Lesson 18

Learning to Play with the Little Guys

Part 1: Pawn Majorities and Minorities: The Basics of Pawn Play Concepts:
What is a pawn majority? What is a pawn minority? What are the advantages of a majority and/or a minority and how to se them!

Pawn Majorities, Example 1: What is a Pawn Majority an !ow "o # Get $ne% cuuuuuuuuC "s yo learned in #esson 1$% the &little g ys' can (e awf lly (wdwdwdkd} important! We are now learning that the (asics of pawn 7dwdwdp0p} play and the advantages associated with pawns can (e 6wdwdwdwd} j st as cr cial as learning a(o t positional wea)nesses* 50p0pdwdw} + r first diagram is going to teach s how to recogni,e a &wdwdwdwd} &Pawn Majority' in any chess game we play!

3dwdwdwdw} 2P)Pdw)P)} The position to yo r left is simple: Blac) has a Queenside %dwdwdwIw} pawn majority* This means that on the - eenside of the v,./9EFJMV (oard% (lac) has four pawns against white.s three pawns*
The word majority essentially means more. Black has more pawns! /f nothing else was happening in this position% (lac) wo ld have a winning advantage* 0ote that the 1ingside pawns are completely e2 al with no majority for either side*

Pawn Majorities, Example &: ' Potential, Preten ing, Passer is Looming((( cuuuuuuuuC The tr e advantage of a pawn majority is the & n3 (wdwd*dwd} challenged' pawn that cannot (e directly (loc)ed (y the 7dwdw p0p} enemy* We call these pawns &Pretenders' (eca se they are 6wdwd*dwd} almost passed pawns* White.s e3pawn and (lac).s c3pawns 50p0w wdw} need only the help of their (rothers 4the (3pawn for (lac) &wdwdP)P)} and the f3pawn for white5 to (ecome passed pawns!

3dwdwdwdw} 2P)wdwdwd} White.s pawn.s path is highlighted (y stars to reveal that it %dwdwdwdw} is unblocked% and (lac).s c3pawn is every (it as good* v,./9EFJMV 6very good majority 7 meaning a majority witho t do (led
Both black's c-pawn and white's e-pawn are Pretendin passers!

or (ro)en pawns 7 has a &Pretender' waitin to (ecome a real passer* "n easy plan is to advance the pawns forward% ma)ing tra es where ne*essary% and attempt to t rn the Pretender.s dreams into a reality* Page 1 of 11

8 Chess1id*com

Lesson 18
' Pawn Minority, Example 1: What is a Pawn Minority an is #t 'lways +a % cuuuuuuuuC The word minority means &less'% so it is the opposite of (wdwdwdwd} majority* When it comes to just the pawns% a minority is 7dwdw0pdp} never a good thing* 9or e:ample% nless (lac).s a and ( 6pdw0wdpd} pawns are sing super-stren th medicine 7 there is no way 5dpdwdwdw} they co ld ever ta)e down white.s three a% ( and c pawns* &wdwdPdwd} "ll trading will event ally leave white with an e:tra pawn*

3dwdwdwdw} 2P)Pdw)P)} Before we move onto loo)ing at this str ct re with the %dwdwdwdw} pieces on the (oard% it is good to reali,e the one good thing v,./9EFJMV a(o t having a pawn &minority': By definition% if yo have
!ithout the pieces to use the open "iles and space# a minority is no ood!

one less pawn% that means yo always have an open file to go with it* This str ct re for e:ample% leaves (lac) with a potentially open c3file for either one or (oth of his ;oo)s!

