Chess Strategy


If you are ahead in Pawns, trade pieces. If you are behind a Pawn, trade Pawns. Try to trade your passive pieces for your opponent's active pieces.

Watch these as will help you about trading.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef0YKI93g9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gruCn2CKuGo

you must try to imagine the outcome of the position after the exchange. if your pieces looks more active and aggressive your position has improved. although if youre ahead in material you must put your advantage in use by ways of simplication opponent chances.
How do I know when to trade in a game?

The following guidelines are from...
Weapons of Chess by Bruce Pandolfini (in the chapter "Exchanging Pieces")...
First, distinguish between trading pieces versus trading pawns.
If there is a dominant principle about exchanging pieces, it is to exchange when ahead in material, so as to further emphasize your material advantage. In particular, when ahead in material trade pieces, not pawns (looking forward to reaching a favorable endgame). Conversely, when behind in material trade pawns not pieces.
If you have a menacing attack, you should avoid exchanges until the enemy is forced to make significant concessions or to yield concrete advantages such as giving up material or weakening his pawn structure. When you're under attack, you should seek trades to lessen the severity of your opponent's assault.
Be alert for the possibility of trading a passive piece (those with less mobility and activity) for your opponent's active pieces. For example, you might want to trade your "bad" bishop for your opponent's "good bishop (or active piece, etc.).