Seeing what your opponent is trying to do

I was so focused on my 'attack' against the white King I didn't take enough notice of why my opponent moved his Rook to b8 (in order to get it there he had checked me with it. I should have taken more time but I was happy thinking well, he has blocked in his own piece now, I just don't have to move the Bishop.

I decided to Rxf2 - two questions

Why did I decide that Rxf2 was Ok idea


Good Bishops

Which are the better Bishops answer


In the following examples please ignore the possible captures - I only want to show the 'coverage' of the pieces.
Knights benefit most from being nearer the centre
The black Knight has a range of 2 - white's is 8(4 times increase)

black Bishop 7; white Bishop 13 (almost double)

black Rook 14; white Rook 14 (no difference)

black King 5; white King 7 (almost half again)

And the Queen is like a Rook and Bishop together

questions

What if the knight is not exactly in the corner - how much is it worth then ?

Where is the worst square for the King to be on(for its mobility)



The only difference here is that one side has castled. Which is the more mobile (count them up to be sure of how much more mobile)


Black has grabbed the open file with the Rook - how much more mobile now ?


To see what I think the answers are and what if the Rook were on the e file ? How much then, and besides mobility would it be 'doing' anything else ?

Since Rooks don't care if they are in the centre or not (ignoring other pieces which may block) then 'connecting' the Rooks to use them as a battering ram is a strong idea.


And if you are in an attaking position then connect the Rooks the other way.




Which can be a little embarassing if we have castled & had to move our Bishop pawn up, can you see it - if it were black to move theb it is mate-in-two; can white defend herself - if you come up with answers then tell me next week :)