Counting points
One easy point on every test, and one answer choice that is always wrong.
The values
| Piece | Points |
|---|---|
| Queen | 9 |
| Rook | 5 |
| Bishop | 3 |
| Knight | 3 |
| Pawn | 1 |
| King | not counted |
The king is never counted, because you can never trade it.
How to count fast
Count the big pieces first — queens, then rooks — then bishops and knights, then pawns. Do one side completely, write the number down, then do the other. Comparing as you go is where mistakes happen.
The trap answer
These questions usually offer "It's not possible to tell without knowing who is to move." That answer is always wrong. Material on the board is material on the board; whose turn it is does not change the count.
Worked examples
Which side has material advantage?
- a) White ← correct
- b) Black
- c) It's even.
- d) It's not possible to tell without knowing who is to move.
Count points (Queen 9, Rook 5, Bishop 3, Knight 3, Pawn 1). White has 1 Bishop (1×3), 2 Pawns (2×1) = 5. Black has 2 Pawns (2×1) = 2. White is ahead by 3. Who moves next never changes a material count.
Which side has material advantage?
- a) White
- b) Black ← correct
- c) It's even.
- d) It's not possible to tell without knowing who is to move.
Count points (Queen 9, Rook 5, Bishop 3, Knight 3, Pawn 1). White has 1 Bishop (1×3), 2 Pawns (2×1) = 5. Black has 1 Rook (1×5), 1 Bishop (1×3) = 8. Black is ahead by 3. Who moves next never changes a material count.
Which side has material advantage?
- a) White
- b) Black ← correct
- c) It's even.
- d) It's not possible to tell without knowing who is to move.
Count points (Queen 9, Rook 5, Bishop 3, Knight 3, Pawn 1). White has only the King = 0. Black has 1 Bishop (1×3), 1 Knight (1×3), 5 Pawns (5×1) = 11. Black is ahead by 11. Who moves next never changes a material count.
Common questions
What are the chess piece values?
Queen 9, rook 5, bishop 3, knight 3, pawn 1. The king is not given a point value because it cannot be traded.
Does it matter whose turn it is when counting material?
No. Material advantage is counted from the pieces on the board, so answer choices saying you cannot tell without knowing who moves are incorrect.
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