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Play Chess - Chess Strategy

Know what the pieces are worth when you play chess

When you are considering giving up some of your pieces for some of your opponent's, you should think about the values of the men, and not just how many each player possesses. The player whose men add up to a greater value will usually have the advantage. So a crucial step in making decisions is to add up the material, or value, of each player's men.

The pawn is the least valuable piece, so it is a convenient unit of measure. It moves slowly, and can never go backward.

Knights and Bishops are approximately equal, worth about three pawns each. The Knight is the only piece that can jump over other men. The Bishops are speedier, but each one can reach only half the squares.

A Rook moves quickly and can reach every square; its value is five pawns. A combination of two minor pieces (Knights and Bishops) can often subdue a Rook.

A Queen is worth nine pawns, almost as much as two Rooks. It can move to the greatest number of squares in most positions.

The King can be a valuable fighter, too, but we do not evaluate its strength because it cannot be traded.

Example D
Black to move

Here's a harder problem that requires you to use several of the tips you've read about so far. Pretend you're playing Black in this position. First of all, what is White's threat? Second, what move should you make to meet this threat? Finally, if White went ahead with his "threat" even after you move, what would be the result?

Play Chess - Chess Strategy- Answer

Example E

We know that a Knight and a Bishop are usually worth about the same. Which would you say is stronger in this position?

Play Chess - Chess Strategy- Answer

Example F
White to move

White is about to make a move here. Is the black Knight strong or weak? Would it be better or worse to have a Bishop on that square?

Play Chess - Chess Strategy- Answer

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