Lesson 17

The Fundamentals of
Positional Chess
Part 1: Positional Chess: Doubled Pawns

Concepts:
• Introduction and definition of Positional Chess!
• What is the difference between “positional” and “tactical” chess?
• What is a “positional weakness”?
• What are “Doubled Pawns” and why are they bad?

“Positional Chess” is, in many ways, the opposite of “tactical” chess (see Lessons 9-12).
While we use the word “tactics” to describe immediate threats, captures, as well as
checkmate and attacking ideas, the term positional chess is used to describe everything
that is long term and permanent about the position or game we are playing.

A "positional player" focuses on building up long-term advantages, targeting his/her

opponent's “positional weaknesses” and avoiding positional weaknesses in his/her own camp.
A positional weakness is a long-term weak spot in a player's position such as Doubled
Pawns (Part 1), Isolania (Part 2), Backward Pawns (Part 3), or weak squares (Part 3). Every
basic positional weakness a beginning player must know will be discussed in Lesson 17.

Doubled Pawns Introduction: What are “Doubled” Pawns in Chess?

cuuuuuuuuC Doubled pawns are two pawns of the same color which
(wdwdwdwd} stand one in front of the other on the same file. Since
7dp0wdp0w} pawns all start off next to each other, each on a different
6wdwdwdwd} file, the only way for two pawns of the same color to stand
5dwdwdwdw} together on the same file is by capturing an enemy piece.
&wdwdwdwd}
3dPdwdw)w} Doubled pawns are often considered a weakness since 1)
2*)*dw8P8} they are easily attacked 2) they cannot protect each other
%dwdwdwdw} and 3) they cannot move as easily up the board towards
v,./9EFJMV promotion, as one pawn is always blocking the other. They
We removed all other are like a big brother and little brother constantly stepping
pieces from the board to on each other's toes as they walk! The doubled b and g-
highlight the weakness of pawns were created by a capture (from either a2 or c2 for
having doubled pawns vs the b-pawns, and f2 or h2 for the g-pawns). Black's pawns,
an enemy's “healthy” on the other hand, can move forward while protecting each
pawn structure... other as they advance! If possible, avoid doubled pawns!

© ChessKid.com Page 1 of 11
 Lesson 17
Practical Example 1: Why “Twins” and “Triplets” are Not Good in Chess Games!
cuuuuuuuuC Doubled pawns are commonly referred to as “twins”. Though
(wdwdwdwd} it doesn't happen very often, a player can even have
7dwdwdwdw} “triplets” (see the h-file pawns) or even “quadruple-pawns”
6wdwdpdw0} (which would be four pawns of the same team on one file).
50wdwiwdP} Quadruple-pawns would be very, very ugly!
&w0wdwdw)}
3dPdwIwdP} This example diagram displays the problem with having
2P)wdwdwd} “twins” and “triplets” very clearly. Despite the two pawn
%dwdwdwdw} advantage (and an extra pawn on both the King-side and
v,./9EFJMV Queen-side) white is easily lost. Black's passed e-pawn is
White's doubled b-pawns essentially extra! One example line is: 1...Kd5 2.Kd3 e5
and tripled h-pawns leave 3.Ke3 e4 4.Ke2 Kd4 5.Kd2 e3+ 6.Ke2 Ke4 7.Ke1 Kf3 where
white lost... black wins the h-file pawns and eventually the game.

Examples 2 and 3: When Doubled Pawns Are “OK”(Example 2):

cuuuuuuuuC Our first of two diagram examples displays a position where
(wdwdrdw4} the doubled pawns are not only “ok”, but perhaps leave
7dp0kdp0w} black with the more active pieces. Remember, by definition,
6pdpgwdpd} having doubled pawns means that one pawn captured from
5dwdwdwdw} another file. This means that there is always a potential
&wdwdwdRd} open file (like the h-file here) for a Rook to occupy.
3dwHPdw)P}
2P)Pdw)Kd} Here both of black's Rooks control valuable open files and
%dw$wdwdw} the Bishop on d6 is well placed to attack both sides of the
v,./9EFJMV board. Most impotantly, the two sets of doubled pawns (the
Black's h8-Rook has an c7-c6 and g7-g6 duos) are well protected by their “brother
active open-file because pawns” and are hardly weaker than white's pawns. This
of the Doubled g-pawns! position is roughly equal with both sides having no targets.

