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Pawn Structures That Win

Pawn Structures That Win

CHESScom
| 2 | Strategy

Life is easier when you have a good pawn structure. GM Aman Hambleton demonstrates five pawn structures that give you a great chance to win the game.

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The Maroczy Bind: GM Aman Hambleton starts his series on winning pawn structures with the famous Maroczy Bind. White grabs space with pawns on c4 and e4, giving easy play and a chance to play for a win. Learn the key ideas about this important structure!

The f3-e4 Chain: The Queen's Gambit Accepted often leads to an early endgame, but that doesn't mean that White doesn't have tricks to put Black under pressure. Find out how the very best players, including Magnus Carlsen, restrict Black's light-square bishop with a powerful pawn chain.

The Sicilian Endgame: Why is the Sicilian such a popular opening? One reason is that Black's half-open c-file and active pieces can lead to great endgames. GM Aman Hambleton explains the key ideas!

The e3 Maroczy:  In many openings, one side can gain a space advantage with a pawn on c4. against one on d6. That space advantage might not seem like much, but GM Aman Hambleton shows how the space advantage can cause headaches for even the strongest opponents.

Doubled f-Pawns: It's unusual for Black to gain a big positional advantage right out of the opening. Watch out how GM Aman Hambleton recommends Black to damage White's structure in the English Opening. You can try this plan in other openings too, so it's a great one to have in your toolkit.

What are your favorite pawn structures? Let us know in the comments.

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