Pawn Play

What is a majority in chess?

  • Pawns
  • Structure
  • Plans

Majority is a pawn-structure concept: a larger number of pawns on one flank opposed by a smaller number of the opponent's; often a player with a majority on one flank has a minority on the other. A central pawn majority is a larger number of pawns on the center files. The teaching point is that pawn moves are permanent, so they create both strengths and weaknesses.

What to look for on the board

  • Weak pawns that can be attacked.
  • Passed pawns that can advance.
  • Pawn breaks that change the structure.

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