Exercise 3.1Question
White to move
White to move. What is the most useful move for the fight around d5?
3
Middlegame Strategy Essentials · Kapilash Chess Academy
Weak Squares and Outposts
Holes in the enemy camp
In this lesson you will learn
- What a weak square (a hole) is
- How pawn moves create weak squares that last forever
- The fight for d5 in the Sicilian
- Exchanging the defender of a weak square
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
3.1 Holes
A pawn can only move forward. Every pawn move leaves squares behind it that the pawn can never protect again. When no pawn can control a square any more, it becomes a hole — a perfect home for an enemy piece.
Diagram 3.1White to move
Example 3.1 · The d5-square in the Najdorf
After ...e5 Black has a backward pawn on d6 and a hole on d5. Black's bishop on e6 controls d5 for now.
The whole game revolves around d5. White wants to put a knight there; Black wants to play ...d5 and get rid of the backward pawn. White's a4 stops ...b5, which would drive the knight on c3 away from d5. When you see a hole, ask which pieces control it and how to change the balance.
3.2 Exchanging the Defender
Sometimes the hole is guarded by only one enemy piece. Then exchanging that piece makes the square yours. In the Stonewall Dutch, Black's pawns on d5 and f5 leave a big hole on e5, but they also weaken the dark squares. White often exchanges dark-squared bishops to make e5 and the other dark squares even weaker.
Diagram 3.2White to move
Example 3.2 · The Stonewall
Black has built the Stonewall with pawns on c6, d5, e6 and f5. The e5-square is now a hole, and White's knight can use it.
With the dark-squared bishops off the board, Black's pawns on light squares leave the dark squares e5, c5 and e4 without protection. The knight on e5 is the strongest piece on the board. Pawn chains are strong, but they leave holes behind them.
Remember
- Every pawn move leaves weak squares behind.
- A hole is a square no enemy pawn can control: an ideal home for a knight.
- Fight for the key square with all your pieces.
- Exchange the piece that defends the hole.
Exercises · Lesson 3
Every exercise has been checked with a chess engine. Find the best move or choose the right plan.
Exercise 3.2Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 3.3Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 3.4Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 3.5Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 3.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 3.7Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 3.8Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 3.9Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 3.10Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.