Good Bishop
A bishop with open diagonals, unimpeded by its own pawns, radiating power across the board.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: A good bishop is like a lighthouse on a clear night — its light reaches far and wide, illuminating the entire board. Compared to a bad bishop trapped behind its own pawns, a good bishop feels like a completely different piece. It can defend from a distance, attack across the board, and support operations on either flank. When I have a good bishop and my opponent has a bad one, I feel like I have an extra piece.
What Makes a Bishop "Good"?
A good bishop is the mirror image of a bad bishop. Where a bad bishop is trapped behind its own pawns on the same color, a good bishop enjoys open diagonals because its own pawns are on the opposite color. This simple distinction has profound consequences for the bishop's effectiveness.
Consider a dark-squared bishop for White with pawns on e4, d5, and c4 — all light squares. The dark diagonals are wide open, and the bishop can patrol the a1-h8 or a3-f8 diagonals without obstruction. From a single square, it can influence play on both the kingside and queenside. This is a good bishop at its finest.
The power of a good bishop lies in its range. Unlike a knight, which can only influence squares within a short radius, a bishop can control a diagonal stretching across the entire board. A good bishop on g2, for example, might simultaneously attack a pawn on b7, support a piece on d5, and eye the king on e8. This multi-directional influence is what makes bishops so valuable in open positions.
Good bishops are particularly strong in endgames, where the board is more open and the bishop's long-range abilities can dominate. An endgame with a good bishop versus a bad bishop is often winning for the side with the good bishop, even when material is otherwise equal. The good bishop can attack the opponent's pawns from a distance while the bad bishop is stuck defending.
A Good Bishop in Practice
In this position, White's bishop on g3 is a good bishop. White's central pawns (d5 and e4) are on light squares, leaving the dark diagonals open for the bishop. From g3, the bishop has scope along the c7-g3 diagonal and the potential b8-h2 diagonal. It participates in both defense (protecting the kingside) and potential offense.
Contrast this with Black's bishop on g7. At first glance, it looks actively placed on the long diagonal. But the pawn on d6 and potentially c5 (both dark squares) cramp it somewhat. The bishop's long diagonal is partially blocked, reducing its effectiveness. Even a well-placed bishop can be limited by its own pawn structure.
The practical takeaway is that evaluating a bishop requires looking at the entire pawn structure, not just the bishop's current square. A bishop that appears active on the board may actually be limited by its own pawns. Conversely, a bishop that seems passive might be excellent because the diagonals are wide open.
When you have a good bishop, use it aggressively. Place it on the longest available diagonal, use it to attack weak pawns and support your own pawn advances, and resist exchanging it unless you receive substantial compensation. A good bishop is a precious asset that grows stronger as the game progresses.
White's bishop on g3 enjoys open dark diagonals. Its own pawns on light squares do not impede it.
Maximizing Your Good Bishop
Having a good bishop is an advantage, but you must actively use it to make that advantage count. Here are the key principles for maximizing a good bishop's potential.
First, place the bishop on its longest diagonal. A bishop on a long diagonal (a1-h8 or a8-h1) has maximum range and can influence the entire board. A fianchettoed bishop on g2 or b2, for example, rakes across the board and is a constant presence in the position.
Second, keep the diagonals open. Avoid placing your pawns on the same color as your good bishop. If you have a good dark-squared bishop, resist the temptation to push pawns to dark squares unless there is a compelling reason. Every pawn that lands on the bishop's color reduces its scope.
Third, use the bishop for dual purposes. A good bishop can simultaneously serve offensive and defensive functions. Place it where it defends your king while also aiming at enemy weaknesses. This dual-purpose placement is the hallmark of expert piece handling.
Fourth, avoid trading your good bishop without compensation. Your good bishop is an asset your opponent lacks. Trading it for a bad bishop or a knight when you have the advantage in the bishop's activity would surrender a key positional plus.
Fifth, coordinate the bishop with other pieces. A good bishop is most effective when supported by rooks on open files, a knight on a complementary outpost, and a queen that can exploit the lines the bishop opens. Piece coordination amplifies the bishop's already formidable power.
Questions About Good Bishops
Can a bishop change from bad to good during a game?
Yes. If the pawn structure changes — through exchanges, advances, or sacrifices — a previously bad bishop can become good. For example, if you manage to trade off the pawns blocking your bishop's diagonals, the bishop is liberated and becomes active.
Is a good bishop always better than a knight?
Not necessarily. In closed positions with many pawns, a knight may be more effective because it can jump over obstacles. In open positions with clear diagonals, a good bishop is usually superior to a knight. The comparison depends on the specifics of the position.
How do I know if my bishop is good or bad during a game?
Look at your central pawns. If they are on the same color as your bishop, the bishop is likely bad. If they are on the opposite color, the bishop is likely good. Also check whether the bishop has open diagonals — a bishop with clear lines is good regardless of minor pawn placements.
Professor Archer says: To create a good bishop, you must think about pawn placement from the very beginning of the game. Every time you place a central pawn, ask: am I helping or hindering my bishops? This forward-thinking approach separates strategic players from those who push pawns without regard for the consequences. Your bishops will thank you.
Quick Quiz
You have a dark-squared bishop. Which pawn structure makes it a "good" bishop?
- Pawns on d4, e5, and c5 (dark squares) - Pawns on the same dark squares as your bishop would block its diagonals, making it a bad bishop, not a good one.
- Pawns on d5, e4, and c4 (light squares) (Correct) - Correct. With pawns on light squares, the dark diagonals remain open for your dark-squared bishop. The bishop has maximum scope and is classified as a good bishop.
- Having no pawns at all in the center - While having no central pawns does leave diagonals open, this is an unusual situation and not the typical definition of a good bishop. Good bishops are defined by pawns being on the opposite color.
- Having the bishop on the back rank - The bishop's location on the back rank does not determine whether it is good or bad. The pawn structure is what matters, not the bishop's current square.