Originally posted by Egmen
I realize that it's generally regarded that the bishop has slightly higher value then the knights. But I gotta say, when I'm in the end game without a knight a really notice the loss. I like to think it's important to keep one knight as long as possible. Of course that could explain why i'm hovering in the 1200's 🙂
Probably. Don't get attached to pieces or material. Here's a good reason:
Game 1389862
I'd gone a piece up and had a better position, so decided to swap Queens. By refusing to do so and retreating, he worsened his position each time. I could see that was the last thing he wanted to do, so I kept going after the Queen knowing full well that she would keep running away.
The relative value of pieces is dynamic and fluid. I've won games a rook and a bishop down (lost them, too). Don't be materialistic in the right situations. The object of the game is not material, but to win. Some other ones (one a loss and the other a win):
Game 1389856
- I'm a rook up, but the game is lost. Some lovely sacrifices by him.
Game 1398024
- a Queen for a rook is a fair deal if you're going to get another Queen (note that King takes knight at the very end is a mistake). Another fair deal is giving up a piece to promote a Queen.