Doubled pawns

CauselessOne

Only Chess

01 Jul 07

CauselessOne

Joined: 31 May 06
Moves: 36013

01 Jul 07

Good thing or bad?
How about tripled?

GalaxyShield

Mr. Shield

Joined: 02 Sep 04
Moves: 174290

01 Jul 07

Originally posted by CauselessOne
Good thing or bad?
How about tripled?

Depends on where they are and other position factors. Like how you can defend them if you need to.

hammster21

Endgamer

Wisconsin

Joined: 21 Nov 06
Moves: 10689

01 Jul 07

Originally posted by CauselessOne
Good thing or bad?
How about tripled?

Doubled pawns in the endgame is a bad thing as they will get in each others way, it's hard to make progress as they need constant protection. In the middle game they can be of great use, I just haven't figured out how yet. After you get tripled pawns, I might think about hitting the resign button, unless you got them in exchange for something(mate, material, etc...)

geepamoogle

Joined: 15 Feb 07
Moves: 667

01 Jul 07

Doubled pawns are generally considered more of a liability than a strong point, but depending on the situation, they can be useful.

At any rate, there are far greater liabilities to worry about, so no need on getting too worked up over them.

YUG0slav

Joined: 29 Jul 06
Moves: 2414

01 Jul 07

here the doubled white pawns can be helpful as they give white increased central control and an open f-file for use.

caffiend

Joined: 08 May 07
Moves: 4853

01 Jul 07

I've had a number of successful games by not worrying about doubling pawns.....often it opens up a file for your rook. (not to mention makes quite a problem for your opponent to wlak a pawn up the middle)

I'd recommend trading away your bishops for an enemy's knights and use them to jam up mobility.

Kunsoo

Joined: 03 Feb 07
Moves: 199181

01 Jul 07

Originally posted by CauselessOne
Good thing or bad?
How about tripled?

Tripled is usually bad. I think I remember one exception in an old game of Alekhine's or something, but it's hard to defend them or even use them.

Doubled pawns isolated are usually a liability. But doubled pawns are good if you're defending against a pawn swarm on one side of the board while attacking on the other. It's hard for pawns to move against them.

hbogyt

Joined: 08 Jul 06
Moves: 1290

01 Jul 07

It's good as long as they are not the pawns in front of your king, because piece activity is the key to winning a match.

Mahout

London

Joined: 04 Nov 05
Moves: 12606

01 Jul 07

1 edit

Brings back fond memories of a game:

I couldn't resist playing the c4 just to make the line! In the diagram it's now black to move and white eventually won!

anthias

Joined: 12 Aug 06
Moves: 5380

01 Jul 07

Actually, c4 was a good move as it takes away the pawns' mobility and any hopes for using them as an advantage.

wormwood

If Theres Hell Below

We're All Gonna Go!

Joined: 10 Sep 05
Moves: 10228

01 Jul 07

Originally posted by CauselessOne
Good thing or bad?
How about tripled?

almost insignificant on the level of most of us. giving your opponent doubled pawns often allows him to develop better and gifts him an open file to throw the rooks at you. it's often even better not to snatch a free h or g-pawn for the same reason. think twice before opening that file.

Shinidoki

Joined: 21 Feb 06
Moves: 6500

01 Jul 07

1 edit

Originally posted by hammster21
Doubled pawns in the endgame is a bad thing as they will get in each others way, it's hard to make progress as they need constant protection.

I think thats a slight mistake; I agree they get in each others way, but they need no more protection than standard pawn structures ---

for example:

In this position white's pawn structure is no weaker than blacks (or if it is, its still sufficient to draw) -- this "diamond" structure can easily be defended

that said, doubled isolated pawns in the endgame are a total nightmare.

Shinidoki

Joined: 21 Feb 06
Moves: 6500

01 Jul 07

1 edit

Taken from a game of mine: (black to move)

31. Qb3 Qc4 32. Qxc4 dxc4 33. Kf1
Ra8 34. Ke1 Ra2 35. e4 Rd2 36. d5 Rxe2+ 37. Kxe2 b3 38. Rxc3 b2 39. Rxc4 b1=Q
40. f3 Qb5 0-1