Concepts · Pieces & Activity

The Bishop Pair

Two bishops against a bishop and a knight, or two knights, control both colours and grow stronger as the position opens. Keeping the pair, or breaking it, is a decision the structure makes.

Key ideas

Open the position for the pair
The side without it wants closed lines or a trade
One bishop covers what the other cannot

Watch

Games that teach the bishop pair

1 game

Also covered in

Sicilian Defense: Alapin VariationB2222:38

Alapin Sicilian Explained Through a Wild Game | Plans, Pawn Structure & Turning Points

Tenezaca, Cristian vs El, Rozak

Pawn Structure, Plans & Piece Activity: what Tenezaca vs El (Alapin Variation) teaches. How White's passed d-pawn is created, supported and pushed — and what it costs the other side to stop it.

Passed Pawn
Doubled Pawns
Hanging Pawns
Opening Plan

Olymp 2026 Open19 Sept 20261-0