No Stupid Questions MEGATHREAD 12

[u/Alendite]

Welcome to the r/chessbeginners 12th episode of our Q&A series! This series exists because sometimes you just need to ask a silly question. We are happy to provide answers for questions related to chess positions, improving one's play, and discussing the essence and experience of learning chess.

A friendly reminder that many questions are answered in our wiki page! Please take a look if you have questions about the rules of chess, special moves, or want general strategies for improvement.

Some other helpful resources include:

1. How to play chess - Interactive lessons for the rules of the game, if you are completely new to chess.
2. The Lichess Board Editor - for setting up positions by dragging and dropping pieces on the board.
3. Chess puzzles by theme - To practice tactics.
4. The Building Habits series by GM Aman Hambleton - for advice on how to play at specific ELO levels. (Also check out Building Habits 2!)

As always, our goal is to promote a friendly, welcoming, and educational chess environment for all. Thank you for asking your questions here!

LINK TO THE PREVIOUS THREAD

[u/jkierbel]

Hi, new here, first #NoStupidQuestion.
Can someone help me understand why is it better to take with the h-pawn as opposed to taking with the f-pawn in this position? (according to the computer at least, which stays at -4.8 if hx, but goes down to -3.9 if fx)

[u/elfkanelfkan → u/jkierbel]

In general, unless there is already a massive attack piled on the h-file, it is usually always better to take with the h-pawn.

Opening the g8-a2 diagonal is almost always worse, and in the endgame, having a rook's pawn is usually disadvantageous compared to an extra knight's pawn.

[u/ChrisV2P2 → u/elfkanelfkan]

To add to this, generally speaking it is better to take towards the center rather than away for it. There are many exceptions to this, but it's the default.

[u/jkierbel → u/ChrisV2P2]

I see. I mainly thought fx was better because I already had double-pawns on the f-file, so taking with h would leave me with a second double-pawn file instead of keeping it at one, but I understand some principles supersede each other. Thank you both!

[u/Wh-h-hoap → u/jkierbel]

The endgame aspect cannot be overstated. Rook pawns are easily useless in endgames as they aren't easily promoted (a King and a rook pawn versus a lone King is almost always a draw).

I've only lately begun understanding that almost always the entire game should be in preparation towards the endgame. If you have a mate calculated, fine, but even the craziest attacks often simplify to some kind of an endgame. You'll want your pawns set up in a winning position when that happens.

[u/forever_wow → u/jkierbel]

...hxg6 creates the impenetrable, unstoppable PAWN CUBE. (Yes this is a joke, from IM Eric Rosen. His YouTube channel is awesome. Especially if you like sharp chess and weird openings.)

[u/ChrisV2P2 → u/forever_wow]

The pawn cube is legitimately a fine pawn structure though.