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Medieval Chess

Chess Glossary - Medieval Chess Graphic This page is mostly about Medieval Chess Rules - how those in Ye Olde days did battle on the board ...

However, we've also tacked on a bit about Medieval Chess Sets; just a short mention, but the sheer detail and craftmanship of some of the pieces means an obligatory few words.

So, what do you want to look at first:

Chess Rules
Chess Sets

Chess Rules Of The Medieval Game

The Rules here are based on research by Edinburh University Chess Club.

At the time of writing, I couldn't find any mention of moves such as En Passant, Castling, or Pawn Promotion, so, to play it safe, the Rules on this page mainly concern the Basic Moves of the Chess pieces.

You'll also find mention of Checkmate, a comparison between the modern game and the Medieval version when a King would Not be in Checkmate and an alternative winning move, known as Baremate, which was a feature of the Medieval game.

Where capturing is concerned, I'm assuming, unless restricted by range of movement, they're the same as they are today.

Movement of the Pawn

Pawns moved in precisely the same way as in the modern game - that is one move forward, per turn.

The only difference is, where in the modern game, you're able to advance your Pawns two squares on their opening moves, the Medieval game restricted them to one move, throughout the game.

Movement of the Knight

The Knights move in the same L-shape as they do in the modern game, where they're able to jump over pieces to get to a free square (or claim a capture, presumably).

Movement of the Bishop

Now then, the Bishop Rules are different; they certainly moved in mysterious ways, compared to the modern game ...

Specifically, Bishops, like Knights, could jump over other pieces on the board.

However, their range of movement was greatly restricted - certainly by modern standards - as they could only move a maximum of 2 squares.

Movement of the Rook

Because of the one-square-move-per-turn of the Pawn, it took longer to lift the Rook out into the middle of the board, where it could do maximum, long-range damage.

Mercifully, the Rook had full access across the board as it does in the modern era.

Movement of the Queen

Another restriction of the Medieval Chess game was placed on the Queen, as not only was she limited to one move per turn, she could only operate along the diagonals ...

As you maybe saw in the above video clip, this made gameplay by the Queen much slower and, by today's rules, certainly limited power to attack the enemy and protect her own side.

In the next video, about the King's movement, you'll see how the King used to have greater freedom on the board, simply because the Queen was unable to attack along the straights, at long-distance ...

Movement of the King

The King's moves are the same today as they were back in Medieval times - with the ability to move in any direction, but only one move per turn.

As you saw, it was good news for the King that the Queen was restricted to one, diagonal square move per turn.

In the modern game, such a move, by the King - Black's King, in this case - would be illegal, as it'd put the King in direct Check, from White's Queen ... not so, back then.

It certainly seems the Medieval game was less attack-minded than it is today.

Anyway, we now move onto the Endgame moves.

First up, you can see how a certain scenrio, played today, would win you the game by Checkmate, but back in Medieval times, it would Not be Checkmate at all ...

Endgame - When It's Not Checkmate

Here's a familiar situation ...

Played today, White could move Rook onto the 7th Rank, to keep Black's King on the 8th Rank and then, after Black's move, White would send the Queen either to a8 or c8, which would win the game (i.e. Checkmate).

However, we now know the Medieval Chess Queen was shackled to one diagonal square per turn ...

Not only does it take an extra couple of moves to get White's Rook and Queen to occupy the back two Ranks, it's utterly pointless from distance, because the Queen doesn't have the straight-line attacking ability, like she does today ...

In the video clip scenario, Black's King can simply step down onto the 7th Rank and get out of Check ... It's certainly Not Checkmate, here!

Endgame - Checkmate

By modern Rules, the number of times Black's King puts himself into illegal positions, is, well, A LOT.

But, the Medieval Chess equivalent of FIDE saw things totally different ...

Again, it's down to the restrictive movement of the Queen - not being able to attack in straight lines - which allows Black's King to frequently stand immediately in front of her without risk of Check.

In this video clip scenario, it requires a retarded amount of moves, firstly to bring White's King up, to help; then for White to keep moving, somewhat rigidly, until the Rook can get some distance for the Checkmate move.

If only there was a quicker way to win the game ... Well, funny you should mention that ...

Endgame - Baremate

The Rule of Baremate is brilliantly simple and fast-acting ... If a King no longer has any of it's own pieces on the board, that's Baremate - the King is bare of support - and the opponent wins the game.

In the above scenario, the move by White's Rook, to capture Black's Pawn, would not result in an immediate win by White - not in the modern game - as Black's King, while still in deep do-do, would still be able to capture White's Rook and continue to move for a few more turns (unless Black knowingly resigns, of course).

But, because of the Medieval Rule of Baremate, Black suddenly has no more pieces remaining on the board, and immediately loses the game.

I wonder what came first - was Baremate an innovation to combat the tedium of trying to win by Checkmate, with the Rules as they were?

Medieval Chess Sets

For those who find craftmanship and intricate detailing somewhat appealing, like the many Themed Chess Sets available, you'll probably be a big fan of Medieval Chess Sets.

Chess Glossary - Medieval Chess Sets - Richard Of England

Being about Medieval battles and wars, some of these Medieval Chess Sets depict historical cruisading warriors, like Richard of England (above) and King Arthur (below).