Weakness in chess
Weakness
Definition
In chess, a weakness is any enduring defect in a camp—square, piece, pawn, or king position—that can be targeted by the opponent and cannot be easily repaired or neutralised. Aron Nimzowitsch famously summarised the concept with the dictum, “A pawn weakness is forever,” underlining the long-term nature of many structural flaws.
Typical Forms of Weakness
- Pawn weaknesses: isolated pawns, doubled pawns, backward pawns, pawn islands.
- Square weaknesses (holes): undefended squares—often in the centre or near the king—where an enemy piece can establish a durable outpost.
- King weaknesses: a compromised pawn shield (e.g., after …gxf6 or h4-h5-hxg6) or exposed king in the centre.
- Piece weaknesses: overloaded, pinned, or undefended (“loose”) pieces that are tactically vulnerable.
How the Term Is Used in Chess
Players assess weaknesses during the evaluation phase of planning. A standard strategic recipe is:
- Create or induce a weakness in the opponent’s camp.
- Occupy or attack that weakness with pieces.
- Accumulate additional pressure until the weakness is lost or tactical motifs appear.
Conversely, strong players devote tempo and foresight to avoiding long-term weaknesses in their own position, even if it means accepting short-term inconvenience.
Historical & Strategic Significance
The scientific school of the early 20th century—Tarrasch, Steinitz, and later Nimzowitsch—elevated the concept of weakness to a cornerstone of positional play. Steinitz insisted that victory stems from exploiting “the accumulation of small advantages,” and a lasting weakness is precisely such an advantage.
In modern engine practice, weaknesses remain central. Although computers can sometimes temporarily tolerate structural flaws for dynamic gain, they excel at converting minute weaknesses once the position simplifies.
Illustrative Examples
1. Capablanca – Winter, Hastings 1919
A classic exploitation of a backward pawn. After the opening, Black was left with a backward pawn on d6. Capablanca blockaded the pawn with a knight, doubled rooks on the d-file, and won in textbook style.
2. Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship 1985 (Game 16)
Kasparov induced a weakness on the light squares by forcing …f7-f6. He then rerouted a knight to e6, dominated the position, and secured a pivotal win on his march to the title.
3. “The d5 Hole” in the Sicilian Scheveningen
After moves such as 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Be2 a6, Black often leaves a yawning hole on d5. White’s typical strategic plan—exchange a knight on d5 and occupy the square with a piece—illustrates how a single weak square can dictate middlegame plans for both sides.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The phrase “weakness is only a weakness if it can be attacked” is attributed to GM Yasser Seirawan, reminding students that potential defects matter only when the opponent can realistically target them.
- In Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, 1997, Game 1, Kasparov deliberately created doubled c-pawns—usually a structural weakness—to gain dynamic piece play. He won convincingly, showing that context matters more than doctrine.
- The engine revolution has produced the paradoxical term “healthy weakness,” referring to structures that are technically defective but yield sufficient dynamic compensation.
Practical Tips for the Tournament Player
- Avoid advancing pawns unnecessarily; every pawn move leaves squares behind.
- Exchange the correct pieces: trading attackers can convert an opponent’s apparent weakness into a non-issue.
- When you must accept a weakness, strive for dynamic activity to compensate.
- Use prophylactic thinking—ask “How can my opponent exploit this?” before committing to structural changes.
Quick Reference
• Key idea: enduring target that can be pressured.
• Main methods: blockade, doubling, overloading, tactical liquidation.
• Classic authority: Nimzowitsch, My System, Chapters 3–5.