Knight versus bishop is the question of which minor piece suits the position. Knights want fixed pawns and safe squares; bishops want open diagonals and pawns on both wings.
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Both are worth about three pawns, so the structure decides. A knight on a square no pawn can attack is a strong piece. A bishop is stronger in open positions, especially with pawns on both wings.
How to do it
- 1Ask whether the pawn structure is fixed or likely to open.
- 2Fixed, with safe squares for knights: keep the knight.
- 3Open, with pawns on both wings: keep the bishop and open more lines.
For your level
Count the fixed pawns before trading. A knight with a safe square in the centre usually beats a bishop blocked by pawns.
Common mistakes
- Trading a knight for a bishop automatically, because bishops are said to be worth more.
- Keeping the bishops in a locked position where the knights have the better squares.
Questions
- Is a bishop worth more than a knight?
- Both are worth about three pawns. A bishop is usually better in open positions with pawns on both wings; a knight is usually better in closed positions with safe central squares.
- When are two bishops strongest?
- In open positions with pawns on both wings, where together they cover squares of both colours.