PAWN MAJORITIES
Positions with mutual pawn majorities are generally more demanding than others, due to the inherent imbalances. Often, there are at least four positional themes to pay attention to. Each side wants to make the most of its majority, whilst at the same time hindering that of its opponent. That’s four plans to start with.
50. Should I bring about mutual pawn majorities?
Normally, this question has to be asked before entering a specific opening variation, as the pawn distribution might be a (potential) result of that decision. In general terms, and all things being equal, your thought process should be guided by the quality of the upcoming pawn majorities. Often, one of them will be more mobile and hence more effective than the other one.
51. How can I get my pawn majority going?
In some cases, your pawn majority will be restricted and has to stay put. In others, it is unrestricted and can be activated. Generally, the best course of action is to set it in motion. Try to make active use of your assets. The only counter argument would be a weakening of your king safety by moving your pawns.
52. Can I restrict my opponent’s pawn majority?
Restriction is one of the big topics in chess, as preventing the activity of your opponent is just as important as becoming active yourself. Hence, restricting your opponent’s majority, tactically or in a more static manner by moving your pawns, is one of the premium recipes in positions with pawn majorities.
53. Can I sacrifice a pawn to immobilize my opponents pawn majority?
An advancing pawn majority can have such a big impact, that it is worth crippling it by means of a pawn sacrifice. As a result, there will often be weak pawns on the side of your opponent, that serve as a future target.
54. Is it possible to sacrifice a pawn to slow down my opponent’s pawn majority?
Sometimes you cannot cripple your opponent’s pawn majority, but slow it down by sacrificing a pawn. This plays a role in scenarios, where the mutual advance of the pawn majority has a major influence on the position, meaning that the time factor carries great weight.
55. Should I create a passed pawn?
Oftentimes the creation of a passed pawn is the logical result of activating a pawn majority. However, the question remains, whether it is desirable or not. We all know that the paralyzing effect of a far advanced passed pawn can be devastating. On the negative side, there are plenty of examples, where a well blocked passed pawn is rendered completely harmless. As always, the evaluation depends on the specifics of the position.
56. How can I block my opponent’s passed pawn?
As mobile passed pawns are very dangerous, blocking them is normally the appropriate reaction. In his famous work “My System” Nimzowitsch claimed the following: “The passed pawn is a criminal, who should be kept under lock and key”. Generally, you don’t want to use your major pieces for this task, as this would bind too much fire power. Moreover, they are susceptible to be attacked by minor pieces, when positioned on the 3rd or 6th rank (the normal location for a blockade). Depending on the factors “stability” and “activity”, you will either place a knight or bishop in front of an enemy passer.
57. How can I exchange a blockader?
Exchanging an effective blockader, so that it has to be replaced by a less effective one, e.g. a major piece, is one of your many strategic goals.
58. Is it attractive to have an outside passed pawn?
Outside passed pawns are valuable in the endgame, specifically in pawn endgames and minor pieces endgames. In the middlegame, however, they hardly constitute a danger for the opponent and can become a target.
59. What is the value of a protected passed pawn in the center?
Generally, a protected center passed pawn is overrated by the chess community. While there are many positive scenarios, there are also negative ones, which are less well understood. One the positive side, the PPP can have a cramping effect on the opponent. This will happen, when its owner has an overall space advantage and can conduct pawn breaks on the neighboring files. However, there are also positions, where the PPP is effectively blockaded and is nothing more than “dead capital”, while the opponent has a mobile pawn majority, which is alive and kicking.
60. Can I sacrifice a pawn for the creation of a passed pawn?
If I am able to obtain a passed pawn on the 3rd / 6th rank, a pawn normally is not too high a price to pay for that. Have in mind that a passed pawn rises in value, the more it advances. On the 3rd / 6th rank it normally has the value of two pawns, sometimes more.
61. Can I sacrifice a piece for connected passed pawns?
Connected passed pawns have the power of a steamroller. Sacrificing pieces for their creation is a common method in master chess.
62. Can I sacrifice my passed pawn in order to start an invasion?
To sacrifice a beautiful passed pawn takes a lot of mental flexibility (or acquired knowledge). However, by giving it up in the right moment, you can open a file, diagonals and squares for your pieces, which can be the outset of a lethal invasion. This potential sacrifice, besides the more standard conservative form of advance, is another reason for the necessity of a blockade.
