How to Play Chess: Rules and Basics - Chess.com Chess.com Forums Learn to Play Chess It's never too late to learn how to play chess - the most popular game in the world! If you are totally new to the game or even want to learn all of the rules and strategies, read on! Getting Better at Chess History of Chess The origins of chess are not exactly clear, though most believe it evolved from earlier chess-like games played in India almost two thousand years ago.The game of chess we know today has been around since the 15th century where it became popular in Europe. The Goal of Chess Chess is a game played between two opponents on opposite sides of a board containing 64 squares of alternating colors. Each player has 16 pieces: 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, and 8 pawns. The goal of the game is to checkmate the other king. Checkmate happens when the king is in a position to be captured (in check) and cannot escape from capture. Starting a Game At the beginning of the game the chessboard is laid out so that each player has the white (or light) color square in the bottom right-hand side.

The chess pieces are then arranged the same way each time. The second row (or rank) is filled with pawns. The rooks go in the corners, then the knights next to them, followed by the bishops, and finally the queen, who always goes on her own matching color (white queen on white, black queen on black), and the king on the remaining square. The player with the white pieces always moves first. Therefore, players generally decide who will get to be white by chance or luck such as flipping a coin or having one player guess the color of the hidden pawn in the other player's hand. White then makes a move, followed by black, then white again, then black and so on until the end of the game. How the Pieces Move Each of the 6 different kinds of pieces moves differently. Pieces cannot move through other pieces (though the knight can jump over other pieces), and can never move onto a square with one of their own pieces. However, they can be moved to take the place of an opponent's piece which is then captured.

Pieces are generally moved into positions where they can capture other pieces (by landing on their square and then replacing them), defend their own pieces in case of capture, or control important squares in the game. The King The king is the most important piece, but is one of the weakest. The king can only move one square in any direction - up, down, to the sides, and diagonally. Click on the '>' button in the diagram below to see how the king can move around the board. The king may never move himself into check (where he could be captured). The Queen The queen is the most powerful piece. She can move in any one straight direction - forward, backward, sideways, or diagonally - as far as possible as long as she does not move through any of her own pieces. And, like with all pieces, if the queen captures an opponent's piece her move is over. Click through the diagram below to see how the queens move. Notice how the white queen captures the black queen and then the black king is forced to move. The Rook The rook may move as far as it wants, but only forward, backward, and to the sides. The rooks are particularly powerful pieces when they are protecting each other and working together!

The Bishop The bishop may move as far as it wants, but only diagonally. Each bishop starts on one color (light or dark) and must always stay on that color. Bishops work well together because they cover up each other’s weaknesses. The Knight Knights move in a very different way from the other pieces – going two squares in one direction, and then one more move at a 90 degree angle, just like the shape of an “L”. Knights are also the only pieces that can move over other pieces. The Pawn Pawns are unusual because they move and capture in different ways: they move forward, but capture diagonally. Pawns can only move forward one square at a time, except for their very first move where they can move forward two squares. Pawns can only capture one square diagonally in front of them. They can never move or capture backwards. If there is another piece directly in front of a pawn he cannot move past or capture that piece. Promotion Pawns have another special ability and that is that if a pawn reaches the other side of the board it can become any other chess piece (called promotion). A pawn may be promoted to any piece.

[NOTE: A common misconception is that pawns may only be exchanged for a piece that has been captured. That is NOT true.] A pawn is usually promoted to a queen. Only pawns may be promoted. En Passant The last rule about pawns is called “en passant,” which is French for “in passing”. If a pawn moves out two squares on its first move, and by doing so lands to the side of an opponent’s pawn (effectively jumping past the other pawn’s ability to capture it), that other pawn has the option of capturing the first pawn as it passes by. This special move must be done immediately after the first pawn has moved past, otherwise the option to capture it is no longer available. Click through the example below to better understand this odd, but important rule. Castling One other special rule is called castling. This move allows you to do two important things all in one move: get your king to safety (hopefully), and get your rook out of the corner and into the game. On a player’s turn he may move his king two squares over to one side and then move the rook from that side’s corner to right next to the king on the opposite side.

(See the example below.) However, in order to castle, the following conditions must be met: it must be that king’s very first move it must be that rook’s very first move there cannot be any pieces between the king and rook to move the king may not be in check or pass through check Notice that when you castle one direction the king is closer to the side of the board. That is called castling kingside. Castling to the other side, through where the queen sat, is called castling queenside. Regardless of which side, the king always moves only two squares when castling. Check & Checkmate As stated before, the purpose of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king. This happens when the king is put into check and cannot get out of check. There are only three ways a king can get out of check: move out of the way (though he cannot castle!), block the check with another piece, or capture the piece threatening the king. If a king cannot escape checkmate then the game is over. Customarily the king is not captured or removed from the board, the game is simply declared over. Draws Occasionally chess games do not end with a winner, but with a draw.

