Editing Pawn (chess) (section)

===Pawn structure===
{{main article|Pawn structure}}
{{Chess diagram
| tright
|
|rd|nd|bd|qd|kd|bd|nd|rd
|pd|pd|pd|  |  |pd|pd|pd
|  |  |  |  |pd|  |  |  
|  |  |  |pd|pl|  |  |  
|  |  |  |pl|  |  |  |  
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  
|pl|pl|pl|  |  |pl|pl|pl
|rl|nl|bl|ql|kl|bl|nl|rl
| Locked pawn chains in the [[French Defense]] after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
}}
The ''pawn structure'', the configuration of pawns on the chessboard, mostly determines the strategic flavor of a game. While other pieces can usually be moved to more favorable positions if they are temporarily badly placed, a poorly positioned pawn is limited in its movement and often cannot be so relocated.

Because pawns capture diagonally and can be blocked from moving straight forward, opposing pawns can become locked in diagonal {{chessgloss|pawn chains}} of two or more pawns of each color, where each player controls squares of one color. In the diagram, Black and White have locked their d- and e-pawns.

Here, White has a long-term {{chessgloss|space}} advantage. White will have an easier time than Black in finding good squares for their pieces, particularly with an eye to the {{chessgloss|kingside}}. Black, in contrast, suffers from a {{chessgloss|bad bishop}} on c8, which is prevented by the black pawns from finding a good square or helping out on the kingside. On the other hand, White's central pawns are somewhat {{chessgloss|overextended}} and vulnerable to attack. Black can undermine the white pawn chain with an immediate ...c5 and perhaps a later ...f6.
{{clear}}