Answers.Body: <p>Using pawns to support pawns is a common practice.  However, it seems you're taking it too far; in the beginning of the game you probably want to focus on controlling the center and getting some pieces into the game.</p>
  
  <p>Moving pawns without reason can cause holes and reduce at least one bishop to uselessness.  It can make your king hard to defend.</p>
  
  <p>Play through some master games and see how they do it; they don't move a lot of pawns.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-05-07T19:40:36.383Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-05-07T19:40:36.383Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tony Ennis
Answers.Body: <p>Maybe.
  From what I know, in opening theory the closest thing to what you describe is The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_Attack" rel="nofollow">Stonewall</a>. A few things to note:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>chess computers have been vulnerable to the Stonewall because the positions are usually without clear tactical lines</li>
  <li>this could give you an easy early game because inexperienced players don't know how to stop it</li>
  <li>if your WWW pawns are on white squares, your black bishop is more valuable than your white bishop (and vice versa) so you shouldn't trade your most valuable bishop early, this will leave you with holes in your position and your opponent can place pieces that won't be dislodged easily from those holes</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Instead of recommending books on the subject(I don't play the stonewall myself) I'll recommend <a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7A74B7CAB5472D1E&amp;feature=plcp" rel="nofollow">this youtube</a> playlist on the stonewall.</p>
  
  <p>Since you don't know algebraic notation yet, this might be more useful for starters than a book.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-05-07T21:52:11.497Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-01-30T19:18:16.670Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2013-01-30T19:18:16.670Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Valentin Brasso
Answers.Body: <p>Your opening strategy does not make the most out of your pieces, and I am not only speaking about the one bishop you're caging in (the "<strong>bad bishop</strong>").</p>
  
  <p><strong>Your pawns</strong> are not used very cleverly, too. Consider three pawns next to each other at the same rank. They control up to 5 squares in front of them. As they are your cheapest pieces, they effectively deny those squares to the fast minor and mayor pieces of your opponent. They create forbidden territory. Next move the pawn in the middle one rank up. Now you have produced holes through which the enemy might enter the ranks closest to your king. It is a much weaker construction, even though some pawns cover each other. But you have produced weak, uncontrolled squares which the enemy can use to penetrate. It's like having a strong castle wall, but leaving the front door wide open. So even if it might look sturdier, it isn't.</p>
  
  <p>The abilities of <strong>your other pieces</strong> get suppressed, too. They are not moved when you move pawns instead, although they are stronger than pawns. You can do more damage with minor and major pieces. Most of the time the goal of the opening is to develop your pieces as fast as possible. If you can attack full force while your opponent has still all his weapons in the storage area, you will win. Your heavy restriction on pawn moves means you will be the defender, because chances are your opponent is faster than you in launching an attack.</p>
  
  <p>If you really like closed positions where action is somewhat delayed, pick Colle, Stonewall or something similar, but do not rely totally on pawns. As you do not make the most of the potential of your pieces, you will lose against someone who does.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-05-10T21:04:21.337Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-05-10T21:04:21.337Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ray
Answers.Body: <p>Remember that your pawns can never move backwards! Every pawn move you make creates squares that you can never cover with that pawn again. If you play 1.a2-a3, then the square b3 is weakened because there is one less pawn that can defend it for the rest of the game. Avoiding such weakness is especially important in front of your king -- once you've made a few pawn moves on one wing, you don't really want to castle that way anymore.</p>
  
  <p>So you should only move a pawn if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Obviously you can't do without pawn moves, but they should have a purpose.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-01-28T13:46:13.970Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-01-28T13:46:13.970Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: RemcoGerlich
Answers.Body: <p>Look at the <a href="http://www.chess-game-strategies.com/pawn-structure_general_page-4_pawn-chains.html" rel="nofollow">French Defense</a>.
  So I think if it's part of Opening theory to get pawn chains and maintain them, they can't be all bad. :)</p>
  
  <p>The comment about the Hedgehog really caught my eye. To say it cramps pieces simply is a comment from someone who doesn't understand it.</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Traditional chess strategy would have frowned upon Black's setup,
    since his pieces have little room in which to manoeuvre. In the early
    1970s, "'hedgehog' was a generic term for any setup that was cramped,
    defensive and difficult to attack", but today refers specifically to
    this formation. The Hedgehog first became extensively analysed in
    the 1970s, when players began to appreciate the rich variety of
    strategic ideas that arose from it. While Black's position is cramped,
    it is also relatively free of weaknesses. There is no obvious way for
    White to attack Black's pawn structure, but as outlined above, Black
    has several methods at his disposal for creating counterplay. Thus the
    Hedgehog has retained its popularity as a system of development in
    modern praxis.
    <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog_%28chess%29" rel="nofollow">Link</a></p>
  </blockquote>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-10T12:48:53.710Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-12-10T12:48:53.710Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: ezaspi
Answers.Body: <p>The trouble with a "hedgehog" PAWN strategy, is that you cramp your pieces. Also, spending moves on pawns means that your pieces don't get to move until later.</p>
  
