The a3/a6 h3/h6 problem

I've noticed in my own games and in many others involving players with approximately my playing strength, the temptation is to play these moves when nothing else seems obvious.

I know these are *generally* weakening moves when they are made unprovoked. Anyone else run into the same problem??

It is a terrible thing to play these without good reason. (good reasons include it being part of the system/defense, immediate threats against which you are applying these "prophylactic moves&quot😉

Never play these because you don't see 'good' moves. You need to come up with a plan. Each move must count and when in doubt you should play to control the center and improve the scope of your pieces.

the a3, h3 ideas just for the "hell of it" are real "coffee house" moves as some books say. They are signs of weaker players.

h3,h6..is for stoping the enemy's bishop from pinning.
Sometimes good, sometimes passive.

of course depends on the position.
some things i look for when playing h3:
-how much defence do i need on g3?
-how soon will back rank mates be a danger?
-will defending g4 help a lot?

just simply getting a "free" move kicking the bishop is not enough for me.

I like kicking the bishop. Pope too 🙂