Originally Posted by Just2Good
Well, apart from the 'don't double your pawns' rule, I can't image that much hangs on it. I mean sometimes a timely pawn push wins the game, but I wouldn't classify that as a pawn structure issue.
Im not sure how good at chess you are, but it sounds like you either dont understand pawn structure or completely underestimate it.
"Dont double your pawns"??? Doubled pawns can often be very strong as they open files and often solidify a block of squares (in the Rubinstein French for example after ...gxf6) Doubled pawns are in my opinion the most overrated pawn "weakness" in chess. While they can be very weak (eg in the white side of the Nimzo Indian in the endgame), it is much more important not to get yourself stuck with:
1. backward pawns on open lines (these virtually never give you any counter play)
2. isolated pawns on open lines (these can be ok if you generate enough dynamic play around them but they make you structurally worse and there is always the threat of a weak endgame hanging over your head).
These sorts of weaknesses are very easy to attack with heavy pieces (queens and rooks) and they both allow knight outposts in front of them. Surely you acknowledge that knight outposts are important!
You would be amazed how many weaker players lose games because they dont take enough care of their pawn structure. In a nutshell, its about not creating weaknesses. Pawns dont move backwards, so every pawn move you make is a committment and possibly a weakness. If you move a knight to a weak square you can move it back later, but if you make pawn weakenesses, you are stuck with them.
DONT CREATE WEAKNESSES!
You would be amazed at the countless number of games I have won because my opponents have created pawn weakenesses. Even a lot of 1700-1800 type players still create these weakenesses regularly.
Now you also mention "a timely pawn push". Im not sure whether you are referring to a PAWN BREAK or not, but if so, pawn breaks are really important too. You need to know where possible pawn breaks will occur in any given position (positions of a closed or locked up nature anyway). By knowing where to prepare the pawn break, it makes it easier to find the right plan:
Eg. In the Kings Indian when there is a locked up centre (white with pawns on e4 and d5 and black with pawns on e5 and d6), the natural pawn breaks are ...f5 for black and c5 for white. The reason for this is that they come on the side of the board where each side has more space. Of course sometimes black breaks with c6 and white with f4, but these pawn breaks are less commmon and usually not the first or "natural" option. All of this comes down to a simple rule in chess - ATTACK ON THE SIDE OF THE BOARD WHERE YOU HAVE MORE SPACE. (Imagine trying to attack on the kingside as black in the Sicilian Dragon when white has all the space over there). The reason why one side has the space in the first place is usually because of their PAWN STRUCTURE. Pawn breaks are possible because of ones pawn structure. Chess needs to be looked at holistically and the pawn structure is one very important element of this.
Of course pawn structure is not the be all and end all of chess - in some positions (often resulting from very open e4,e5 type openings) in doesnt matter at all. But in most games, pawn structure is vital and being aware of it helps one to not create weakenesses - and to hopefully win the game. That said though, if you cant/dont calculate then its no use learning about pawn structure because another part of your game (your calculation) will let you down. But if you understand pawn structure AND understand calculation, piece activity etc, then you will be a good chance to improve your chess dramatically.