Push, Capture, or Ignore

Learn how to deal with pawn tension and decide when to push, capture, or play elsewhere. If you can defend and attack simultaneously, that's often the best option. However, other times it's best to defend threats directly or even to ignore them and do something more important.

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Black is targeting White's weak c4 pawn. Can you find a strong move that attacks Black and repairs this pawn weakness?

White's weak pawn turns into a strength, attacking Black's knight and discovering an attack against Black's light-squared bishop. Should White recapture the bishop, or is there a stronger move to play?

White's weak pawn has become a monster! White regains material, and since Black's bishop on f1 is hanging, White will suddenly gain a pawn on a7 with a great position.