Bishop Pair
The advantage of having retained both bishops while the opponent has traded away one of theirs.
Because bishops complement each other by covering both light and dark squares, the bishop pair is generally considered a small but real long-term advantage, particularly in open positions.
Etymology
No etymology or first citation for this term was located in the sources fetched, and both Wikipedia entries that define it are silent on its history. Wikipedia's chess glossary states that the player with two bishops is said to have the bishop pair, explains that two bishops are able to control the diagonals of both colors, and notes that in open positions two bishops are considered to have an advantage over two knights or over a knight and bishop. The glossary records the two bishops as a synonym, with a separate cross-referenced entry confirming the equivalence. Wikipedia's compensation article lists the two bishops, or bishop pair, among the standard forms of non-material compensation. Wikipedia's chess strategy overview likewise describes the bishop pair as powerful without dating the phrase.
First documented: n.a. — n.a.
Translations
Translations for this term haven't been added yet.