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Basic Tactics

by S. Evan Kreider

Introduction & Piece Values

In this lesson, we’ll look at a few basic tactics. “What is a tactic?” you ask? I’ve seen several attempts at defining tactics, and I’ve never found them satisfactory, or even necessary. I think the best way to understand tactics is to see examples of them.

Before we do this, it is worth pointing out one feature very common to tactics: they often involve “winning material;” that is, ending up with more numerous and / or valuable pieces on the board than your opponent. In order to evaluate whether or not a tactic wins material, you have to know how much the various pieces are worth. A general guideline for this, taught to most beginners, is to use the following point scale, in which pawns are considered the unit: pawns = 1, Knights = 3, Bishops = 3, Rooks = 5, Queens = 9. Kings aren’t usually given a point value, since you don’t really capture a King; unless you count checkmate, which ends the game!

Now without further adieu, let’s begin the lesson proper.

Next: The Fork - Introduction