  <p>If your opponent has a good mix of pawn and piece moves, he might be able to sacrifice a minor piece for say, two pawns, and then overwhelm you with superior piece activity.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-01-28T01:12:59.677Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-01-28T01:12:59.677Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tom Au
Answers.Body: <p>I think you are taking it too far, at least in the beginning.  You should move 1 or 2 pawns at most in the beginning, but get some major pieces out for control of the center such as your knights and bishops.  If you move your pawns first while your opponent has brought their major artillery out, you will soon be severely behind in development.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-05-09T15:53:43.360Z
Answers.Text: I agree. This strategy is ok in novice-level games, but stronger openings exist. Just my opinion--too defensive and slow. If it's all you know, then by all means continue to use it, but you should branch out.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Eve Freeman
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-05-08T18:03:51.327Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-05-08T18:03:51.327Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: xaisoft
Answers.Body: <h6>The question was asked so long ago, but writing an answer for future visitors</h6>
  <p>The question is interesting for opening slight advantage. But I don't understand what did you mean with the following notation? <code>1. a3(a4)2. b4(b3)</code></p>
  <p>Did you mean in first move if I play a3 then I have to play b4? And if I play a4 then I have to play b3 to support the forwarded pawn? If that's what you meant then you have to keep in mind that at first, you have to take control of the center with pawns, that's why e4, d4, c4 and f4 is most played move (Let's look at an example so that we can see why should we take center with the pawns).</p>
  <pre><code>[fen &quot;&quot;]
  1. e4 {e4 is top played move even engines like the move as first move. Cause it
  opens up diagonal of the Queen and light-squared bishop. d4 is also good but e4
  is slightly better than d4.} 1... Nf6 {Black planned to take center with knight
  instead of pawn} 2. e5 {huh $2 black now acknowledged the knight is under attack.
  And it has only two squares. g8 and d5} 2... Nd5 {Black didn't want to
  un-develop their knight, so he pushed} 3. c4 {Look white has got huge center}
  3... Nb6 {Nb4 was also possible but that's bad move cause it will be again
  kicked by a3} 4. d4 {trying to paralyze the knight} 4... d6 {It opens a place
  for the knight and looking for pawn break. In this position top engine move is
  f4 obviously. cause white doesn't want to give up the center advantage. If he
  plays something like Qe2 then black will just take the e pawn and 5. Qxe5 $2 Nd6
  kicks out the queen. White has central space advantage but not as much as
  earlier} *
  </code></pre>
  <p>The above defense is called Alekhine defense named after <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Alekhine" rel="nofollow noreferrer">GM Alekhine</a>. But it gives white slightly central-space advantage so it doesn't favor black that much.</p>
  <pre><code>[fen &quot;&quot;]
  1. d4 {normal opening to take the center} 1... d5 {symmetrical response} 2. c4
  {challenging to give the center} 2... Nf6 $6 {not good move} 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. e4
  {White has got center advantage again. So the common move is 2... c6 (Slav
  defense) or 2... e6 (Queen's gambit declined)} *
  </code></pre>
  <pre><code>[fen &quot;&quot;]
  1. b4 {Polish opening. This doesn't favor white so it's not played that much. It
  can be played when a higher rated player is playing lower rated player.} 1... e5
  {Just taking center and attacking the b4 pawn} 2. Bb2 {totally giving up the b4
  pawn and attacking e5 pawn} 2... Bxb4 {It actually favors black even after Bxe5
  cause the bishop can never be removed from a5. and It can used as an attacking
  weapon.} 3. Bxe5 {Attacking g7 pawn and followed by Bxh8 so black has to stop it
  with the move Nf6.} 3... Nf6 {It's kind of equal and if white do general
  development like Nc3 Nf6 e3 or e4 followed by Bishop anywhere. Then there's a
  line where the dark square bishop will be trapped. (I actually don't remember it
  but it's available in YouTube). Though engine says the position is equal but in
  my eyes black has slight advantage cause the black's dark-squared will be great
  piece for attacking and it is pinning d pawn so white has two central pawn (e
  and d) but he can't use one of his pawn for about 7-8 moves. And rook won't get
  a the e file to control so it will have to be on f1 for so long.} *
  </code></pre>
  <p>Kingside or Queenside space advantage (if you have kindside and queenside then that's another case) &lt; Taking center &lt; Attack</p>
  <p>I have got another example where pawn supporting pawn is not the best thing (cause attack is greater than anything).</p>
  <pre><code>[FEN &quot;&quot;]
  