Examples 2 and 3: Doubled “Isolated” Pawns – Doubled Pawns are NOT “OK”:
cuuuuuuuuC Compared to our previous diagram, black's b7-pawn has
(wdwdrdw4} been moved to a7 and the f7-pawn was moved to e7.
70w0k0w0w} Suddenly, the entire evaluation of this endgame changes:
6pdpgwdpd} Black's position is full of problems and is likely lost with best
5dwdwdwdw} play. The a-pawns, c-pawns and g-pawns are all
&*dwdwdRd} “Isolated” doubled pawns and will be hard to defend.
3dwHPdw)P}
2P)Pdw)Kd} You will find more examples of isolated pawns in Part 2, but
%dw$wdwdw} the basic point here is that the doubled pawns in the first
v,./9EFJMV diagram were not that weak because the b and f pawns
White's Rook currently defended them. Now, with no “brother pawns” on the
attack's g6 and could adjacent files to protect them, the pawns are doubled,
easily slide over to a4! isolated, and therefore very easy to attack.

© ChessKid.com Page 2 of 11
 Lesson 17
Practical Game Example: The Ruy Lopez (Spanish) – Exchange Variation
cuuuuuuuuC The current position occurs in tournament practice often:
(rdb1kgn4} The Ruy Lopez or Spanish Game is one of the most
7dp0wdp0p} popular openings in the world. The Exchange Variation (the
6pdpdwdwd} position you see now) appears after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
5dwdw0wdw} 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 (4.Ba4 would lead to the Main Line rather
&wdwdPdwd} than the Exchange Variation) and finally 4...dxc6.
3dwdwdNdw}
2P)P)w)P)} Though black is now strapped with doubled c-pawns, he is
%$NGQIwdR} compensated for the weaknesses by having open lines for
v,./9EFJMV his two Bishops on c8 and f8, as well as the Queen on d8.
In the “Exchanged Having two Bishops vs your opponent's one can be a
Spanish” opening, black critical advantage in open positions. One example of
has full compensation for black's open space can be seen if white tries to capture e5
the doubled c-pawns... with 5.Nxe5? Then 5...Qd4! - placing a double attack on the
e5-Knight and the e4 pawn. After 6.Nf3 to save the Knight
black captures e4 with check and has a favorable game!

Practical Game Example – Continued: The “Nice Part” About Doubled Pawns!
cuuuuuuuuC Here black's open d-file, pin on the f3-Knight, and active
(wdk4wdw4} Bishop on c5 leave black in a better position with no
7dp0wdp0p} worries about the doubled c-pawns! This position could
6pdp1whwd} have occurred after the continuation of 5.0-0 Bg4 6.Nc3
5dwgw0wdw} Bc5 7.d3 Qd6 8.Bd2 Nf6 9.a3 and 9... 0-0-0.
&wdwdPdbd}
3)wHPdNdw} White could have improved on move six (6.h3), but other
2w)PGw)P)} than that, white's moves were not unnatural looking at all,,
%$wdQdRIw} yet black clearly possess the better pieces. This is
v,./9EFJMV because white captured early on c6 and didn't look to be
Though white hasn't more aggressive in the center (5.d4 instead of 5.0-0 is
played the best moves, theoretically best). White needed to play more actively to
we see black's natural counteract black's open files and diagonals. The lesson:
piece activity fully Doubled pawns themselves are weak, but they can also
compensating for the provide open files and diagonals for yourself or your
doubled c-pawns! opponent, so always consider both sides of the story!

© ChessKid.com Page 3 of 11
 Lesson 17
The Fundamentals of
Positional Chess
Part 2: Positional Chess: Isolated Pawns

Concepts:
• What is an “Isolated pawn”?
• What is a “Pawn Island” in chess?
• The most common Isolani: The Isolated Queen Pawn (or “IQP”)!
• The advantages of an Isolated pawn, particularly the IQP!

