by side on adjacent files, usually the c- and d-pawns, with no friendly pawns on the files either side and both files half-open for the opponent.
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Side by side, hanging pawns control four squares in front of them and give their pieces room. Once one advances, the other is left without pawn support, so the timing of that advance is the whole question.
How to do it
- 1Keep them side by side until an advance opens lines for your pieces.
- 2Push one only when your pieces are ready to use the squares it frees.
- 3Against them, attack both pawns so that one is forced to advance.
For your level
Two pawns side by side with no neighbours are strong together. Do not advance one without a reason.
Check you have it
Question 1 of 1
Which file has no pawns of either colour standing on it?
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h
Common mistakes
- Advancing one pawn to gain a tempo and leaving the other weak.
- Attacking only one of the pawns, so the defender never has to advance.
Questions
- Are hanging pawns better than an isolated pawn?
- They control more squares and give more room, but the risk is similar. One badly timed advance leaves a weak pawn behind.