Pawn Play

What is a minority in chess?

  • Pawns
  • Structure
  • Plans

Minority is a pawn-structure concept: a smaller number of pawns on one flank opposed by a larger number of the opponent's; often a player with a minority on one flank has a majority on the other. 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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