Exercise 6.1Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
6
Chess Strategy: Imbalances and Plans · Kapilash Chess Academy
The Blockade
Stopping a passed pawn
In this lesson you will learn
- Why a passed pawn must be stopped
- Which piece is the best blockader
- How to remove a blockader
- The blockade as a defensive and attacking weapon
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.
6.1 Lock It Up
Aron Nimzowitsch called a passed pawn “a criminal which should be kept under lock and key”. The square in front of a passed pawn is the blockade square. A piece standing there stops the pawn, and the pawn shields the piece from frontal attack.
The best blockader is usually a knight: it is not harmed by standing in front of the pawn and still attacks squares in every direction. A bishop can blockade too, but it then controls only one colour. The queen is a poor blockader, because she is too valuable and can be driven away.
Diagram 6.1White to move
The knight on d6
White has an extra pawn: the passed pawn on d5. Black’s knight sits on d6, right in front of it, and cannot be attacked by a pawn there.
White develops, then brings the knight to b5 to attack the blockading knight. If the blockader is exchanged or driven away, the d-pawn can advance. As long as the knight on d6 holds, the extra pawn is worth little.
6.2 Removing the Blockader
The side with the passed pawn tries to exchange or drive away the blockader: attack it with a minor piece, trade it off, or overload the pieces that defend it. The defender keeps a second piece ready to take over the blockade.
Remember
- A passed pawn must be blockaded.
- The knight is the best blockader.
- The attacker tries to drive the blockader away.
- A firm blockade turns the passed pawn into a weakness.
Exercises · Lesson 6
Every exercise has been checked with a chess engine. Find the best move or choose the right plan.
Exercise 6.2Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 6.3Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 6.4Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 6.5Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 6.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 6.7Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 6.8Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 6.9Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.