Pawn Play

Look at black's f3 pawn (the green-highlighted one). What is the type of that little guy?

• he is a passed pawn

• he is an isolated pawn

• he is a weak pawn

• he is a pawn that comes very close to promotion

Answer explanation

passed pawn: term for a pawn that comes very close to promotion and is not blocked by any enemy pawns.

White is planning to attack black's h7 pawn. What is the type of h7?

• backward

• weak

• isolated

• vulnerable

Answer explanation

Backward Pawn

A pawn whose neighboring pawn or pawns have advanced ahead of it. A backward pawn cannot be defended by another pawn and cannot be supported to advance by another pawn.

What do we call white pawns on a2 and a3?

• double pawns

• backward pawns

• weak pawns

• castled pawns

Answer explanation

Doubled Pawns

Two pawns of the same color which stand one in front of the other on the same file. Doubled pawns are often a weakness, since they cannot protect each other and also cannot move as easily (one might be blocking the other).

What is white doing?

• White is attacking a backward pawn on c7

• White is attacking a strong black pawn which has many defenders

• White is putting pressure on an isolated pawn

• White is blocking a passed pawn from moving

Answer explanation

c7 is a backward pawn

These are connected passed pawns. Do you think they are strong or weak pawns?

• strong

• weak

• not sure

• normal

Answer explanation

connected passed pawns are the strongest type of pawns

Look at white's d4 pawn (highlighted on red). What is the type of it?

• isolated pawn

• weak pawn

• backward pawn

• island pawn

Answer explanation

Isolated Pawn (Isolani)

A pawn which does not have any other pawns of the same color on the files on either side of it. This can be a disadvantage, since it cannot be guarded by pawns, so pieces might get stuck guarding it.

Why is white attacking black pawn on d7?

• Because d7 pawn is a strong pawn

• Because d7 pawn is a backward pawn

• Because d7 pawn is an isolated pawn

• Because d7 pawn is a passer

Answer explanation

d7 is a backward pawn

Find the backward pawns

• c3 on the left and f6 on the right

• a5 on the left and f6 on the right

• c3 on the left and g2 on the right

• b4 on the left and e4 on the right

Answer explanation

3 things make a pawn "backward":

1. cannot be defended by other pawns

2. on a half-open file

3. cannot move forward safely

What type of pawns are they?

• connected pawns

• island of pawns

• strong pawns

• groups of pawns

Answer explanation

These pawns are "connected" on two adjacent files

Why are connected pawns strong?

• because they can protect one another

• because they can promote

• because they can better defend the king

• because they can attack