chess question - long shot

[TMF Jeff]

Hi guys,

I have a friend who is into chess and she recently mentioned that in the original game, there were no bishops but instead sailing ships that would zip diagonally across the board. Or something like that. Anyway, her birthday is coming up soon and I've been looking high and low (well, on google and ebay) for a board like that but can't find one. If anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[qjakal]

Big site...

Have you worked your way through this site? It's a bit too big for me, but if you're determined, there may be someone in this group that can help. I asked my Dad, (he was trying to be a master once back in the 80's,) and he doesn't know of a set like the one you described. Perhaps someone could make one if you have the time?

http://www.chessvariants.com/index/...&displayinventor=1&usethisheading=Photographs

 

[amk714]

Chess is cool!

Hi Jeff! I did some research on this and what I found contradicts your friend's info. Before there were bishops, the al-fil (or aufin, as it became known when chess came to Europe) was used, which is an elephant. It moved diagonally two squares. In Chinese chess, such a piece is used instead of a bishop. You can do a search on google using 'chess' and 'al fil' but here are two links to get you started: http://chesmayn.valuehost.co.uk/Alfil.htm
http://www.ishipress.com/origin.htm

 

[Prime]

This is probably going to be of no help at all. I did a search and came back with an interesting page. Apparently chess somewhat originated from a game in india called Shaturanga. It was a bit different..less peices and 4 people played instead of 2. however the peice that looks like it may have been the bishop was indeed a ship. Heres the link to the page. If nothing else it is kind of interesting.

http://www.stmoroky.com/games/chess/chess.htm

Also probably of no help, if you give up on that quest for that particular board. Then here is a page i found of several different kinds of peices for chess. Looks like they have one for just about every occassion. However it is london based and i have no idea what the costs are in american. The page shows in pounds.

http://www.bcmchess.co.uk/bcmornat.html

Even if it doesnt help someone might like something there.

 

[amk714]

My bad!

I guess you learn something new every day!

 

[TMF Jeff]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Wish me luck!