' Pawn Minority, Example &: Minorities 're Goo When the Pie*es 're #n,ol,e cuuuuuuuuC <o yo recogni,e this pawn str ct re? /t is the same as (wd!dw"kd} Minority 6:ample 1% e:cept we have added pieces* 7dw#w0p$p} = ddenly the ta(les have t rned! Blac) has an open c3file 6pdw0%&pd} for his ;oo) and - een% and after the last move 1***(>!% 5dpdwdwdw} (lac) is threatening to kick the c?31night* This% in t rn% &w wdPdwd} means that (lac) is attac)ing the e@3pawn with his fA3 3dw'w(wdw} 1night% as well as the cB3pawn with the - een and ;oo)*

2P)P)w)P)} %*wdw*+Iw} We see here that (lac).s open space on the - eenside has v,./9EFJMV led to active piece play for the (3pawn% the cC3;oo)% the
$inorities can't win on their own# but they can be ood in the $iddle ame! - een% the eA3Bishop% the fA31night and even the Bishop on g$ 4if the 1night on fA is ever to move5* Blac) is slightly (etter in this position and happy to have a minority!

Pra*ti*al Majority Example: .he /uy Lope0 or 1panish Ex*hange 2ariation cuuuuuuuuC + r final e:ample shows a main line +pening variation (!d%dk$,"} 4act ally reviewed at the end #esson 1$ Part 1 as well5 7dp0wdp0p} where white has a*hie,e a majority on the 3ingsi e( 6pdpdwdwd} Please find the moves played to reach this position listed 5dwdwdwdw} (eneath the diagram* White has j st played $*0:d@*

&wdw'Pdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2P)Pdw)P)} %*-(wIwd.} v,./9EFJMV

%.e& e' (.)"* )c+ *.Bb' a+ &.B,c+ d,c+ '.d& e,d& +.Q,d& Q,d& and -.),d&

Tho gh (lac) has compensation as of right now (eca se of his Bishop pair and easy development 4#esson 1$% Part 15 7 if white is a(le to simpli"y this position down to j st the pawns% the four vs three pawn majority on the 1ingside sho ld (e eno gh for a victory in white.s favor* 0otice that white.s e@3pawn is the pretending passer in this pawn str ct re% while (lac).s - eenside majority is seless* Page B of 11

8 Chess1id*com

Lesson 18

Learning to Play with the Little Guys

Part B: The Basics of Pawn =tr ct re and "dvanced Pawn Play Concepts:
What is a pawn structure or formation? #earning to &listen' to yo r pawns! =wimming with the ;iver 7 Pawn Chains!

Wea)nesses having to do with the pawns 4whether they (e the pawns themselves or the s2 ares aro nd them5 once created% are s ally permanent. The same can (e said for pawn majorities and minorities* The pawn structure 7 sometimes referred to as the pawn "ormation 7 also tends to (e relatively static* =o what is a pawn str ct re'? =tr ct re is a word sed to refer to e,erything having to do with the pawns: The pawns themselvesD the individ al s2 are wea)nesses aro nd them 4li)e holes/o tposts5D as well as the open files and diagonals created (y pawn moves* =2 ares% open files% and open diagonals determine the (est moves and plans for the pieces% and all three of those things are created because o" a player's decisions and mo.es with the pawns!

+asi* 1tru*ture 41 5 .he $pen 6enter: Pawns .ell the Pie*es Where to GocuuuuuuuuC Thin) a(o t it: Entil yo start moving yo r pawns% yo have (!d%dw"kd} no open files% no open diagonals% and no wea)nesses or 7dp0w&p0w} strengths of any )ind to spea) of either* =o what do we do 6p&w$wdwp} with this new% very scary knowledge% that the &little g ys' 5dwdwdwdw} are m ch more important than we ever tho ght possi(le?

&wdwdw wd} 3d+)-d-dP} 2P)wdw)Pd} %*w(w*wIw} v,./9EFJMV

!ithout the pawns tradin in the center# the pieces wouldn't be so happy! /n this open center position white's pieces are .ery acti.e 0 especially the 1ook on the open "ile!
8 Chess1id*com

#earn a(o t pawn str ct res! Fow to recogni,e themD find plansD and event ally% master every pawn formation! = rely there are too many to deal with here% so consider this lesson as more of an intro u*tion to )nowle ge which masters have that most players don.t: 2our pawns are talkin to your pieces and tellin them what to do with e.ery mo.e# your pieces just ha.e to learn to listen!

