Suggestion: incentivize captures in the opening and middlegame

Even with the point system, higher rated players tend to avoid capturing pieces in the opening and middlegame, because they are afraid that a passive player will overtake them.

I propose that the value of captured pieces should be multiplied by 4 in the opening (when there are 49-64 pieces on the board before the capture took place), x3 in the early middlegame (33-48 pieces), x2 in the late middlegame (17-32 pieces), and x1 in the endgame (0-16 pieces). This system will discourage passive waiting moves.

What are your thoughts?

I think that it is good the way it is, and that being passive isn't really a bad thing, it is just another strategical aspect of the game which requires more calculating and precision on when to capture pieces. Although, I do understand your view, and it is an interesting opinion!

Interesting approach. Maybe a forced win for the player who will start exchanging pieces first. It needs testing.