Backward pawn

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Image:chess_zhor_26.png
Image:chess_zver_26.png
a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8
a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2
a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1
Image:chess_zver_26.png
Image:chess_zhor_26.png
Rubinstein- Salwe, Łódź 1908. Black's c6 pawn is backward.

In chess, a backward pawn is a pawn that is behind the pawns of the same color on the adjacent files and that cannot be advanced with the support of another pawn.

In the diagrammed position, the Black pawn on the c6 square is backward. Backward pawns are usually a positional disadvantage, since they are hard to defend. Also, the opponent can place a piece on the square in front of the pawn (called a hole) without any risk of a pawn driving it away. If the backward pawn is on a half-open file, as in this case, the disadvantage is much larger, as it can be more easily attacked by an opponent's rook or queen. Pieces can become weak when they are devoted to protecting a backward pawn, like Black's queen and rook later in the game.

Modern opening theory features several openings where one of the players deliberately takes a backward pawn, in exchange for better development. The most notable examples are the Najdorf variation and the Sveshnikov variation of the Sicilian Defense. In these openings Black has a backward pawn on d6 in exchange for piece play and center control.

In the above game, Rubinstein's strategic plan is connected to pressuring this weakness in the Black camp, and in the end the pawn is lost and with it the game (java interface).

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