Positional and Endgame Concepts
Passed Pawn
Definition
A passed pawn is a pawn with no opponent pawn on its own file or adjacent files in front of it, so no opponent pawn can intercept its march to the promotion rank. A passed pawn on the 6th or 7th rank is often worth a material sacrifice due to the promotion threat.
Usage and Example
Nimzowitsch principle: "the passed pawn is a criminal who must be kept under lock and key". Blockade a passed pawn with a knight on the square in front of it (example: black knight on d6 blockading white passed pawn on d5).
Grandmaster Tier Context
T2 Club through T5 Master. Endgame concept mandatory to master at T3 before entering FIDE rated. Rook plus Pawn vs Rook endgames lean heavily on passed pawn technique.