♝ Minor Exchange – Bishop vs Knight Decisions
The minor exchange refers to trading a bishop for a knight (or vice versa).
This seemingly simple decision has a major strategic impact. Whether it’s favorable depends on the pawn structure, the nature of the position, and which piece will be stronger in the future.
🧠 General Principles
- In open positions with few pawns, bishops are often superior due to their long-range power.
- In closed positions with locked pawn structures, knights often dominate because they can hop over obstacles.
- When you have a space advantage, keeping knights may be better — they maneuver well behind your pawns.
- If you can obtain the bishop pair, it’s usually worth keeping both bishops over knights.
⚖️ When to Trade a Bishop for a Knight
- When your knight is passive and the opponent’s bishop is active
- When trading relieves pressure or improves your pawn structure
- When you can gain control of key dark or light squares
- When your opponent’s pawns limit their own bishop’s scope
🚫 When to Avoid the Minor Exchange
- If you already have the bishop pair
- If the position is open and bishops can dominate diagonals
- If your knight controls critical outposts (like d5 or f5)
- If trading gives your opponent structural or positional benefits
🎯 Model Examples
- Capablanca vs Alekhine – Bishop pair in an open endgame
- Petrosian’s games – Knights on key outposts in closed positions
- Morphy’s attacks – Minor exchanges opening diagonals for bishops
📚 Related Pages
👉 Return to Exchanging Pieces Index