| Chess pieces are not only the rank-and-file of a | | | | an equally powerful offensive role in modern play. |
| chess game, but they are also the heart and soul of | | | | - Bishop - The Bishop we know today started with a |
| the chess game experience. Chess pieces with | | | | severely circumscribed movement capability, although |
| matching or unique movement qualities completing | | | | it possess the modern Knight's ability to leap to its |
| their intended purpose make for a sharp strategic | | | | destination. The Bishop, or Gaja as it was once |
| ballet with nearly limitless possibilities of progression. | | | | known, has lost its vertical capability but its diagonal |
| Pierre Mac Orlan, famous 20th century French writer | | | | travel equals that of the modern Queen. This |
| and poet, once said, "There are more adventures on | | | | movement modification has made the Bishop a |
| a chessboard than on all the seas of the world". In | | | | decisive tool of play from middle-game onwards. |
| fact, there are approximately 1040 possible legal | | | | - Knight - The Knight has remained the same in its |
| chess piece positions. Now consider an average chess | | | | shape and movement capabilities since it was first |
| piece position can possess as much as 218 | | | | known as an Ashva, or Horse. The Ashva was |
| movement possibilities. The resulting number of game | | | | intended to act as a mounted division. The Knight's |
| play options rockets to a figure that only | | | | power lays in its flanking ability, so it shouldn't |
| International Grandmasters like Garry Kasparov and | | | | typically lead the charge. |
| super-computers such as Deep Blue are able to even | | | | - Rook - Was initially known as the Chariot and |
| begin to grasp. | | | | played like a heavy infantry division. The Rook has |
| Sounds daunting, but if the history and purpose of | | | | powerful linear movement capabilities, but is |
| chess pieces are understood, this infinitely varied | | | | susceptible to diagonal attack. Therefore the Ratha, |
| environment can be experienced and enjoyed to its | | | | as the Rook was formally known, was used primarily |
| fullest. | | | | for defense and/or pinning down opponent's chess |
| Modern regulation chess sets have a total of 32 | | | | pieces. |
| chess pieces divided evenly between two players. | | | | - Pawn - To the ill informed, the pawn, or foot |
| Each player's force of chess pieces consists of 2 - | | | | infantry, was the most expendable of all chess |
| Rooks (Castles), 2 - Bishops, 2 - Knights, 1 - King, 1 - | | | | pieces. As Paul Keres, Estonia's chess grandmaster, |
| Queen and 8 - pawns. And their particular histories | | | | once said, "The older I grow, the more I appreciate |
| are as follows: | | | | my Pawns". Pawns, or Pedati as they were once |
| - King - The King has always been royalty among | | | | known, form your line of approach, defining your |
| chess pieces and if popularly recognized lineage were | | | | offensive game play strategy and your defensive |
| to be believed, began as the Raja. Like most royalty, | | | | options. Pawns can also be instrumental in your |
| the ' King' has always been primarily an object of | | | | endgame strategy, so avoid sacrificing your Pawn |
| protection rather than one of attack. Therefore, it | | | | chess pieces when opening. Treat your Pawns with |
| has limited but dexterous movement capabilities. | | | | respect for as the Irish saying goes, "When the |
| - Queen - The Queen is a creature of great change | | | | chess game is over, the pawn and the king go back |
| in the world of chess pieces. What began as a Mantri, | | | | to the same box". |
| or counselor, was as incapable of long-reaching | | | | With this kind of history, it is easy to understand |
| moves as the King, but equally dexterous. Now that | | | | why the designs of chess pieces vary as they do. In |
| modern chess has reduced the number of battling | | | | conforming to each society's idea of strategic conflict |
| armies of chess pieces and players behind them, | | | | has created a world of design options for the avid |
| from four to two, that familiar 64 square board that | | | | chess player. |
| Chaturanga was born on, opened up, allowing the | | | | You can very easily find a plethora of chess piece |
| General, as the Queen was also known, to assume | | | | designs over the Internet. |