30 Sep 10
Originally posted by HabeascorpI hope this does not come across as a "cop out" answer, but I think Hans Kmoch's Pawn Power in Chess is a great place to start.
Please suggest a couple of fixed game positions to start from to explore this area a bit more.
He begins with fundamental concepts about pawns and simple positions, then he progresses to more involved positions like what you would see in a middlegame.
His nomenclature is messed up (he makes up fancy terms for simple things), but you can pretty much ignore that part and just absorb the content.
I have read good things about Andy Soltis' book on pawn structures, but I have not read it myself.
30 Sep 10
Originally posted by nimzo5I agree about the Caro/Slav, the structures might look very much alike (the black structure is identical) but don't forget that in the slav white has no c-pawn while in the caro he has no e-pawn! Taking games from these openings and comparing them illustrates what difference this makes and can help you get a feel for how pawn structures dictate plans for both sides.
Karlsbad formation, Caro-Slav family...