The other type of weakness is structural. Structural weaknesses involve badly placed pawns. In some cases, the pawns can no longer guard certain squares, either because they’ve advanced too far or because they’re unable to exercise their protective ability. They could, for example, be pinned. In other instances, the pawns themselves become nagging targets, difficult to defend. Because structural weaknesses tend to be of a lasting nature, they must be considered when formulating long-range plans.
