Among the other chess set pieces the bishop tends to be overlooked.
In the original version of the game, known as 'chaturanga', in India some 1500 years ago, the bishop was known as the elephant, or 'alfil.' It could leap two squares diagonally - even over another piece. No alfil could attack another.
The modern bishop seems to have first appeared around 1200AD but the word 'alfil' does still appear in some languages in modified form. Among the chess set pieces in Italy (alfiere), Spain (alfil) and France (aufin) the bishop still held its old name for some time.
The bishop was first named as such in the 1500s although the relevant piece in the Isle of Lewis chess set pieces dating from the 12th century is clearly an ecclesiastical figure. Indeed, Icelandic texts show the name 'biskup' as far back as the 1300s, which is consistent, as the Isle of Lewis chess set pieces are believed to be of Nordic origin.
The design of the piece reflects the bishop as shown in the standard Staunton chess set originally made in 1849, which is still the standard design today. Interestingly, the grooves carved into the bishop's mitre may reflect the origins of the piece as an elephant.
The history of this useful chess piece is further shown in the names still given to it in other languages. In France the bishop is known as the 'fou' or fool as the belief is the cap is similar to that of a jester. In Turkey and Russia the names given still mean 'the elephant.'
It is fascinating how each of the chess set pieces has its own history. When you next buy a chess set you can imagine all the history it represents.
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