What is the poisoned pawn in chess?

Answer 1

A poisoned pawn is one which is left out in the open as a target for an opponent's piece in order to lure that opponent into capturing what looks like an easy capture. But it is a trap that has many many uses. Say an opponent has a piece that is guarding a square you want to go to in order to checkmate the king. The pawn is moved to a square where it can be taken by that protecting piece. If the opponent goes for that pawn it moves to a spot where it no longer guards the spot you want. You then move to the now unprotected square and checkmate the king. So the opponent gobbled up an insignificant pawn only to be poisoned by the lack of protection. Actually, any piece can be used as a poisoned piece if used properly in the right game situation.