Answers.Body: <p>This is a very common example.</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN "6k1/5p1p/5BpQ/8/8/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1"]
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Do you see the weak dark squares around the king? Checkmate is possible because those squares are weak and can't be defended.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-04-05T14:58:49.023Z
Answers.Text: This is a bit of a circular definition. The weak squares are the weak squares. They help mate a player because they are weak. You don't even specify which king you are talking about.
Answers.UserDisplayName: OrangeDog
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-04-05T16:08:45.643Z
Answers.Text: @OrangeDog It's completely obvious which king is being talked about.
Answers.UserDisplayName: David Richerby
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-04-05T06:24:18.183Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-04-05T06:24:18.183Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: SmallChess
Answers.Body: <p><em>A weak square is a square of great great importance that is difficult to cover or get rid of.</em></p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>Since the square is difficult to cover, it can become a great outpost for opponent's (your) pieces, usually a knight.</p>
  
  <p>If you manage yo get the right piece on that square, it helps you in any kind of possible attacks. Whether the attack will result in checkmate or 'only' material advantage depends on the position.</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>It usually doesn't matter, whether there's a pawn on that square or not (as A. Nimzowitsch stated). You will have the same problems/advantages connected with it.</p>
  
  <p>The only difference is that the pawn can be targeted for the sake of capturing it.</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>Recap:</p>
  
  <p>There are 2 basic ways to take advantage of a weak square</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Occupy it to get good outposts for your pieces and to get control over certain parts of the board.</li>
  <li>Attack and capture the weak pawn</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Note: Usually 1 weakness isn't enough to win the game, the opponent will be able to protect it. The principle of 2 weaknesses says that you have to find at least another one.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-04-05T09:54:38.213Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-04-05T09:54:38.213Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: kmartin
Body: <p>I read this concept in a book but I didn't understand much about the concept. Can anybody explain this concept with an example?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2018-04-05T05:27:12.863Z
Comments.Text: Depends on what the game looks like. Can you add an example or more information?
Comments.UserDisplayName: TheAutomaton
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2018-04-05T05:31:33.273Z
Comments.Text: https://lichess.org/practice Here's some examples of common weak squares/ combos exploited
Comments.UserDisplayName: TheAutomaton
Tags: <theory><books>
Title: What are weak squares in chess; how can they help to mate another player?
ThreadText: # What are weak squares in chess; how can they help to mate another player?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2018-04-05)
  
  I read this concept in a book but I didn't understand much about the concept. Can anybody explain this concept with an example?
  
  **Tags:** theory, books
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Depends on what the game looks like. Can you add an example or more information?  
  > **username_1**: https://lichess.org/practice Here's some examples of common weak squares/ combos exploited  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2018-04-05. Score: 6
  
  This is a very common example.
  
  ```
  [FEN "6k1/5p1p/5BpQ/8/8/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1"]
  
  ```
  
  Do you see the weak dark squares around the king? Checkmate is possible because those squares are weak and can't be defended.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_3**: This is a bit of a circular definition. The weak squares are the weak squares. They help mate a player because they are weak. You don't even specify which king you are talking about.  
  > **username_4**: @username_3 It's completely obvious which king is being talked about.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2018-04-05. Score: 4
  
  *A weak square is a square of great great importance that is difficult to cover or get rid of.*
  
  ---
  
  Since the square is difficult to cover, it can become a great outpost for opponent's (your) pieces, usually a knight.
  
  If you manage yo get the right piece on that square, it helps you in any kind of possible attacks. Whether the attack will result in checkmate or 'only' material advantage depends on the position.
  
  ---
  
  It usually doesn't matter, whether there's a pawn on that square or not (as A. Nimzowitsch stated). You will have the same problems/advantages connected with it.
  
  The only difference is that the pawn can be targeted for the sake of capturing it.
  
  ---
  
  Recap:
  
  There are 2 basic ways to take advantage of a weak square
  
  1. Occupy it to get good outposts for your pieces and to get control over certain parts of the board.
  2. Attack and capture the weak pawn
  
  Note: Usually 1 weakness isn't enough to win the game, the opponent will be able to protect it. The principle of 2 weaknesses says that you have to find at least another one.
  
  
  ---
  
  