The Passed Pawn: Power of the Passer

Every chess player who wishes to improve
his 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 himself 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 in 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. He must develop a good understanding of middlegame
and endgame theory, so as to be able in his games to proceed in a proper way
after his chosen opening has reached its conclusion. The chess player can
differentiate himself only in the opening; there, each one of us brings forth
his own beliefs and convictions, and in general his 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, as regards 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 the
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. 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 that they have worked with.

The series will commence with the The Passed Pawn and we will examine how to handle
such pawns.