This table of piece values states that the endgame value of a COMMONER is halfway between a Knight and a Rook in FIDE Chess. Betza once pointed out that replacing the White Knights with Commoners in the initial setup can lead to a difficult game, while replacing the White Bishops with Commoners allows the White pieces to develop more quickly.
Ralph Betza also says on this web page:'Surprisingly enough, a Commoner (a piece that moves like a King but doesn't have to worry about check) is very weak in the opening, reasonably good in the middlegame, and wins outright against a Knight or Bishop in the endgame. (There are no Commoners in FIDE chess, but the value of the Commoner is some guide to the value of the King).'
My [2006-01-10] comment here shows that Royal Knight and Commoner can sometimes checkmate a Royal Knight. This example also works with FIDE Knight and King against a Royal Knight.
This table of piece values states that the endgame value of a COMMONER is halfway between a Knight and a Rook in FIDE Chess. Betza once pointed out that replacing the White Knights with Commoners in the initial setup can lead to a difficult game, while replacing the White Bishops with Commoners allows the White pieces to develop more quickly.
Ralph Betza also says on this web page: 'Surprisingly enough, a Commoner (a piece that moves like a King but doesn't have to worry about check) is very weak in the opening, reasonably good in the middlegame, and wins outright against a Knight or Bishop in the endgame. (There are no Commoners in FIDE chess, but the value of the Commoner is some guide to the value of the King).'
My [2006-01-10] comment here shows that Royal Knight and Commoner can sometimes checkmate a Royal Knight. This example also works with FIDE Knight and King against a Royal Knight.