the names of the pieces are self-explanatory (king, queen, etc). But why is the rook named what it is? Is "rook" a term for someone that lives in a king's castle? I always assumed a rook was a term for a prince, since it has a crown on it's head like King and Queen, and is a major piece like they are.
The top four Google search results for rook"
Rook, Wikipedia (chess)
Rook, Wikipedia (card game)
Rook, Wikipedia (bird)
Rook Brand Clothing
No explanation of where the name "rook" comes from, in relation to chess.
And honestly, I guess I don't know where "pawn" comes from either. Is it an old-world term for "page", which is a young underling?
Originally posted by vivify the names of the pieces are self-explanatory (king, queen, etc). But why is the rook named what it is? Is "rook" a term for someone that lives in a king's castle? I always assumed a rook was a term for a prince, since it has a crown on it's head like King and Queen, and is a major piece like they are.
The top four Google search results for rook"
Rook ...[text shortened]... comes from either. Is it an old-world term for "page", which is a young underling?
Just guessing here, but I seem to recall that it may be an Indian term "ruhk" or "rukh" meaning chariot. I remember reading that somewhere but can't swear to it.
Originally posted by Bebop5 Just guessing here, but I seem to recall that it may be an Indian term "ruhk" or "rukh" meaning chariot. I remember reading that somewhere but can't swear to it.
Just looked up "rukh"; actually a Persian term, meaning a mythological large bird that can carry great weights like elephants and such....
Originally posted by vivify And honestly, I guess I don't know where "pawn" comes from either. Is it an old-world term for "page", which is a young underling?
The word pawn actually is derived from the Old French word "paon" which comes from the Medieval Latin term for foot soldier, and is etymologically cognate to peon.
Originally posted by Bebop5 Just guessing here, but I seem to recall that it may be an Indian term "ruhk" or "rukh" meaning chariot. I remember reading that somewhere but can't swear to it.
yes this is the origin of the term, the same word in Urdu, from the Persian, Ruhk,
chariot. The queen was originally vizier, a high-ranking political adviser, again from
the Persian. Carrobie means cherub, from Persian, just sayin.
Oh, so "elephants" or "chariots" is indeed the original meaning, then. So why then, is a rook represented with a crown, rather than wheels for the chariot, or with an elepphant head?
This reminds me; I used to play a game called "Battle Chess" for Nintendo, where you see an actual battle between two pieces, when one is captured. The rooks were represented by large rock-like monsters. It was really a moving, cylindrical part of a castle, with the "crown" being those posts archers shoot behind, like in this image:
Originally posted by vivify Oh, so "elephants" or "chariots" is indeed the original meaning, then. So why then, is a rook represented with a crown, rather than wheels for the chariot, or with an elepphant head?
The standardisation of the pieces only came into effect in Staunton's era, he was consulted on what design the pieces should take in tournament play and hence we have the 'Staunton piece set'. The fact that these pieces don't necessarily represent or reflect their etymological origins may well have something to do with this.
Originally posted by Bebop5 Just guessing here, but I seem to recall that it may be an Indian term "ruhk" or "rukh" meaning chariot. I remember reading that somewhere but can't swear to it.
That's correct. The latter: rukh.
You might have read it in H.J.R. Murray, A History of Chess (1913), as it is there.
Originally posted by Marinkatomb The standardisation of the pieces only came into effect in Staunton's era, he was consulted on what design the pieces should take in tournament play and hence we have the 'Staunton piece set'. The fact that these pieces don't necessarily represent or reflect their etymological origins may well have something to do with this.
Found this in Encyclopedia Britannica, but it correlates with things that I have read in credible secondary sources.
"The standard for modern sets was established about 1835 with a simple design by an Englishman, Nathaniel Cook. After it was patented in 1849, the design was endorsed by Howard Staunton, then the world’s best player; because of Staunton’s extensive promotion, it subsequently became known as the Staunton pattern."
Originally posted by Wulebgr Found this in Encyclopedia Britannica, but it correlates with things that I have read in credible secondary sources.
"The standard for modern sets was established about 1835 with a simple design by an Englishman, Nathaniel Cook. After it was patented in 1849, the design was endorsed by Howard Staunton, then the world’s best player; because of Staunton’s extensive promotion, it subsequently became known as the Staunton pattern."
Is that so, i was under the impression Staunton was involved in the design, you learn something new every day. 🙂
The names given to the pieces varies from country to country, if you really want to get a feel for the true meaning of the names, researching the foreign names might also give a clue. This is a table of names by language that may assist..
What is a "rook"?
09 Nov '12 22:091 edit
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