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The topic pawn is discussed in the following articles:
chess theory


  • TITLE: chess (game)
    SECTION: Hypermodernism
    The Hypermoderns invited their opponents to advance pawns in the centre and in some cases tried to provoke them. For example, Alexander Alekhine, a future world champion who explored Hypermodern ideas in the 1920s, developed an opening that consisted of meeting 1 e4 with 1…Nf6 in order to tempt White to advance to e5, where the pawn might later come under fire.


  • TITLE: chess (game)
    SECTION: Philidor and the birth of chess theory
    Greco and previous writers had explored the tactical interplay of two or three pieces. But Philidor believed that the significance of the pawns had been overlooked and drew particular attention to their weaknesses and strengths. His most famous comment—that “pawns are the very life of the game”—is often cited without his explanation of why they are important: because, he...


  • TITLE: chess (game)
    SECTION: Steinitz and the theory of equilibrium
    While a lead in development may be transient, other advantages, such as a superior pawn structure, could be nurtured into the endgame, Steinitz said. Structural weaknesses generally involve pawns that are difficult to defend or squares (especially in the centre or around the king) that enemy pieces can occupy without being dislodged by pawn attacks. The following common pawn weaknesses are...

rules of chess

  • TITLE: chess (game)
    SECTION: Pawns
    Each player has eight pawns, which begin the game on the second rank closest to each player; i.e., White’s pawns start at a2, b2, c2, and so on, while Black’s pawns start at a7, b7, c7, and so on. The pawns are unique in several ways. A pawn can move only forward; it can never retreat. It moves differently than it captures. A pawn moves to the square directly ahead of it but captures on the...
  • TITLE: chess (game)
    SECTION: Standardization of rules


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