  1.e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 dxe4 4. fxe4 e5
  </code></pre>
  <p>In the above position, I was thinking that if I take the e5 pawn then I will get doubled isolated pawn (though isolated pawn is not the bad thing always, but I don't like it more often, in this case 5... Qa4+ so my king be under attack and wide open in the center). Another idea was 5. c3 cause 5... exd4 6. cxd4 for a moment I totally forgot the fact that Qa4+ exists. So I blindly moved that pawn and I lost that game. After the check I thought, I will be manage to artificial castle on the Queenside. But opponent was so higher rated (around 2000) and for the less opening knowledge I lost. But the main line was</p>
  <pre><code>[FEN &quot;&quot;]
  
  1.e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 dxe4 4. fxe4 e5 5. Nf3 {Qa4+ is more dangerous than losing a pawn.} exd4 {you don't have to capture that pawn for the same reason} 6. Bc4 {you developed faster and Ng5 is threatened. And you are ready to castle. Rook will be happy to be on an semi-open file}
  </code></pre>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2022-12-14T18:38:16.033Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2022-12-17T12:02:54.020Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2022-12-17T12:02:54.020Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Billy Istiak
Body: <p>For my opening strategy in most chess games I play, I usually move my pawns forward two, then one in an alternating strategy, until I have a sort of WWW shape with my pawns. That way, if anyone takes a pawn at the top, a pawn at the bottom can avenge the pawn by destroying it. I've only ever used this strategy when opening, with mixed effectiveness. Is there any better way to execute this strategy, without diverging from its core too far?</p>
  
  <p><strong>EDIT</strong>: An attempt at algebraic notation: <code>1. a3</code><em><code>(a4)</code></em><code>2. b4</code><em><code>(b3)</code></em> etc. If A is 3, then B is 4, and C is 3 again. However if A is 4 then B is 3, and C is 4. This effectively renders one of my bishops useless.</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2022-12-14T22:53:58.700Z
Comments.Text: anecdotal, so not an answer, but back when I was a solid 1600 player at the chess club, a older visiting master played me and decided to experiment with what he called 'the hedgehog'.  I won.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Michael
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2013-01-29T15:42:57.783Z
Comments.Text: you would benefit from reading this: http://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening
Comments.UserDisplayName: retrodanny
Tags: <opening><strategy><pawns>
Title: Is pawns supporting pawns a good opening strategy?
ThreadText: # Is pawns supporting pawns a good opening strategy?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2012-05-07)
  
  For my opening strategy in most chess games I play, I usually move my pawns forward two, then one in an alternating strategy, until I have a sort of WWW shape with my pawns. That way, if anyone takes a pawn at the top, a pawn at the bottom can avenge the pawn by destroying it. I've only ever used this strategy when opening, with mixed effectiveness. Is there any better way to execute this strategy, without diverging from its core too far?
  
  **EDIT**: An attempt at algebraic notation: `1. a3`*`(a4)`*`2. b4`*`(b3)`* etc. If A is 3, then B is 4, and C is 3 again. However if A is 4 then B is 3, and C is 4. This effectively renders one of my bishops useless.
  
  **Tags:** opening, strategy, pawns
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_2**: you would benefit from reading this: http://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening  
  > **username_1**: anecdotal, so not an answer, but back when I was a solid 1600 player at the chess club, a older visiting master played me and decided to experiment with what he called 'the hedgehog'.  I won.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 8 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2012-05-07. Score: 13
  
  Using pawns to support pawns is a common practice. However, it seems you're taking it too far; in the beginning of the game you probably want to focus on controlling the center and getting some pieces into the game.
  
  Moving pawns without reason can cause holes and reduce at least one bishop to uselessness. It can make your king hard to defend.
  
