Outposts and weak squares: the square nothing can dislodge

Some squares on the board become, as the game unfolds, impossible for an enemy pawn to attack. Parking a piece there permanently, especially a knight, turns it into a formidable weapon the opponent can only dislodge at the cost of a trade or a further weakening. That's called an outpost.

What is a weak square?

A square is called weak when no enemy pawn can ever control it again, usually because the pawns that could have done so have already advanced, been traded off, or disappeared from the board. Once that possibility is gone, the square stays weak for the rest of the game: it's a permanent weakness, unlike many others that can be repaired.

Look at the diagram

Why the knight in particular

An outpost benefits every piece, but especially the knight: unlike the bishop or rook, which stay effective even from a distance, the knight needs to be close to the action to make an impact. A knight firmly planted in the center or near the enemy king, safe from any pawn attack, can be worth far more than an ordinary knight.

Creating an outpost

A weak square is often created in the opponent's camp by provoking a pawn push they'll later regret (for instance, inducing ...c6 to permanently weaken d6), or by taking advantage of a pawn trade that happened naturally. Spotting these opportunities is part of the strategic instincts to build up over the course of a game.

Did you know?

The concept of the weak square and the outpost was formalized and popularized by Aron Nimzowitsch in his book "My System", one of the most influential strategy books in chess history.

Key takeaways

• ✓A weak square can never be defended by an enemy pawn again: it's a permanent weakness
• ✓An outpost is an advanced weak square, ideal for parking a piece, especially a knight
• ✓The knight benefits from a solid outpost more than any other piece, near the center or enemy king
• ✓A weak square can be provoked in the opponent's camp, not just waited for