When to Push Pawns in Front of Your King: A Strategic Chess Guide

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00:00 Fischer's Decision
03:33 Should We Copy Fischer's Move?
06:23 Should We Worry About ...Bxh3?
09:40 How Should We Parry the Threat?
11:40 What is the Correct Plan?
16:05 Is ...g5 too Scary?
19:31 Homework Position
Many players have irrational fears about pushing pawns in front of their king. They believe such moves always weaken their king, and they generally refuse to push those pawns. However, this video aims to dispel these unfounded fears by showing instructive examples. We will learn when it is a good time to advance the pawns in front of our king, whether to limit the enemy pieces or to launch an attack against the opposing king. Importantly, we will keep asking the question "WHY" as we examine these positions. Only by deeply understanding the reasons behind such decisions can you transfer this skill to your own games.
In this lesson, we will also learn to correctly judge potential piece sacrifices by the enemy that aim to disrupt our kingside pawns. Many players are terrified of such sacrifices, and this video will also address these unfounded fears. We will objectively evaluate these positions and rely on our calculation skills, rather than succumbing to fear. King safety is the most important element in chess, and this video will enhance your understanding of king safety.

[@GameFAC]

This man is a gem. I requested him to make a video about this topic and here we are. Thanks dr. Can❤

[@Dr.CansClinic]

My pleasure, my friend! Please keep on asking! 😊

[@brainfellow5140]

Re: Homework - I don't feel good about pushing g5 in this case, it looks too dangerous and unlike previous example, does _not_ bury the white's dark-square bishop, invites a sac on g5, and also opens up black King too much imo... I think Ne7 better, a multipurpose move - opens rook, opens bishop, frees queen from pin, and knight stares at g6 as a possible jump point.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent, really liked your explanation!

[@TeflonMike93]

Love the thumbnails for each video ❤

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! We are slowly improving on that front, too!☺️

[@ElizabethGreene]

Homework: I think you have to push the g pawn. The knight on f6 is preventing a ?mating? attack by white's light-squared bishop/queen battery and moving the other knight would block the queen from defending it. (I think it's a mating attack, even though I can't see through to the end of it.) Pushing the pawn instead creates more space for the king and makes removing the defending knight much more difficult. That's not to say moving the C-knight isn't tempting. It's boxed in and boxing in both the rook and light squared bishop, but I don't think you get any benefit from those if I'm right and we lose in five-ish moves.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your answer, this is a difficult position... I liked how you justified moving the knight on c6. There is no mate even if we exchange our f6-knight for their bishop. Besides, the f6-pawn would dominate their knight on f3. These are the main arguments for 1...Ne7!

[@ElizabethGreene]

@@Dr.CansClinic Thank you very much for the reply; My inability to see/calculate that there wasn't a mate trap here is my bigger issue. On that note, I'm in the low 700s, would your "Fundamental Chess Calculation Skills" course be too advanced for me? I've read that below 1,000 one should focus more on tactics but feel like lack of vision (and impulsivity) is/are what's holding me back.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@ElizabethGreene Thank you so much! Don't be too harsh on yourself for this position, it was really hard! I think you can still benefit from the course, so please give it a go! You can stay on Level 1, and see how it goes. You can always get your money back within one month if you are overwhelmed. It will be a good course for impulsivity issues!

[@ibiwisi]

Uh-oh -- I see my fingerprints on the position at 3:33. Yes, guilty as charged -- I was a chess criminal. I throw myself on the mercy of the chess court... 😬 Great video, as always, @DrCansClinic; thank you so much!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I was laughing out loud while reading your comment Michael! I knew that you would notice your fingerprints 😅

[@TeflonMike93]

Great content as always! I always struggle to know when to push pawns! Thank you so much for this boss! ❤

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Super happy reading this, thank you so much ☺️

[@jimmccann3856]

