Chess Patterns ❯ Pawn Techniques ❯ Pawn Break

Pawn Break

A Pawn Break is a calculated move that advances a pawn to a square where it can be captured by an enemy pawn. The primary goals of a pawn break are usually to open lines, gain space, control key squares, and disrupt the opponent's pawn structure (see for instance the 1.g5 pawn break played in the diagram above).

Ideas for when you are preparing a Pawn Break: (1) Carefully evaluate the resulting pawn structure to ensure it doesn't leave weaknesses, (2) Support the break with your pieces, (3) Consider the timing carefully. Ideas against a Pawn Break: (1) Consider whether to allow the break or prevent it with a timely counter-push.

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Master Pawn Breaks

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 Pawn Breaks. 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 technique.

Top Ten Middlegame Ideas #8: Pawn Breaks - Introduction
This is the first of two excellent videos by Jim's Chess Channel on Pawn Breaks. Combined, they make for more than 1 hour of great explanations and examples. Go for them.

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Pawn Breaks: Opening, Midgame and Endgame
For a very clear overview of how Pawn Breaks are crucial in all three phases of the game, watch this very nice video by the growing Shaky Chess
YouTube channel. You’ll be treated to three great examples.

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Pawn Structure 101: Intro/Complex*
This video is the first in the chess.com series, comprising almost 30 lessons (!) on Pawn Structures. IM Danny Rensch covers everything in depth. Pawn Breaks too. Absolutely don’t miss this massive, epic series.

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Pump Up Your Rating*
This is a great book by the highly innovative chess author Axel Smith, packed with tons of immediately applicable advice on pawn breaks, framed in a well-thought-out training program. Follow all the moves with ease thanks to the interactive e-book reader.

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Mastering Opening Strategy*
This is the second book in the interesting "Mastering..." series by Johan Hellsten. Very well-organized and packed with examples. Highly recommended. The interactive e-book reader allows readers to easily follow all the moves.

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