What the pieces are worth is lesson 1 of 2 in Piece values and good trades, a basics course suited to players rated around 450 (complete beginners). Pieces are not equal. Counting points helps you decide what to take and what to keep. It has 4 interactive exercises: 2 board-square exercises, 2 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
Pawn = 1 point. Knight = 3. Bishop = 3. Rook = 5. Queen = 9. The king has no points: he can never be traded, and losing him loses the game.
What you practise
Tap the most valuable black piece (not the king).
Tap the two black pieces worth 3 points each.
Your knight can take a knight or a rook. Both are protected by the king. Which trade is better for you?
Your rook can take the queen, even though the king will take back. Or it can take the free pawn. What is the better deal?
Worked examples
Your knight can take a knight or a rook. Both are protected by the king. Which trade is better for you? You gave a knight (3) for a rook (5): two points up.
chessGM