"The Queen is usually reckoned equal, in average situations, to two Rooks and a Pawn, but towards the end of a game she is hardly so valuable as two Rooks"

This quote by Howard Staunton is referring to the worth of a Queen in a game of chess. He is stating that, usually, the Queen is generally equal in worth to two Rooks and a Pawn. However, as the video game advances and the pieces end up being more restricted, the Queen is not as important as 2 Rooks. This is since the Queen is the most powerful piece on the board and can move in any instructions, making it a really versatile piece. However, as the game progresses, the Queen's movement is limited by the other pieces on the board, making it less valuable than two Rooks. Staunton is stressing the importance of the Queen in the early phases of the game, as it can be utilized to get an advantage over the challenger.