1.1 - Pawn weaknesses
As you know from chess, once the pawn moved it cannot go back. It's a very basic rule, but a very powerful one. The thing is, while sometimes pawns have to move they do tend to leave weaknesses behind
For example after f6 the light fields on f7,g6 and e6 becomes weaker. They aren't under attack yet, but let's say if more pawns have moved, white have the possibility of using the fields for the pieces
So if you are moving your pawns, you HAVE to make sure that enemy pieces cannot penetrate behind the pawns and attack your king
Let's take a look at one example from a well-known opening:
After moves: 1.e3 e6 2. Qf3 f5 3. Qxb7 a6 we get a following position:
Diagram 1 (White to move):
 FEN: 3qkbnr/2pp2pp/p3p3/5p2/8/4P3/PPPP1PPP/RNB1KBNR |
Take a look at this position. Look at the pawn-structure. White has only moved one pawn, the e-pawn,which often doesn't weaken the position too much. On the other hand black have a "complex" of fields (more than one field) which are weak, the fields g5, f6, e5 and d6. Particually weak are two squares, e5 and g5, because they are not defended by anything (a queen is not a good defender). White's task will be to take control of the fields starting with 4. Nf3. What white must beware here is the weakening of his own structure. Black on the other hand, must force the weaknesses to be able to use his extra queen fully. A tricky battle will rage here...
I'm going to show you two examples, one where black has succeeded is his mission and one where white has...
But first i need to find those games :)
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