FIRST SCALE OF POWERS.
Reading edition
The introductory chapter classes the pieces in the order of their relative values; but nothing is added of the ratio in value, which two or three inferior pieces bear to a superior, or two superior; as the introduction of minute discriminations, before the attainment of some practical knowledge, might have perplexed the reader. As, however, situations occur on the board, in which it is necessary that the most critical calculations of force should be consulted, and as the propriety of accepting or declining some exchanges depends on punctilious considerations, it is thought proper to give, as a prelude to the remaining examples, the following scale:
2⅕, 14,
9, 15,
9, 28.
With respect to qualification for attack and defence, the facility of conducing to these ends, by a stationary attitude, or by moving, and extent of action, the powers of the pawn, the knight, the king, the bishop, the rook, and the queen, are to each other in this proportion.
The values of all the pieces, except the pawn and king, are commensurate with their powers.
The nature of the game puts the king’s value above competition.
The value of every pawn, taking into the account the probability of his becoming a capital piece, is on the average, about 5⅖.
SECOND SCALE OF POWERS.
In the foregoing estimate, of the five superior pieces the highest force is taken; that is to say, each is supposed to be in that part of the board where its sphere of action is largest: assuming, however, that in play the probability of their occupying any given square is equal, their powers will be,
2³²/₁₆₀, Pawn 9¹²⁰/₁₆₀, Bishop
6⁴⁰/₁₆₀, Knight 15, Rook
7⁹⁰/₁₆₀, King 23¹²⁰/₁₆₀, Queen.
The pawn’s chance of promotion makes his value 4¹⁴³/₁₆₀.
It will be perceived, that by this scale, the relative powers of the pawn and rook, with respect to each other, remain as before; while with respect to the other pieces, that of the former is trivially, and that of the latter, greatly enhanced.
In finding both scales, the part of the board within the sphere of each respective piece wherever it is placed, is supposed to be unoccupied.
As the player cannot always put the pieces where their range of action will be the most extensive, the latter scale is the safer to be adopted, as a datum from which to estimate their values, in balancing one piece against two pieces, two against three, previously to suffering or effecting such a kind of exchange.