Chess Game Matches

Some Brief Ideas and Notes About Chess Game Matches

Chess game matches have been around, in one form or another, since ancient times. While its exact roots have never been completely determined, the most widely accepted theory is that the game began in India, where it slowly migrated to Europe through Persia by way of merchant caravans. 
 
In fact, it has often been suggested that the word Chess itself is a mispronunciation of the Persian word Shah--the name the game carried in that part of the world. This is not the only holdover that chess carries from ancient Persia; the similarities between the chess term Rook and the Persian word Ruhk (Chariot) can hardly be ignored. Though the Rook, in India, is commonly referred to as Haathi, or The Elephant. Both words tie directly into the psychology of the piece. The Rook charges down the chess board in straight lines, signifying both the speed and the straightforward nature of a Chariot--or even a War Elephant. The Rook's overall resemblance to a fortification is responsible for the English Chess Game term "Castling," so the Charioteer metaphor can only hold so much water, unless you view Castling as the King summoning a body guard instead of retreating into a fort.
 
Compare a Rook to a Bishop though, and it can become a bit confusing. Ancient Persians called the piece "Pil," which happens to mean 'Elephant.' Russians refer to the piece as "slawn," which also means Elephant. In India, the piece was is referred to as Oont, or Camel. As the game of chess spread into England, however, the piece was renamed "Bishop." The English had little concept of what an elephant, or even a camel, was, and shape of the piece seemed far more human, even regal, so the rename was only natural. The name "Bishop," however, ties in with the piece's psychology a bit better.  The piece moves diagonally, and can be used to control pieces that are literally on the opposite side of the board, much like a politician pulling strings from afar.
 
But this is why the Chess game matches have survived this long; its game mechanics are complex in their simplicity, and the Chess game itself can be seen as a metaphor for almost anything. I've even seen writing instructors tell their students to go read books about a chess game, saying that well written fiction requires the same amount of planning as a good chess game.