⚖️ The value of the pieces

Each piece is “worth” an approximate number of pawns: the pawn 1, the knight and bishop 3 (the minor pieces), the rook 5 (a major piece) and the queen 9. The king has no price: if it falls, the game is over.

These values are your compass: don't give up a rook for a bishop without a very good reason and, when you can capture, take the more expensive piece. The beginner's golden rule: before each move, check whether you're leaving something “hanging” (undefended)… and whether the opponent left one.

Let's train the reflex: I give you positions with free material and you always take the most valuable.