PAWN STRUCTURE CHESS - Softcover

Soltis, Andrew

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0679144757 ISBN 13: 9780679144755

Publisher: Three Rivers Press, 1986

Synopsis

Some 250 years ago, the great Philidor wrote, "The pawns are the soul of chess." Although that statement is perhaps the most common cliche in the literature of the game, it is too often misunderstood.

Pawns are usually considered weak because of their limited range of movement. But the pawns' restricted mobility is precisely what makes them so important strategically: they form a semi-permanent structure -- often called a "pawn skeleton" -- that establishes the territorial lines of the coming battle and thus the nature of the battle itself. Understanding how pawns affect strategy is the subject of this important book. In it you will learn:
-- how to handle the characteristic pawn structure of each opening "family" and each major variation
-- how to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of pawn chains
-- when to exchange pawns in the center -- and when not to
-- how to cramp your opponent's position and what to do if your opponent cramps yours
-- how to create and exploit pawn "holes"...and much, much more, all copiously illustrated by complete games from actual play.

About this title

Review

There is no doubt that the material in this book should receive the attention of any serious student wishing to improve his play and Batsford must be congratulated in making this volume available again. The book has received Batsford's impeccable production attention and will grace my book shelves for many years. --Reviewed on Chess Devon

About the Author

Andrew Soltis is a grandmaster and a chess columnist for New York Post and Chess Life. In 1988, he was named chess journalist of the year by the Chess Journalists of America.

Edition details

• Publisher: Three Rivers Press
• Publication date: 1986
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0679144757
• ISBN 13: 9780679144755
• Binding: Paperback