Answers.Body: <blockquote>
  <p>Is the only way to prevent this to have pieces tied down to defending
  that square because to me that seems like a waste.</p>
  </blockquote>
  <p>No, it isn't the only way. There are two other better ways:</p>
  <ol>
  <li>If you don't like the positions that can arise in a particular opening then don't play it. Play an opening you do like.</li>
  <li>Normally in an opening where one side has weaknesses there is some compensation for the other player in the form of either counter weaknesses or attacking chances. Good players who choose such openings do so because they want to take advantage of those counter weaknesses and attacking chances. If they do this skilfully then their attack hits home before their opponent can take advantage of those weaknesses. But in any case they get the kind of double edged game they like.</li>
  </ol>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-11-14T11:46:41.233Z
Answers.Text: My first thought on reading this question was Brian's point #2.  The two opening examples you give lead to unbalanced positions.  I suggest taking an attitude of "my strengths are greater than my weaknesses" and play to prove it.  Alternatively, play more balanced, symmetrical openings.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Michael West
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-11-14T10:40:08.023Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-11-14T10:40:08.023Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Brian Towers
Body: <p>For example, the Nimzo Indian where I don't want black to use the c4 square or the Benoni where I don't want white to use the d6 square. Is the only way to prevent this to have pieces tied down to defending that square because to me that seems like a waste.</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-11-14T09:57:34.547Z
Comments.Text: You'll need to put a more specific example to get a meaningful answer
Comments.UserDisplayName: David
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-11-14T11:20:40.820Z
Comments.Text: Consider the squares from where the weak square can be attacked, make it hard for the opponent to get the right pieces there.
Comments.UserDisplayName: RemcoGerlich
Tags: <strategy><nimzo-indian><benoni>
Title: How can I minimise my opponent's chances to make use of a weak square in my position?
ThreadText: # How can I minimise my opponent's chances to make use of a weak square in my position?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2020-11-14)
  
  For example, the Nimzo Indian where I don't want black to use the c4 square or the Benoni where I don't want white to use the d6 square. Is the only way to prevent this to have pieces tied down to defending that square because to me that seems like a waste.
  
  **Tags:** strategy, nimzo-indian, benoni
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: You'll need to put a more specific example to get a meaningful answer  
  > **username_2**: Consider the squares from where the weak square can be attacked, make it hard for the opponent to get the right pieces there.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2020-11-14. Score: 4 | Accepted answer
  
  > Is the only way to prevent this to have pieces tied down to defending
  > that square because to me that seems like a waste.
  
  No, it isn't the only way. There are two other better ways:
  
  1. If you don't like the positions that can arise in a particular opening then don't play it. Play an opening you do like.
  2. Normally in an opening where one side has weaknesses there is some compensation for the other player in the form of either counter weaknesses or attacking chances. Good players who choose such openings do so because they want to take advantage of those counter weaknesses and attacking chances. If they do this skilfully then their attack hits home before their opponent can take advantage of those weaknesses. But in any case they get the kind of double edged game they like.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_4**: My first thought on reading this question was Brian's point #2.  The two opening examples you give lead to unbalanced positions.  I suggest taking an attitude of "my strengths are greater than my weaknesses" and play to prove it.  Alternatively, play more balanced, symmetrical openings.  
  
  ---
  
  