Pawn Structure Chess (McKay Chess Library) - Softcover

Andrew (Andy) Soltis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0812925297 ISBN 13: 9780812925296

Publisher: Times Books, 2003

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

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.

From the Inside Flap

rs 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.<br><br>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:<br>-- how to handle the characteristic pawn structure of each opening "family" and each major variation<br>-- how to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of pawn chains<br>-- when to exchange pawns in the center -- and when not to<br>-- how to cramp your opponent's position and what to do if your opponent cramps yours<

Edition details

• Publisher: Times Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0812925297
• ISBN 13: 9780812925296
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 368