Interesting stuff.
The thing about material gain is it is lasting, where as an advantage in position can quickly dissolve and needs to be used before it vanishes.
The most inexperienced beginner can count his material, but even top class players misjudge positions.
When playing chess, two of the most important considerations to have are position and material. With that fact in mind, it is important to consider BOTH of these fundmental ideas of chess, just not one or the other. Iniatative must be considered! With that in mind, let us first look of the general rule of point count.
Pawn = Pawn
Knight = 3 Pawns
Bishop = 3 Pawns
Rook = 5 pawns
Queen = 9 pawns
(The King of course is priceless)
Although point count certainly has its advantages, the position is by no means written in stone by who has more material! Let us consider example 1 as the first nail in the grave of point count!