Introducing and Defining the Isolated Pawn and Pawn Islands!

cuuuuuuuuC An isolated pawn occurs in chess when a pawn has no
(wdwdwdwd} friendly (the same color) pawns on any of the files directly
70p0wdp0p} to the left or right of it. In our first diagram, the e4-pawn
6wdwdwdwd} stands all alone, therefore he is isolated. There are no
5dwd*8*dw} pawns on the adjacent (d or f) files which makes the e4-
&wdw8P8wd} pawn weak and the target of attack by the opponent.
3dwd*8*dw}
2P)PdwdP)} As it says beneath our example diagram, when a player
%dwdwdwdw} has an isolated pawn, this usually means the other pawns
v,./9EFJMV are slightly weaker as well. Pawn groups are often referred
Having the isolated e4- to as “Pawn Islands”. The less Pawn Islands you have –
pawn also leaves the the better! This is because when pawns are together, the
other pawns behind: protect one another. Here white has three Pawn Islands vs
creating more islands! two Pawn Islands for black, which is also a weakness.

When the Pawns Can't Defend Each Other – The Pieces “Gang Up” On Them!
cuuuuuuuC Our next example diagram displays one very simple, cold
(wdw4wiwd hard fact about isolated pawns: They are “dead in the
7dw0wdpgp water” if your pieces can't defend them! Here both white's
6w0wdpdwd d4-pawn and black's h7-pawn are isolated, and without
50wdwdw)w pieces to defend them, it is only a matter of time before the
&Pdw)B)wd opponent will gather forces and capture these weak pawns.
3dPdwdw)w
2wdwdwdKd One key point made in our previous paragraph is that
%dwdwdwdR because isolated pawns, by definition, cannot be defended
v,./9EFJM by other pawns, the pieces have to do it! Why is that a
Both white and black will big deal? Because the pieces are generally busy with more
lose their isolated pawns! important matters, and don't want to guard the little guys.

© ChessKid.com Page 4 of 11
 Lesson 17
The Isolated “Queen's” Pawn Introduction and What Makes It Different!
cuuuuuuuuC An isolated pawn in the middle of the board is still an
(wdwdwdwd} isolated pawn. It is still weak, it can still be attacked, and
70pdwdp0p} without other play – the pieces will still get stuck defending
6wdwdpdwd} it! However, because an isolated pawn always has open
5dwdwdwdw} files and diagonals right next to it, a central pawn can
&wdw)wdwd} offer active space for both your Rooks and Bishops.
3dwdwdwdw}
2P)wdw)P)} We normally discuss a centrally isolated pawn as an
%dwdwdwdw} Isolated Queen Pawn because most of the time, the
v,./9EFJMV Queen's pawn is the one that becomes isolated. This is due
An isolated “Queen's” to many common Opening variations that naturally lead to
pawn is always on the d- this position. So, if the players imagined the pieces being
file for white or black... taken off the board – this would be a common “Pawn
Structure” (see Lesson 18 for more on Pawn Structures).

The Possible Advantages of an IQP and How to Use Them!

cuuuuuuuuC The Isolated Queen Pawn is often referred to as an “IQP”
(wdwdwdwd} or an “Isolani”. Though the naming of this pawn can
70pdwdp0p} change, the principles and ideas remain the same:
6wdwdpdwd} • The IQP is normally more advanced then the
5dw8w8wdw} opponent's central pawn. Here we see white's pawn
&wd*)*dwd} on the 4th rank, with black's pawn only advanced to
3dw8*8wdw} “black's 3rd rank”, aka the 6th rank.
2P)wdw)P)} • White usually has good squares for the Rooks on c1
%dw8w8wdw} and e1, as well as more space around the pawn
v,./9EFJMV (see all the highlighted squares in our diagram) for
The IQP naturally pieces such as the Knights and Bishops.
provides control of the • If white can keep the pieces on the board, avoid
center and open board! trades, and stay active: Good things will happen!

