Avoiding mistakes is the key to playing better chess, along with an understanding of the value of the pieces.
Chess players who have mastered the basic moves of the pieces and the layout of the chessboard are now ready to learn strategy.
The difference between a beginning chess player and an intermediate is an understanding of the value of each piece and avoiding simple mistakes that lose games.
Value of Chess Pieces
Chess pieces can be assigned points for their value at the beginning of the game. A typical numbering system is:
Pawn 1 point
Knight 3 points
Bishop 3 points
Rook 5 points
Queen 10 points
The king has a value of infinity, since once the king is checkmated, the game is over.
Experts rate bishops higher than knights, but knights have more value for beginning players because their unusual way of moving is more difficult for a beginner to anticipate.
The points are valuable in knowing when a trade of pieces is advantageous. Trading a knight for a rook is a positive, but risking a bishop for two pawns is a usually a bad move.
In the middle part of the game, the value of pieces will change based on the situation. A pawn in the open is more valuable, since it can reach the other side of the board and become a queen.
A Knight on the Rim is Dim
Knights work best in the center of the board, therefore the rhyme, “a knight on the rim is dim,” is famous in chess. Since knights move differently than other pieces, skillful players can use them to good advantage.
If playing a superior opponent, make an attempt to trade knights, or exchange a knight for a bishop. If you are better than your opponent, hang on to the knights. Beginning players are often trapped by “forks” with a knight.
A fork is when a knight moves into a position attacking two superior pieces, either a rook, queen or the king, at the same time, guaranteeing that it will capture one of them.
Forks of the king and queen are especially damaging, since the king must be moved, leaving the queen exposed to capture.
Chess Beginner Mistakes
In order to improve, a player should avoid the following beginner’s errors:
- Leading with the queen – The queen is the most valuable of attacking pieces. Exposing it to danger at the beginning of the game generally means that the player will spend time moving the piece from attack, while the other player develops minor pieces. It is best to wait until some pieces have been removed to allow the queen more space.
- Bringing rooks out too early – Similarly, rooks work best on open files, or columns of the board. Taking it out early limits its effectiveness and allows it to be attacked, and the piece can only move in a straight line.
- Not castling – It is usually better to castle, or which means to nearly exchange the places of the king and rook. The king is more easily protected near the side of the board. Make time to allow the king some freedom so it is not easily checkmated by the opponent's rook.
- Giving away pawns – Pawns become valuable at the end of the game. Better players win by gaining small advantages that add up to winning positions. Protecting pawns, especially those that are free to move to the other side of the board to become queens, is an important strategy.
The best way to improve is observe experts, read up on strategies and play as often as you can. Chess is great game that is completely dependent on the skill of the player, and no two games ever end up exactly alike.