There are 5 reasons why a chess game may end in a draw: The position reaches a stalemate where it is one player’s turn to move, but his king is NOT in check and yet he does not have another legal move The players may simply agree to a draw and stop playing There are not enough pieces on the board to force a checkmate (example: a king and a bishop vs.a king) A player declares a draw if the same exact position is repeated three times (though not necessarily three times in a row) Fifty consecutive moves have been played where neither player has moved a pawn or captured a piece Chess 960 Chess960 follows all the rules of standard chess, except for the starting position of pieces on the back rank, which are placed randomly in one of 960 possible positions. Castling is done just like in standard chess, with the King and Rook landing on their normal castled squares (g1 and f1, or c1 and d1). 960 plays just like standard chess, but with more variety in the opening. Some Tournament Rules Many tournaments follow a set of common, similar rules.

These rules do not necessarily apply to play at home or online Touch-move If a player touches one of their own pieces they must move that piece as long as it is a legal move. If a player touches an opponent’s piece, they must capture that piece. A player who wishes to touch a piece only to adjust it on the board must first announce the intention, usually by saying “adjust”. Introduction to Clocks and Timers Most tournaments use timers to regulate the time spent on each game, not on each move. Each player gets the same amount of time to use for their entire game and can decide how to spend that time. Once a player makes a move they then touch a button or hit a lever to start the opponent’s clock. If a player runs out of time and the opponent calls the time, then the player who ran out of time loses the game (unless the opponent does not have enough pieces to checkmate, in which case it is a draw). Basic Strategy There are four simple things that every chess player should know: #1 Protect your king Get your king to the corner of the board where he is usually safer. Don’t put off castling. You should usually castle as quickly as possible.

Remember, it doesn’t matter how close you are to checkmating your opponent if your own king is checkmated first! #2 Don’t give pieces away Don’t carelessly lose your pieces! Each piece is valuable and you can’t win a game without pieces to checkmate. There is an easy system that most players use to keep track of the relative value of each chess piece: A pawn is worth 1 A knight is worth 3 A bishop is worth 3 A rook is worth 5 A queen is worth 9 The king is infinitely valuable At the end of the game these points don’t mean anything – it is simply a system you can use to make decisions while playing, helping you know when to capture, exchange, or make other moves. #3 Control the center You should try and control the center of the board with your pieces and pawns. If you control the center, you will have more room to move your pieces and will make it harder for your opponent to find good squares for his pieces. In the example above white makes good moves to control the center while black plays bad moves. #4 Use all of your pieces In the example above white got all of his pieces in the game!

Your pieces don’t do any good when they are sitting back on the first row. Try and develop all of your pieces so that you have more to use when you attack the king. Using one or two pieces to attack will not work against any decent opponent. Getting Better at Chess Knowing the rules and basic strategies is only the beginning - there is so much to learn in chess that you can never learn it all in a lifetime! To improve you need to do three things: #1 – Play Just keep playing! Play as much as possible. You should learn from each game – those you win and those you lose. #2 – Study If you really want to improve quickly then pick up a recommended chess book. There are many resources on Chess.com to help you study and improve. #3 - Have fun Don’t get discouraged if you don’t win all of your games right away. Everyone loses – even world champions. As long as you continue to have fun and learn from the games you lose then you can enjoy chess forever! Esotericism of the Game of Chess Related to Freemasonry ESOTERICISM OF THE GAME OF CHESS RELATED TO FREEMASONRY by Bro. William Steve Burkle KT, 32°, KCRBE Alpha Lodge No.

116, Grand Lodge of New Jersey Philo Lodge No. 243, South River, New Jersey Scioto Lodge No. 6, Chillicothe, Ohio. This paper examines the esoteric properties of the Chess Board and the Chess Pieces, identifies the underlying spiritual meanings of the game and reveals the close ties between Chess and esoteric Freemasonry. Chess is an ancient game of skill and strategy played within the confines of strictly defined rules of play, within which the participants have the freedom to exercise individual decisions (free will). Each decision has a consequence which affects the response of the opponent and future moves of the decision maker, thereby influencing the outcome of the game. I have purposefully described the game in this somewhat unusual manner in order to emphasize the similarity between chess and the internal and external struggles of life. The internal aspects are the struggles between our dual natures and include those spiritual conflicts by which we maintain our self-identity, rationalize our behavior and live our lives. The external struggles include the mundane stresses associated with living in the material world, preserving our physical wellbeing, and survival. Ultimately, the game represents man’s exercise of free will while operating within the confines of natural law.

