Fundamental Pawn Structures – Part 3 IM Siegfried Baumegger + PGN May 15, 2025

We are excited to present Fundamental Pawn Structures – Part 3 by IM Siegfried Baumegger, the newest addition to our strategic training series based on the Guided Practice programs of the Modern Chess Academy. This time, the spotlight is on one of the most dynamic and misunderstood structures in chess—Hanging Pawns.

If you’ve already studied Part 1, which focused on essential pawn foundations like majorities and chains, or Part 2, which tackled the Isolated Queen’s Pawn (IQP), you’ll find this new course to be a natural and powerful next step.

Hanging pawns (typically on c4 and d4) often arise from IQP structures and can be a double-edged weapon: strong in attack, yet potentially weak in simplified or endgame positions. IM Baumegger explores these themes in his signature structured format, making the complex ideas behind hanging pawns approachable and practical for club and tournament players.

🎯 Why Study Hanging Pawns?

According to IM Baumegger:

“Hanging pawns offer strong central control, support active piece play, and carry the potential for sudden breakthroughs. But they require careful handling—knowing when to strike and when to consolidate is key.”

This course is structured into four stages, each reflecting a different strategic approach and set of problems based on real-game examples:

🧠 What’s Inside?

✅ 60 Test Positions – Challenge your understanding through realistic scenarios
✅ 60 In-Depth Solutions – Including thematic explanations and annotated model games
✅ 2-Hour Video Version – IM Baumegger guides you through the most instructive concepts
✅ 4 Structured Sections:

✔ Stage 1: Attacking Play
Learn how to coordinate forces and unleash the pawns’ full dynamic potential. Themes include the critical breakthrough with d4-d5 and kingside attacks.

✔ Stage 2: Positional Play
Explore how to build up behind hanging pawns, support them with minor pieces, and prepare for central expansion while avoiding weaknesses.

✔ Stage 3: Fighting Against the Hanging Pawns
Discover practical techniques to provoke, fix, and undermine the hanging pawn duo using well-timed exchanges, blockades, and positional pressure.

✔ Stage 4: The Structure with Pawns on c3 and d4
This subtle variation changes the character of the position and requires unique treatment. Learn how to shift plans based on this structural nuance.

🔍 Who Is This Course For?
🔹 Tournament players who face hanging pawn positions and want to master both sides
🔹 Chess enthusiasts seeking structured training in classical pawn strategy
🔹 Anyone following the Modern Chess Academy’s Guided Practice curriculum