Chess Lesson # 39: Passed Pawns | Chess Endgames

“Pawns are the soul of Chess”. I started our lessons with this famous quote from Francois-Andre Danican Philidor because it highlights the importance of pawns in this game. When we are beginners we do not appreciate how important pawns are. However, as we get more experienced, we start to understand how pawns dictate the game and learning about the different pawn structures could make the difference between a win and a loss. In this lesson, your coach Robert Ramirez will explain the definition of a passed pawn and a protected passed pawn. You will also learn how to create the and use them to win your games. Have fun!

00:00 Intro
01:00 A passed pawn is
03:10 A protected passed pawn is a passed pawn
05:30 Basic Chess endgame exercises

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My Book Recommendations:
First tactics book:
Mixed tactics book:
Advanced tactics book:
Advanced tactics book (II):
Carlsen’s book (excellent):
Kramnik’s book (excellent):
Pirc Defense book:
Endgames book:

Learn how to play Chess the right way from beginner to master level. National Master Robert Ramirez will take you up the pyramid by following a proven Chess training program he has been improving and implementing for over 10 years.

Benefits of Playing Chess:
​- Promotes brain growth
– Increases problem-solving skills
– It exercises both sides of the brain
– Raises your IQ
– Sparks your creativity
– Teaches planning and foresight
– Teaches patience and concentration
– Optimizes memory improvement
– Improves recovery from stroke or disability
– Helps treat ADHD
Chess is an intellectual battle where players are exposed to numerous mental processes such as analysis, attention to detail, synthesis, concentration, planning and foresight. Psychological factors are also present on and off the board; playing Chess stimulates our imagination and creativity. Every single move a player makes is the result of a deep analysis based on the elements presented on the battlefield.

Chess in its essence teaches us psychological, sociological and even moral values. In a Chess game, both players start with the same amount of material and time. The fact that the white pieces move first is considered to be practically irrelevant —especially because a player typically plays one game as white and one game as black. Consequently, the final result of the battle solely depends on each player. It doesn’t matter if you win by taking advantage of your opponent’s mistakes or by simply avoiding mistakes yourself. Truth is that Chess is an extremely individual sport and our defeats can only be blamed on ourselves and no one else. And this, in the end, only benefits us because we learn to be and feel responsible for our actions and never come up with excuses to justify ourselves.

We also learn that when it comes to our victories on the board, our opponent’s mistakes play a more significant role than our own skills. Let’s not forget that a Chess game without any mistakes would be a draw. This way, Chess provides us with another valuable life lesson: be humble at all times.

About National Master Robert Ramirez:

With an outstanding background as a professional Chess player and over 8 years of teaching experience, Robert Ramirez brings both his passion and his expertise to the board, helping you believe & achieve!

Robert Ramirez was introduced to the fascinating world of Chess when he was 5 years old and has participated in prestigious tournaments such as the World Open Chess Tournament and the Pan American Intercollegiate Team Championships. Thanks to his performance, he has earned his National Master title from the United States Chess Federation.

Currently, NM Ramirez and his carefully selected team teach at several private schools in the counties of Miami-Dade and Broward and they also offer private lessons. He says the key to their success as Chess coaches is their ability to adapt to every student and to make lessons fun and interesting for students and even their family members.

35 Comments

  1. Hey, man, I've been binge watching this series for the past couple of weeks and it's so informative and useful! Thanks a lot for these lessons, you're really making a great deal of a difference! In my opinion you deserve like 10x more subs, than you have now. Keep it up and all the best to you, my favorite teacher!

  2. 7:43 I was thinking why should I involve the King, and it is like he read my mind and replied😊It is always a pleasure to learn something from you sir , thanks.

  3. The importance of the passed pawn is a blindness in my chess. This video was exactly what I needed. Thank you!

  4. In the last position is there anyway to defend that as the black pieces?

  5. Thank you very much for yet another excellent lesson ❤

  6. Beautiful video…….easily explained …….will improve the end game

  7. Can you make more videos for pawn endgame plz

  8. Sir your endgame videos are hilarious ❤️ So much information.. Thank you so much 🤗

  9. Hi Sir. Very helpful trick the last one 😃😃😃

  10. I’ve watch several videos on passed pawns, but this one was the best. I finally understand and am no longer frustrated. Thank you so much for you wonderful help! 😃🙏

  11. Very good Robert. You are an excellent teacher.

  12. Hey Robert, are there any lessons on pawn breakthroughs? That stuff really confuses me. I don't know which pawn to move and when to move. I make a single mistake and the other guy promotes a pawn to queen.

  13. I learn a lot from your lessons .. can you give me the picture of the pawn on the cover of the video( the pawn with shield and spear)

  14. Thanks for this endgame lesson. I have learnt how to make use of passed pawns

  15. This was a great lesson, esp the tactics towards the end where you abandoned the passed pawn, and the last technique to get past the pawn barricade!

  16. Wow …. That's the Only word to define this ….
    17/10/21
    9:09 PM

  17. Probably the most clear explanation and just overall great video on passed pawns. Made me subscribe after just one video.

  18. Happy holidays coach!
    God bless you and more power!

  19. Finally reached the pawn chapters….onwards i go…

  20. What a brilliant way to promote a passed pawn for queen

  21. Thank you so much Robert ! A very clear and concise lesson ! Muchas Gracias Amigo !!!

  22. I’m learning alot about pawns 🔥🔥this was actually easy than I thought 😂

  23. Around 4:30 in the video, there is a question about black advancing their pawn two steps. The rational presented as to why that is a bad idea is the white pawn would capture it and become a passed pawn. How would the white pawn take the black pawn if they are in the same rank?

  24. I am not totally a talent for chess. I think I'm too stupid. I have been learning chess since December 2021 and I cannot overcome the 1000 barrier at Chesscom. Two days ago I had 968, now I lose every game and I was down to 880.

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