This parallel between the game of chess and our material lives is a paramount factor in grasping the esoteric properties which find active expression not only in the game of Chess, but also in Freemasonry. Brother Manly P. Hall said [I] , concerning the Game of Chess: In its symbolism chess is the most significant of all games. It has been called "the royal game"--the pastime of kings. Like the Tarot cards, the chessmen represent the elements of life and philosophy. In Chess, the playing field is defined by the chess board upon which the chess pieces operate. The physical constraints of the board, combined with the limitations of movement prescribed for each chess piece on that board, and together with the rules and conventions of the game constitute the totality of the tools used equally in common by each participant. The tools unique to each participant are the mental and spiritual processes brought to bear during play. The challenge of the game increases in direct proportion to the match in the degree of skill of the participants. This paper will deal primarily with the physical characteristics of the Chess board, the functions of the Chess pieces and the esoteric symbolism which these game elements exhibit. It will address the intangible spiritual elements in the context of the physical.

The premise of the paper is that not only is there a strong esoteric symbolism present in the game of Chess, this symbolism may be positively correlated with Esoteric concepts found in Freemasonry. Since I have taken the approach of dividing the physical elements of the game into the board, and the chess pieces respectively, I will discuss these elements in that same order. First however, a brief summary of the history of the game is offered. Historical Elements The game of Chess is believed to have originated in Persia [II] . Legend holds that the game was developed for King Vishtaspa by the prophet Zarathutra [III] who requested as a reward that he receive payment in grain. The conditions of this reward were that the amount of grain received would be equal to that which accumulated by placing one grain on the first square of the chess board, three on the second, six on the third, ten on the fourth, etc. up to the sixty-fourth and final square. Mathematicians will recognize this to be a geometric progression, resulting in a greater quantity of grain than could be gathered in the entire Persian Empire (18,446,744,973,709,551,661 grains).

According to further legend, the original rules of the game of Chess were so ancient as to have been lost. A wise man in the Persian court by the name of Buzurdjmir, rediscovered the complete set of rules for the game of Chess, including the placement and movement of each Chess Piece on the board through study and analysis. Dr. Ricardo Calvo [IV] says of Buzurdjmir: To calculate the arithmetical progression upon the chess board, he considered 32 pairs of numbers adding up to 65 (1+64 = 65, 2+63 = 65, 3+62 = 65 etc). So 32x65 = 2080… In an allegorical sense, the secret number of the chess board is not 64, but 65, because all other numbers are related to it.” The word “Checkmate” used to signify the games end by successfully trapping the King, is believed to stem from the Persian word “Shah” (king) and the Arabic word “mat” (he is dead).

Other accounts of the origin of the game [V] hold that it began in India as early as the time of the great Indian grammarian Pānini (circa 500 BC) where it was a game known as “Chaturanga” (Sanskrit meaning “four members”) which required four participants, and which possibly included the use of dice. It is interesting to note that by using dice, the element of fate was introduced as a factor in the game. In the Indian version of the game, the sixty-four squares (in an 8 X 8 matrix) correspond to the so-called Vastu-mandala, a diagram associated with the layout of sacred temples. The Hindu King Balhit [VI] is attributed with writing a book about the game of Chess in which the Game is portrayed as an allegory of the Zodiac.

According to historian [VII] Titus Burhhardt: “ The cyclic symbolism of the chess-board resides in the fact that it expresses the unfolding of space according to the quaternary and octonary of the principle directions (4 X 4 X 4 = 8 X 8), and that it synthesizes in crystalline form, the two great complementary cycles of sun and moon: the duodenary of the Zodiac and the 28 Lunar mansions; furthermore, the number 64, the sum of the squares on the chess-board is a submultiple of the fundamental cyclic number 25920, which measures the precession of the equinoxes.” . The representation of the Chess board in this fashion brings to mind similarities of the Vastu-mandala and the Kabalistic Cube of Space. Still other sources identify that the game of Chess was invented by Mercury, also known as Hermes or Thoth. Regardless of its origin, the game of Chess became extremely popular in the Arabic world, thereby spreading to Spain and eventually to the rest of the Western world. The Chess Board The traditional Chess board is an eight-by-eight mosaic of sixty-four squares arranged in alternating dark and light shades (Figure 1).

The squares are arranged in ranks and files; ranks are the rows or lines of eight squares running from left-to-right across the board, whereas files are the rows or lines of eight squares running from top-to-bottom along the board. Ranks are commonly numbered from 1 to 8, and files are lettered from “a” to “h” (left-to-right). The board is commonly viewed to be divided into four zones. The first zone is the division of the board into the White v. Black Half into groups of four Ranks. Traditionally, white's half of the board consists of all of the squares from Ranks 1 to 4; Black's Half includes all the squares from Ranks 5 to 8. A similar, but vertical division creates a second zone delineating the Kings Side versus the Queen’s Side of the board. The Queen’s Side includes all squares from Files a through d, whereas the King’s Side includes all squares from Files E to F. The third zone is actually a combination of the Center and the Expanded Center of the Board. The Center includes the four most center squares on the chessboard; whereas the Expanded Center includes the 16 squares in the board center.

