Trade: Bishop and Knight for Rook and Pawn?
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Is this generally considered an even trade (6 points for 6 points)? Or, is one side generally favored in this scenario?
Jul 7, 2019
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#2
It of course depends on the position, but I would say generally the side that gives up the 2 minor pieces for the rook and pawn is going to be less happy about the outcome the longer the game continues.
It really depends in the position and in particular the pawn structure.
The earlier in the game, the more likely trading off a rook+pawn is a far better deal.
The longer the game progresses, it starts to boil down to the person with the bishop+knight creating a viable attack.
A KRP VS KBN ending can be the stuff of nightmares for the average chessplayer, or anybody less talented than a master. Depending on the placement of the pieces, that ending can range from a walk in park for one of the players, to a nuanced battle that can wear down the brains of both players.
Or you could plug it into a chess engine with a 6 man tablebase and get something arcane like a forced win in 159 moves.