Focus on pawn structure

I think we have done a beautiful job to simplify tactics. We discovered the three ways of gaining wood:

• time (duplo attack)
• space (trap, mate)
• function (defense)

Time underpins all three methods above:

• Time to free yourself  from two threats at the same time
• Time to free yourself from a trap by clearing an escape square
• Time to free a piece from its duty

We discovered the three triggers which help us to make the invisible visible:

• PoP point of pressure
• LoA line of attack
• Fun function

Now we can try to do the same with positional play.
After studying some works of Smirnov, Nimzowitsch and Dorfman, I propose the following simplification: we should focus on pawn structure.

Pawn structure is the source of:

• king safety
• power of the pieces
• evaluation of the ensuing endgame

 Usually I read 10 books or so at the same time. Now I limit myself to

• My System, Nimzowitsch
• Chess Praxis, Nimzowitsch
• Chess Blueprints, planning in the middle game, IM Nikolay Yakovlev

Chess Blueprints, planning in the middle game of IM Nikolay Yakovlev contains 188 typical blue prints applicable to positional play. Of course, it is impossible to check for 188 ideas in every position, so we are in dire need of some radical simplification.

Yakovlev bundles the blue prints in the following chapters:

• strongpoints and weaknesses
• play in and for the center
• position play
• attack
• defense
• endgame 

The first two chapters revolve mainly around pawns (comprising 45 blue prints), so that will be where I will start my investigation.