The IQP and All Its Glory: Open Files and Diagonals Lead to Good Tactics!
cuuuuuuuuC The bullet points above, in a way, list the plans for the
(4dw14dkd} opponent facing an IQP: Trade the minor pieces; keep your
70pdbgp0p} pieces active or at least prevent the opponent from
6wdwdphwd} getting too active; attack the pawn and control the
5dwdwHwdw} squares around it. If black doesn't do that, this is an
&wdw)wdw!} example of what might happen next:
3)wdBdwdw}
2w)wGw)P)} Every white piece is on a great square! It is hard to find a
%dw$w$wIw} move for black with white's Queen and Bishops aiming at
v,./9EFJMV the Kingside (h7 in particular), and many threats and tactics
The IQP can lead to good will start to favor white. 1.Bg5, attacking the f6-Knight and
tactics and an attack! next therefore the h7-pawn is one example idea for white!

© ChessKid.com Page 5 of 11
 Lesson 17
The Fundamentals of
Positional Chess
Part 3: Positional Chess: Backward Pawns and “Outpost” Squares

Concepts:
• What is a “Backward Pawn”?
• What is an “Outpost Square”!
• Recognizing and exploiting Backward Pawns and Outpost Squares!

Introducing the Backward Pawn and the Outpost Square!

cuuuuuuuuC The third type of positional weakness under discussion in
(wdwdwdwd} Lesson 17 is the backward pawn. A backward pawn is a
7dwdwdwdw} pawn that has been left behind by his teammates and is
6wdw0wdwd} “stuck” because of the threat of capture from an enemy
5dw0*0wdw} pawn. The d6-pawn is backward in our first example.
&wdPdPdwd}
3dwdwdwdw} Furthermore, the weakness that almost always
2wdwdwdwd} accompanies the backward pawn is the outpost square.
%dwdwdwdw} An outpost square is a square that can never again be
v,./9EFJMV defended by a pawn. By definition, the same pawns that left
Both the d6-pawn and the the d6-pawn behind – making it backward – have also left
d5-square would be the d5-square behind, thus turning it into an outpost
targets in a real game! square. Outpost squares are also called “holes.”

Positional Weaknesses – Extreme: Multiple Backward Pawns and Outposts!

cuuuuuuuuC Highlighted in our current diagram is the possibility of
(wdwdwdwd} having multiple backward pawns and outpost squares.
7dwdwdwdw} What's amazing about this position is that black's b4 and g4
6wdwdwdwd} pawns, without the threat of other white pieces, are
5dwdwdwdw} essentially just as good as all six of white's pawns!
&w0wdwdpd}
38P8wd*)*} Because of En Passant (Lesson 5 handout) neither the a or
2PdPdw)w)} c pawn can advance forward without being captured!
%dwdwdwdw} Obviously moving to a3 or c3 runs into capture the
v,./9EFJMV “classical” way, while 1.a4 or 1.c4 run into capture by En
If black had the chance to Passant. The same can be said for white's f and h pawns.
put a piece on a3, c3, f3 The a3, c3, f3 and h3 squares are all also very weak holes
or h3 – that piece would for black's personal use! Outpost squares are perfect for
be very happy indeed! attack, and should usually be filled by a Knight.

© ChessKid.com Page 6 of 11
 Lesson 17
Outpost Squares and Backward Pawns “In Action”: Good Knight vs Bad Bishop!
cuuuuuuuuC In our third diagram you no longer have to imagine these
(wdbdwdwd} weaknesses in positions of just the pawns, as we are now
70p0wiwdp} moving onto three practical examples of recognizing and
6wdwdp8pd} attacking both backward pawns and outpost squares in real
5dwdpHw)w} games. Here the Knight on e5 (an outpost square) is
&wdw)wdw)} dominating the Bishop on c8. The h7-pawn is backward.
3dwdwIPdw}
2P)Pdwdwd} In a position like this, white would be considered much
%dwdwdwdw} better and easily winning with best play. After: 1.Ng4! –
v,./9EFJMV heading to the other outpost on f6 – then 1...Kf7 2.Nf6 Kg7
Black defends h7 after 3.Kf4! And next to e5, black will have a hard time stopping
the Knight goes to f6! the Knight and King from commanding the endgame...

