The exchange (chess) The exchange (chess) The exchange in chess refers to a situation in which one player loses a minor piece (i.e. a bishop or knight) but captures the opponent's rook. The side which wins the rook is said to have "won the exchange", while the other player has "lost the exchange", since the rook is usually more valuable. Alternatively, the side that has won the rook is "up the exchange", and the other player is "down the exchange". The opposing captures often happen on consecutive moves, although this is not strictly necessary. It is generally detrimental to lose the exchange, although
Chess piece relative value minor pieces are usually better than a queen because of their greater mobility, and the extra pawn is not important enough to change the situation . Three minor pieces are almost as strong as two rooks . Two minor pieces plus two pawns are almost always as good as a queen. Two rooks are better than a queen and pawn . Many of the systems have a 2-point difference between the rook and a minor piece, but most theorists put that difference at about points, see The exchange (chess)#Value of the exchange. In open positions, a rook plus a pair