An isolated pawn is a pawn with no friendly pawns on the files beside it. No other pawn can ever defend it.
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An isolated pawn needs pieces to defend it, which tells against it in the endgame. In the middlegame an isolated d-pawn gives its owner open files, free diagonals, and squares such as e5 and c5 for pieces.
How to do it
- 1With the isolated pawn, keep pieces on and use the files beside it.
- 2Against it, trade pieces and head for the endgame.
- 3Put a knight on the square in front of it, so it cannot advance.
For your level
No friendly pawn stands beside it, so no pawn defends it. Put a knight right in front of it.
Check you have it
Question 1 of 1
Which file has no pawns of either colour standing on it?
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Common mistakes
- Playing slowly with the isolated pawn and drifting into an endgame where it is only weak.
- Attacking the pawn before blockading the square in front of it, so it advances.
Questions
- Is an isolated queen's pawn good or bad?
- Both. It gives active pieces and central squares in the middlegame, and it becomes a target in the endgame. Choose it if you want an active middlegame.