Bishop or Knight?

Abstract

The relative strengths of Bishop and Knight, a long standing problem in chess, are re-examined with the help of a database of games actually played. Capablanca’s (1921) statements are substantiated with one important qualification. Moreover, a bishop pair, it is argued, has an intrinsic bonus value independently of the relative strength of Bishops and Knights which are shown to vary considerably according to whether the position is closed (in the early game) or open (in the later game). Recommendations for the dynamic assignment of values to the Knight are given.