TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • TCW Academy
    • Chess-Teacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman Chess Lab
    • Foxy Chess
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
    • Rules Chess Strategies
    • Others
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

10 Reasons to Study Pawn Structures

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
09.03.2020
Category: Training Techniques
Tags: attack, IM Bryan Cuya, middlegame, pawn structures, read pawn structures
10 Reasons to Study Pawn Structures

Back in the 18th century, the famous chess player Francois Andre Danican Philidor was underlying the importance of the pawns and “playing them well”, concluding that “pawns are the soul of chess”. In the coming years, more and more strategical concepts were put together and nowadays we have a whole set of guidelines that help us understand important positional ideas.

The concept of weaknesses (weak squares or weak pawns) is perhaps one of the first strategy lessons a club player receives. This way, we are taught from an early stage about the importance of pawn moves and how they can affect the position on the board.

Another element that keeps coming up in strategy is the pawn structure and it refers to the way the pawns are placed on the chessboard. Every aspiring chess player should become familiar with and study the most common pawn structures and here are some reasons why:

1.Helps at choosing the right plan

One aspect that we have underlined in many of our previous articles is that knowing how to “read” the board will help you play in harmony with what the position “needs”.

In this sense, the pawn structure is a good indicator of what you should be doing next. The pawn chain will indicate whether play should happen on the queenside or on the kingside.

2.Saves time on the clock

Instead of spending a long time trying to find a plan, you will already know the typical plans and what you should be doing in a certain middlegame. You will know where your pieces are supposed to go and what your opponent is playing for.

3.Helps at building your opening repertoire

Knowing the most important pawn structures will help you enrich and build an overall harmonious repertoire. Although the first moves might differ, many openings lead to the same type of structure.

For example, you could reach the same pawn structure from the Queen’s Gambit Accepted, the French Defence, or the Petroff. If you know the structure, playing all these middlegames won’t be a problem for you.

4.Enhances your endgame understanding

Pawn structures are very important not only for the middlegame play but also for a better endgame understanding. For example, you will know in advance whether an endgame will be better or worse for you, without having to calculate a number of moves in advance. Some pawn structures are better in the endgame and this is something to keep in mind throughout the whole game.

5. Helps to get a positional edge

Pawns are not a separate entity and should always be considered in relation to the pieces you have on the board. Depending on the pawn structure on the board, you will know which pieces to keep and which to trade. If your structure is still flexible, then you will know exactly where your pawns should go in order to achieve a big advantage.

6. Helps to calculate less

Without having to calculate too much, you will know which structures are considered to be weak and which are solid and allow you to play for an advantage.

7. Provides the best game plan

When you are playing against a weak structure, you will know exactly what to do and how to put your opponent under pressure. In the same way, you will know what he/she is playing for and how to stop any active ideas.

8. Can help save games

The point above goes the other way as well. If you happen to fall into a worse position, you will know what to play for in order to keep good fighting chances. In most cases, active play is the key and you should be always looking for ways to create counterplay.

9. Can help to start an attack

The pawn break can be a dangerous resource if used correctly and can change the character of the position drastically. From typical pawn breaks to positional pawn sacrifices, these are ideas every chess player should study.

10. Help to decide the direction of the game

The pawn structure rarely stays the same throughout the whole game. The position changes constantly and it is utterly important to understand when to keep the central tension and when the right time to change the pawn structure has come.

Want to learn how to “read” pawn structures?

Add instant pawn-structure recognition SKILL into your chess toolbox and your wins will come much easier.

Ability to flawlessly “read” the structures will give you a home-field advantage in ALL your games!

In this 11-hour Pawn Structures Crash Course, IM Bryan Cuya reveals EVERYTHING you need to know about ALL 11 most common pawn structures from Carlsbad Formation to Maroczy Structure!

pawn-structures-crash-course

Click here to get Pawn Structures Crash Course 60% OFF

Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • 10 Reasons to Study Chess Middlegame10 Reasons to Study Chess Middlegame
  • Turn Your King into a Super-WeaponTurn Your King into a Super-Weapon
  • 8 Questions to Ask Analyzing Your Own Games8 Questions to Ask Analyzing Your Own Games
Related Products
4.3 4 votes
Article Rating
Login
3 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Johnny L Tarrant
09.05.2020 00:38

This is the kind of information that a novice, like myself, can get his head around. Excellent article!

0
Reply
Yury Markushin
Author
Reply to  Johnny L Tarrant
09.05.2020 08:30

Hello Johnny, thanks for your feedback and I’m glad you liked the post!

0
Reply
Daniel Noon
09.04.2020 02:46

Great article Raluca and Renier!

0
Reply
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
TheChessWorld.com
http://pogonina.com/
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
  • Play Computer
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Money Back PayPal SSL Comodo
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz