Exeter Chess Club: Steve Martinson on Pawn Structure

Pawn Structure

Isolated Pawn

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Pawn having none of its own force's Pawns in immediately adjacent files. Weakness commonly exploited by placing a Pawn or piece immediately in front and then attacking.

Doubled Pawn

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Two Pawns of the same color in the same file. Weakness exploited much the same as an isolated Pawn, with the attack being on the Pawn(s) not supported by a neighbouring Pawn.

Pawn Islands

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Number of groups or single Pawns which are not connected by Pawns. In the diagram, White has 3 Pawn islands and Black has 2. Each island should be considered a separate chance of attack hence the more islands, the weaker the Pawn structure.

Passed Pawn

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Pawn which has no enemy Pawn in front of it and those in adjacent files have advanced beyond it (meaning it can no longer be captured by a Pawn). Remember the adage: "Push passed Pawns".

Connected Passed Pawns

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Two Pawns, both of which are passed Pawns, which are in files adjacent to each other. Such a situation should result in costing the opponent some piece in most cases.

Backward

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Pawn which has had each of the Pawns in adjacent files advance before it. Weakness exploited by placing a piece on the weak square which is immediately in front of it.
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This document (sm3.html) was last modified on 28 Jun 96 by [cool blue cat]

Dr. Dave