The fourth and final zone consists of the Flanks. There are 6 Flanking squares in total, 3 squares on the Queen’s Side (Files a to c) and 3 squares on the Kingside (Files f to h). While the game is now traditionally played by two participants, there have been four-handed versions such as Rosicrucian or Enochian Chess [VIII] which appear to be an adaptation of the earlier “Chaturanga”. In 1922 George Slater, a member of the Sodalitas Rosae + Crucis & Solis Altati (The Rosicrucian Order of A.O.) prepared a detailed description of the game of Enochian Chess and a ritual associated with the game, which has been transcribed and is available via the internet [IX] . In this transcript, a Table is provided which gives correspondences between the Chess Pieces, Cards of the Tarot, and the Elements. There are correlations between the 64 Squares of the Chess Board and the 64 Hexagrams of the Oriental divinatory system known as the I-Ching [X] .

The 8 major trigrams of the I-Ching coincide with the 8 ranks and 8 files of the Chess Board, and the six lines in a hexagram may be correlated with the 6 types of chess pieces. There are also similarities between certain of the Chess Pieces and the cards in a Tarot deck. As is frequently the case when exploring true esoteric symbolism, there is a great deal of similarity which can be found between different, seemingly unrelated systems. The Masonic allusion most commonly associated with the Chess Board is that of the Mosaic pavement, and the allegorical representation of the dark and light squares as symbols of opposites. Somewhat less recognized are the allusions of the Chess Board to astrological concepts (see earlier references to the book of King Balhit) and the similar allusions to the Astrological layout [XI] of the lodge. During our later discussion of the Chess Pieces further astrological allusions shared in common between the game and the lodge will be explored. A somewhat lesser-known allusion concerning both the Chess Board and the Mosaic Pavement also exists in the Masonic allegory of the 3, 5, and 7 steps leading to the middle chamber.

The numbers 3, 5, and 7 represent the difference of squares of the first four integers as follows: 12 = 1, Subtracting the square of each integer 4 - 1 = 3 9 – 4 = 5 16 – 9 = 7 Although logic indicates a continuance of the sequence could be obtained by squaring the integer 5, and thereby deriving a difference of squares (25 – 16 = 9), it is important to note that the numbers 3, 5, and 7 are all primes (indivisible by any number other than 1 or themselves), whereas 9 is not a prime number. As will be shown, only the 3, 5, 7 sequence is accommodated by the Chess Board. The squaring of the integers may be represented graphically as shown in Figure 2: The difference (subtraction) of squares may also be represented graphically as depicted in Figure 3: The Chess Board may be discovered to have a common center, which can be located at the point of intersection of diagonals constructed from the four corners of the board. This is true also of the Masonic Pavement [XII] .

In a manner identical to that used in the layout of the Masonic Pavement, the Chess Board is constructed from its center outwards in four concentric rings with each quadrant of the board encompassing four groups of nested squares (See Figure 4) which are identical to the nested squares associated with the 3, 5, 7 sequence shown in Figure 3. Among other things, the arrangement of the nested 3, 5, 7 Difference in Squares incorporates an approximation of the Golden Spiral [XIII] . One of the key features of the Board Layout when envisioned as nested squares derived from the 3, 5, and 7 sequence is that when all four quadrants are considered there is a central common group of four contiguous squares (shown in black outline in Figure 4). The only two Chess pieces which are capable of simultaneously controlling all four of this group of squares are the King and Queen. Four (4) is a cubic number (and 4 X 4 X 4 = 64). In this regards, the four squares, which in a Masonic Mosaic Pavement would be occupied by the Altar, represent the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple.

The traditional symbolism of the Chess Pieces (the King and Queen) are that the King represents the Sun, and the Queen represents the Moon. This symbolism identifies the four squares as the center of the universe from the Astrological standpoint, and places two of the three Lesser Lights of Freemasonry on the altar. There is an additional feature of the “Nested Squares” which requires a three-dimensional perspective, in which each of the nested squares in the board is considered to be a three-dimensional cube (Visualize the Chess Board to represent a top-downward view of nested cubes). This is a plausible consideration since the number 12 which describes the cube and the sequence 3, 5, and 7 are related. Albert Pike wrote (concerning the cube) that: We have visible three faces, and nine external lines, drawn between seven points. The complete cube has three more faces, making six; three more lines, making twelve; and one more point, making eight.

As the number 12 includes the sacred numbers, 3, 5, 7, and 3 times 3, or 9, and is produced by adding the sacred number 3 to 9; while its own two figures 1, 2 the unit or monad, and duad, added together, make the same sacred number 3; it was called the perfect number; and the cube became the symbol of perfection. Thus, if we consider each nested square to have a height equal to its length and width them stacking the nested cubes results in a four-stepped Ziggurat as shown in Figure 5. This Ziggurat has been interpreted [XIV] as representing the “world mountain” which the ancients believed was the central axis of the revolving cosmos. There are a significant number of other esoteric characteristics incorporated into the Chess Board Layout [XV] . The natural symmetric division of the Chess Board into four quadrants taken in the context of astrological symbolism represent the four opposing seasonal cycles. Extension of this symbolism into the art and science of Alchemy would find a correlation between the Chess Board Layout and the so-called “Square of Opposition” of the elements (Figure 6) proposed by Aristotle.

