In chess, a backwards pawn is the pawn at the base of a pawn chain. These pawns tend to be weak because they have no other pawns that can get behind them to add support. So the side with the backwards pawn is forced to tie down stronger pieces to pawn defense, which will make their position weaker overall due to less piece activity and flexibility.
A backwards pawn is a good target and is an even better target when it’s on a semi-open file, like the d6 pawn in the example below.
To punish a backwards pawn, we have a few goals: keep it on an open file (don’t recapture with pawns on the d-file or else you’ll close the file up), control the file with rooks and queens, control the square in front of the backwards pawn so it can’t be used in a pawn break, and either pull away defenders of the pawn or punish the fact that those pieces are now tied down to pawn defense. Let’s see some of these goals in action.
So far, white is doing a great job punishing this backwards pawn. White prevented black from breaking with their pawn by controlling the d5 square, they brought the rook to the semi-open file to pressure the pawn, and now they’re preparing the dark-squared bishop to pull black’s own bishop away from defense of the d6 pawn.
By winning one backwards pawn, white not only wins a little material, but they also infiltrate enemy territory which gives them more opportunities for attacking and winning even more material.
Backwards pawns are especially weak in king and pawn endgames, where one king can shoulder the other back and infiltrate toward the base of the pawn chain.
Without any other pieces to help support the weak backwards pawn, the king needs to tie itself down to that pawn. But by using concepts like triangulation and/or zugzwang, one king can force the other away from defense of the backwards pawn and the whole pawn chain will be in danger.
Backwards pawns can be a big weakness in chess. They can block friendly pieces without being able to move out of the way, they’re weak and easy to target, and they force bigger pieces to tie themselves down to keep the pawn protected. By keeping the backwards pawn on a semi-open file, controlling the square in front of the backwards pawn, and pressuring the pawn as well as its defenders, a backwards pawn can likely be won. To avoid creating backwards pawns, be mindful with your pawn pushes and don’t push them just because you don’t know what else to do. Every push forward creates weak squares and potentially backwards pawns and pawn moves can’t be undone. So be careful with your pawn play and use these concepts to help punish your opponents when they forget to do the same.