#TuksChess Clinic: August 2016 Edition pawn structure and pawn movement

Posted on August 19, 2016

TuksChess hosted their monthly chess clinics at Sci-Enza (TuksChess home ground). The clinic was attended by 18 TuksChess players. The purpose of the clinic was to equip players with the theory behind chess and give lessons of various chess strategies and tactics.

The lessons that were dealt with at the clinic were of pawn structure and pawn movement:

1.  Every pawn move creates a weakness because squares behind the pawn cannot be protected by the pawn.  Therefore, before moving a pawn check if there will be other methods of protecting those weak squares.

2.  Pawns should defend each other. Avoid using major pieces to defend pawns otherwise they become passive in the game.

3.  Avoid blocking major pieces with the pawns; e.g. if the bishop becomes passive in the game and cannot be used as an attacking piece since it has become passive.

4.  Avoid double pawns because they create weaknesses, however not all double pawns are weaknesses; e.g. when they help you control the centre and defend weak square.

5.  The importance of knowing piece function and value will help you know how to structure pawns in such a way that the pawns do not disturb the major pieces in their function.

- Author TuksChess

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