Other characteristics of the Chess Board also fall in line with our current discussion of Astrological associations, namely that the perimeter of the board consists of 28 squares (Figure 7), which correlates with an approximation of the number of days in a monthly lunar cycle. The Chess Pieces The major chess pieces represent [XVI] the three traditional energy forces analogous to the three forces represented by the Christian Cross (active, passive, and modulating) and which form the Theological basis of the Christian Trinity. The game is played with a total of thirty-two pieces, sixteen pieces are black and sixteen are white. In each set of sixteen there is one King, One Queen,, Two Bishops, Two Knights, Two Rooks, and Eight Pawns. Figure 8 provides an illustration of the initial placement of the Chess Pieces on the Board. The symbolism of the Chess Pieces is largely found by examination of their function and the range of freedom with which they may move on the board. Brother Manly P. Hall [XVII] aptly describes the role of the Chess Pieces as representative of the spiritual constitution of man.

Hall observes in this regard that: “Of the philosophical constitution of man, the kings represent the spirit; the queens the mind; the bishops the emotions; the knights the vitality; the castles, or rooks, the physical body. The pieces upon the kings' side are positive; those upon the queens' side, negative. The pawns are the sensory impulses and perceptive faculties--the eight parts of the soul. The white king and his suite symbolize the Self and its vehicles; the black king and his retinue, the not-self--the false Ego and its legion. The game of chess thus sets forth the eternal struggle of each part of man's compound nature against the shadow of itself. The nature of each of the chessmen is revealed by the way in which it moves; geometry is the key to their interpretation. For example: The castle (the body) moves on the square; the bishop (the emotions) moves on the slant; the king, being the spirit, cannot be captured, but loses the battle when so surrounded that it cannot escape.” The pieces may be found to have analogy to planetary bodies, the elements, cardinal direction, and many other forms.

In the view of the Chess Board as an Astrological platform, one of the most interesting symbolisms of the Chess Pieces concerns their planetary associations [XVIII] . These planetary associations are consistent with the layout of the Lodge in that the original Blazing Star which was central to the Lodge pavement was a Hexagram [XIX] and not the Pentagram. The Hexagram is itself a common symbol of planetary order. In the Astrological scheme, as already noted, the King represents the Sun and the Queen represents the Moon. The King may move only one square at a time in any direction (including diagonally). The King captures other pieces by displacement, i.e. assuming the square upon which an opposing piece occupies. The Queen moves freely vertically, horizontally, or diagonally and may do so for any desired distance. The Queen captures by displacement. Bishops move diagonally along squares of similar color (black bishops move on black diagonally connected squares, white bishops on white diagonals). The Bishop’s pattern of movement is decidedly triangular, and is taken to represent the spiritual world. Astrologically the piece represents the Feminine character and the Planet Jupiter. The Rook moves “on the square”, that is to say either vertically or horizontally.

It is taken to represent the Masculine character and therefore Saturn. The knight is the only piece which can leap over other pieces. It can move two squares up and one square over, or one square up and two over. In this regard the Knight’s movements resemble the Masonic square and represents the planet Mars. Pawns move straight forward one square at a time, except that on the first move they may be advanced two squares. Pawns are unique in that while they normally move forward, they may move forward diagonally when capturing an opposing piece. Pawns which move forward to the final rank may be exchanged for a piece of greater value. In this regard they are metaphors for spiritual advancement and reward. Martinists would consider the pawn a symbol of reintegration both potential and realized. Pawns are considered to represent Venus and Mercury. The Chess Pieces are also attributed to symbolically represent the four Cardinal Directions [XX] and the four Classical Elements (Fire, Air, Water and Earth). Conclusion Chess has gained a reputation for being the game of choice for individuals in possession of a high intellect.

It is interesting to note however that medical studies [XXI] performed to evaluate the cognitive function of individuals with a high aptitude for the game of Chess concluded that intelligence is not a factor in success at the game. The existence of so-called “idiot savants” who are Chess prodigies seems to indicate that other factors are responsible for Chess excellence. The Author would speculate that the high esoteric content of the game may have something to do with the unexplained capabilities of persons who are naturally talented Chess players; perhaps in these persons, the Universal Consciousness speaks, and speaks loudly. As for me, I apparently need a new hearing aid. I feel it is important to address the fact that the squares (and the Chess Pieces) are divided into light and dark shades. Traditionally, this has been taken to represent good and evil (respectively) and the game has been considered to represent a cosmic battle of the forces of light and the forces of darkness. I believe a better description is possible. Each participant engaged in the game is assigned either light or dark pieces based upon a blind system of draw. It is not likely that either participant truly represents evil, regardless of the shade of Chess Piece he or she is given to play.

