Originally posted by chrspaynthis was the most comprehensive article I've read regarding any kind of material imbalances, written by (now) GM Larry Kaufman, the developer of Rybka's evaluation engine.
I am just starting to understand the value of the bishop pair, to anyone out there who has a good understanding of how to play the bishop pair, what resources did you find helpful?
http://home.comcast.net/~danheisman/Articles/evaluation_of_material_imbalance.htm
the summary is:
P (pawn)= 1 BB(bishop pair)= +½ R(rook) = 5 B(bishop) = 3+ ¼
N(knight) = 3 + ¼ Q(queen) = 9+ 3/4
but according to his forum posts in rybka forum, these values have changed slightly over the years in his investigations.
Maybe John’s Emms “Simple Chess” is worth considering. I’m not saying it’s great though. It’s been a while but I do remember some instructive games from that book.
Do you have a database where you can do “material searches” for games where one side has the bishop pair? And hence study these games?!
Small note to ponder… bishops generally like open positions, but sometimes in order to gain the bishop pair (esp. in the opening), a player may give the opponent a lead in development… and when you’re behind in development, you don’t always want to open the position too soon. In short, give consideration to when you try to exploit the bishop pair – other factors may be more important in a specific position.
Also be fully aware of which of your bishop pair doesn’t have a counterpart. This may influence your ability to attack and defend. e.g. if you have a light squared bishop and your opponent doesn’t, you may consider playing on the light squares.
Originally posted by kmac27A rook and two connected pawns have a fair fighting chance againts two bishops. If we exclude position factor, two bishops are always stronger than a rook.
Once you experience doubled bishops vs a rook in the endgame you'll never go back ;-) When you use them as a team they are very powerful.
I have actual seen the revised piece weightings, and find them quite helpful. It is rare for example to see a strong player trade a bishop and knight for a rook and pawn, and the new weightings help explain that. It is also the case that strong players sac the exchange more then one might expect, and the weightings explain that too.
Up until pretty recently I have regarded bishops and knights as having the same value, and I am now trying to incorporate the bishop pair worth .5 into my game. Naturally one tries to open the positions, and if I have two bishops vs a rook I am pretty confident I can win this position, unless my opponent has some kind of compensation.
What I am really asking is does anyone have good reading material, or a collection of games where the bishop pair plays a prominent roll in the middle game or endgame?