Complete Chess Strategy2: Principles of Pawn-Play and the CenterContinuing his major work on strategy and tactics in modem chess, the international renowned Grandmaster, Ludek Pachman, now turns his attention to the play of the pawns and the achievement of control of the center squares.Though the pawns are the weakest pieces in chess, their importance in determining the character of the attacked (and defense) and the development of strategic play cannot be underestimated. Pawns are essential to the protection of important squares and pieces. They are the best means of blockading enemy pawns and when correctly deployed, their advance can open vital files and diagonals, thereby creating weaknesses in the opposite position. Despite its limited power, the pawn has one special advantage over other pieces in that it can be promoted when it reaches the eighth rank; a successful pawn advance can completely change the balance of power and the outcome of a game. Pawns have aptly been described as “the soul of chess.”Vital of chess mastery is a basic understanding of the importance of control of the center squares. The effectiveness of the pieces depend upon the strength of their position and center control creates a vital sapatial superiority. The pieces gain in power as they exert influence over more spaces. Control not only allows increased maneuverability, but restricts the possibilities open to the opponent.The effective play of the pawns and center control have been touched upon on other works, but seldom with the insight and lucidity revealed in this second volume of Pachman’s masterwork.Ludek Pachman, the famous dissident Czech grandmaster, has participated in many major international events since World War II.John Littlewood, The English international, has capably carried out the translation.CONTENTSPrefacePART ONE—THE PAWNS1 The Passed Pawn 32 Blockading the Passed Pawn 143 Special Kinds of Passed Pawn 264 The Isolated Pawn 405 The Backward Pawn 646 The Isolated Pawn Couple 797 The Doubled Pawn 90PART TWO—THE CENTRE8 The Classical Centre 1239 The ‘Little Centre’ 13510 Other Types of Pawn Centre 14211 Tension in the Centre 14912 Centralization of Pieces 15913 Control of the Central Squares 16714 The Partially Blocked Centre 177Index of Games 182Index of Positions 183Index of Openings 184