Much like the esoteric symbolism of the game board and pieces, the struggle in Chess represents that good and evil are relative to the viewpoint of the individual. Certainly during a good Chess match, one’s opponent who is engaged in assaulting your position could be viewed as having evil intent towards one’s King. The opposite might be true as well. I believe this represents a great truth in the Cosmos; namely that life is a struggle against threats both real and perceived, and is a battle waged for the purpose of self-knowledge. The exercise of free will in the context of the Chess game, in which our choices are constrained only by the game rules (natural law) certainly parallels the exercise of free will in our lives. Therefore Chess, with its light and dark squares is a struggle of man with his inner self, waged in a realm consisting of shades of gray. Notes [I] Hall, Manly P. (1936). Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabalistic, and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy. Los Angeles: Philosophical Research Society. [II] Li, David H. (1998). The Genealogy of Chess.

Premier Publishing Company.ISBN-10: 0963785222; ISBN-13: 978-0963785220 [III] Aun Weor, Samael and Khan, Kwen. (2005-2012). Chess: The Symbolism of the Game of Chess. Retrieved March 31, 2012 fvrom [IV] Calvo,Ricardo. (2003-2007). Mystical Numerology in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Chapter 2: Mystical numerology in Egypt and Mesopotamia. McLean, Donald (Ed.). [V] Daryaee, Touraj. (). The Games of Chess and Backgammon in Sasanian Persia. California State University, Fullerton. Retrieved April 2, 2012 from [VI] Needham, Joseph and Wang, Ling. (1962). Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 1, Physics. Cambridge University Press.

ISBN:9780521058025 [VII] Burckhardt, Titus. The Symbolism of Chess. in Studies in Comparative Religion. Vol. 3, No. 2, Spring 1969. World Wisdom, Inc. Retrieved March 31, 2012 from [VIII] Regardie, Israel. (1984).The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic. Phoenix, Arizona: Falcon Press. [IX] Westlund, Tommy (transcipt.). (2007). “Y” Chess and Chaturanga: Parts 1 and 2. Rosicrucian Order of Alpha Omega. Retrieved April 3, 2012 from [X] Green, Dan. (2012). The Mystery of the Octave: Hidden Occult and Supernatural Symbolism In Lincoln Cathedral. Retrieved March 31, 2012 from [XI] Eyer, Shawn. The Mystery of the Mosaic Pavement. Philalethes. Fall 2009. No. 93.

Retrieved March 10, 2012 from [XII] Bromwell, Henry P.H. (1909). Restorations of Masonic Geometry and Symbolry: Being a Dissertation of the Lost Knowledges of the Lodge. Denver: The H.P.H. Bromwell Masonic Publishing Company. [XIII] Burkle, William. Interesting Properties of the Numerical Sequence 3, 5, and 7: A Connection to the Golden Mean Rediscovered. Living Stones Magazine. April 2012, Volume 2, Issue 4. [XIV] Twyman,Tracy R. (2004). The Merovingian Mythos and the Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau. Quintessential Publications. O'Gowna Studio - Celtic Chess ������ WHY NOT PLAY A DIFFERENT STYLE OF CHESS A most intriguing game to challenge the heroes of our time. The game was designed by Lugh the Ild�na, the Celtic God of Arts and Crafts and set to test the champions of the land of Hibernia.

Cuchulainn, one of the greatest of Irish heroes, was said to be a master of the game as it was a requirement of all champions to master the game. This reproduction is created in O'Gowna Studios in Dublin, Ireland. The design is based on a board that is in the National History Museum in Dublin, which is believed to be made of bog oak and dates from the 9th century. The Game The four corner squares represent the four provinces of Ireland the centre square represents the fifth, which was Meath from where the High King ruled. The Pieces The game consists of twenty one pieces. The High King and his eight defenders who are two champions from each of the four provinces. There are twelve attackers which are three warriors from each province. These are the light coloured pieces. Objective The High King is in the centre province Meath and must be able to travel to one of the four provinces without being captured (one of the four corner squares). Curiously there are twelve attackers and only eight defenders. It appears he will lose. The game was designed by the Irish so everything may not be as it seems. Moves All pieces can move vertically and horizontally, but not diagonally. The same as a rook in chess.

The attacking pieces make the first move (light pieces). Each peice can move as many squares as are free but may not move over a piece. The High King can only move one square at a time until he reaches the edge of the board then he moves as other pieces along the sides only. The King alone may occupy the centre and four corners. Capturing Pieces A piece is captured when he is flanked on both sides, a piece can also be caught against a corner square or against one of the Kings squares when flanked by an opposing piece. The High King may only be caught when flanked on all four sides or on three sides against the centre or corner squares. all pieces are removed from the board when captured. When the King is captured the game is over. As the game relects the Irish Psyche, the King would appear to have the advantage. This was necessary to keep control of the country. At times he would have lost control and would have had a limited time to reach his favoured province, before he had no allies left, or he would only be able to travel at nght which meant he could only move one square at all times. Your skill level will determine these conditions.