Interesting video! But there are a couple of subtle things about moving f, in particular: a) King exposure issues may not become relevant (or evident) for 10-15-20 moves, so it is easy to underestimate danger because it is not yet imminent. b) Stockfish tends to overvalue f moves because it defends impeccably. Humans do not. From a strictly practical perspective, the higher duty of vigilance leads to extra risk for mortals.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks a lot for the feedback! Interesting observations! The weakening of the 2nd or 7th ranks may indeed by costly in the long run after the f-pawn push. But there are also standard structures, like the King's Indian, that is a standard thing, without compramising our king safety. In the position presented in this video, note how the f2-f4 push supports the kingside pawn majority roll, eventually creating a weakening in the enemy kingside.

[@DanielDollinger1959]

Can, I had to think about this solution. I hope my logic is right. The piece holding black’s defense together is the knight on f6. If white can, he would trade it for the h4 bishop. It is not a good trade right now since the queen takes it back and black is fine. Option 1, g6 pushes the bishop out of the battle line to g3. It is not worth much on g3. On the other hand, (option 2) Ne7 blocks the queen. White goes Bxf6. Black goes Gxf6. The black king is now naked. The black pawn on the h file would not provide much protection. White could snack on it on the way in or don't bother. The white knight, bishop, queen, and perhaps even a rook are going to rush in.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

This was a difficult puzzle, I have admit. ..gxf6 looks ugly, but can you see the f3-knight is now dominated by the f6-pawn. Qc1 should be checked after that, but we have ...Kg7. Is it really possible for White to bring everybody to the party on the kingside? Otherwise, we will win the game on the queenside.

[@eschiedler]

homework spoiler - no engine Black is solid, in a very common opening structure, but controls less space. It would be prudent to find a postiional move that activates pieces and gains space, while denying the opponent's plans. g5 is unwise. It allows a sacrifice to attack the king before black is prepared to defend or counter attack. It is very difficult to defend, although a computer or grandmaster could probably do it. I couldn't find the proper defense g5 Nxg5 hxg5 Bxg5 Kh8 f4 Rg8 Qe1 Rxg5 fxg5 Nh7 Bxh7 Kxh7 Rxf7+ and white has an excellent attack. But also, one must do even more work also calculate what if white does not sacrifice on g5. g5 Bg3 Ne7 Be5 Nd5 c4 Nf4 a4 Bxf3 gxf3 Nxd3 Qxd3 and white is very solid, black has gained little and has the weaker king as the game continues. Or also, g5 Bg3 Nh5 Bh7+ Kh8 Be4 Nxg3 hxg3 Ba6 Re1 and again black has not gained a positional edge. Ne7 might seem unusually risky or even a bit of a retreat, but knights are effective in less space. It activates the bishop on the long diagonal and the white pieces are not close enough to force a king-side attack. It forces white to play precisely, because it allows the bishop to capture the f3 Knight and open up the king and also allows the rook to attack the c3 pawn. The bishop trade for the knight on f6 does not threaten the black king with checkmate. Ne7 Bxf6 gxf6 ... and black has denied the e5 outpost for the white knight. Afterward.... Qc1 Kg7 Qf4 Rxc3 Qg4+ Ng6 Bxg6 fxg6 Qxe6 and black is solid. Both moves g5 or Ne7 require a lot of precise understanding, but Ne7 is far easier to play and better positionally for black. edit move typo

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much as always for your detailed and excellent analysis! I loved reading every part of it, especially how you understood we also need to look at 1...g5? 2. Bg3! Also great that you spot the f6-pawn would be burying the knight on f3 in that ...gxf6 variation.

[@eschiedler]

@@Dr.CansClinic This may have been your most challenging one yet.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@eschiedler Could be :)

[@KF1]

I like these videos because they have an interactive approach. In the first example, have to see that black has good dark square control (unopposed bishop to cover the long diagonal, even dropping back to fianchetto if necessary.) Combined with the importance of halting white's knight advance "Knife F5". Makes sense when you can see why this move is important to slow down white's attack.

