How Many Pawns in Chess? A Quick Guide

Whether you are just approaching the game of chess or you are looking at refining your strategies and getting better, understanding the opportunities that each piece on your chess board provides is non-negotiable. And no, we are not just talking about critical pieces like the queen, rook, or king! In fact, what we’ll focus on in this guide by 247 Chess is your pawns.

These pieces are often overlooked, but they play a major role in any game of chess–and they may even influence your chances of winning! Find out more below.

Pawn Basics: Moves & Attacks

Before diving into the special moves of pawns and the opening strategies that involve them, let’s cover the basics.

In chess, each player starts with eight pawns. These are set up on the second or front row, and they sit in front of the first row (which contains pieces like the king, queen, rook, and knight). Given their location on the board, pawns play an important role in protecting other important pieces.

Here are a few basic rules to keep in mind about how pawns move:

• They advance forward one square per turn
• On the initial move, each pawn can move forward two squares.
• Pawns capture other pieces diagonally, one square forward-left or forward-right.

Managing pawns properly can be a challenge, as they are often at the mercy of pieces that move faster or more freely. Nonetheless, when well-positioned, pawns play a key role in helping you attack the opponent or protect your pieces.

Understanding Pawn Movement

Above, we’ve covered some of the basics of pawn movement. However, it is aso important to keep in mind that these pieces can play a role in helping you control the center of the board. By doing so, you can continue protecting your pieces while also advancing against your opponent, restricting their movement and limiting their opportunities for counter-attacking.

For instance, slowly advancing pawns can create a 'pawn chain' that protects your higher-value pieces while ensuring that the game continues to develop.

The Power of Pawns in Chess

Pawns may seem less efficient or valuable than other pieces on your board, especially given their limited ability to move and attack. Nonetheless, it is important not to overlook the pivotal role that these pieces play in chess opening strategies.

The very first moves in any game of chess almost always involve a pawn advancing to control the center squares of the board. This is a key principle that must be upheld to create a solid foundation for your strategy.

For example, the King's Pawn Opening (e4) and the Queen's Pawn Opening (d4) are popular moves that can help you better control the center while also freeing up pathways that will allow your pieces to move while also staying protected.

Special Pawn Moves Explained

Besides the moves that we’ve seen above, pawns can also perform a few special moves. Firstly, we’ve seen that pawns can advance two squares as their first move.

However, there are other options that can profoundly impact your game. One of the most critical moves is the opportunity for 'promotion'.

This occurs when a pawn successfully reaches the opponent’s back raw. Then, it can be transformed into any other piece, except a king. Of course, you’ll want to bring back some of your most powerful pieces, and that’s why queens are the most common choice!

Another special move is 'en passant', where a pawn that moves two squares forward from its initial square can be captured as if it had moved one square.

Practice Pawn Strategies With Online Chess Software

Knowing how to make the most of your pawns is essential to elevate your gameplay. However, here’s when practice becomes essential! Online software like 247 Chess can help you practice anywhere, anytime, and against any type of opponent to help you refine your skills!

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.