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Good Pieces vs Bad Pieces

A good piece has room to move and attacks useful squares. A bad piece is shut in by its own pawns.

A bad bishop

White bishop is on c1. White pawns on b2 and d2 stand on its diagonals, so the bishop has almost no moves.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/1P1P4/2B1K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . P . P . . . . 2
1 . . B . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

A good bishop

White bishop is on g2. Its long diagonal to a8 is open, so the bishop attacks many squares.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/6B1/7K w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . B . 2
1 . . . . . . . K 1
  a b c d e f g h

A good knight

White knight is on d4. It attacks eight squares in the center and takes part in the whole game.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/3N4/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . N . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • A good bishop has open diagonals. A bad bishop has its own pawns standing on its diagonals.
  • A good knight stands in the center or on a strong square. A bad knight stands at the edge with few moves.
  • Improve a bad piece before attacking. Move a pawn or trade a piece to open room for the bad piece.
  • Trade a bad piece for a good enemy piece when you can. The trade removes your worst piece.
  • A piece is good or bad because of the pawns around it. Pawn moves change pieces from good to bad.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White bishop is on c1 with pawns on b2 and d2. Is the bishop good or bad?