Page ? of 11

Lesson 18
+asi* 1tru*ture 41 6ontinue 5 .he $pen 6enter 7 1trong Pie*es 7 Goo .a*ti*scuuuuuuuuC With his last move% World Champion Gladimir 1ramni) was (!d%dw"kd} &listening' to what his open center and e3file were telling 7dp0w&p0w} him: +e aggressi,e with the pie*es- Blac) was then left 6p&w$wdwp} with a to gh position* White is more active% threatening to 5dwdwdwdw} capt re on dA and the e$31night is ne:t* 1rasen)ow played &wdwdw(wd} 1A***0gA and after 1$*B:dA c:dA 1C*;e@3d@!% 1ramni) piled 3d+)-d-dP} p on the isolated dA3pawn and went on to win the ending*

2P)wdw)Pd} %*wdw*wIw} This simple e:ample is designed to ma)e one critical point: v,./9EFJMV When the central pawns have (een traded% nice open
/n 3ramnik-3rasenkow# !ijk aan 4ee (55* 3ramnik played %+.B"&! s2 ares% open files% and open diagonals are be in for pieces to se them* =o (e aggressive in the center when it opens p% p t yo r pieces on strong s2 ares% and attac)!

1tru*ture 4& 5 Pawn 6hains: Learning to 1wim with the /i,ercuuuuuuuuC Pawn chains create positions where a very specific type of (wdwdwdwd} plan is (est for each player* Partic larly% (oth white and 70pdwdp0p} (lac) will generally need to foc s solely on one si e o8 the 6wdwdpd* } 9oar % attac)ing and creating threats &(ehind the wall of 5dwdp)* *} pawns'* White.s chain runs 8rom 9& to e: in this e:ample*

&wdp)* *d} 3dw)* *dw} 2P)* *)P)} %d* *dwdw} v,./9EFJMV

Pawn chains can arise from many different types of +pening Gariations!

We often refer to this as &swimming with the river'! This means that when the flow of a position is heading in one specific direction 7 in this case white.s (B3e> chain is pointing towar s the 3ingsi e 7 trying to attac) on the other side of the (oard wo ld (e li)e &swimming pstream'% with white.s pieces (eing constantly (loc)ed (y his/her own pawns* The (13h$% c13hA and d13h> diagonals are open space for white to fill with pieces and to create threats! Ta)ing a loo) at the same pawn chain from (lac).s perspective% we see a similar plan ( t on the other side of the (oard* Blac).s pieces will naturally find open space on the - eenside in this type of str ct re* +ften a player might also contin e to gain space 4see str ct re H? for more on space5 on the side of the (oard that the chain is headed* 9or e:ample% (lac) might consider advancing the a and ( pawns together% and along with the pieces% attempt to create an attac) on the - eenside* We have stripped (oth diagrams of the pieces in order to highlight what the pawn chains# in their pure "orm# are tellin the pieces to do: =wim with the river and attac) in the direction of yo r pawn chain! Page @ of 11

cuuuuuuuuC (wdw * wd} 70p * p0p} 6w * pdwd} 5 * p)wdw} &* p)wdwd} 3 w)wdwdw} 2P)wdw)P)} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
The d6-a'# e6-a& and "6a* dia onals are black's to control and use!

8 Chess1id*com

Lesson 18
1tru*ture 4& 5 Pawn 6hains: ;ust 3eep 1wimming((( ' Pra*ti*al Game ExamplecuuuuuuuuC Fere we see a game from the li(rary of /M <aniel ;ensch 7 (wd!#w"kd} one of the a thors of this c rric l m 4 sername 70%d,dp0p} &"C6Chess' on Chess1id*com5* Fis opponent 6w0w0pdwd} nderestimated the power of the c?3e> pawn chain* "fter 5dw0w)wdw} advancing 1$*e>!% white has removed the 1night from fA% &wdw)w)wd} which it sho ld (e noted is a common idea (ehind 3)w)+d-dw} achieving an advanced pawn on e>* Why is it a good idea?

