What is an elephant called in chess?

Summary of the Article: What is an Elephant Called in Chess?

In this article, we will explore the origin and naming of chess pieces, specifically focusing on the elephant (also known as the rook) and its counterpart, the bishop. We will uncover the historical and cultural reasons behind the different names for these pieces in various regions. Additionally, we will delve into related questions such as the camel’s name in chess, the reason behind the elephant becoming the bishop, and when the switch occurred. Finally, we will touch on other chess piece names and their corresponding animals, including the rook and the octopus. Let’s dive in!

Questions and Detailed Answers:

1. Is the elephant a rook or bishop?

In different regions, the elephant piece in chess is known by various names. For instance, in Russia, it is referred to as a bishop. This name originates from the Indian ancestor of chess, chaturanga, where the elephant symbolized war elephants. These mighty military units of antiquity were represented by the elephant piece.

2. Is a rook called an elephant?

In Hindi-speaking communities, the rook is commonly known as “हाथी” (elephant). Similarly, East Asian chess games like xiangqi and shogi also have names for the rook that convey the idea of a chariot (“車”) as the same piece.

3. Why is the rook called an elephant?

The Indian predecessor to chess, Chaturanga, featured a piece called the “rukh” that represented elephantine war carriages used by the Indian army until the 5th century. These carriages carried fortifications, leading to the association of the piece with elephants.

4. What is the camel called in chess?

The camel, also known as the long knight, is a special chess piece with an elongated knight move. It can jump three squares horizontally and one square vertically or three squares vertically and one square horizontally, regardless of any pieces in between.

5. Why did the elephant become the bishop?

The groove on the piece, resembling a bishop’s mitre, is one of the reasons it is called a bishop. Some theories suggest that this groove represented the tusks of an elephant, while others attribute the name choice to the appearance of projections resembling a mitre.

6. When did the elephant become the bishop in chess?

The bishop replaced the elephant of Islamic tradition on the European chessboard around the 12th century. This substitution may seem curious, but medieval bishops often served alongside armies.

7. What animal is called a rook?

The rook, scientifically named Corvus frugilegus, belongs to the crow family Corvidae. It shares similarities in size (45 cm) and black coloration with the carrion crow, but it distinguishes itself with shaggy thigh feathers and bare white skin at the base of its sharp bill.

8. What animal does the rook represent?

The rook, also referred to as the castle, plays an important role in a strategic move called castling. Historically, the rook was sometimes called the tower, and it was represented by an elephant.

9. Which animal is the rook?

Just like in the previous answer, the rook is associated with the bird species Corvus frugilegus. It closely resembles the carrion crow but has distinct characteristics such as shaggy thigh feathers and bare white skin near its sharp bill.

10. What is an octopus in chess?

In chess, an octopus refers to a strategically positioned knight in enemy territory. This knight has a wide-ranging influence, akin to an octopus with its eight tentacles capable of fighting in multiple directions.

11. What is the rarest move in chess?

Underpromoting to a bishop is considered one of the rarest moves in chess. While rook promotions are more commonly seen, underpromoting a pawn to a bishop happens infrequently. Noteworthy examples include the Saavedra study, and knight underpromotions are relatively more frequent.