Picture a game where one player is able to move all of his or her pawns to the third rank and move no other pieces. What does this look like to you? Does this look like a winning strategy? If you answer the question with a resounding “no” you would be correct. Use this mental picture of all of a persons pawns on the third rank to understand that it is not always in your best interest to advance your pawns as quickly and as far as you possibly can.

If you move too many pawns to the third rank in the opening or the middle game then you are sacrificing the strength of other third rank squares. This is because your pawns are not there to protect that third rank. If you have ever played against a person who moves their pawns very rapidly and moves those pawns as far as they can then you know what I am referring to. This strategy of moving pawns far and fast creates piece development for you initially. But once you are able to counter and develop pieces the game is yours for the taking.

If you are still not convinced that moving your pawns far and fast is a terrible strategy, then try it out and see what type of outcomes you will get. I would assume that if you use this strategy against a player who is anything more than a beginner, you would lose. Keep your pawns from developing too quickly and develop your other pieces. Remember to attempt to move each piece once before moving any piece twice. Keep your third rank strong by moving your pawns slowly and by developing your primary pieces, such as knights and bishops, so that they too defend that important third rank.