Chess
- Probably most people checking this website out are acquainted with the rules of chess. I have included them anyhow just in case.
- Chess developed from Shatranj. I've read that it was in Spain that the Queen and Bishop were granted the moves that changed the game into Chess as we know it.
- Many different types of pieces have been used to play chess. Some of the more interesting ones are the Isle of Lewis pieces discovered in Scotland on the Isle of Lewis.
- Most people nowadays use the Staunton style pieces, which are standard for most chess sets and according to the rules must be used for competitions.
- The image to the right is my own personal set. It is a standard wood set in the Staunton style, which is now standard for tournament play.
- However, Chess has a wide variety of traditional piece styles from different countries that have adopted Modern Chess.
- The Moro Chessmen style of the Philipines is one to note for its simplicity and beautiful design.
- Another is the Muslim style pieces from India and the Middle-East which use more abstracted figures.
- The Isle of Lewis Chessmen are also very beautiful. They were originally used for Medieval Chess (Shatranj). Of course they can be used for Modern Chess as well.