Chess lessons › Chess strategy
The pawn storm
Push the pawns in front of the enemy king to open lines, once the centre is locked or the kings are apart.
The idea
Push the pawns in front of the enemy king to open lines at it.
- The centre is locked, so Black’s pieces cannot cross it quickly.
- White’s g- and h-pawns march at the black king.
- When they hit the pawn on h6, a file opens at the king.
In a game: Storm the enemy king when the centre is locked or the kings are on opposite wings.
How the lesson begins
A pawn storm is pushing the pawns in front of the enemy king, to open files and diagonals at it. It is a plan for the middle of the game, when there are pieces left to use those lines.
Carl Walbrodt (White) against Paul Lipke, Kiel 1893. Both kings are on the kingside. The centre is locked: White’s pawns on d4 and e5 face Black’s on d5 and e6, and none of them can move. Black’s plan is on the queenside, where the pawns stand on b5 and c4. The engine rates White as better.
Find the move
White to move. With the centre shut, Black’s pieces have no quick way across to White’s king. Start the storm: push a pawn at the black king.
A hint
The g-pawn and the h-pawn are the ones facing the black king.
Show the answer
21. g4
Walbrodt played g4. Both g4 and h4 are among the engine’s best moves. Either pawn heads for g5, where it attacks the pawn on h6 and tries to open a file next to Black’s king.