While the opening is primarily concerned with rapid piece development alongside controlling the center—that is, the quantitative improvement of piece positioning—the middlegame largely revolves around their qualitative optimization. Since both sides have secured their share of space, speed is no longer as crucial. Instead, the piece setup must be adapted to the current nature of the pawn structure. As is well known, pieces have a relative value that, depending on the situation, ranks above or below the statistical average (Pawn = 1, Knight = 3.45, Bishop = 3.55, Rook = 5.25, Queen = 10). Piece evaluation depends on several factors.
The 5 criteria for piece evaluation
1. Square Control
How many squares a piece controls depends on the degree to which it harmonizes with the pawn structure—that is, to what extent it is restricted by its own or the opponent’s pawns. The degree of centralization can also play a role. However, this purely quantitative factor has little significance if it is not viewed in connection with all the other following criteria.
2. Effectiveness
A bishop can dominate the long diagonal but be ineffective because there are no targets to attack. It’s then just hitting thin air. What matters is the quality or relevance of the controlled squares. Squares of fundamental importance are central squares, squares near the king, squares suitable as outposts, and squares where weak pawns stand.
3. Mobility
Every piece represents both, a current energy field and potential eneryg fields when it is moved. The more mobile a piece is, the higher the number of its potential energy fields.
4. Safety
Pieces are not only assets but also liabilities. This is particularily true for exposed or unprotected pieces. While there’s only one goal in football, in chess there are sixteen, as not only the king is worth protecting. Losing even a single pawn can mean defeat. Therefore, one must often make compromises between offensive aspirations (square control and effectiveness) and a piece’s need for safety. Optimally, a piece stands both actively and safely, like a knight on an advanced outpost. An important note: even protected pieces can become problematic as they restrict the freedom of movement of the protecting piece. Therefore, independent pieces or those that can be defended inexpensively by a pawn are best in the context of safety.
5. Coordination
Chess would be easier if piece evaluation didn’t also require considering the interplay of all pieces—piece coordination. There are four different types, with the last having a logically negative character:
- Protection (sometimes mutual)
- Joint focus on a point, i.e., one’s own or the opponent’s weakness
- Complementary square control (joint coverage of as many squares as possible or covering squares weakened by the pawn structure)
- Absence of mutual interference
The fourth point cannot always be achieved, and which of the first three—sometimes mutually exclusive—points is relevant depends on the position’s circumstances. As always, the devil is in the details.
The 5 Methods for Piece Improvement
There are several technical and mental methods for piece improvement:
1. Identifying bad pieces
At regular intervals, and especially after changes to the pawn structure, one must examine one’s own pieces for their energetic contribution to the position. Are they working for the position, are they lazy, or do they even represent a liability by tying down other forces? Using the 5 criteria of piece evaluation helps you to itentify pieces which don’t use their full potential.
2. Improving the worst piece
The highest benefit is gained by improving the worst piece due to the baseline effect.
3. Identifying the ideal square
Some players move from turn to turn, but it’s generally better to think from the end backwards. Having a goal in mind allows the right moves to be logically derived. One should let imagination run free and envision the best possible square for one’s pieces. Often it’s unreachable, but not always. A great coup would naturally be connecting two concepts: transferring the worst piece to its ideal square.
4. Changing the pawn structure
It’s not always necessary to move the piece to activate it. This can also be done through pawn moves to open lines and diagonals. The same applies to good squares, transfer squares and other pathways. This measure can also be taken even if the relevant pawn must be sacrificed. Often the increase in piece value is more significant than the loss of a pawn, particularily if you take into account that several pieces can be affected.
5. Integrating a piece into a larger plan
Even though activating a piece usually benefits the position, a defensive piece that takes on defensive duties can sometimes be more important. In the end, it’s not cosmetics that decides, but the measurable contribution of a piece to implementing strategic goals.
If you enjoy this topic, you can participate in my German-language webinar between September and November 2025. Should participation be impossible for linguistic or scheduling reasons, you are welcome to organize private webinars together with me.
Besides piece improvement, there are other maneuvering methods. These would be gaining space, exchanging pieces and restriction your opponent’s pieces. I have already given a webinar on the topic of “Restriction”. The topics “Skillful Trading” and “Space Advantage” will follow.
