The objectives of most new chess is to try and win while avoiding the loss of their pieces.

Oh, by the way, in this article, when we say Pieces, we're referring to the heavy-hitters - the Knights, Bishops, Rooks and Queens ... The Pieces are distinguishable from Pawns, which are just 'Pawns' (the common foot-solider).

These beginners will go out of their way to avoid losing their strongest pieces (namely, the Rooks and Queens).

By contrast, experienced players know that ALL pieces (except the King) are expendable and are to be used in any manner that give them an advantage on the Chessboard.

If the circumstances are right, experienced players will seeks to "Exchange" - or trade - carefully selected pieces with their opponent.

What's The Point Of Chess Exchanges?

"Why would they do such a thing?", I can hear you ask ... And that's a valid question.

The shortest answer is that the exchange(s) they make will give them some sort of advantage that'll help lead to winning their game.

To highlight just how expendable the Pieces are, if it comes down to it, games of Chess can be won with just a single Pawn and King (okay, it might not happen that often, but it's possible).

The Pieces can all move about the chessboard much quicker than the Kings can move to evade being attacked.

By removing all of the Pieces, the game becomes much 'quieter' and the main threats to your King are no longer on the chessboard to inflict damage on your remaining army.

The once vulnerable King becomes much more powerful, being able to move one square in ANY direction, against the enemy King with the same capability and the enemy Pawns, which can only advance one square per turn.

IMPORTANT: Providing both armies have the same number of Pieces on the Board, as soon as experienced players find themselves ahead by a single Pawn, they will set about trying to 'simplify the position' by trading - or, "Exchanging" - their Pieces with their opponent, so they can quickly transition into the Endgame phase and press home their single Pawn advantage.

How Do Exchanges Happen?

If a player has material superiority and is looking to simplify the position, so they can take their advantage quickly into the Endgame phase, then that player may have to spend a number of moves hunting down their opponent's material, until the position is such that the opponent has little choice but to accept the trade.

If both players have equal numbers of Pawns and Pieces, then both sides may welcome an opportunity to simplify the position a little, by trading one or two units (could be a Bishop for a Bishop; or both sets of Knights, for instance).

What will happen, in this equal setting, is one player will deliberately move their elected Piece to a position where their opponent can capture it, which will in turn allow the first player to recapture, without losing out on the trade (so the equal status remains, albeit with now fewer Pawns and Pieces on the board).

The 2 Types Of Chess Exchanges

1. The first type of exchange is known as "An" Exchange.

When An Exchange is made, it's between two Pawns, or between two Pieces that are the same. For instance, two Knights, or two Rooks, etc.

2. The second type of exchange is known as "The" Exchange.

When The Exchange is made, a Knight or Bishop is deliberately sacrificed in order to win an enemy Rook (and vice versa).

Normally, losing a Rook to gain a lower-value Knight or Bishop is seen as a mistake, as a Rook is more powerful than either a Knight or Bishop.

The exceptions to this is when you deliberately lose your Rook in order to demolish a troublesome enemy Pawn Structure, or to remove the Knight or Bishops that was guarding a critical square, thus harming your progress in the game.