Knights or Bishops

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ScottyP11
What is the more valuable piece to have left if there is a chance to trade material, knight or bishop?
RJMan1991
Totally depends on where those pieces are on the board. Numerically they’re identical, but if one piece would be more helpful than the other in the particular square they’re sitting on during that particular game, go for it
MarkGrubb

Depends on the position or the prospects for the piece. The question is whether the position allows you to make one piece superior to the other. For example, in a closed or semi-open position with a good outpost in the opponents half, it might be good to keep the knight if it can be made superior to the bishop. On the other hand, in an open position a bishop might be better. Endgames with pawns on both sides favour bishops, pawns only on one side favour knights. Sometimes you can trade pieces to suit the position, other times you must shape the position to suite your pieces. These are rules of thumb with exceptions but you get the idea. One piece is not objectively better than the other, it's about making the most of what you have.

Moonwarrior_1
  1. Depends on situation, in closed positions I like knights while in open I like the bishops
NilsIngemar

It also depends on what each person is better with.  If you are weak against knights, they can really eat your lunch.

Lizzy03

As people are saying, depends on situation. You can see on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_piece_relative_value their relative values. 

LeeEuler

Obviously depends on the position. In general, bishops seem to be preferable. But in closed positions, or ones where many pawns are on the same color as the bishop, knights are obviously preferable. On a personal note, I find a dominating knight on an outpost one of my favorite pieces. Strong bishops, I love a long-range pair, but it takes a lot to set up and is kind of rare.

Saurya03
Which one is worth more?
blueemu
Saurya03 wrote:
Which one is worth more?

The past seven posts all addressed that question.

HeavyCrawdad

What about in beginning game? What is the tactical advantage of taking a bishop on F3 VS a Knight on F3? Always wondered why people take the Knight with their Bishops and vice versa so early on.

blueemu

The Pawn formation in the center usually dictates whether Knights or Bishops will have the edge, as well as which Bishop (of the pair) will be stronger. To grossly over-simplify the situation, Knights like Rams (locked Pawns), Bishops don't.

MarkGrubb

There can be a number of reasons for pinning and/or capturing a knight on f3 or c3. The knights control central squares. The player may be trying to remove an attacker or defender of a central pawn or square, maybe to support or prevent the next move. Removing a defender can be just as effective as adding an attacker. So one reason is that it is part of fighting for control of the central squares and to support/prevent centralisation. It also develops a piece (bishop) and at the same time puts it to useful work.

vysko77
For me Knight is it
Caesar49bc

It boils down to pawn structure. At least if I'm going into an endgame without rooks and having to choose between trading off knights, bishops, or some combination of those 4 pieces, it always boils down to how I can take advantage of the pawn structure.

unifiedlight

generally prefer the knight cause its somewhat more flexible I guess but it really depends on the situation

ChampoftheBepoCamp

Knights seems better in endgames... it's annoying when I get stuck in a chains of attacks in a endgame and I lose like 2 or 3 pawns. And knights can attack both colored and uncolored squares, but bishops are scary for me in open space, and it's scary when someone has the bishop pair (especially open) and I like to get to trade one of their bishops. Plus the frustrating knight forks are harder to find in a fast game, while a bishop may not seem as threatening of forks and chains.

FUN FACT : Knights can only go to the opposite color it is standing on, so knights alternate between dark and light squares. 

Saurya03

I agree with RJMan1991.

Git_er_done

a bishop is fairly worthless when remaining pieces avoid his color

radgamer987
Both good