subject: The 16 Players in the Classic Game of Chess [print this page] The 16 Players in the Classic Game of Chess
The 16 pieces of chessmen that make up a 'team' in the classic game of chess consist of 6 different faces and take on six very unique roles. The six individual playing pieces that make up a side were designed to have various powers which gave them different jobs. These functions were derived from divisions of the military and came together to battle in the classic game of chess.
The King - Always stands taller than the other players however his mobility is most limited. The King is the ruler, and he doe not fight the battles, his generals fight and protect him.
The Queen - She used to be a he, and a general, however writings in history that did no translate easily turned her into the queen because she stood beside the King.
The Bishop - Started out as an armed attendant sitting on an elephant centuries ago and the groove in it is to form what are 'tusks'. Other countries and cultures saw the groove to create a jesters cap. Like the queen he moves on a diagonal and can move a distance but cannot jump over other pieces.
The Knight - Designed as a horse to represent the armored cavalry. Moves in an L shape and has the unique ability to jump over other men. The knight would not lead and attack, but flank the leader in a supporting role.
The Rook - The chariot in the heavy infantry division, offers defensive abilities to trap the opponent's men. This is accomplished with its abilities to move forward, backward, diagonally and horizontally.
The Pawn - The smallest of the figures, the foot soldiers in the army troop. These work as part of the offence and defense. The pawns move only forward across the board moving forward and capturing diagonally. Some consider them expendable but protecting them can be a good strategy.
The figures themselves can look like the more traditional or standard sets like the Staunton that is used in tournament play. The height of these Staunton pieces and size of the squares on the board is limited to the official guidelines set for tournament play. Currently sets can take on fun or historic themes, and commonly take on a role for display purposes as well as game play. Very abstract and unique sets exits that are truly works of art and act as beautiful additions to a home. It does not matter what the appearance, one set is labeled white, the other black, even if they are not really white and black.
Chess board games have stood the test of time, the art of strategy and an excellent stimulate for the mind make them very popular classic board games!