[@KF1]

4:03 in this case I do not like G3 because it gives away the f3 outpost, but it is difficult to say, because the E-knight will have the opportunity to strike at H4, which I do not see a defense against. Black is coming in one way or the other. Tough example, much harder to say

[@KF1]

9:54 King H2, because this is less weakening and harder for black to engage in tension. They also have no dark square bishop, nor can their queen access the diagonal.

[@KF1]

11:58 F4, F5 comes to mind for white, as the C5 square is under control, allowing time to play on the kingside where white has more space and can possibly generate an attack

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Nice!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellnt!

[@peterintoronto6472]

Excellent as ever. It is particularly good about weak and strong squares. Flipping back and forth between physical pieces and assessing squares is actually psychologically interesting. Learning about squares happens late in people's learning process, you have to do a deliberate gestalt shift.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Great point as ever, Peter! That transition from piece awareness to square awareness probably deserves a future video!

[@shoumyajitroy5102]

Dear Sir...very instructive video...I always gets confused with pawn push...more such lesson on pawn push & pawn structure will be helpful...thank u

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I am so happy to have helped you 🙏

[@MMWGR1980]

Love this stuff

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Love this comment!

[@GaryWalters-tk2lp]

What a great topic to cover as I'm always reluctant to push pawns in front of my king but this does show it can be done, as for the homework position? I'm going to go with pushing the pawn, I'm struggling, I have to be honest, how to work out whites follow up attacks I can see he could sacrifice which looks concerning but can't then see how he brings the rest of his army into the attack in time before we can counter, the other reason and it's a simple one for me is that if I dropped the knight back I would be afraid of this being taken by the bishop and once I recapture with the pawn I then can't see how I get any of my pieces quickly across to protect the king as the pawn blocks there path leaving me no defenders around the king! Very difficult position to access for me this one but hopefully I've grasped the idea

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much! This was a difficult puzzle indeed! I will just paste on of the comments this video received, as it has some very accurate points: "Homework: I'm inclined toward Ne7. Unlike the previous example White has good piece mobility and can easily maneuver his pieces toward the Black King. Is Bxf6 a pivotal problem after gxf6? Maybe not. There is Kh8 in response to any Bh7+, opening the g-file for the Rook. Also, the Queen can slide to f8. Plus, the f6 pawn now inhibits the Knight on f3 from e5. In the meantime, Ne7 exposes the hanging c3 pawn, which can't be pushed without exposing the e4 pawn. So what about g7-5? Is a sac on g5 winning? Again, Bh7 doesn't look defining. Sac the Knight or sac the Bishop? Sacking the Bishop leaves the Knight on g5, but to what end? Supporting a piece exchange on h7 only looks to assist in Black's defense. Sacking the Knight keeps the Black Queen pinned unless you're brave enough for Kg7. But then what? A sac on g5 isn't the only option. More likely retreating the White B to g3 is better with eyes on e5 after an exchange of Knights there. After all, Black is now weak on the dark squares around the King. g7-5 might actually be good for White."

[@risingmojofilter]

Enjoying these defense-focused lessons. Definitely a neglected part of my game. Sounds like there's no easy rules of thumb like "it's safe as long as the attacker only has x points of material" or something like that, so then the way to discover whether or not the pawn push is safe is through calculation. The hardest part of the game! Homework: I think g5 is the best move. If g5 Bxg5 hxg5 Nxg5 we should be fine as the knight guards against Bh7+. If g5 Nxg5 hxg5 Bxg5, it looks scary, but we are fine after Kg7. Considering Ne7, if Ne7 Bh7+ Kh8, it looks cool at first, but black can build a powerful attack after Ne5 taking the square our knight stopped protecting when we moved it to e7. At least it looks scary to me. So I choose g5.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. Indeeds, such puzzles are really underrepresented, and yet casual players often have difficulties with those. I like your homework analysis in general, but perhaps White can respond with Bg3 against ...g5, and their bishop is still a good piece, while now they have h4 or f4 pawn breaks to weaken the kingside. ...Ne7 Bh7+, can't we respond with ...Nxh7?

