Understanding The Value Of Chess Pieces
Would you trade a rook for a knight? Would you trade a queen for a bishop? Although the positions on a chessboard influence how to answer these questions, knowing the value of each piece can help in avoiding mistakes when you are making exchanges with an opponent.You need to understand three important details about the chess pieces value:
Chess Pieces Value Points
All chess pieces are assigned points that show how valuable they are.
Pawn
A pawn, the weakest chess piece, has the lowest value—just one point.
Queen
Because a queen can move in all directions—horizontally, vertically and diagonally, you might expect it to be the most valuable piece, and it is. Its point value is nine. The other pieces have values between one and five.
Rook
Rooks, which can move horizontally and vertically, are each worth five points. A rook is very imposing when it occupies an open file (or column) on the chessboard. Two rooks are even more powerful when they team up together on the same rank (row) or file. Because together they are worth 10 points, you can see that a pair is more valuable than a single queen, depending on the game situation.
Bishop and Knight
Because a bishop can move only diagonally and the move of a knight is very limited, these two pieces are each worth less than a rook. Their chess piece value is three points each.
However, sometimes the usefulness of each one changes as a game progresses. For example, early in a game the knights are useful to help control the center of the board. Later when the board is more open, a bishop may be useful because its mobility is greater after many pieces have been captured.
However, imagine a bishop blocked by a chain of pawns that occupy the same color of squares as the bishop. If the bishop isn’t mobile, it’s not too valuable, regardless of how many points it is normally worth.
In addition, because a bishop has access to only half of the squares of the board. Using two bishops together as a pair is often a desired strategy. Although the bishop pair has the same point value (six) as a bishop and a knight, the two bishops together may be more effective, so combinations of pieces do not always match the sum of the pieces.
Position Of A Piece
Although a pawn is worth just one point, imagine how valuable it is if it is just one square away from promotion (a special move described in “How To Play Chess For Kids”).
In addition, doubled pawns (two pawns, one behind the other) are weak because they cannot protect each other and are less valuable than connected pawns.
As a result, the position of a piece affects its value in a game. Pawns close to promotion and pieces that control the center of the board may be more valuable than their assigned points. Similarly, a poorly placed piece that is trapped is almost worthless until freed.
The value of chess pieces presented visually.
Game Situation
Don’t be confused by the point values of chess pieces. Just because you have more valuable pieces on the chessboard doesn’t mean that your opponent isn’t just a move or two away from checkmating you. When you are considering exchanges, always consider the benefits that your opponent will gain. Although the points are helpful in assessing the relative strength of each piece, always evaluate the game situation.
Finally, because the king cannot be captured or traded, it has no assigned points, even though it can capture pieces of your opponent. Now that you know the value of each piece, you are better prepared to make a winning move when you exchange pieces.
Good luck!
Learn more about how points are assigned to chess pieces with this kid-friendly infographic.