The rules of the game also evolved during this time.Ĭastling became more complex, with different variations and restrictions depending on the version of the game being played. The Bishop was given a pointed hat to symbolize its religious role, and the Knight was depicted as a horseman wearing armor.

The King was often depicted wearing a crown, and the Queen was introduced as a powerful piece that could move in any direction along a straight line. The Raja became the “King,” and the pieces were given more realistic designs. In medieval Europe, chess became a popular game among the nobility, and the pieces were given new names and designs. Castling was introduced to make the game more interesting and to give the King a way to escape from danger. When chess spread to the Islamic world, the Raja became known as the “Shah,” and the game was called “Shatranj.” The Shah moved in the same way as the Raja, but it was also allowed to make a special move called “castling.” Castling involves moving the King two squares towards a rook, and then moving the rook to the square next to the King on the opposite side. The Raja moved in the same way as the modern King, one square in any direction. The King in Chaturanga was called the “Raja,” which means “king” or “ruler” in Sanskrit. The name “King” comes from the ancient Persian word “Shah,” which means “king” or “ruler.” Chess originated in ancient India, where it was known as “Chaturanga,” which means “four divisions” or “four parts.” The four parts referred to the four divisions of the Indian army: elephants, chariots, horsemen, and foot soldiers. It is the only piece that cannot be captured, but it can be put in check, which means it is under attack and must be moved to a safe square. The King can move one square in any direction, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. The goal of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king, which means to put it in a position where it is under attack and cannot escape capture. The King is the most important piece in the game of chess. History and Origins of Each Chess Piece Name King The knight moves in an L-shape: two squares in one direction (horizontal or vertical) and then one square perpendicular to that direction, or vice versa. They remain on their respective color squares throughout the game. Most top players generally agree that bishops tend to be stronger overall than knights, though it will depend on the position.

The bishop moves diagonally across the board, any number of squares, as long as its path is unobstructed.Įach player has two bishops, one starting on a light square and the other on a dark square. Able to control large portions of the board.It is often used to control key squares and create threats to the opponent’s pieces. The queen is the most powerful piece on the board, with the ability to move any number of squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

All names of chess pieces