[@risingmojofilter]

Thank you for grading my homework! Yeah I didn't calculate the g5 line when white doesn't take. Missed that one. g3 is a good square for the bishop, but if we push our pawn again to g4 (perhaps after Qd5), our bishop's long diagonal can suddenly come alive. Still the only thing we really gain for certain is getting the bishop off the dangerous h4 square, and we pay a major price in long-term king safety! As for Ne7 Bh7+, yes Nxh7 works. I think I was getting that line mixed up with Ne7 Bxf6 gxf6 Bh7+, which incidentally guards the e5 square that I was so worried about in my initial look at the position. Considering the moves you pointed out, I'm going to go with Ne7 instead. Thanks again!

[@user-ot8bb3ng7o]

Another dream video🎉I must confess that your videos have changed the way I view chess positions, these video has connected chess knowledge from books and made it make greater understanding it has increased my overall observations over the board,i actually won a game, because the opponent, had a piece out of play,so subtle, the mind gets excited when it begins to connects , understands and apply these new ideas GREAT GREAT videos ,💯💯👏👏

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Wonderful to hear that! Creating such change in chess perception is one my main goals with this channel. The joy of learning and applying those in your games is so rewarding! Enjoy the process 🤓❤️

[@mikejschin]

My thanks to you for two things. First, you are a great teacher of the most important -- and mostly overlooked -- area of chess instruction: how to think at the board. Second and even more heartfelt, your obvious delight in the beauty of chess is very motivational. I wasn't sure about ever competing in tournaments again, but your enthusiasm and deep appreciation of the game have convinced me to register for the Virginia Senior Open 2 weeks from now. May my opponents feel the strength of your instruction and inspiration.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is so extremely motivating to hear for me as a teacher! ❤️🙏 I am really glad that my passion has inspired you to register for that tournament. You can always update me on your future progress! Really curious to hear about it! ☺️

[@mikejschin]

@@Dr.CansClinic You are my chess hero. This weekend I got 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses. All but 1 player was rated more than 200 points above me. My primary thought in every game was piece activity. I even made a positional pawn sac for that purpose in 2 games and considered but rejected as unsound an exchange sac in another game . You have expanded my thinking and increased my enjoyment of chess immeasurably. Thank you so much.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@mikejschin Seriously, such comments are worth more than a thousand subscribers! Really happy to hear it ❤ Please keep on sharing your future progress with me!

[@yagamilight1231]

Love you Doctor !!!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Doctor loves you too!! ❤

[@CC-ii3ij]

Homework response: Ne7 looks bad as BxN damages pawn structure for free, and Qc1 attacking loose h-pawn seems dangerous, as well as N or pawn attacks on K-side. If white BxNf3, then the open g-file looks dangerous. Other option (g5) also looks scary with 3 attackers vs 1 defender, but at least you gained a piece. I dont like either option, and honestly, I would probably freeze and lose on time:( (not really). I would probably attempt Kh8 or Qd4. Either of these moves may provide a counterattack against g2.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your answer. This was a difficult puzzle I must say... 1... g5 can be answered by Bg3! and their bishop is still a good piece, while h4 or f4 will create a weakness on the kingside. 1... Ne7 2. Bxf6 gxf6 looks bad, but can you see how our f6 pawn is dominating their knight on f3? Qc1 looks scary, but we have ...Kg7. Still, a very tense position I must say.

[@briandwi2504]

Very relevant lesson, always tricky site.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Glad you think so!

[@Aramalisadventures]

Thank you Dr. Can as always Greetings from Beirut, Lebanon. Would you send me a list of your courses? Or a link showing all your courses pls?

