The Bad Bishop

A bad bishop is one trapped behind pawns standing on its own colour: it defends what it can never attack. Recognising it early tells both sides what the game is about — the owner tries to free or trade it, the opponent fixes the pawns and surrounds it. The further examples, from the Winawer Variation to the Sämisch Variation, show the theme across very different openings.

The f8 and g2 bishops may become bad. But for now the position is roughly level.

The f8 and g2 bishops may become bad. But for now the position is roughly level. The f8 and g2 bishops may become bad. But for now the position is roughly level. . The start of an erroneous plan. Black aim for the exchange of the light-squared bishops, counting on an attack. But... . With their last move White imitated the capture on d5 with the knight, and Black fell into a strategic trap. now Bg7 is bad, while Bg2 gets exchanged. . Black resigned. with the idea a6, b5.