Best Guide On Using Chess Pieces
Mastering the pieces on Chess.com isn't just about knowing how they move—it's about understanding their relative value and optimal placement.
In the chess world, we use a point system to help players decide if a trade is "worth it." Think of this as your piece's "salary."
1. The Pawn (1 Point)
The "soul of chess." While weak individually, they dictate the terrain of the entire board.
Proper Use: Use them to control the center ($d4, e4, d5, e5$) early. In the endgame, they are your most important asset because of Promotion.
Pro Tip: Avoid "doubled pawns" (two pawns on the same file) as they can't protect each other.
2. The Knight (3 Points)
The only piece that can jump over others. It excels in "closed" positions where the board is cluttered with pawns.
Proper Use: Knights are best in the center. A knight on the edge of the board (the "rim") only controls 4 squares, while a central knight controls 8.
Tactics: Look for Forks, where a knight attacks two high-value pieces (like the King and Queen) at the same time.
3. The Bishop (3 Points)
The long-range sniper. It excels in "open" positions where there are fewer pawns blocking its path.
Proper Use: Keep your bishops on open diagonals. If you have two bishops (the "Bishop Pair"), they are often considered slightly more valuable than a bishop and a knight because they can cover every square on the board together.
Common Mistake: Don't let your bishop get "trapped" behind your own pawn chain.
4. The Rook (5 Points)
A powerhouse that gets stronger as the game goes on.
Proper Use: Place rooks on open files (vertical columns with no pawns). They are also devastating on the 7th rank (the row where your opponent's pawns start), where they can gobble up pawns and trap the enemy King.
Connectivity: Always try to "connect" your rooks so they defend each other.
5. The Queen (9 Points)
The most powerful piece, combining the movement of the Rook and the Bishop.
Proper Use: Use her as a finisher, not a starter. Developing the Queen too early often allows your opponent to attack her with weaker pieces, forcing you to waste moves running away.
Safety: Because she is so valuable, she is often the target of Pins and Skewers. Keep her active but protected.
6. The King (Infinite/The Game)
The most important, but one of the weakest in terms of mobility.
Proper Use (Early Game): Castle early! Hide the King behind a wall of pawns on the kingside or queenside.
Proper Use (Endgame): Once most pieces are traded off, the King becomes an offensive weapon. Use him to escort your pawns to promotion or to attack the opponent's remaining pawns.
The Cheat Sheet of Piece Value
Piece
Value
Best Square
Pawn - 1
The center / The 8th rank
Knight - 3
Outposts (central squares defended by a pawn)
Bishop - 3
Long, clear diagonals
Rook - 5
Open files and the 7th rank
Queen - 9
Centralized but safe from minor piece attacks
King - Infinite
Tucked away safely behind pawns
The Golden Rule: Always ask, "If I move this piece here, is it safe, and is it doing a job?" A piece that isn't controlling squares or defending something is just a spectator.
Are you finding yourself losing pieces to "hanging" (leaving them undefended), or are you struggling more with finding the right squares for them in the middle of the game?
