Advance (chess term)
Advance
Definition
In chess, an advance is the forward movement of a pawn (and, less commonly, a piece) to a square closer to the opponent’s side. The word is also used as shorthand for an entire opening line in which a critical pawn is pushed early and held on its advanced square, e.g., the Advance French or Advance Caro-Kann.
Basic Meaning
- Pawn Advance: A single-square (or double-square from the starting rank) push that gains space, contests the center, or creates a passed pawn.
- Piece Advance: Less frequently, a piece “advance” refers to a bold incursion—e.g., a knight hopping to an advanced outpost on d6.
- Opening Name: “Advance” identifies openings where one side fixes a pawn on the 5th rank very early (3.e5 vs. the French, 3.e5 vs. the Caro-Kann, 4.e5 vs. the Alekhine, etc.).
How the Term Is Used
Players and commentators use “advance” in several contexts:
- “White’s pawn advance to e5 cramps Black’s position.”
- “The Advance French gives White spatial superiority.”
- “It’s risky to advance your g-pawn; it weakens the king.”
Strategic Significance
Advancing a pawn alters the pawn structure permanently, so its strategic impact is profound:
- Space Gain: Pushing a pawn claims territory, restricting enemy pieces (e.g., the pawn on e5 in many openings).
- Fixing Targets: An advanced pawn can become a spearhead, but it can also become a weakness if overextended and hard to support.
- Creating Passers: In endgames, the timely advance of a majority leads to unstoppable passed pawns (“passed pawns must be pushed”).
- Opening Lines: Sometimes a pawn advance is sacrificial, designed to open files or diagonals for an attack (e.g., h4–h5 against a castled king).
Historical Context & Famous Examples
- Nimzowitsch vs. Salwe, Karlsbad 1911: Nimzowitsch’s legendary blockade theory arose partly from his handling of advanced d-pawns.
- Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, Game 1 (1997): Kasparov’s aggressive g-pawn advance (g4–g5) disrupted the computer’s kingside, showcasing the dynamic power of pawn storms.
- Botvinnik vs. Capablanca, AVRO 1938: Botvinnik’s minority attack featured a restrained a-pawn advance that fixed queenside targets.
Example Positions
1) Advance French Setup
The moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 lead to the classic pawn chain e5-d4 vs. d5-e6. White’s spatial edge on the kingside is balanced by Black’s plan to undermine with …c5 and …f6.
[[Pgn| 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 |fen|r1b1kbnr/pp2pppp/1qn5/2ppP3/3P4/2P2N2/PP3PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 6]]2) Endgame Pawn Race
In the famous study by Reti (1921), White simultaneously advances his king and a far-flung h-pawn to draw against Black’s passed pawn. The concept demonstrated that king routes and pawn advances can interlace in surprising ways.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- “Push, push, push!” – Bobby Fischer would sometimes mutter this to himself when marching his passed pawns.
- The term “bayonet attack” in the King’s Indian (7…a5, 8…a4) vividly illustrates how a pawn advance can be likened to a fixed blade probing enemy defenses.
- In 1843, Staunton jokingly claimed that every pawn advance “signs a declaration of independence,” emphasizing its irreversible nature.
Practical Tips
- Support an advanced pawn with pieces or a fellow pawn chain; otherwise it can become isolated.
- Before advancing a wing pawn near your king (g- or h-pawn), evaluate potential weaknesses on the squares you leave behind.
- Remember the endgame mantra: “Passed pawns must be pushed”—but only when they can’t be blockaded or captured.
Related Terms
Space, Passed Pawn, Pawn Storm, Blockade, Advance French, Advance Caro-Kann