I'm new and I'm seeing a plus number next to the captured pieces during games for either white or black while the game is still being played. I searched around and I could only find information about a plus number meaning white is winning and a minus meaning black is winning. However, in my game there a +1 next to white and now there is a +4 next to black. I'm guessing this system changed over time or I'm missing something??
The number reflects how much more "material" one player has over the other. For instance, if you capture a pawn at the start of the game and your opponent hasn't captured anything yet, you will see +1 by your name. This means you are up 1 "material" since the value of the pawn is 1. If they capture a pawn in return, there will be no number beside either player since the material is equal.
Usually, being up material means you are doing better, but this is not always the case.
See this official Chess.com article for more detail and examples: https://www.chess.com/terms/chess-piece-value
I'm new and I'm seeing a plus number next to the captured pieces during games for either white or black while the game is still being played. I searched around and I could only find information about a plus number meaning white is winning and a minus meaning black is winning. However, in my game there a +1 next to white and now there is a +4 next to black. I'm guessing this system changed over time or I'm missing something??