@13465
"translate any gain or loss in chess in terms of tempi"
++ That is a bold claim. Right now engines translate any gain or loss in terms of pawn units,
so with 3 tempi = 1 pawn you could translate in terms of tempi as well.
However, 1 d4 d5 2 c4 is a good move while it challenges the center, but does not develop any piece into play, so is loss of tempo for the benefit of influence on the center.
In some positions yes other positions no sometimes I get one extra tempi and I completely dominate the game other times it's a dead draw depending on the position tempo is the biggest influence other times is doesn't matter hence 3tempi =1 pawn is false sometimes tempi is greater than a pawn sometimes it is not
@13497
"an extra pawn sometimes wins and sometimes doesn't"
++ Close to the initial position an extra pawn wins. Of course some endgames with 1, 2, or even 3 extra pawns draw, but close to the initial position the side with the extra pawn can steer clear of those and convert the extra pawn.
Example:
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1072457
5 Qa4+ 'After this check Szabo might as well have resigned' - Bronstein