(click on any image to get an enlarged version) How to Make Chess Pieces: 15 Steps - wikiHow Assembling the Pieces 1 Put together your pawns. Take your hex nuts and screw them onto your bolts so the nuts are even with the end of the bolts. Then, use some glue to attach a washer to each bolt head to give each pawn a base. [11] Chess pawns are usually the smallest pieces on the board, with a wide base, a slim middle, and a round head. 2 Construct your rooks. Thread your castle nuts onto your 1½" machine bolts so that the bolts extend a ¼" beyond the nuts. Then, one at a time, use your glue to attach the bolt heads to your washers to create the rooks' base. [12] You may have to hold the bolt head and washer together for a few minutes while the glue sets, otherwise the parts may come loose. Rooks are sturdy pieces in a normal chess set, with a wide base and a shape that resembles a tower or castle turret. 3 Assemble your knights. Take your hex nuts and thread them onto your 1½" machine bolts so the nuts are at the halfway point of the threading.

Now you can screw your wing nuts onto the bolts until each nut is even with the end of the bolt. Then: Dab a little glue to the threading just below the wing nut, and then screw your hex nut back toward the end of the bolt until it is even with the wing nut. Then, glue your washers to the head of the bolt to make the base. Knights traditionally look like a horse's head and neck with a wide base. [13] 4 Make your bishops. Thread your hex nuts onto the 2" machine bolts so the nuts are ¾ of the way to the head of the bolt. Slip your washer onto the bolt so it rests against the bolt and twist your cap nut onto the bolt's end. Dab glue along the bottom of the cap nuts and then slide the washers up the bolt to glue it against the cap nuts. Then: Apply glue to the threading below the washers and screw your hex nuts so they're even against the washer. Complete the piece by gluing washers to the bolt head for the base. When gluing, you may need to allow some time for the glue to set.

Typical chess sets have bishops with a wide base, a slim center, and oblong head with a slash through it. Your bishop will end up looking similar to your pawn, but a little bigger and with a few more parts. [14] 5 Erect your queens. Twist one hex nut onto each of your 2½" bolts until the nuts are as close to the bolt head as you can manage. Apply glue to the top of the nuts and slip a washer onto each bolt to glue the washer to the nut. Screw a second hex nut ¼" above the first on each bolt and glue a second washer to this nut. Then: Attach a cap nut to each bolt end, glue the threading below the cap nuts, and twist the closest hex nut/washer so it's flat against the cap nut. Apply glue to the threading below the glued hex nut/washer, then screw the free hex nut/washer so it's flat against the first. Finally, glue the fender washer to the bolt head to complete the base. In store bought chess sets, the queen is one of the tallest pieces. She has a wide base, a long, slim center, and a crown on top.

[15] 6 Build your kings. Thread a hex nuts onto your 2½" bolts until they are as close to the head as possible. Put glue onto the nuts and slide washers onto the bolt to glue the washers to the nuts. Then: Use some more glue to attach one washer to each castle nut, but be careful to keep the threading unobstructed so you can attach the nut. Screw on one castle nut/washer onto each bolt so the end of the bolt is even with the nut. Then glue a fender washer to each bolt head to finish the base. The king is usually similar to the queen in height, but with a thicker middle and a larger crown. [16] Part 3 Completing Your Chess Set 1 Separate the pieces. Allow all of the chess pieces to dry overnight. This will give the glue a chance to completely harden. When the glue is dry, separate the pieces into two opposing sides. Each side should contain one king, one queen, two bishops, four knights, two rooks, and eight pawns. Once the pieces are divided, check each individual piece for tightness. If a piece seems loose, you can add some more glue to secure it.

2 Paint your chess pieces. When the glue touch ups have dried, use a clean, soft cloth to wipe away any oil or dirt that may have accumulated while working on your chess pieces. Then paint half the pieces black and half white. You may find it easiest to leave your white pieces unpainted, painting only your black pieces. Spray paint works well for painting your chess set. For best results, you may want to choose a spray paint intended for metal. If you want to make a chess set that is less traditional, choose two different contrasting colors. [17] 3 Set up the chess board. After the pieces have had a chance to dry, take out a chessboard and set them up. On the first and last row, arrange your pieces so the corners contain rooks. Moving inwards on the same row as the rooks: Next to the rooks will be the knights. Next to the knights go the bishops. Next to the bishops are your king and queen, with the queen on the same color square as her color (white queen, white square; black queen, black square). Your pawns from a single row in front of your rooks, knights, bishops, king, and queen.