2wdPd/dP)} %*wdwd.Iw} Witho t a 1night on fA% the 1ingside is m ch more v,./9EFJMV v lnera(le to tactics 7 especially the h<=pawn* Fere white
!hite's pawn chain is responsible "or black's problems7 The "+-3ni ht would ha.e uarded h-!

finishes the game with 1C*B:h$I!% a common sacrifice that leads to a deadly mating net* "fter: 1C***1:h$ 1J*0g>I 1gC BK*-h> 4mate coming on h$5 ;eC B1*-:f$I 1hC BB*-h>I 1gC B?*-h$I 1fC B@*-hCI 1e$ and B>*-:g$ chec)mate!

/n s mmary% there are many different types of pawn str ct res in chess* They all have original names associated with them and sho ld (e learned and mastered one at a time* The p rpose of this lesson is to introd ce the (asic concept of approaching a position from the pawn's perspective first% then thin) a(o t where yo r pieces sho ld go second* +f co rse% the ltimate goal is to see yo r entire army as one and coordinate them% pawns incl ded% together in nison*

8 Chess1id*com

Page > of 11

Lesson 18

Learning to Play with the Little Guys

Part ?: "dvanced Pawn Play% =pace and B ilding =trength Concepts:
What is space in chess? #earning to ( ild strength in yo r position!

+uil ing 1trength, Example 1: What is 1pa*e in 6hess% cuuuuuuuuC + r final topic of disc ssion regarding the pawns is (!dw#!dkd} something that is not necessarily a str ct re or formation% 70p0%$p0p} ( t rather a general plan to always ha,e in any game( 6wd,0p&wd} When play is ro ghly e2 al% with (oth sides fighting for 5d+dwdw(w} (etter pieces 4as (etter pieces lead to (etter tactics!5 the &wdP)P)wd} most effective way to ma)e yo r position stronger is to 3)w'wd-dP} &( ild strength%' which means to gain space.

2w)wd/dPd} %dwd.*wIw} /n chess% the term &space' refers to all the s2 ares yo r v,./9EFJMV army controls or occ pies (ehind your most advanced
More space means better pieces. 8ere white controls the whole board!

pawn(s * /n o r c rrent diagram% white has more space than (lac) (eca se his pawns are f rther advanced and constricting (lac) from improving the minor pieces*

+uil ing 1trength, Example &: Learning to Gain 1pa*e an >se #tcuuuuuuuuC Laining space is always a good idea% and tho gh not every (!d%#k$w"} position can (e as good or offer as m ch space as the 70pdw0pdp} previo s diagram% yo sho ld always strive for more space 6wd,0wdpd} and (etter s2 ares for yo r pieces* What sho ld white play 5dw0wdwdw} here? <evelop the 1night to f? or play pawn to f@ first?

&wd+dPdwd} 3dw'Pdwdw} 2P)Pdw)P)} %*w(/Iw'.} v,./9EFJMV

/n the 9losed :icilian ;penin # !hite plans to attack on the 3in side!

>*f@! By developing the 1night to f? behind the pawn% white.s chances of a s ccessf l 1ingside attac) are m ch greater* Esing the principles of (oth pawn chains 4notice that white.s cB3d?3e@ chain is (etter with white.s f3pawn advanced5 and ainin space% white can now involve the f13;oo) in a 1ingside attac) after getting castled* "ll of white.s pieces will find space on the 1ingside after the f@!

8 Chess1id*com

Page A of 11

Lesson 18
+uil ing 1trength, Example ?: .hin) '9out @our 1pa*e +e8ore "e,elopingcuuuuuuuuC + r Closed =icilian e:ample showed that if white thin)s (!&%#k$,"} a(o t the pawns and how the pieces can attac) together% 70p0w0p0p} (efore developing the 1night to f?% then white can gra( the 6wdwdwdwd} early chance to gain space 4>*f@!5 7 th s setting p a m ch 5dwdpdwdw} (etter chance of attac) on the 1ingside* !pace offers yo r &wd*)wdwd} pieces aven es and options of attac)!

