Exchanging pieces down to win

in chess •  3 years ago 

When deciding to take pieces, it's always good to remember "to take is a mistake" unless a trade improves your position or worsens your opponent's position, or if you win material.

You want to always have a good reason to make exchanges. One great reason to exchange pieces is when you are ahead in material. In that case trades will simplify the game and make it easier for you to convert your advantage into a win. But if you have less material, you should never trade pieces.

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White has a great position. Can you find a powerful tactic that trades down material and exploits Black's weak back rank?

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By taking the rook with the queen on d8 and forcing the Queen to take ours, Black's queen is stuck defending the back rank. Now open up the power of the rooks and gain material.

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White's rooks were ready to invade Black's back rank, so Black is forced to return the queen. Let's capture Black's queen!

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White is now in a simplified and completely winning endgame.

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