The initial placement of the Bishop is between the Knight and the King on one side and between the Knight and the Queen on the other side of the board. Be aware of the location of all the other pieces because this majestic chess piece has limited movements and can be taken out of the game easily.
The Bishop chess piece moves only diagonally as far as the end of the board or as far another chess piece. He has access to only half the squares of the board because of his diagonal moves. This means he has control over half the squares that the queen has which means he has only half the power of the Queen.
The Bishop is more powerful in endgame positions due to increased open lines and less pieces for the Bishop to maneuver around. Keep him hidden until the last moves of the chess game. He can be a very powerful influence at that time. Using two Bishops together can be a great team.
Unfortunately, the Bishop can lose a move while a Knight never can. Used as an advanced tactic, it is advantageous for the Bishop to avoid this tactic or use it to his advantage. Losing a move means using one unnecessary extra move which would prove to give the opponent an edge to win.
The Bishop can, along with the other long range pieces, pin or skewer (thrust) an opposing chess piece while a Knight never can. This advanced move is an attack against a major piece when that piece is in front of a lesser piece and the major piece has to move to prevent his capture. The lesser piece is captured instead.
The Bishops ability to attack is limited. At times he is inferior to the Knight because of the ability of the Knight to leap over other pieces. Opponent pieces can determine where a Bishop will go whereas a Knight is not hindered by other pieces as much. The advantage for the Bishop not being able to leap is that the Bishop is not put in precarious positions. In order to jump a piece the Knight has to be right next to that piece. There is a chance of capture. Using the Bishop in advanced moves is difficult, but easily practiced.
The more experienced chess player knows how to use the Bishop very effectively. The Bishop can be a strong defense because of its diagonal moves to defend his king in castling by making a more fortified area that the King can hide in.
The Bishops and Pawns can work together. Set up a Bishop and his Pawns so that they can hold the enemy Pawns for your Bishop to attack. If your Bishop is on the white squares, put your Pawns on the black squares where the Bishop cannot go. Then let the Bishops Pawns hold the enemy Pawns. Pawns cannot go back so they can be held easily. This is called fixing enemy pawns.
Do not underestimate the power of the Bishop as it has the ability to change the fate of the game. Using the Bishop is a great strategy when you understand it. Since this is something experienced chess players use, beginners need to be aware of this strategic piece early in their games.