  Play through some master games and see how they do it; they don't move a lot of pawns.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2012-05-07. Score: 10
  
  Maybe.
  From what I know, in opening theory the closest thing to what you describe is The [Stonewall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_Attack). A few things to note:
  
  * chess computers have been vulnerable to the Stonewall because the positions are usually without clear tactical lines
  * this could give you an easy early game because inexperienced players don't know how to stop it
  * if your WWW pawns are on white squares, your black bishop is more valuable than your white bishop (and vice versa) so you shouldn't trade your most valuable bishop early, this will leave you with holes in your position and your opponent can place pieces that won't be dislodged easily from those holes
  
  Instead of recommending books on the subject(I don't play the stonewall myself) I'll recommend [this youtube](http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7A74B7CAB5472D1E&feature=plcp) playlist on the stonewall.
  
  Since you don't know algebraic notation yet, this might be more useful for starters than a book.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2012-05-10. Score: 6
  
  Your opening strategy does not make the most out of your pieces, and I am not only speaking about the one bishop you're caging in (the "**bad bishop**").
  
  **Your pawns** are not used very cleverly, too. Consider three pawns next to each other at the same rank. They control up to 5 squares in front of them. As they are your cheapest pieces, they effectively deny those squares to the fast minor and mayor pieces of your opponent. They create forbidden territory. Next move the pawn in the middle one rank up. Now you have produced holes through which the enemy might enter the ranks closest to your king. It is a much weaker construction, even though some pawns cover each other. But you have produced weak, uncontrolled squares which the enemy can use to penetrate. It's like having a strong castle wall, but leaving the front door wide open. So even if it might look sturdier, it isn't.
  
  The abilities of **your other pieces** get suppressed, too. They are not moved when you move pawns instead, although they are stronger than pawns. You can do more damage with minor and major pieces. Most of the time the goal of the opening is to develop your pieces as fast as possible. If you can attack full force while your opponent has still all his weapons in the storage area, you will win. Your heavy restriction on pawn moves means you will be the defender, because chances are your opponent is faster than you in launching an attack.
  
  If you really like closed positions where action is somewhat delayed, pick Colle, Stonewall or something similar, but do not rely totally on pawns. As you do not make the most of the potential of your pieces, you will lose against someone who does.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2013-01-28. Score: 4
  
  Remember that your pawns can never move backwards! Every pawn move you make creates squares that you can never cover with that pawn again. If you play 1.a2-a3, then the square b3 is weakened because there is one less pawn that can defend it for the rest of the game. Avoiding such weakness is especially important in front of your king -- once you've made a few pawn moves on one wing, you don't really want to castle that way anymore.
  
  So you should only move a pawn if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Obviously you can't do without pawn moves, but they should have a purpose.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_7 on 2013-12-10. Score: 2
  
  Look at the [French Defense](http://www.chess-game-strategies.com/pawn-structure_general_page-4_pawn-chains.html).
  So I think if it's part of Opening theory to get pawn chains and maintain them, they can't be all bad. :)
  
  The comment about the Hedgehog really caught my eye. To say it cramps pieces simply is a comment from someone who doesn't understand it.
  
  > Traditional chess strategy would have frowned upon Black's setup,
  > since his pieces have little room in which to manoeuvre. In the early
  > 1970s, "'hedgehog' was a generic term for any setup that was cramped,
  > defensive and difficult to attack", but today refers specifically to
  > this formation. The Hedgehog first became extensively analysed in
  > the 1970s, when players began to appreciate the rich variety of
  > strategic ideas that arose from it. While Black's position is cramped,
  > it is also relatively free of weaknesses. There is no obvious way for
  > White to attack Black's pawn structure, but as outlined above, Black
  > has several methods at his disposal for creating counterplay. Thus the
  > Hedgehog has retained its popularity as a system of development in
  > modern praxis.
  > [Link](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog_%28chess%29)
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_8 on 2013-01-28. Score: 2
  
  The trouble with a "hedgehog" PAWN strategy, is that you cramp your pieces. Also, spending moves on pawns means that your pieces don't get to move until later.
  
