The Passed Pawn

The purpose of this series is to introduce the reader to advanced training concepts, using the same methods of presentation and instruction that were taught to great players by famous trainers they have worked with. The series will commence with The Passed Pawn, and we will examine how to handle such pawns.

Every chess player who wishes to improve their level in the difficult subject of chess is obliged to study methodically and understand the existing principles that govern the theory of the opening, middlegame, and endgame.

Most chess players focus more on the study of opening theory than other aspects of the game. The reasons are probably clear: opening theory is easier to learn and can provide immediate results, although this is based more on the opponent's ignorance than our own abilities. Even for a chess trainer, it is easier to teach some variations from this or that opening or a set of simple tactical motifs than to engross oneself in the exposition of middlegame and endgame theory. Yes, middlegame and endgame theory does exist. The great difficulty in approaching it lies in the fact that it does not follow absolute and clear-cut paths, but rather involves deep research into the ideas and logic by which specific types of positions are treated.

Moreover, unlike opening theory, the theory of the middlegame and the endgame does not change rapidly based on modern developments; it remains almost intact through the years. In view of the above, any chess player who wishes to follow a chess career or simply become a better player must refrain from the commonplace and assume a different approach. They must develop a good understanding of middlegame and endgame theory, so as to proceed properly in their games after their chosen opening has reached its conclusion. The chess player can differentiate themselves only in the opening; there, each one of us brings forth our own beliefs and convictions, and in general our own experiences and references. Objectively, no opening loses - but also no opening wins. The opening is just the beginning of the journey and serves to offer us a comfortable start. But to reach the end of this journey successfully, we have to count on our knowledge and experience with regards to middlegame and endgame theory.

Endgame theory teaches us two fundamental issues. First, how to extract the maximum from a basic theoretical position with little material, where experts, from practice comprising thousands of games, have reached definite conclusions. Second, the way in which we can handle an endgame, depending on the material remaining on the board, and the ideas and plans we should employ. This second issue is significantly more difficult to master because, apart from making full use of the first one (we must be aware of the possible outcomes of the endgame in question), it is greatly influenced by our experience and understanding, which are basically derived from the images and impressions we have from related positions. A primary role is played here by the effort we have invested in studying. In middlegame theory, things are even tougher. We are obliged to study various types of positions with specific strategic and tactical attributes, so as to understand the underlying ideas and be able to employ them ourselves in similar situations. While many chess players have studied these topics and acquired knowledge, it is the application of this knowledge in practice that helps differentiate between them.

Chess is not a simple activity, but it becomes so much more attractive when we acquire this knowledge.