Multiple Out-Post Squares: Referred to as a “Weak Square/Color Complex”:

cuuuuuuuuC Moving on from our endgame example, we now see how
(rdwdw4kd} outpost squares – in this case multiple outposts – can lead
70pdqdw0w} to serious issues in the Middlegame. In particular, having
6wdpdwdw0} unprotected holes around the King position, especially
5dwdpdwhw} when they are all of the same color, can give the
&wdw)bdwd} opponent excellent mating attack chances.
3)NGw)*)*}
2w)w!w)*)} In this position black is threatening both 1...Nh3 checkmate,
%dw$wdRIw} as well as 1...Nf3+, forking the King and Queen. White is
v,./9EFJMV lost. The only move to continue the game would be 1.f3,
White's pieces on the though after 1...Nxf3+ black wins the Rook on f1 for the
Queen-side are useless Knight, and 1...Rxf3 followed by 1...Nh3+ at some point is
in defending the King! also winning easily. The weak color complex was lethal!

Final Example: Out-posted Knight on C4 and Backward A-Pawn – Black is Better!

cuuuuuuuuC In our final example we see black's strong Knight on c4,
(rdwdw4kd} combined with the open a-file, give black a crushing
7dwdqdp0w} advantage. The a-pawn is backward and a “sitting duck” for
6wdpdpdb0} black to clean up after organizing the army.
5dpdp)wdw}
&w)n)wdwd} After 1... Ra6, followed by 2...Rfa8 and if need be, 3...Qa7
3dwdwdwGP} – tripling the three most powerful pieces on the a-file – it is
2PdwdQ)Pd} only a matter of time before the pawn falls. Note that even if
%dw$wRBIw} white is to move the Queen to capture the Knight on c4 with
v,./9EFJMV the f1-Bishop, black would be left with a protected passed
The diagrams prove that pawn instead of an out-posted Knight. The key thing to
positional advantages can notice about positional advantages is that in all three of
be used to win material our last examples, the material (points) was completely
and eventually the game! equal. The positional advantages were enough to win!

© ChessKid.com Page 7 of 11
 Lesson 17
The Fundamentals of
Positional Chess
Instructor's Guide

Chess is 90% tactics, but that is mainly because all games – even those played at the
highest level – are eventually decided by a tactic of some kind. Tactics alone decide the
majority of amateur and scholastic chess results; however, if the remaining 10% of chess is
positional strategy, it is also true that learning positional chess concepts is the first step
toward chess mastery, and the only way to begin developing high level plans that even the
best opponents might not be able to defend against.

As simple as it may sound, because pawns are the only pieces that cannot go back –
developing plans of attack that surround the weaknesses discussed Lesson 17 are the only
plans of attack that cannot be prevented. A doubled pawn can not “take back” to its original
square. An isolated pawn can't change itself without the help of the opponent. Out-post
squares, once created, are generally permanent.

The list goes on! It is good to instill the following principle in your students:

• Develop plans where you expect the best move could be coming from your
opponent, and it doesn't make a difference! Learn to recognize and target positional
chess weaknesses, and you will be attacking weaknesses that can't be undone.

Practical Notes and Advice – Lesson 17:

• Do not assign the worksheets to your students until after all three parts of
Lesson 17 have been reviewed in detail.

• Use the “pawns only” worksheet example diagrams to teach your students to
see the bigger picture. Learning to recognize what is going on with the pawns
during a game full of tactics is an important, master-level skill.

• Teach your students that square weaknesses (like out-posts, color complexes,
etc.) are just as permanent in the position as pawn weaknesses.

• Revisiting the Mini-Games from Lessons 1 and 13 should be considered to give

your students another shot at practicing pawn play at a high level.

