Preventing pawn breaks

Kill the freeing pawn push before it draws breath.

Step 1 of 3

Concept

Kill the opponent's freeing pawn break before they get to play it. Once the break is dead, they have no plan and you set the pace.

Remember

• Identify the break your opponent needs: usually a central or queenside pawn push.
• Play a pawn move that makes the break impossible or bad.
• Classic example: preventing c5 in French and Sicilian structures.
• Once the break is dead, the opponent has no plan and you dictate.