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What each chess piece is worth

Lesson 9 of 20 Age 5+ Time 10 minutes Before this the knight

In short

Players count pieces in pawns: pawn 1, knight 3, bishop 3, rook 5, queen 9. The king has no number, because the game ends when he is checkmated. The numbers are not a rule; they help you decide if a trade is good.

  • Give a piece only for one worth the same or more.
  • A knight for a bishop is a fair trade: 3 for 3.
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The rook can take a pawn (1), a knight (3) or the queen (9). Take the queen.

Teach it

  1. DoLine up one of each piece: pawn, knight, bishop, rook, queen.
  2. Say“We count pieces in pawns. A knight is worth 3 pawns. A rook is worth 5.”
  3. Ask“Would you give your rook for my knight?”
  4. Child“No: 5 for 3 is a bad trade.”
Hand the screen to your child

Your turn!

Your rook can take three pieces. Take the one worth the most.

Three quick questions

  1. How many pawns is a rook worth?

  2. Which is worth more: a knight or a rook?

  3. Is it a good trade to give your queen for a bishop?

Practice sheet: Count the points

One page, free to print, no sign-in. The answers print on the next page.

Count the pointsName ____________________
  1. a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

    Add up the points of the white pieces.

  2. a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

    Add up the points of the black pieces.

  3. a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

    The queen can take the rook on d5, but then the pawn on e6 takes the queen. Good trade?

Answers: Count the points

  1. 3 + 5 + 9 = 17.
  2. 3 + 5 = 8.
  3. No: you win 5 and lose 9.

Questions parents ask

How many points is the king worth?

The king has no points. You can't trade him: the game ends when he is checkmated.

Are bishops and knights worth the same?

About the same, 3 each. Bishops are often a little better in open positions, knights in closed ones.

Rules checked against FIDE Laws of Chess, taking effect from 1 January 2023 on . Found something to fix? Tell us on the contact page.