Glossary · Chess
Gain
The material a side ends up ahead after the sequence under study, against the opponent’s best defence.
A gain is counted at the end of the sequence, not after the first capture, so a piece taken and given back is no gain. Because the reference states a gain only when it holds under best defence, a capture the opponent can answer at equal value is no gain. A gain can also be a promotion or a mate, which the reference names as such.
edition v3.0 · 2026slug gainFR Gain
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