An outpost is a square, protected by your pawn, that no enemy pawn can attack. A knight there is often worth more than a rook.
Key principles
- Outposts on the 5th and 6th ranks are strongest
- Trade the enemy piece that could challenge the knight
- Create outposts by provoking pawn advances
Common mistakes
- Placing a knight where a pawn can kick it
- Letting the opponent trade off the outpost knight