GM Davorin Kuljasevic

After a hiatus due to Davorin working on his next chess book, the Croatian GM is back creating videos for us!
Davorin has prepared a fantastic video series about the importance and the use of Pawns in a chess game.

"Pawns are the soul of the game. They alone create attack and defense; the way they are deployed decides the fate of the game." – Francois-Andre Philidor.

Philidor, one of the strongest chess players of the 18^th century and an accomplished music composer was ahead of his time in many respects. His contributions to opening and endgame theory withstood the test of time, and he was among the first to argue for modern strategic concepts involving pawns, such as a strong pawn center and correct pawn formations.

Why did Philidor think that pawns are so important?

Firstly, pawns constitute half of your and your opponent's army and can be used in various tactical and strategic operations. Granted, they are the least valuable pieces, but this gives them several advantages over other pieces. The most significant ones are:

1. When well-supported, pawns are very useful at gaining space since they can attack more valuable pieces of the opponent, forcing them to move or retreat with a threat of capture and a net gain of material.
2. It's very easy to sacrifice them at a minimal loss to your army to obtain some tactical, positional, or other goals.
3. They are effective in launching surprise counterattacks or pawn breaks. Such pawn breaks can change the nature of the battle sharply.
4. Finally, a unique feature of the pawn is that, if advanced all the way into the enemy's territory, it can be promoted in rank, usually the queen, and strengthen your forces that way.

 In this course, we will discuss various unique aspects of pawn play. The goal of the course is not only for you to enjoy the presented material but also to help you better recognize typical situations in the game when pawn moves should be considered, as well as what kinds of pawn moves can have the most significant impact on the game.

The course has the following "chapters":

1. Pawn moves come first!
2. Pawns Tactical Potential
3. Pawn dynamics - creating space part 1
4. Pawn dynamics - creating space part 2
5. Power of a Passed Pawn
6. Power of Connected Pawns
7. Pawn Center
8. Coiled Spring
9. The Pawn Wall
10. Pawn Play on the Flank
11. Pawn Play in Defense
12. Superior Pawn Play

Don't miss this AMAZING series, which will help you improve your understanding of the game and your rating!
Every Wednesday, ICC members will find a new video of the series ready to be watched!