In short: The difference in value between a rook and a minor piece. If you get a rook for a bishop or a knight, you have won the exchange.
To compare the pieces, chess players use a simple rule of thumb for what they are worth, counted in pawns:
| Piece | Approximate value |
|---|---|
| Pawn | 1 |
| Knight | 3 |
| Bishop | 3 |
| Rook | 5 |
| Queen | 9 |
The difference between a rook and a minor piece (a bishop or a knight) is about two pawns. That difference has a name of its own: the exchange. If you get a rook for a bishop or a knight, you have won the exchange. If the opposite happens, you have lost the exchange.
Win the exchange
A rook in the corner standing on an open diagonal is a common prize. Find the move:
The exchange sacrifice
Sometimes strong players give up the exchange on purpose. They get a minor piece that becomes very strong, an attack on the king, or a position where the opponent's rook has no open files to work on. Tigran Petrosian, world champion in the 1960s, was famous for his exchange sacrifices.
The table of values is just that, a rule of thumb. A rook without open files can be worse than a knight in the center. Read more about the rook, open files and sacrifices.
Frequently asked questions
What does winning the exchange mean?
Getting a rook in return for a bishop or a knight. By the usual rule of thumb you have then won about two pawns' worth.
What is an exchange sacrifice?
When you deliberately give a rook for a minor piece, to get an attack, a strong piece or a better position.
Is “the exchange” the same as “an exchange”?
Not quite. Any trade of pieces can be called an exchange. The exchange, with “the,” means a rook for a bishop or a knight.
Updated October 31, 2026