Outposts

About this lesson

In the Sicilian with ...e5, Black gives up the d5 square for life. No black pawn can ever attack it, so a white knight that lands there stays until something is traded for it. This free lesson is about finding such squares, preparing them and using them.

What you will learn

• 01 The two conditions an outpost must meet: protected by your pawn, never attackable by theirs.
• 02 Why a knight on d5 cramps both wings at once and why the only cure is to exchange it.
• 03 The preparation step most players skip: removing the defender that could challenge the square.
• 04 That outposts exist for Black too, with d4 as the mirror of d5.

The plan

The lesson follows one structure. Section one is a Sicilian where Black has exchanged the c-pawn and pushed ...e5; the arrow runs from c3 to d5. Section two has the knight on d5 with its targets lit: e7, f6, b6 and c7. Section three is the key move: White has played Bg5 and taken on f6, so no black piece can ever chase the knight from d5, and the bishop on e7 bites on granite. Section four flips to a black knight on d4.

Club players lose outposts by rushing. They see the hole, jump in, and the opponent trades a bishop for the intruder. Compare the sections: the knight that arrives after the f6 knight is gone is permanent; the one that arrives before is temporary. Ask who can take the square back, trade that piece first, then occupy.

How to practise it

After the four sections come two quiz positions. The first asks for the jump to d5 with a fork; the second has a hole on d6. Both are one-move answers, by voice or by tapping the square. If you need the hint, go back to section two.

Questions people ask

Is Outposts a free lesson?

Yes. It is one of the three free middlegame lessons, with four illustrated sections and two quiz positions. No account or card is needed.

What is an outpost in chess?

A square in the opponent’s half of the board that your pawn protects and that no enemy pawn can ever attack. Knights use outposts best.

How do you get rid of a knight on an outpost?

Pawns cannot do it, so you must exchange a piece for it, usually a bishop. Making that trade early, before the knight does damage, is often right.