Let's talk a bit about pawns...

The more I play the more I am realizing the beauty and bravery of pawns. The little foot soldiers (or as some have said, "The soul of chess.")

My problem is I really don't know how best to play them.

For example if the a2 pawn and the b2 pawn are standing next to each other, (and nothing is threatening either) would it be wiser to move the a2 pawn to a3, or move the b2 pawn to b3? I'd love for someone to tell me.

I went to the library and looked in Pachman's "Modern chess Strategy." I looked up pawns.  All that notation made me want to go home.

But I stayed and looked in Gelfer's "Positional Chess Handbook." And again I looked up pawns. Tons and tons of notation which made my head swim and told me nothing at the stage of chess development I am in right now. It was just too much.

Is there some gentle book or chapter in a good book that would help me?

Sometimes when I read a chess book I get out my little magnetic chess board and try to follow. That works unless there is so much notation I lose the point or the connection.

I don't want a huge hard book on pawns, I don't care how great it is. If it is too hard for me right now, I won't get anything from it but frustration.

But I do love the little pawns and want to understand their role better and play them better.

I am open to suggestions.

stwils

Have you read Pandolfini's Weapons of Chess? Sort of basic--so it's right up my alley--but treats extensively of pawns and pawn structure. It's been quite useful for me, perhaps less so for my more skillful compatriots.

To stwils

The problem with pawns is that they cannot move backward.  So you only move them when you absolutely have to.  In your example above, don't move either.  Your a and b pawns are fine where they are.  Manuever your pieces instead.  But if there is a threat of, say, Nb4 attacking a B on d3, then you may have to play a3 to prevent this.  Likewise, if your B on c1 can't develope on the c1-h6 diagonal, then b3 followed by Bb2 may be the only way to get him into the game.  But you notice that these are moves with a purpose.  That is the only time to move pawns--when there is a definite purpose behind the move.  If there is no threat, don't consider moving a pawn.  Move the pieces instead.  Eventually you will learn that you can always take back a move by your pieces, but you can never take back a move by your pawns.  Hope this helps.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I called our branch library yesterday, and they HAD Weapons of Chess! Would you believe I drove out there in the pouring rain???

This is what I've been needing. A book that explains the topic and has a diagram, and thankfully not miles and miles of algebraic notations. Lots of good information on pawns. Easy to understand.

Thanks again.

stwils

Dashkee94 made some good suggestions to use when thinking about pawn moves. Other common purposes behind moving a pawn - and these are largely applicable in the opening - are:

• to try to control the centre (moves like e4, d4 do this by occupying the centre and controlling d5 and e5 respectively).
• to build a solid pawn structure (moves for black like 1...c6, thinking about 2...d5)
• to help support your pieces, or to allow them greater space for movement.
• and, as dashkee said, to prevent your opponent's pieces moving to a specific square, or to hinder your opponent's space.

Remember that pawns are a lot less mobile than pieces, so you should only commit them to a square if you've thought it through, and think the advantages (both short-term and long-term) outweigh the negatives. Also, if you can get your pawns to work in harmony with your plans for your pieces, you'll be doing well.

It's up to you to assess the position and find the best move. Pawns define the terrain of the battlefield: hills, valleys, fields, etc. Best piece placement depends much on the pawn positions/ If you want to fianchetto your bishop, b3 might be called for. Do you want to restrict your opponent's pieces? a3 is a typical prophylactic move. Do you want to advance your pawns in a minority attack? a4 and b4 or a3 then b4.