The Power of the Bishop Pair
Preserve your Bishops if you can

You can't see it, but you should feel it - the power of the Bishop Pair in your games.

If the position takes on an open character don't give your opponent the two bishops. This means, don't trade your bishop for his knight.

You may not see any difference in your game right away, but in the long run two bishops are more flexible and far reaching and can control vital squares from behind the lines. And they are fast moving going here and there.

In the following game Black has given up the two bishops right after the opening has finished by trading off his bishop for a knight on c3. White is controlling the center persistently with his bishops and plans to push the e-pawn forward to grab space and chase away the black bishop.

The Bishop-Pair and the e4-Center-Push