Chess Outposts

An outpost is a square where you can keep a piece where your opponent can’t capture the piece without giving up a material advantage. Outposts can be one of the most important strategies in a chess game as it allows you to have a huge spacial advantage and puts constant pressure on your opponent’s position.

In the image to the right you can see that the c6 square that the knight occupies is a great outpost square. The knight can’t be moved and it is really cramping anything black would like to do. Black is currently up in material but white has a better game because of the knight on c6. A great outposts can change a game from even to a decisive win. Make sure you understand how to recognize a good outpost square in your chess game.

Watch the video below to watch more detailed explanations of the outposts and how you can use them to your advantage.