Simplify when ahead
Also called Trade down, Convert the advantage.
When you are ahead, reduce the risk: trade pieces and head for a position where your advantage is easy to use.
Trade pieces, not pawns: with fewer pieces left, an extra pawn or piece matters more. The side that is behind wants complications; deny them.
Why it matters
An advantage only counts once it is converted. Fewer pieces means fewer ways for things to go wrong.
Away from the game
When a sure, modest win is worth more to you than a bigger but riskier one, such as a deadline you must meet or a contract you only need to close, remove the moving parts that could still fail. Do not mistake this for cashing in every gain early.
New to chess? The examples here use it. Play your first moves (five minutes), then learn chess from the beginning, one short lesson at a time.
Try it yourself
White is a bishop ahead. Black's rook challenges on the d-file. Make the move that trades rooks and leaves an easy win.
One question, a minute or two. Nothing to finish first.
Want more? Practise Size the risk.
Learn and practise it
- Lesson: Simplify when ahead
- Skill: Size the risk