In order to explore the rational coal pillar malposition distance (CPMD) based on coupling control of stress field, displacement field and fracture field (three-field) in shallow buried closely spaced multi-seam (SBCSM-S) mining, and realize coupling control of underground concentrated stress and ground surface fractures, taking the No. 1–2 and No. 2–2 coal seams mining in the northward east area of Ningtiaota coal mine as background, through physical simulation and theoretical analysis, the three-field evolution in SBCSM-S mining was analysed, the effect of different CPMD on coal pillar concentrated stress, ground surface subsidence and fractures development was revealed, and the rational CPMD based on coupling control of three-field was put forward. The results show that the concentrated fractures and concentrated stress are due to the strata’s uneven subsidence by coal pillars. Rational arrangement of CPMD can avoid the superposition of vertical stress caused by upper and lower coal pillars and reduce the development of ground fractures and uneven subsidence. Two theoretical models were established: one was based on the control of a concentrated stress field, the other on the control of the displacement and fracture fields. These results will be applied in a follow-up arrangement at the Ningtiaota coal mine, and can provide a new way for safe and green mining in SBCSM-S.