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Pawn structures: what the pawns dictate
At a glance
A pawn structure is the arrangement of all the pawns on the board. It shows which files are open, which squares become weak and where your pieces belong. Aaron Nimzowitsch describes typical forms such as the pawn chain, doubled pawns, the isolani and hanging pawns. If you understand the structure, you find a plan more easily.
In short
Where the pawns stand decides which routes your pieces can use. Look first: which pawns protect each other? Which can still move? Then look for a plan for your pieces.
In a pawn chain, pawns protect each other diagonally forwards. The base is the rearmost pawn of the chain. You can often attack the chain there with a pawn. But check which files you open with the exchange.
Doubled pawns stand on the same file. They cannot protect each other. That does not make them bad in every position: open files and active pieces can make up for a drawback. Lesson 26 shows how you check their mobility.
An isolani has no pawn of its own color on an adjacent file. It needs protection from pieces, but it can also give space and attacking chances. Hanging pawns stand on adjacent files; a typical picture is a pair on the same rank. On the files to their left and right, there is no pawn of their own color. Their advances need support; after an exchange, an isolani can be left over.
Nimzowitsch links pawn formations with restraint and blockade. The name of the structure is not enough for choosing your move. Also check threats, active pieces and possible pawn moves. The lessons below let you recognize the features in concrete positions; the game against Salwe shows the fight around a pawn chain.
Summarized by the editors in their own words. This is not a quotation.
Where to find it in Nimzowitsch
- My System: I. Teil, 9.1 Allgemeines und Definitionen. Die Basis der Bauernkette. Die Idee der beiden getrennten Kriegsschauplätze original text not yet published
Nimzowitsch explains the pawn chain, its base and its tip.
- My System: I. Teil, 9.3 Der Angriff gegen die Basis als strategische Notwendigkeit original text not yet published
He examines the attack on the base of the chain.
- My System: II. Teil, 2.1 Wahlverwandtschaft zwischen „Doppelbauer“ und „Hemmung“; ersterer begünstige eine Durchführung feindlicher Hemmungspläne. Was heißt das: Unter dem Nachteil eines Doppelbauern leiden? Der Begriff der passiven (= statischen) und aktiven (= dynamischen) Schwäche. Wann erscheint die Auflösung eines feindlichen Doppelbauern angezeigt? Die (einzige) wirkliche Stärke des Doppelbauern wird näher begründet. original text not yet published
He distinguishes the weakness of doubled pawns when they stand still and when they advance.
- My System: II. Teil, 3a Der isolierte Damenbauer original text not yet published
The isolated queen’s pawn: weakness and attacking chances go together.
- My System: II. Teil, 3c Die hängenden Bauern original text not yet published
Hanging pawns and the question of when an advance helps.
- Chess Praxis: 4. Der isolierte Damenbauer, die zwei Hängebauern Die zwei Läufer original text not yet published
Example games link the isolani and hanging pawns with the play of the pieces.