What are the benefits of having a space advantage in a closed position? I notice that in my closed games when I find myself with an advantage in space, I have more mobility for my pieces and thats all good but once I reach this position I'm never really able to find a plan and never know how to make use of this advantage. Does anybody know how I can make use of it whether that be by opening up a file or trying to create a passed pawn? I never really know how to identify these ideas and generally look for a tactical line or idea that never comes up.
Michael Stean, in his &quot;Simple chess&quot; introduced the idea of the &quot;capacity&quot; of a given Pawn structure. How many pieces can live inside it without getting in each others way. If your opponents pawns do not have enough capacity for his pieces, he will have difficulty manoeuvering them to defend. This introduces the &quot;principle of two weaknesses&quot; You inflict two weaknesses in your opponents structure. You can switch your attack from one to the other faster than they can switch their defence. The nature of the weaknesses can be whatever is in the position. A vulnerable King, a weak Pawn, a desirable exchange, establishing control of a file...It can be an end in itself or a stepping stone to something else. Search for &quot;two weaknesses&quot; on Youtube.