Pawn majorities - Principles of Chess Middle Games

"My idea is to make moves to bring chess back to the world's map, to make it part of the world's geography again."

-Anatoly Karpov

Hi chessbros, Welcome to the series where we learn the middle game concepts. Before introducing you to our today's topic, you need to know that this series has already completed the following topics before this blog is uploaded,

Blockade & Restriction ( https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/blockade-restriction-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

Greek Gift sacrifice ( https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/greek-gift-sacrifice-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

Opposite Side Castling ( https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/opposite-side-castling-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

Weak Square & Outpost ( https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/weak-square-outpost-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

The Bishop Pair ( https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/the-bishop-pair-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

Prophylaxis ( https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/prophylaxis-principles-of-chess-middle-games-2 )

Clearance sacrifice ( https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/clearance-sacrifice-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

Weak Colour Complex (https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/weak-colour-complex-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

Pawn structure (https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/pawn-structure-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

 Isolated Pawn (https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/isolated-pawn-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

Attacking the uncastled king ( https://www.chess.com/blog/siddharth026/attacking-the-uncastled-king-principles-of-chess-middle-games )

Today we are about to discuss a topic related to pawns. Now whenever we consider attacking strategy with pawns, it is subdivided into two categories viz,

• Pawn majority
  
• Pawn minority.

We will discuss the pawn majority in today's blog. Next will be the pawn minority. So let's discuss how we identify and use this pawn majority as an attacking tool in our chess games.

Pawn Majorities -

The pawn majority is an important concept in chess and it refers to the side of the board where you have more pawns than your opponent. The main plan in this type of structure is to find the right moment to advance the pawns, gain more space and cramp your opponent’s position. However, as it often happens in chess, this cannot be applied automatically. You have to analyze well the position and take into account all the factors that are present on the chessboard.

It’s a strategic advantage, where you have one more pawn than your opponent on one side of the chessboard (either queenside – queenside pawn majority, or kingside – kingside pawn majority). Often, queenside pawn majority is more advantageous because it can help you win endgames.

It’s usually considered that a queenside majority is vastly superior because the opposite side’s king will have a rough time defending it, but this principle only applies if the kings have castled kingside. A majority is significant regardless of the side it’s on, and it should be utilized properly.

Majorities can be categorised into two parts,

- Kings side Majority. 

- Queen side majority.

The queenside majority generally indicates We have an extra pawn on the queenside. 

General plans that you can follow when having a queenside majority:

• In positions where both kings are castled on the same side (kingside), the queenside majority represents an advantage in the middlegame when it can be advanced. If your opponent tries to do the same on the kingside, he must take into account the weakening of his own king;
• The advance of the queenside majority can also be used as a distraction element to gain a different type of advantage (for example, an attack against the king);
• The practice has shown that the advantage of possessing a queenside pawn majority is increased by the control over the d file. This can also be combined with better mobility and cooperation of your pieces;
• In the endgame, the queenside pawn majority is considered to be an advantage mainly because you can create an outside passed pawn;
• The combination of the queenside pawn majority and the bishop pair represents a big advantage.
   

The kingside majority generally indicates We have an extra pawn on the kingside

General plans that you can follow when having a kingside majority:

• Try to create weaknesses that can be attacked;
• Be careful while pushing e and f pawns;
• Choose your endgames carefully;
• keep an eye on the opponent’s majority;
• Always keep the initiative.

• The queenside majority is stronger when the king is castled kingside;
• We can choose an opening that helps to get the majority;
• Plan a middle game that emphasizes your advantages;
• Make a note to not rush with your majority too early;
• The majority help you create a passed pawn so try making one;

Queen side Majority-

Kingside majority -

To identify, Divide a board at the centre vertically and calculate the number of pawns on either side.

1-  Berlin Endgame 

If you have been part of this series, you would know why 'The Berlin End game' is played. For those who don't know, Here black decides to lose his castling rights to get the bishop pair. What I didn't mention was the idea of the Berlin endgame. Here the intention is to use pawn majority to promote the pawn and win. That is the reason why you see it here. This is so theoretical there are more than dozens of books written on it. The theoretical line sometimes goes as deep as 30 moves. Grandmasters use this to get drawing options.
Now this position occurs in the following way,

2- French Defense: Tarrasch Variaton

Here the idea is fairly simple. As we saw in the definition, the 'Queen side majority' is more powerful when kings have castled the king's side. The black majority is not useful as the king is already guarding the three pawns on the king's side.
This position occurs in the following ways -

3- Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation

The idea in caro kann is fairly simple to get a strong pawn structure and pawn majority, which will be beneficial for endgames. In endgames, the one with the majority has more chances to create a passed pawn. 
The above position may occur in the following way,

Frank Marshall vs Jose Raul Capablanca
"Cuban b-File Crisis" (game of the day Sep-22-2014)
Capablanca - Marshall (1909), New York, NY USA, rd 23, Jun-23
Tarrasch Defense: Rubinstein System (D33)

José Raúl Capablanca

Position -

Here franks wants to trade Queen. Will you do it if your Capablanca? 
If your answer is "yes", it's correct, but not in this position since after Qxc6, Bxc6, his bishop will be at the great square. So Capablanca decides to play Qe5 centralizing his Queen. Qe4 is played by Frank saying that he believes he is superior to the kingside majority and Capablanca queenside majority is not enough.

Qxe4;

Bxe4 - Rd1; ( check on the king and plan to help the pawn push from the front.)

Kg2 - a5; ( Trying to push pawns )

Rc2

Note that Bc6 is not the move. Here is why, 

-B4;

axb- axb;

Bf3 ( attacks rook ) - Rb1 ( pressurising the Pawn push );

Be2 ( Double attack on c4 ) -b3 ( attacks rook );

Rd2 -

Rxc4 doesn't work since it leads to the endgame favouring white.

Rc1 ( Threathing that if rook moves Rc2 is totally winning )-Bd1 ( Avoiding any rook uplifts );

Now it is fairly simple that a passed pawn will be created,

c3- bxc;

b2 ( Promotion threat ) - Rxb2 ( only way to stop promotion );

Rxd1 free bishop.

Capablanca is up a piece in the end game and at this level, this is enough for Grandmaster to finish the game.

The game continued like,

Rc2-Bf5 

Rb2-Rc1 

Rb3-Be4 

Kh3-Rc2 

f4-h5 

g4-hxg4

Kxg4-Rxh2 

Rb4-f5 

Kg3-Re2 

Rc4-Rxe3

Kh4-Kg7 

Rc7-Kf6 

Rd7- Bg2 

Rd6-Kg7 ( Mate in three threat is created)

Here Frank Marshall resigned

If Qxc6 in start then this is how white equalizes,

Match 2 -

Gedeon Barcza vs Anatoly Karpov
Caracas (1970), Caracas VEN, rd 2, Jun-21
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation. Botvinnik System Reversed (A37)

I hope you loved this short content on Pawn Majority. The intention of several unknown openings now will be clear to you once you start noticing pawn structure. I wish this blog creates a source of knowledge that will help you grow at your chess. For now, let's conclude this here.
Till then,

Let us all grow at chess together.

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...The End..