Skybound Chess
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Intermediate · 15 lessons

Pawn Structures

Pawns can't move backwards, so where you put them is where they stay — and that shape decides the game. Passed pawns, majorities, the isolani and hanging pawns, chains, storms, and the breakthrough sacrifice.

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  1. 1The passed pawnStart hereA pawn with no enemy pawn ahead of it on its file or the files beside it — nothing can stop it but a piece.→
  2. 2The protected passed pawnA passer guarded by one of its own pawns — the enemy king can never lay a hand on it.→
  3. 3Connected passed pawnsTwo passers side by side defend each other as they advance — a match for a rook.→
  4. 4The outside passed pawnA passer far from the kings drags the enemy king away — then you clean up on the other wing.→
  5. 5The pawn majorityMore pawns than the opponent on one wing means you can manufacture a passed pawn there.→
  6. 6Creating the passerWith a majority, push the pawn that has no enemy pawn facing it first — the candidate.→
  7. 7The minority attackFewer pawns on a wing, advanced to force a trade — and the opponent is left with a weak pawn.→
  8. 8The isolated queen pawnThe IQP: a cramping space advantage and open lines now, a target in the endgame later. Play the d5 break while it's a strength.→
  9. 9Blockading the isolaniThe square directly in front of an isolated pawn is a permanent home for a knight — plant one there.→
  10. 10Hanging pawnsTwo pawns abreast with no pawns beside them — strong while they can advance, weak once they're stopped.→
  11. 11The backward pawnA pawn its neighbours have marched past, stuck on a half-open file with a hole in front of it.→
  12. 12Doubled pawnsTwo pawns on one file move slowly and can't defend each other — but they hand you a half-open file.→
  13. 13Attack the base of the chainA pawn chain is only as strong as the pawn holding it up — hit the bottom, not the top.→
  14. 14The pawn stormKings on opposite wings turns the game into a race — throw your pawns at the enemy king.→
  15. 15The breakthroughThree connected pawns against three: sacrifice two to send the third through.→