Chess Patterns ❯ Control of Squares ❯ Outpost
Outpost
Outpost
An Outpost is a square, usually occupied by a Knight, placed deep in the opponent's camp, that is protected by one of your own pawns and that cannot be attacked by enemy pawns. In the diagram above, the Knight on d5 occupies a very powerful outpost: no opponent piece or pawn can chase it away.
Ideas for when you occupy an Outpost: (1) Use the outpost to launch attacks, (2) Exchange your opponent’s pieces that might challenge the outpost, (3) Position your other pieces to quickly aid the outpost, (4) Use additional pawns to support your outpost. Ideas against an Outpost: (1) Avoid exchanges that enhance the outpost's strength, (2) Undermine the outpost by targeting the supporting pawn, (3) Mobilize your pieces to challenge the outpost.
Designed with Love in Italy
Designed with Love in Italy
These chess icons are our indie studio's tribute to chess lovers around the world. A way of making chess more visual and fun. You can use the icons for free in publicly accessible content, simply by crediting us (see our Licensing Policy). Each icon is paired with examples and numbered insights to help you pick up ideas quickly and talk about chess with confidence. You can get the cards here.



Master the Outpost
When we started adding a playful touch to chess learning, we looked through thousands of videos and hundreds of books to find the best resources out there. Here's our curated selection of the best content we encountered on Outposts. We also included some smaller creators who are growing fast and we believe deserve your attention. Check out these resources if you want to master this important chess concept.
-
A vintage video by The Chess Website that still is one of the best beginner introductions to Outposts.
-
A very clear explanation by Hanging Pawns of how to identify weak squares for your outposts (beginner to intermediate level)
-
A detailed analysis by Chess.com of a game where White does incredible preparation work for an Outpost. With highly enjoyable results.
-
Recommended for beginners. Oliver Boydell has put in plain words (no diagrams) all the basic principles of chess. The Outpost too. We loved the audiobook version.
-
Best Lessons of a Chess Coach*
An intermediate level book where you'll feel like the author Sunil Weeramantry is really "at your side" when he explains crucial chess ideas like Outposts.