© ChessKid.com Page 8 of 11
 Lesson 17
Lesson 17: Find the Weakness!
Circle all the positional weaknesses you can find in the diagrams below. Remember you are
looking for doubled pawns, isolated pawns, backward pawns and outpost squares.
cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC
(rdwdw4kd} (wdwdwdwd}
70p1wgp0p} 7dwdwdw0p}
6wdw0wdwd} 6wdwdpdwd}
5dwdw0Pdw} 5dp0wdwdw}
&wdwdPdwd} &w0wdwdwd}
3dwHwdwdw} 3dPdw)Pdw}
2P)PdQdP)} 2PdPdwdw)}
%$wdwdRdK} %dwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV ,./9EFJM
Circle the positional weaknesses! Circle the positional weaknesses!
cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC
(rdw1w4kd} (rdw1n4kd}
70bdwdpdp} 70wdpdw0p}
6w0wdpdpd} 6b0ndpdwd}
5dwdnHwdw} 5dw0w)pdw}
&wgw)Ndwd} &wdP)w)wd}
3dwdBdw!w} 3)w)Bdwdw}
2P)wdw)P)} 2wdwdNdP)}
%dw$wdRIw} %$wGQdRIw}
v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV
Circle the positional weaknesses! Circle the positional weaknesses!

© ChessKid.com Page 9 of 11
 Lesson 17
Lesson 17: Find the Weakness!
Circle all the positional weaknesses you can find in the diagrams below. Remember you are
looking for doubled pawns, isolated pawns, backward pawns and outpost squares.
cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC
(wdwdwdwd} (wdwdwdwd}
7dpdwdp0w} 70pdpdwdw}
6pdwdwdw0} 6wdpdwdwd}
5dwdpdwdw} 5dw)wdpdp}
&wdwdwdwd} &w)wdwdpd}
3dwdw)wdw} 3dwdwdw)w}
2P)wdw)P)} 2PdwdP)w)}
%dwdwdwdw} %dwdwdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV
Circle the positional weaknesses! Circle the positional weaknesses!
cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC
(wdwdriwd} (wdw4wdkd}
7dp4wdp0w} 7dpdndq0w}
6pdwdn0w0} 6pdr0wdw0}
5)wdwdwdw} 5)wdQ0wdw}
&Rdwdwdwd} &wdPdwdwd}
3dN)wdPdw} 3dPdwGwdw}
2w)wdwIP)} 2wdw$w)P)}
%dwdRdwdw} %dwdRdwIw}
v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV
Circle the positional weaknesses! Circle the positional weaknesses!

© ChessKid.com Page 10 of 11
 Lesson 17
Find the Positional Weakness!
Answer Key

Worksheet Page 1:
Diagram #1 – Circle: Black's d6-pawn and the d5-square. White's Knight can head to d5 with
a large positional advantage for white: A great Knight vs a poor Bishop on e7.

Diagram #2 – Circle: White's d4-pawn and the f6 and h6 squares. Though white does not
have an easy way to access the f6 or h6 squares, recognizing them as weak is important.

Diagram #3 – Circle: White's a2, c2 and h2 pawns; Black's doubled b-pawns and the e6-
pawn. Learning to see the “pawns through the pieces” is a good skill. Also circle the a3
and c3 squares as out-posts.

Diagram #4 – Circle: White's a3-pawn and the doubled c-pawns. Black's d7-pawn and the
d6-square. Note black can elimiate both weaknesses with a move like pawn to d6, trading.

Worksheet Page 2:
Diagram #1 – Circle: Back's d5-pawn.

Diagram #2 – Circle: Black's b7-pawn, the b6-square and the doubled f-pawns.

Diagram #3 – Circle: White's h2-pawn and the h3-square; Black's d7-pawn and the d6-
square. Note that the f2-pawn and the b7-pawn are not backward because they have the
support of “brother pawns” (the e-pawn for the f2-pawn and the a-pawn for the b7-pawn).

Diagram #4 – Circle: Black's b7-pawn, d6-pawn, the d5-square and the b6-square.

© ChessKid.com Page 11 of 11