How to Assign Value to Chess Pieces

Chess pieces are typically assigned value to determine whether certain moves and captures are worthwhile to players and to determine who is winning a game. Some tournaments and players decide to keep score on multiple chess games by keeping track of the values of the chess pieces that are captured at the conclusion of each game. Use the tips below for assigning value to chess pieces.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Give one point for every pawn you have. Pawns are the weakest pieces on the chess board so they are assigned the smallest value. Typically you can sacrifice a pawn to gain an important square on the board or to capture a better piece of your opponent.

2. Assign three points of value to your knights. Knights are the second-weakest pieces on the board. Knights are commonly sacrificed for rooks or queens on the board.

3. Give three points to bishops. While your bishops are considered to be stronger pieces than your knights, they still only get three points because they are much weaker than other pieces left on the board.

4. Give five points to the rooks on the board. The rooks are more powerful pieces and are often sought after by the weaker pieces on the board.

5. Give nine points to the queens. Outside of the kings, the queens are the most important pieces on the board. No points are assigned to kings, so queens are given the highest points available. Queens are sought after by the lesser pieces on the board.