3dwdwdwdw} 2P)PdP)P)} Loing (ac) even f rther in the +pening stage% the - een.s %*-()I+'.} Lam(it is a perfect e:ample of needing to gain space v,./9EFJMV (efore developing* Many amate r and (eginner chess
<"ter %.d& d' 0 white's needs to think about a plan be"ore just de.elopin the pieces.The plan to attack on the Queenside a"ter (.c& is a ood one! players might play B*0c? here* The pro(lem with this move is that white applies no press re to the center against the - een pawn% (eca se the d>3pawn is easily protected* White needs to play B*c@! 9irst% followed (y (ringing the 1night o t (ehind the c3pawn* /n this case white will nat rally p t more press re on the center 4d>5 and (e a(le to develop pieces towards the - eenside more easily*

A$.E: " common theme of gaining space 7 displayed in (oth 6:amples two and three 7 is that developing a 1night 9ehin a pawn can increase the press re on the s2 ares yo are attac)ing* Whenever a 1night is directly (ehind a pawn% the s2 ares the pawn can possi(ly capt re are also attac)ed (y the 1night* This means that% when possi(le% it can (e a good idea to advance a pawn first and develop the 1night (ehind the pawn* The e:tra space gained (y advancing the pawn first is also sef l to the rest of yo r army*

8 Chess1id*com

Page $ of 11

Lesson 18

Learning to Play with the Little Guys

/nstr ctor.s L ide
Pawns are tric)y! 6ven for most of the coaches reading this #esson% there is a good chance that none have ever tr ly approached a chess game from the &little g ys.' perspective first* This #esson may ta)e more than one classroom setting 4with the ass med time (eing 1 to 1*> ho rs5 to wor) thro gh* Ta)e yo r time% coaches% and enjoy the lesson! Many positions in chess offer one side a pawn majority and the other% nat rally% a minority* The simple version of the story is that a majority is more of a long term advantage that can (e e:ec ted more aggressively as the pieces are traded* With less tactics and complications% especially in the endgame% it is easier to advance the pawns p the (oard safely* " minority on the other hand% (eca se it offers the open files and space that a majority does not% can (e a dangero s middlegame tool* Why? /t is generally easier to advance fewer pawns p the (oard% especially with the help of the pieces* The first step in the right direction in regards to learning str ct res and formations is to learn that tho gh there are many different types of pawn str ct res% and many different versions of each% they can essentially (e (e (ro)en down into two major categories: "pen #enter positions and #losed #enter positions* Fopef lly% the e:amples in Part B provided some general g idance as how to approach each type of position 4open and closed5 as well as some practical advice on str ct res in general* =pace is a tric)y matter to nderstand at the (eginning levels% ( t we recommend referencing the point made in the s mmary of Part ? 7 i*e*% that when a 1night stands directly (ehind a pawn% their attac)ing powers do (le! Where as a 1night standing in front of a pawn% stands alone* This (asic concept is &space 1K1': When the pieces work from behind the pawns % they constrict and attac) more s2 ares then they do (y (loc)ing the pawns* Pra*ti*al Aotes an ' ,i*e 5 Lesson 18: "o not assign the wor)sheets until the lesson, in its entirety, has 9een re,iewe ( .ry to instill in your stu ents that, though the pawns may seem 9oring, using them well is ,ital )nowle ge( Why% +e*ause pawn mo,es *an ne,er 9e ta)en 9a*)- Learning to play with the pawns is *riti*al/e,iew Lesson 1< Bpositional wea)nessesC with your stu ents i8 ne*essary(

8 Chess1id*com

Page C of 11

Lesson 18 Lesson 18: Playing with the PawnsBeneath each diagram is a 2 estion a(o t the given pawn str ct re or position* Circle the correct answer to each 2 estion*

