Sometimes, an exchange doesn’t just simplify — it liberates your pieces. By trading at the right moment, you can open files for your rooks, diagonals for your bishops, and central lines for your queen to seize the initiative.
Open lines create pathways for pressure. Your rooks and bishops thrive when their lanes are clear, and a single exchange can completely transform the position’s dynamics.
When your pieces are more active, opening lines increases your advantage. If you’re cramped or behind in development, avoid exchanges that give your opponent easy access to open lanes.
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