Chess

Sympkyn of the Moor

Number of players: 4(2 teams of 2)
Type of game: Board Period: 1200+

Medieval Chess is the form of chess played in Europe during the Middle Ages, evolving from earlier variants like Shatranj and eventually developing into the modern game by the 15th century. It features distinct piece movements and rules that differ from today’s chess.

History of Medieval Chess

  • Origins: Chess originated in India (~6th century CE) and spread via Persia and the Islamic world as Shatranj.

  • Arrival in Europe: By the 9th-10th centuries, chess reached Europe, adapting into Medieval Chess with regional rule changes.

  • Evolution: Between the 12th and 15th centuries, piece movements and rules gradually changed, notably the queen and bishop gaining modern powers.

  • Transition: The Renaissance period saw the final transition into modern chess with the current rules.

Traditional Equipment

  • Board: 8x8 checkered board with alternating dark and light squares.

  • Pieces: Each side has 16 pieces: King, Queen (often called “Ferz” or “Advisor” in earlier times with limited moves), two Rooks, two Knights, two Bishops (or “Elephants” in early forms), and eight Pawns.

  • Players: Two players facing each other.

Objective

Checkmate the opponent’s king — putting it under threat of capture with no escape.

Basic Rules of Medieval Chess

Setup

  • Standard chess setup with some variations in piece names and powers depending on time and place.

  • Queen (Ferz) moved only one square diagonally.

  • Bishop (Alfil or Elephant) jumped two squares diagonally.

  • Pawns moved as today but promoted typically only to queen or sometimes rook.

Piece Movement

Piece Movement in Medieval Chess
King One square any direction (same as modern)
Queen (Ferz) One square diagonally only
Bishop (Elephant) Jumps exactly two squares diagonally (can leap over pieces)
Knight Same as modern (L-shape)
Rook Same as modern (straight lines)
Pawn One step forward; capture diagonally; no initial two-step move in early forms
Pawn Promotion Usually to queen or rook

Gameplay

  • Players alternate moves.

  • Check and checkmate rules as today.

  • Castling did not exist or was very limited.

  • En passant did not exist.

Optional and Variant Rules

1. Promotion Limits

  • Sometimes pawns promoted only to pieces that were captured.

  • Promotion was rare and limited.

2. No Castling

  • Castling was not standard in medieval chess.

3. Different Starting Positions

  • Some regional variants placed the queen or bishop differently.

4. Time Controls

  • Medieval players often used no formal timing.

Summary Table

Rule Aspect Medieval Chess Details
Board 8x8 checkered
Players 2
Pieces per side 16 (King, Queen/Ferz, Bishop/Elephant, Rook, Knight, 8 Pawns)
Objective Checkmate the opponent’s king
Queen Movement One square diagonally only
Bishop Movement Jump two squares diagonally
Pawn Move One step forward; no initial two-step move
Castling Absent or very rare
Promotion Usually to queen or rook; limited options