--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once upon a time supporters of the…" description: "\"Once upon a time supporters of the Steinitz-Tarrasch school had a very high opinion of a queen-side pawn majority. Modern strategy on the other hand ca..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/alexander-kotov-16700_chess_once-upon-a-time-supporters-of-the-stein_2747512.png" --- # Once upon a time supporters of the Steinitz-Tarrasch… ![“Once upon a time supporters of the Steinitz-Tarrasch school had a very high opinion of a queen-side pawn majority. Modern strategy on the other hand categorically denies that such a majority is an independent factor of any importance.” quote by Alexander Kotov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/alexander-kotov-16700_chess_once-upon-a-time-supporters-of-the-stein_2747512.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/alexander-kotov-16700_chess_once-upon-a-time-supporters-of-the-stein_2747512.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/alexander-kotov-16700_chess_once-upon-a-time-supporters-of-the-stein_2747512.png) > “Once upon a time supporters of the Steinitz-Tarrasch school had a very high opinion of a queen-side pawn majority. Modern strategy on the other hand categorically denies that such a majority is an independent factor of any importance.” [Alexander Kotov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-kotov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern chess strategy dismisses the queen‑side pawn majority as insignificant, contrary to earlier belief. **In simple terms:** Pawn majority on queen side is now seen as less important. Key Takeaway Reevaluate traditional chess assumptions. Themes chess strategy tradition Mood analytical strategic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - tournament preparation - coaching sessions - game analysis - study groups Key Concepts pawn structure positional play historical theory Questions to Reflect On - When does pawn majority matter today? - How can you adapt to evolving chess theory? A Different Perspective Some positions still benefit from pawn majority. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/) [Once upon a time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/once-upon-a-time/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Pawns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pawns/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [He who fears an isolated Queen's Pawn should give up Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/he-who-fears-an-isolated-queen-s-pawn-should-give-up-chess/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [The king pawn and the queen pawn are the only ones to be moved in the early part of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-steinitz/the-king-pawn-and-the-queen-pawn-are-the-only-ones-to-be-moved-in-the/) [Wilhelm Steinitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-steinitz/) > [Any man that tries to downgrade you from a Queen to a Pawn, is looking for a Checkmate, not a Soulmate. Don't get confused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-watson/any-man-that-tries-to-downgrade-you-from-a-queen-to-a-pawn-is-looking/) [Michael Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-watson/) > [The placing of the center pawns determines the 'topography' of a game of chess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-kotov/the-placing-of-the-center-pawns-determines-the-topography-of-a-game/) [Alexander Kotov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-kotov/) > [The placing of the centre pawns determines the "topography" of a game of chess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-kotov/the-placing-of-the-centre-pawns-determines-the-topography-of-a-game/) [Alexander Kotov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-kotov/) > [White has no positional equivalent for the centralized pawn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/white-has-no-positional-equivalent-for-the-centralized-pawn/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [I'll listen to you, but you need to treat me with a little respect. Because it doesn't sound like I'm a pawn. Sounds like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larissa-ione/i-ll-listen-to-you-but-you-need-to-treat-me-with-a-little-respect/) [Larissa Ione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larissa-ione/) > [Modern Chess is too much concerned with things like Pawn structure. 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That's what happens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mcconaughey/the-male-is-always-the-pawn-in-a-romantic-comedy-come-together-break/) [Matthew McConaughey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mcconaughey/) ## More by Alexander Kotov > [I can remember a case where Capablanca worked out an impressive combination, but then chose to make a simple move in answer to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-kotov/i-can-remember-a-case-where-capablanca-worked-out-an-impressive/) [Alexander Kotov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-kotov/) > [There is no doubt that the reason for my awful oversight was over-confidence that sapped my sense of danger. 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