lower elo trading off bishops?
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BodieTeddy
5 days ago
0
#1
I’ve been playing consistently for a couple of months now I’ve noticed a lot of people in the low elo I’ve gone through or are currently in people instantly trade bishops for knights(within first like 4 moves). I understand their values are different depending on what the board looks like and if after they might win a pawn. However generally bishops are regarded as more valuable. Was just wondering if there was any merit to this I’m missing? Just looking to maybe learn something new.
5 days ago
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#2
It is probably an urge to simplify, as one thinks it easier to calculate the less pieces are on the board, yet an open endgame , when Bishop against Knight is a think, can really bite you in the back…
4 days ago
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#4
Bishops are worth more in an open position and knights are better in closed positions. But beginners aren't thinking with that much depth. It's purely, "I can attack something and double the pawns".
2 days ago
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#5
Keep your bishops in open positions — they get stronger as the game opens up.
2 days ago
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#6
At my very low level (about 400) I don't think it's just simplification. It's also fear of nasty long-distance pins and attacks. Once bitten by a long-distance bishop, twice shy of bishops. They're threatening! Meanwhile some people see knight forks easily, others don't, so if you're playing the latter, if you've got a knight there's a chance to snap up a few pieces... It's hard to assess the true relative values of bishop and knight because unless you're a good player, which is more valuable depends a lot on you as well as the position.
2 days ago
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#7
I think bishops are better in long ranged but knights can jump over pieces
1 day ago
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#8
In general the bishops have a long range advantage. In an end game with one night and and one bishop the knight can go on both color squares with an advantage. If I try to keep a pair of bishops if possible
I am 1200 in rapid and 800 in blitz. People I play often take things on sight. They can't bear the tension. It makes for great traps and counter attacks if you can develop well off of it. Other times it is just dull and straight into an end game because all the pieces are off the board and the pawns have weaknesses on both sides. Not everyone does this. But it is quite common. I suspect they think of the trades as clearance sacrifices (even though they have failed to develop anything to follow up), or as damaging to pawn structures, if they know something of end games. But more than likely it is disruption to your development and they are hoping to be better with less on the board/ hoping you blunder under pressure.
1 day ago
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#10
Yeah, not much of any merit. These players usually just like to pin the knight and then soon after trade for the sake of simplification. It's not a good strategy long-term and it also gives up the asset of the "bishop pair."