Pawns

There is one area in chess that I have only a few basic informations :

• pawn moves in the opening are used only to help developping pieces
• it’s time to push pawns sometimes to open files in middlegame
• a pawn pushed cannot go back
• avoid isolated pawns, blabla, ...

I would like the best books, videos, etc that would explain everything there is to know if it possible.

Thanks.

Maybe, you can find something useful at https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/i-need-advice?page=2.

"the best books"

• My System - Nimzovich

@gilligan841 said in #1:

I would like the best books, videos, etc that would explain everything there is to know if it possible.

"My system" by nimzovich (as @tpr mentions)
"How to reassess your chess" by Jeremy Silman
"Zlotnik's middlegame manual" by Boris Zlotnik

These are by far your best bet for understanding pawn structures and such.

#1: A) 'pawn moves in the opening are used only to help developping pieces' ~ Or to help with restricting enemy pieces. Making progress is more important than stopping progress, but the latter Pawn strategy should not be ignored.

B) 'avoid isolated pawns, blabla, ...' ~ Usually, yes; however, isolated Pawns can provide excellent attacking chances. In endgames, isolated Pawns may be weak enough to where your enemy can win without you having any other weakness. Therefore, when having an isolated Pawn, you must attack. Example: youtu.be/kJikzNw_5cE?si=vpDCAt3jF_22waFe&t=876

"... I believe the value of 'pawn formations' has come to be greatly exaggerated. In my opinion that pawn formation is the best that interferes least with the play of the pieces. Apart from the simple consideration that isolated or backward pawns need piece protection -- if any -- and that the pawns, to be strongest in defense against an attack involving a large variety of threats should be kept abreast from each other because then they are most capable to adapt themselves to varied circumstances, I cannot see that a theory of pawn play exists at all. In any case it is vastly subordinate to energetic piece play as developed by Morphy. ..." - Emanuel Lasker (~1907)

I haven't read it but I've heard Pawn Structure by Andrew Soltis is supposed to be good as well.

This video was a good one for me that explains the connexion between pawns structure and pieces activity :

https://youtu.be/EKxDz8kUPrc

Here is just an example of a game created to get informations about. Forget the moves madden to get there; it’s just about pawns once again.

I wonder what could I do with pawns on a2 and b2. They are waiting there doing nothing and it happens from time to time in my games.

Is there a moment I should consider pushing them in a hope to make a Queen or to get in the battle somehow, or should I let them there because the battle is happening elsewhere and they are not significant enough to bring them in the battle?

I hope you understand the principle behind the pawn moves out there rather than the battle happening elsewhere on the board.

Regards.