An isolated pawn can become a fixed pair after exchanges

Count legal pawn choices

White can currently move 4 of its 6 pawns legally (7 advance choices and 0 capture choices, counting promotion choices separately). More pawn moves do not by themselves mean a better position.

Distinguish occupation from control

The c-, d-, e- and f-file pawns are on c2, f2, d5, f7. A pawn occupies its own square and controls forward diagonals. Before a central advance, compare the squares it will stop controlling with the squares it will gain.