How to Exchange Pieces - Elisabeth PahtzHow to Exchange Pieces by Elisabeth Pahtz Which pieces to keep and which to exchange is one of the most important questions in chess. This is true in the opening, the middlegame and the endgame. Less experienced players often think exchanging means to swap pieces of equal value and fail to take strategic factors into account. Of course, you have to keep the material balance in mind but it is crucial to realize how exchanges affect the position. The