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Structure library
Pawns decide the plan.
Pieces move; pawns stay. These eight structures cover most of the middlegames you will actually reach. Learn the plans before the moves.
Structure 1 / 8
Find an opening Carlsbad structure
Read-only chess board with white pieces at the bottom, black pieces at the top. Each square announces its coordinate and the piece on it.
The idea
White has a queenside pawn majority; Black has more space in the centre.
Plans
- White: minority attack with b4–b5
- Black: kingside play and ...Ne4
- Trade into a favourable knight endgame
Watch
The c6 and c3 squares can become outposts; the d4 pawn needs care.
Explore on the board