A More Accurate Way to Count Points in Chess
In order to evaluate a position correctly, one must calculate all the nuances, considering every possible move, counter-move, and sequence. This sounds ideal, but let's be honest—if you attempted this every move, you'd quickly run out of time on the clock, energy, or both.
As puny humans, we're not built to handle such relentless calculation in every position. To cope, we develop shortcuts to simplify decision-making. One of the most widely used shortcuts in chess is the 1-3-3-5-9 point system, where Pawns are valued at 1, Knights and Bishops at 3, Rooks at 5, and Queens at 9. While this point system is an essential tool for beginners, it has its limitations, especially when it comes to more imbalanced positions.
One of the most common errors I see among students is misjudging trades based on these point values alone. Here's a classic example of the 1-3-3-5-9 point system failing
Classic Example of Rook + Pawn vs. Knight + Bishop
Black to Play (Below) and Easily Parry White's Threat
That certainly did not go well for White! But many a chess student has been tempted by that Nxf7?? trade because White, supposedly, gets 6 points (a 5 point Rook + a 1 point pawn) and only loses 6 points (a 3 point Knight + a 3 point Bishop); an even trade by the 1-3-3-5-9 system. White also draws out Black's King into the center, enticing White to make the poor 6. Nxf7?? move.
I used to explain how the Knight + Bishop are a little better than the Rook + pawn because they can more easily team up on targets. I also explained how White was wasting several moves, such as 5. Ng5? and even 6. Nxf7?? itself costs a move. But let's see what happens if White was somehow able to catch up in development, something they weren't able to do in the above game.
Knights + Bishop are (Usually) Too Strong for Rook + Pawn
My Point System
Let's reconsider the earlier scenario using this system. If White plays 6.Nxf7?? and trades a Knight and Bishop for a Rook and a pawn, here's what happens:
- White loses a 13-point Knight and a 14-point Bishop, totaling 27 points.
- White gains a 19-point Rook and a 4-point pawn, totaling 23 points.
White is effectively losing a 4-point pawn's worth of value in this exchange. Under this system, a Rook would need two pawns (19 + 4 + 4 = 27) to be an even trade with a Knight and a Bishop.
Why This System Makes Sense
This system aligns better with practical play. For instance:
- A Queen, worth 36 points, is just slightly weaker than two Rooks (38 points), which reflects the Queen's ability to hold its own against two Rooks in many situations.
- Two Knights and a Bishop, totaling 40 points, are generally stronger than a Queen (only 36 points), which again is supported by practice.
Conclusion
While no point system can capture every nuance of a position, I don't think chess would be as popular of a game, as it is, if there was some set of rules that always worked. But, this revised system offers a more accurate framework for evaluating trades and piece activity. By using it, you'll avoid some of the common pitfalls that the traditional 1-3-3-5-9 system can lead to, helping you make better decisions and ultimately improve your game.
Experiment with this system in your own games, especially in imbalanced positions and see how it influences your decision-making. You might find that it gives you a new perspective on the value of your pieces, leading to smarter, more effective play.
Stay Impressive!
NM Craig C.
