Chess

The Quintessential Aristocrat
Author Martin R. Thomas
Series Quintessential Series
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2004

Chess: This is basically the game that we know today. The pieces consist of a King, a Queen, two Priests or clerics (‘Bishops’), two Knights or Horses, two Castles (‘Rooks’), and eight Pawns on each side for a total of 32 pieces. The board consists of 64 squares of alternating light and dark colours. Basic chess sets are relatively common; sets carved by master artisans can be very rare and expensive. In some cultures, artists carve figures to represent the reigning monarchs and their families. The pieces can become very elaborate and entire sets of chess pieces and boards may be considered works of art rather than simple games.