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts! Here is my page with all courses: chessable.com/drcan

[@RagnarsAxe1945]

Homework: I'm inclined toward Ne7. Unlike the previous example White has good piece mobility and can easily maneuver his pieces toward the Black King. Is Bxf6 a pivotal problem after gxf6? Maybe not. There is Kh8 in response to any Bh7+, opening the g-file for the Rook. Also, the Queen can slide to f8. Plus, the f6 pawn now inhibits the Knight on f3 from e5. In the meantime, Ne7 exposes the hanging c3 pawn, which can't be pushed without exposing the e4 pawn. So what about g7-5? Is a sac on g5 winning? Again, Bh7 doesn't look defining. Sac the Knight or sac the Bishop? Sacking the Bishop leaves the Knight on g5, but to what end? Supporting a piece exchange on h7 only looks to assist in Black's defense. Sacking the Knight keeps the Black Queen pinned unless you're brave enough for Kg7. But then what? A sac on g5 isn't the only option. More likely retreating the White B to g3 is better with eyes on e5 after an exchange of Knights there. After all, Black is now weak on the dark squares around the King. g7-5 might actually be good for White.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I loved ALL your analysis and explanations! Simply excellent! You observed all the key elements in both variations. This was a difficult puzzle. Well done!

[@RagnarsAxe1945]

@@Dr.CansClinic Thank you for the encouraging remarks. As a 79 year old chess student my expectations of playing great chess are not high. I do, however, strive to improve my play each day and your lessons have become a vital part of that journey. Please keep these great videos coming! 🙏

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@RagnarsAxe1945 That is soo motivating to hear, thank you so much!! 🙏 I will keep the videos coming!

[@twentyrothmans7308]

Intuitively, I don't want him to have e5. Also, Na5 is a dead end. It would be nice to give the white bishop some reach, Ne7 will do this, and it will unpin the other Knight, and let my rook on c8 out to attack c3. Promising. The Bishop attack on h7 looks scary, but h8 solves that if my Knight moves (it's pinned to my Q anyway), and now his Queen has to sit on that diagonal to protect it. It also means that I need the pawn on f7, bummer if King is on h8 because it ties down my f Rook. g5 invites Nxg5 or Bxg5. It's attacking, but only a quasi attack because I have to calculate for Bishop or Knight captures, and I'm inviting him in to my side of the board with a piece, even if he's sacrificed. I don't like that. Ne7 for me, then. That's why I lose all the time :-) I don't have your Stockfish raven to help me, but I have a crow here in London who agrees with me - at least, I think he does. Thank you again for your wonderful lessons.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Wonderful analysis and thought process! Thank you! 1...Ne7! is the strongest. 1...g5 also allows 2. Bg3! and their bishop is still strong, while now h4 or f4 will weaken our kingside. And our c6-knight must move again anyways. I may call him Stockfish raven from now on :) Or we can ask the ravens in Tower of London! 🤓

[@rv706]

In the homework problem, I would unpin with Nb8, and then Nbd7, also putting pressure on c3 and awakening my Bishop on b7. Is this decent?

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is also decent I believe ☺️

[@huckmart2017]

Dont think it can be ne7, because then he would just take on f6, ruining the structure around your king. Then you can even go ng6 to cover up the whole because he'll just win a pawn with check and your king is getting bullied in the corner.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Is it really that bad? How exactly can they exploit the doubled pawns on the kingside?

[@andre6613]

greast class

[@Dr.CansClinic]

🙏

[@acquologo83]

I think Knight E7 is better.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent, thanks!

[@lylebrooks1308]

First

[@Dr.CansClinic]

👍🙏

[@TheChingChongSlayer]

Great video as always

[@Dr.CansClinic]

You are very welcome ☺️

[@TheChingChongSlayer]

@@Dr.CansClinic I hope ill pass 2k elo with your videos😭

[@TheChingChongSlayer]

@@Dr.CansClinic Do you have any recommendations for studying positional chess concepts?