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 70p0wdp0p} 6wdwdw0wd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdPdPdw} 2P)PdwdP)} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Who has the better pawn majority? White? OR Black?

cuuuuuuuuC (!d%#w"kd} 7dp0w&p$p} 6pdw0w&pd} 5dwdP0wdw} &wdPdPdwd} 3dw'w(Pdw} 2P)w'+dP)} %dw*/d.Iw} ,./9EFJM
What side should white attack towards? Kingside? OR Queenside?

cuuuuuuuuC (!dw#w"kd} 70%dwdp$p} 6w&wdpdpd} 5dwdw'wdw} &w0w)-dwd} 3dPdwd/)w} 2P(wdw)Pd} %dw*.dwIw} v,./9EFJMV
Who has more pawn weaknesses? White? Equal? Black?

cuuuuuuuuC (!d%#w"kd} 70pd,$p0p} 6wd,dpdwd} 5dw0p)wdw} &wdw)wdwd} 3dw)wd-)w} 2P)wd-)+)} %*w(/d.Iw} v,./9EFJMV
What side should black attack towards? Kingside? OR Queenside?

8 Chess1id*com

Page J of 11

Lesson 18 Lesson 18: Playing with the PawnsBeneath each diagram is a 2 estion a(o t the given pawn str ct re or position* Circle the correct answer to each 2 estion*

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dpdwdp0w} 6pdwdwdw0} 5dwdpdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dw)w)Pdw} 2Pdwdw)w)} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Who has more pawn islands? White? Equal? Black?

cuuuuuuuuC (!dwdkd,"} 70p0wdp0p} 6wdpd%#wd} 5dw$wdwdw} &wdwdPdwd} 3dw'wdwdw} 2P)P)w)P)} %*w(wI+d.} v,./9EFJMV
Same position: Whose pawns are better? White's? Equal? Black's?

cuuuuuuuuC (!dwdkd,"} 70p0wdp0p} 6wdpd%#wd} 5dw$wdwdw} &wdwdPdwd} 3dw'wdwdw} 2P)P)w)P)} %*w(wI+d.} v,./9EFJMV
What side should black attack towards? Kingside? Center? Queenside?

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 70p0wdw0p} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdpdpdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dw)w)wdw} 2P)wdw)P)} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Who has the better pawn majority? White? Equal? Black?

8 Chess1id*com

Page 1K of 11

Lesson 18

Playing with the Pawns"nswer 1ey

Wor)sheet Page 1:
"iagram 41 5 !hite. White.s - eenside pawn majority is a (etter fo r3vs3three than (lac).s% (eca se (lac).s f3pawns are do (led and therefore ineffective* "iagram 4& 5 !hite. White.s aB3pawn is (ac)ward% the d@3pawn is isolated and the g3pawns are do (led* Blac) has no pawn wea)nesses* "iagram 4? 5 Queenside. White.s pawn str ct re% led (y the advanced d>3pawn% is facing towards the - eenside* " plan s ch as 1*(@ followed (y c> and 0c@ ma)es sense for white* "iagram 4D 5 Queenside. Blac).s pawn chain 4f$3eA3d>5 provides space on the - eenside* Blac) sho ld se his c>3pawn and moves li)e 1***-(A to p t press re on the center* 0otice that (lac) ses the - eenside space to develop the pieces for central press re*

Wor)sheet Page B:
"iagram 41 5 !hite. White has fo r pawn islands* "iagram 4& 5 9enter. Blac).s - een and Bishops% as well as the ;oo) coming to dC% apply press re to (oth sides of the (oard% ( t the center is the most nat ral place to attac) when the pawns have (een traded to create open files and diagonals* "iagram 4? 5 !hite. White has a fo r3vs3three 1ingside pawn majority* "iagram 4D 5 =>ual. Tho gh the str ct re may not (e symmetrical% neither side has a majority either (eca se the pawns prevent progress (y capt re*

8 Chess1id*com

Page 11 of 11