The Hanging Phalanx:
Part of the Advanced Beginner's Chess Guide (Section 1)

The Hanging Phalanx

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• Point Count Chess: Hanging Phalanx [-];

This could get a bit confusing, since Hanging Pawns are already two Pawns in a Phalanx formation, on the fourth rank and under frontal attack.

However, H&M-S differentiate the Hanging Phalanx as the two Pawns, both of which are Backward, having to be guarded by pieces (not pawns), with neither of the two Pawns, in the Phalanx formation, being able to advance without serious disadvantage.

Diagram 1, below, reproduces the position found in PCC, page 116, NO. 81, Patay v. Reti, 1923. Here, we've highlighted the two Pawns, that are said to be the Hanging Phalanx ... Remember, both Pawns are said to be 'Backward', unable to move without serious disadvantage (to White, here). Now, the disadvantage doesn't necessarily have to be to the Pawns themselves; the problem could be passed on to one of the other Pawns or Pieces, or provide the enemy (Black, in this case) an opportunity to gain a more advantageous position (such as a Strong Outpost, inside enemy territory).

In this particular position, as seen in Diagram 1, we can see immediately that, if White played d4-d5, the disadvantage would be the loss of White's dark-Bishop, without compensation. But, is that all - could it get worse, for White? Playing through the following sequence shows one possible outcome ...

What if, instead, White were to move the e-Pawn? Afterall, that would double the protection for White's dark-Bishop. So, where would the disadvantage possibly come from? Again, you can play through the following sequence, to see "dynamically," a possible outcome from White playing e4-e5 ...

So, while not realized immediately, playing e4-e5 serves to accelerate the loss of the two Pawns, in the original Hanging Phalanx formation, leaving Black's Rooks in command of the d-file which, in turn, leads to White having to resign, shortly after.

Play through the following Interactive Examples, to see how a Hanging Phalanx can occur ...

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