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Chess Counting - Exercises Page 1

In the following exercises, we've taken both Kings away to simplify things. Just consider the pieces and the exchange presented on the board. The goal is to determine whether the black pawn in the centre is safe.


Exercise 1

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White to move. Is the black pawn safe?

White to move. Is the black pawn in the centre safe?

Count the number of white pieces attacking the pawn, and the number of black pieces defending the pawn. Can you learn anything from this? Count the value of the pieces that would be exchanged on d5.


Exercise 2

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White to move. Is the black pawn safe?

Now white has an extra Rook added to the fray. White to move. Is the black pawn in the centre safe?

As before, count the number of white pieces attacking the pawn, and the number of black pieces defending the pawn. Also, count the value of the pieces that would be exchanged on d5.


Exercise 3

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White to move. Is the black pawn safe?

Now black has an extra Rook. White to move. Is the black pawn in the centre safe?

Count the number of white pieces attacking the pawn, and the number of black pieces defending the pawn. Also, count the value of the pieces that would be exchanged on d5.


Exercise 4

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White to move. Is the black pawn safe?

This potential exchange is more complicated - study it carefully. White to move. Is the black pawn in the centre safe?

Count the number of white pieces attacking the pawn, and the number of black pieces defending the pawn. Also, count the value of the pieces that would be exchanged on d5.


Exercise 5

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White to move. Is the black pawn safe?

This position is the same as Exercise 4, except the black Queen and Rook are switched. Does this change anything?

Count the number of white pieces attacking the pawn, and the number of black pieces defending the pawn. Also, count the value of the pieces that would be exchanged on d5.


Exercise 6

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White to move. Is the black pawn safe?

This is the final exercise on this page. White to move. Is the black Pawn safe?


Answers

Ex 1: Yes, the black pawn is safe. If white were to capture the Pawn, black would recapture with his Rook. White would win 1 point, black would win 5. Black comes out ahead 4 points. Notice that there is one attacker and one defender. This means the pawn is equally attacked and defended.

Ex 2: No, the black pawn is not safe. The exchange might run: 1.Rxd5 Rxd5 2.Rxd5. White would win a rook and a pawn (6 points), black would win a rook (5 points). White comes out ahead in the exchange. Notice that there are two attackers and one defender. This means the pawn is under-defended.

Ex 3: Yes, the black pawn is safe. The exchange might run: 1.Rxd5 Rxd5 2.Rxd5 Rxd5. White would win a rook and a pawn (6 points), black would win 2 rooks (10 points). Black comes out ahead in the exchange. Notice that there are two attackers and two defenders. This means the pawn is equally attacked and defended.

Ex 4: No, the black pawn is not safe. The exchange might run: 1.Nxd5 Qxd5 2.Rxd5 Rxd5. White would win a Queen and a Pawn (10 points), black would win a rook and a knight (8 points). White comes out ahead in the exchange. Despite the fact that there are 2 attackers and 2 defenders, the pawn is not adequately defended! This is an important lesson: The value of the pieces involved in the exchange matters - not just the number of attackers and defenders.

Ex 5: In this case, the black pawn is actually safe! The exchange might run: 1.Nxd5 Rxd5 2.Rxd5 Qxd5. White would win a Rook and a Pawn (6 points), black would win a Rook and a Knight (8 points). Black comes out ahead in the exchange. This is an important lesson: The order of the pieces involved in the exchange matters.

Ex 6: The black pawn is safe! Let's take a closer look. If the exchange played out all the way, it would run: 1.Qxd5 Rxd5 2.Rxd5 Qxd5 3.Rxd5. White would win a Pawn, Rook, and Queen (15 points), black would win a Rook and Queen (14 points). It appears that white comes out ahead. But wait! After 1. Qxd5 Rxd5 2. Rxd5, black doesn't have to recapture on d5 again - he can just move his Queen away! Now, white has won a Pawn and Rook (6 points), but black has won a Queen (9 points). So black actually comes out ahead. This is an important lesson: You aren't forced to recapture during exchanges.


Lessons Learned

We've learned a number of important lessons through these exercises:

Back - Next
Chess Tactics - Table of Contents
Introduction - What Are Tactics?
Piece Safety - Exercises (1) - Exercises (2)
Counting - Exercises (1) - Exercises (2)
Tactical Motifs Introduction
The Fork - Exercises
The Knight Fork - Exercises
The Pin - Exercises
The Skewer - Exercises
The Discovered Attack - Exercises
Removal of the Guard - Exercises
Back Rank Checkmates - Exercises (1) - Exercises (2)
Conclusion