yeah the OP is probably a GM by now. lolze
why knights before bishops?

Honestly, I think that knights move first because they can automatically Exert pressure on the Four centre squares in the first few moves, and It's a good way to pressure the opponent into your type of game play (Sometimes, they don't always go for it~)

I think it's also related to the basic principle that in the first moves one has to control the center. Two knights control all of the 4 central squares from a safe position, whereas two bishops can only control 2 central squares from a somehow exposed square.
If we add this to the "move first the less mobile piece" rule already mentioned, I think it becomes even clearer.
Bishop on g7 and b7!!!!!

A knight is the least active piece in the start and on its first move controls two central squares whereas playing Bc4 controls one. You know you want your knight on f3 whereas you don't know where you want the bishop yet. After 1.e4 he's already controling e2-b5 (a piece doesn't control the square it's on and while it watches a6 so does a pawn and knight for black)

For me.... Value. A Bishop is to me like a mini Queen. And since my games most often are very open rather than closed, my Bishops are to be protected. I get them out, but not early. In play but protected. Knights I use to capture (via a sac), other player Bishops. The end game more important. The Bishop critical in the open end games. Why risk early such a high value piece?
One of the general opening rules is Knights before Bishops... We've all heard it... But I'm not too sure of its reasoning. Anyone care to enlighten me on this guideline?!
I'm a little suprised a 1900 is asking this question. Knights before bishops are because generally Knights are easier to figure out where the best square will be early. Bishops sometimes it takes a little while before you know where to put the bishop to have the most effect. The fact that there are fewer options with the knights is why they are generally developed first, but it's also because the knights do a fabulous job of covering 2 center squares.
Well the thread is like 3.5+ yrs old...