What is Bad bishop in chess?
A bishop blocked by its own pawns on the same colour, severely limiting its usefulness.
A bad bishop is often a long-term positional weakness because it cannot influence the game. Sometimes the best plan is to trade it away or find a way to reactivate it by moving the pawns that block it.
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Analyze my games →More chess terms
- Opposite-coloured bishopsWhen both sides have one bishop each, but they travel on different coloured squares.
- OverprotectionDefending a key piece or square with more defenders than it needs, to prevent any tactics.
- OppositionA king-and-pawn endgame technique of facing kings with one square between them.
- ZugzwangA position where any move you make worsens your position.
- FortressA defensive setup where the weaker side builds an impenetrable wall to force a draw despite being down material.
- Lucena positionThe key winning setup in rook-and-pawn vs rook endgames, solved by 'building a bridge.'