  If your opponent has a good mix of pawn and piece moves, he might be able to sacrifice a minor piece for say, two pawns, and then overwhelm you with superior piece activity.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_9 on 2012-05-08. Score: 2
  
  I think you are taking it too far, at least in the beginning. You should move 1 or 2 pawns at most in the beginning, but get some major pieces out for control of the center such as your knights and bishops. If you move your pawns first while your opponent has brought their major artillery out, you will soon be severely behind in development.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_10**: I agree. This strategy is ok in novice-level games, but stronger openings exist. Just my opinion--too defensive and slow. If it's all you know, then by all means continue to use it, but you should branch out.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_11 on 2022-12-14. Score: 0
  
  The question was asked so long ago, but writing an answer for future visitors
  The question is interesting for opening slight advantage. But I don't understand what did you mean with the following notation? 1. a3(a4)2. b4(b3)
  Did you mean in first move if I play a3 then I have to play b4? And if I play a4 then I have to play b3 to support the forwarded pawn? If that's what you meant then you have to keep in mind that at first, you have to take control of the center with pawns, that's why e4, d4, c4 and f4 is most played move (Let's look at an example so that we can see why should we take center with the pawns).
  [fen ""]
  1. e4 {e4 is top played move even engines like the move as first move. Cause it
  opens up diagonal of the Queen and light-squared bishop. d4 is also good but e4
  is slightly better than d4.} 1... Nf6 {Black planned to take center with knight
  instead of pawn} 2. e5 {huh $2 black now acknowledged the knight is under attack.
  And it has only two squares. g8 and d5} 2... Nd5 {Black didn't want to
  un-develop their knight, so he pushed} 3. c4 {Look white has got huge center}
  3... Nb6 {Nb4 was also possible but that's bad move cause it will be again
  kicked by a3} 4. d4 {trying to paralyze the knight} 4... d6 {It opens a place
  for the knight and looking for pawn break. In this position top engine move is
  f4 obviously. cause white doesn't want to give up the center advantage. If he
  plays something like Qe2 then black will just take the e pawn and 5. Qxe5 $2 Nd6
  kicks out the queen. White has central space advantage but not as much as
  earlier} *
  
  The above defense is called Alekhine defense named after GM Alekhine. But it gives white slightly central-space advantage so it doesn't favor black that much.
  [fen ""]
  1. d4 {normal opening to take the center} 1... d5 {symmetrical response} 2. c4
  {challenging to give the center} 2... Nf6 $6 {not good move} 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. e4
  {White has got center advantage again. So the common move is 2... c6 (Slav
  defense) or 2... e6 (Queen's gambit declined)} *
  
  [fen ""]
  1. b4 {Polish opening. This doesn't favor white so it's not played that much. It
  can be played when a higher rated player is playing lower rated player.} 1... e5
  {Just taking center and attacking the b4 pawn} 2. Bb2 {totally giving up the b4
  pawn and attacking e5 pawn} 2... Bxb4 {It actually favors black even after Bxe5
  cause the bishop can never be removed from a5. and It can used as an attacking
  weapon.} 3. Bxe5 {Attacking g7 pawn and followed by Bxh8 so black has to stop it
  with the move Nf6.} 3... Nf6 {It's kind of equal and if white do general
  development like Nc3 Nf6 e3 or e4 followed by Bishop anywhere. Then there's a
  line where the dark square bishop will be trapped. (I actually don't remember it
  but it's available in YouTube). Though engine says the position is equal but in
  my eyes black has slight advantage cause the black's dark-squared will be great
  piece for attacking and it is pinning d pawn so white has two central pawn (e
  and d) but he can't use one of his pawn for about 7-8 moves. And rook won't get
  a the e file to control so it will have to be on f1 for so long.} *
  
  Kingside or Queenside space advantage (if you have kindside and queenside then that's another case) < Taking center < Attack
  I have got another example where pawn supporting pawn is not the best thing (cause attack is greater than anything).
  [FEN ""]
  
  1.e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 dxe4 4. fxe4 e5
  
  In the above position, I was thinking that if I take the e5 pawn then I will get doubled isolated pawn (though isolated pawn is not the bad thing always, but I don't like it more often, in this case 5... Qa4+ so my king be under attack and wide open in the center). Another idea was 5. c3 cause 5... exd4 6. cxd4 for a moment I totally forgot the fact that Qa4+ exists. So I blindly moved that pawn and I lost that game. After the check I thought, I will be manage to artificial castle on the Queenside. But opponent was so higher rated (around 2000) and for the less opening knowledge I lost. But the main line was
  [FEN ""]
  
  1.e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 dxe4 4. fxe4 e5 5. Nf3 {Qa4+ is more dangerous than losing a pawn.} exd4 {you don't have to capture that pawn for the same reason} 6. Bc4 {you developed faster and Ng5 is threatened. And you are ready to castle. Rook will be happy to be on an semi-open file}
  
  
  ---
  
  