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Subject: Bishop and Knight for a Rook

Author: Brian Thomas

Date: 07:44:49 01/02/03


Kind of a newbie question, but better to ask than to wonder:

I was playing a game recently against someone whom I'd consider a reasonably
stronger player.  I made a play where I exchanged a bishop and knight for a
rook.  This was done fairly early in the game so I believe we each had the rest
of our armies.  I think this surprised my opponent (we discussed it afterwards
and my general thought was he felt it was a mistake).

Now, I was reading a book or article recently that actually mentioned a very
similar position. In the analysis white did the same exchange to maintain good
position, and the author was critical of this saying a bishop and knight for a
rook loses in the exchange.

Each position is unique in its own right and there's no blanket answer, but I'm
a bit surprised by this.  I would almost always take that exchange if it was
positionally favorable, and usually you can gain a tempo.  If I were down
material, I'd look elsewhere.  But is this generally thought to be a mistake?

What do you all think?

Brian



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