White's leftmost rook (from white's perspective), should be a black square. On labeled boards, this will be square A1. [18] Community Q&A looking to buy a raumschach board and pieces - Chess.com Chess.com #1 Oct 8, 2010 I'm not that good with arts and crafts, so I'm hesitant to attempt to create a board myself and after a several-hour search on line, I've found no place that sells raumschach boards. For those who don't know raumschach is a 3D chess variant invented by Dr. Ferdinand Maack about 103 years ago (he taught at a German University). Loosely translated "raumschach" means space chess. Please either PM me or post an advert of the board or set (board and pieces) and price. #3 Oct 9, 2010 5 layers of 5x5 boards. I have not seen a commercial production of such a board. You'll have to make one for yourself out of plastic or glass panes. Oct 12, 2010 chessroboto wrote: 5 layers of 5x5 boards.

I have not seen a commercial production of such a board. You'll have to make one for yourself out of plastic or glass panes. I'm not good with saws. I have all my fingers because I know how much of a klutz I am with power tools. This is why I want someone else to take the risk with powertools. Here us a homemade 3-D chess set that you can immitate for the 5x5 board: The owner drew the squares with a permanent marker. That is as much as you can do for the build. You'll have to ask someone else to cut the glass/plastic panes and drill the holes for you. #6 Oct 13, 2010 You might be able to do something similar with some of those folding cardboard boards. Glue popsicle sticks or something similar to the bottom so they don't fold and stick them on dowel rods. Not very pretty but no power tools or lost digits. #7 Nov 14, 2010 I've been muling over this problem for months.

If your desperate to get started, aquire 5 boards, lay them out side by side, use blue-painter's tape to mark off the edges and lable the a1-e5, layers z-v, flip rooks for the 8-directional "unicorns." I've been translating chess to a 6x6x6 variant. Then I discovered it was already done, 5x5x5, 100 years ago. I was 3d-modeling it on my computer, wich was starting to die, and I really wanted to start answering some end game questions. Then I remembered they didn't have computers 100 years ago. Have fun. Some varient will go mainstream soon. When the chess of StarTrek looks more like the chess of Star Wars #8 Feb 13, 2011 Above is a Raumschach set I built myself, they have never been built comercially, so you pretty much have to build your own. While some 3D Chess sets are available on E-bay or Amazon.com from past commercial production, few are being commercially produced at the time of this writing.

One of the most popular versions, 5x5x5 has never been commercially produced. The following are directions for building your own Raumschach (5x5x5) set, but the same design can be adjusted to build an 8x8x8 or an 8x4x4 (Quadlevel) set. To begin with you will want to contact a glass supply company and order five 10” x 10” plates of Plexiglas with smoothed edges. Then you will want to get the following parts from a hardware store: · Four 2’ Threaded Steel Dow Rods · Four “feet” threaded to match the rods · Four “rounded ends” also threaded to match the rods · Spacer Sleeves (I used the black plastic ones used as sleeves to large nails to space roof drains from the edge of the roof). · Flat Black Spray Paint · 2” Painters Tape Start by using a drill press to drill holes in the four corners of the Plexiglas plates. (You can have the Glass supply house do this, but they often charge a lot). The holes should be large enough for the dowl rods to pass through, but smaller than the sleeve/spacers.

Next use the 2” tape to carefully spray paint the “Chess Board” pattern. Make sure you make the boards so that they alternate (three of the plates should have black on the four corners; two should have clear on the these corners). First place the four feet on the four corners then you may want to add a small round of four spacers. Next thread the bottom (one with black on the corners) down onto the rods, followed by a round of four spacers, then another plate (remember to alternate the patterns, also remember to place the spray painted side down, so that the pieces will not scratch or wear the paint) until you have all five plates on. Then add any spacers needed to get to the end of the rods and screw the ends onto the top. You now have your own Raumschach “board”. If you build an 8x8x3 set, remember to use 1” dow rods and not to alternate the pattern, and of course you will want to use 16” Plexiglass plates. #9 Feb 17, 2011 Good info. Nice work. Also a step-drill bit works well on the acrylic.

I would also recomend 4-color coding where the unicorns fly. -Which is why the 5x5x5 version is infirm. Each side has 2 Unicorns that exsist on their 1/4 of the spaces, (much like each bishop exsists on only light or dark spaces.1/2) This means 1/2 the spaces are No unicorn spaces. Which is why 3d chess, in a cube, should have an even number of spaces in a row, and there should be 4 'unicorns,' (if we really want to call them that,) or at least multiples of 4 for complete coverage like the 2 bishops cover all the spaces. Make up your own game. 4-color coding, and light and dark, make things much easier to 'see.' #10 Aug 21, 2014 Here's a new version you might find interesting. Inspired by Raumschach and Star Trek's tri-dimensional chess, it's a completely new chess game called Yavoch. It took two years to develop the rules and the game board.

You can read more at the web site -- #11 Aug 22, 2014 That guy was light years ahead of his time. Would I buy one? No.! I like it though.! #12 Aug 22, 2014 How about 25% off? Limited time offer, 25% off any and all Yavoch items when you enter the coupon code: YAVOCH-25 on the checkout page. Offer expires Sept. 15, 2014.

Question: What pieces occupy all four corners of the board at the start of a chess game?
Answer: Rooks