When to exchange queens

I have found times, in my personal opinion, that opponents opt to exchange queens for what seems to be no good reason. I generally will exchange queens only if I can realize a tactical advantage from it or, on rare occasions, if my opponent's queen has become really menacing.

Here is a game I just played when my opponent exchanged queens for, as far as I could see, no real tactical advantage. This game contains another of my pet peeves...a Parham style opening.

You don't need a tactical reason to exchange queens. In this case, he exchanged queens because he was up a pawn. Whenever you are up in material, it is usually in your best interest to exchange pieces because that limits you opponents counterplay options and gets you closer to an endgame that you should be able to win.

Is it just me, or does the 3-d iconography of the example really annoy you?

Why not just use a 2d style?

It's not just you.

Seriously? Instead of actually commenting on the post you're going to bellyache about the choice of icons?

Another one who, instead of commenting on the actual post, pisses and moans about icons. Give me a freaking break. You three sound like a bunch of old women. Who gives a freak about the icons!? If you don't like them don't post.

 I understand WHY we exchange queens, it just seems to me that he really did not gain much of an advantage in this case.

It was a good exchange for your opponent. Not necessarily the best move, but it made sense for him to exchange considering he was a pawn ahead. When ahead material, exchange pieces.

I like his Qa5, but he didn't need to capture right away on the next move. 

If you want people to comment on your game don't post it in a way that is hard on the eyes.

Agreed, the board is almost incomprehensible, to me, particularly the black pieces. I'd spend more time figuring out whether a particular piece was a pawn or a bishop than I would thinking about the actual question.

I couldn't care less what you thik of my choice of icons. When we post we are asked by  chess.com to be "relevant". If you don't like the icons you have the rare privilege of NOT POSTING A COMMENT. Comments about my choice of icons are completely IRRELEVANT. What a bunch of old maids.

I never try to exchange or trade Queens- it is too valuable

In this peticular case, I think it looks weak, especially because the queen has made a lot of moves which are effectively lost.

I've met a few people whom dislike exchanging queens to the point where they'll get frustrated even though the exchange is in their favour, so there could be a psychological motif behind it. If this is the case, good on you for not reacting :)

Those icons are not the default icons used in game diagrams on this forum.  Therefore, you obviously chose to use those horrible 3-d icons.  Since you for whatever reason chose to use them, your choice is definately relevant to the discussion, as your choice in icons detracts from your point about the queen sacrifice. 

Why on earth did you select those icons in the first place?  Why not just go with "Condal" if you wanted something funky?

Hmm, would you be kind enough to elaborate?

If you say so, I'd probably better listen, but here's what I was thinking: If, for instance, white hadn't played Qh4 in the first place, those moves could have been spent on developing and strenthening/consolidating his position, now he has nowt to show for it.

Your thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated :)

I'm more concerned about the 4. ...Qe7 move.  What was that all about?  I also dont know why white resigned.  And what was the time control on this game?  I'm guessing 3 minutes.

Incidently "Cognitive Error" is my middle name; why just the other day I managed to pour milk on my cornflakes before I'd taken the bowl out of the cupboard.

I see what you mean concerning evaluation of the position as it stands and I certainly appreciate the instruction.

Upon asking, I had the following line in my head: "when a farmer loses a sucking pig through illness, he mourns not only the little pig but also the good food he has gambled on it; the bran etc"

I see now that this doesn't really apply to the position at hand.

Thanks :)

Is your 'caps lock' button broken?

For me, I wouldn't say I never exchange because I do. But if I do I usually do so if I can realize a definitive advantage by doing so. Most of the time when I do it is toward the endgame.