def safe_pawns(pawns: set) -> int:
    cols = "abcdefgh"
    safe_count = 0
    for pawn in pawns:
        row = int(pawn[1])
        if row == 1:
            continue
        col_index = cols.index(pawn[0])
        protector_1 = cols[col_index - 1] + str(row - 1) if col_index - 1 >= 0 else None
        protector_2 = cols[col_index + 1] + str(row - 1) if col_index + 1 < len(pawns) and row > 1 else None
        if protector_1 in pawns or protector_2 in pawns:
            safe_count += 1
    return safe_count


if __name__ == '__main__':
    # These "asserts" using only for self-checking and not necessary for auto-testing
    assert safe_pawns({"b4", "d4", "f4", "c3", "e3", "g5", "d2"}) == 6
    assert safe_pawns({"b4", "c4", "d4", "e4", "f4", "g4", "e5"}) == 1
    assert safe_pawns({"a1", "b2", "c3", "d4", "e5", "f6", "g7", "h8"}) == 8
    print("Coding complete? Click 'Check' to review your tests and earn cool rewards!")