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efghChess players give each piece a point value to compare how strong it is. The points are not part of the rules and are not used to decide who wins, but they help you decide whether a trade is a good idea.
The value of each piece
| Piece | Value |
|---|---|
| Pawn | 1 point |
| Knight | 3 points |
| Bishop | 3 points |
| Rook | 5 points |
| Queen | 9 points |
| King | No value: the game is lost without it |
Each side starts with 39 points of pieces, not counting the king.
How to use the points
- Before a trade, add up. Giving a knight (3) for a rook (5) gains two points. Giving a rook for a bishop loses two.
- Count captures, not only pieces. If you take a pawn but lose a knight right after, you are two points down.
- A piece that is attacked and not protected can usually be taken for free. Check this before every move.
The points are only a guide
A piece can be worth more or less than its points depending on the position:
- A knight in the middle of the board is stronger than a knight in a corner.
- Two bishops together are usually worth a little more than two knights.
- A pawn about to promote can be worth almost as much as a queen.
- And a checkmate beats any number of points.
For parents
Play a game in which you keep score of captured pieces on paper. Children quickly see that grabbing a pawn and losing the queen is a bad deal, and they start counting before they capture.