What is Evaluation?

Evaluation in chess refers to the determination of the strategic balance of a specific position in a game. It typically involves assigning a quantitative value to each piece on the board, and then using a combination of these values along with other positional factors like king safety, control of the center, pawn structure, piece mobility and coordination, to assess which player is in a preferable position. The evaluation allows players to estimate the potential future outcomes of the game and to plan their moves accordingly.