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Though the connotation isn’t great for the piece, pawns are still a valuable part of your army. They represent the sacrifices you’ll need to make in order to gain victory. Since a pawn can only move one space at a time (two in its first), people discount this piece’s worth. While one pawn may not be extremely valuable, an army of them, working together with your key pieces is indispensable. Pawns help apply pressure and set up defensive fortifications around the board, blocking the mobility of your opponent.

What people also tend to forget, is how valuable a pawn is in the long run, especially if it can reach the end of the board without being captured. If it reaches the far last row of squares, it can be traded for any type of piece in the game. It’s usually turned in for a queen since she is definitely the best. By securing this extra queen, you can immediately change the momentum of the game and put yourself in a position to win. Not too shabby for a little pawn.

Knowing that a single pawn can have this sort of impact, it is important to not sacrifice your pieces to cavalierly. That means it’s also important to watch what it is your opponent is doing with his pawns in case he starts to get too close to the end of the board.