Chess Intro

Chess! The oldest skill game in the world

Did you know,

Chess has been around for 1,500 years. It orginated in, Persia, India and China. Europeans gave the names to the chess pieces we know today. During the eighth century the Arab armies called the Moors invaded Persia. There they learned the game of chess, so when they invaded Spain the Spanish began playing the game, and so it was eventually played throughout Europe. The six different chess pieces represent and reflect how medieval people both of stature and of paucity lived their lives. This is reiterated in the point system.

Chess Facts

• The pawns represent serfs or labourers.
• The knight represents the professional soldier.
• The bishop represents the church.
• The rook represents the home place or refuge.
• The queen represents the queen.
• The king represents the king.
  

1. The pawns as labourers are often used as sacrifice or a diversion in order to save more valuable pieces. They are worth one point, the least in the game.
2. The knight’s job is to protect the higher ranking pieces, although he can still be sacrificed just as pawns can. They are worth three points
3. The bishop representing the church is a rich and powerful piece, since religion was so central it’s no wonder it got in there. They are worth three points.
4. The rook simply acts as a refuge. They are worth five points.
5. The queen is the most powerful piece, back in the day the queen often had to defend the castle in times of battle. She is worth nine points.
6. The king is the most useless and most important piece, if he is taken the game is over. He is worth everything.