Changes

As the King's capture means the loss of the game, protecting the King is paramount.  For this reason, good players castle in virtually every game.  Castling provides the King with a shield of pawns and shuttles it to the side of the board, where it is relatively safe.  Finding ways to destroy the pawn shield, or to keep the King in the center where it can be attacked, are useful strategies.

As the King's capture means the loss of the game, protecting the King is paramount.  For this reason, good players castle in virtually every game.  Castling provides the King with a shield of pawns and shuttles it to the side of the board, where it is relatively safe.  Finding ways to destroy the pawn shield, or to keep the King in the center where it can be attacked, are useful strategies.

====Creating Weak Pawns====

====Pawn Structure====

''Pawn structure'', also known as ''pawn formation'', plays an important role in chess.  Players strive to maintain strong pawn structures while trying to create weaknesses for their opponents.  Weak pawns can then serve as the focus for an attack.  In general, weak pawns are those that are  

''Pawn structure'', also known as ''pawn formation'', plays an important role in chess.  Players strive to maintain strong pawn structures while trying to create weaknesses for their opponents.  Weak pawns can then serve as the focus for an attack.  In general, weak pawns are those that are  

*'''Isolated pawns'''; they don't have a pawn on either file to their sides, and are thus unable to be protected by other pawns.

*'''Isolated pawns'''; they don't have a pawn on either file to their sides, and are thus unable to be protected by other pawns.

*'''Backward pawns'''; they have not advanced as far as their fellow pawns, and thus can't be defended by them.

*'''Backward pawns'''; they have not advanced as far as their fellow pawns, and thus can't be defended by them.

Jeremy Silman, a famous chess writer and coach, argues that these pawns should not be automatically considered "weak" without taking into account some of the other positional factors relating to them. For instance, if an isolated pawn  is placing strong pressure on the opponent's position and cannot be easily captured, it would not be considered weak.

Jeremy Silman, a famous chess writer and coach, argues that these pawns should not be automatically considered "weak" without taking into account some of the other positional factors relating to them. For instance, if an isolated pawn  is placing strong pressure on the opponent's position and cannot be easily captured, it would not be considered weak.  An ''isolated queens pawn'' (pawn on the d file) is often an advantage in the middle game because it entails two open files for the heavy pieces (rooks and Queen) to use to attack.

====Doubling Rooks====

====Doubling Rooks====