bishop & knight = rook
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Sep 16, 2007
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#2
Usually I'd agree with you, in general. Ofcourse it depends on the specific situation and the position afterwards.
Anyone giving you knight and bishop for a rook, without other palpable advantage, has given you the equivalent of a pawn, in strictly material terms. Moreover, most players (myself included) prefer knight and bishop to rook and pawn in most positions.
If the rook is worth 5.0 pawns, the bishop/knight are worth 3.25 pawns, and the bishop pair are worth 0.50 pawns... they've given you 7 pawns for 5 pawns.
"It’s rarely a good idea to give up two minor pieces for a Rook, and even for a Rook and a pawn. Only if there is a Rook and two pawns for the two minor pieces will the minor piece exchanger have an advantage. In fact, Steinitz claimed that the Bishop pair is superior to Rook and two pawns." -- Soltis
Don't worry, be happy! :)
As others have mentioned, you need to analyze the specific position before making a decision like that. Sometimes it can be a good, even great, idea to sack two minor pieces for a rook, and other times it can backfire. Tal was probably the best practitioner of those kinds of exchanges; look at some of his games to get a feel for when you should make such sacrifices.
I would be happy to take the White pieces in either of these positions. :)
right here i dont think its the best of exchanges as u loose a rook and also takes that pawn which protects the castled king
In Puc_7 vs gabc49, after the exchange White has three pieces aiming at f7. Black is completely undeveloped, his king is in the center, and his pawn is hanging. White also has the bishop pair. I wouldn't say White has a win, but he has a clear advantage.
" right here i dont think its the best of exchanges as u loose a rook and also takes that pawn which protects the castled king"
Yes, but Black doesn't have a dark-squared bishop to exploit White's weakness along the h7-g1 diagonal. He just gave up that piece!
This is a more interesting position, where it's hard to say whether the rook is better, or the two minor pieces are better! But note the differences... here White doesn't also get a huge development lead or the bishop pair.
The first two positions I think greatly favor white. This last position, however, creates a close battle. I think I would prefer to play as black here.
I ve played against a few players now. who are willing to sacrifice there bishop and knight for one of my rooks. I'm happy with the exchange. I know it depends a lot on what other pieces i have. But if i still have one rook and my queen. I'm always happy to swap.
Your thoughts?