The Linguistic Roots of Chess
Tracing the Germanic, Greek, Persian, Latin, and Sanskrit Roots of Ten Key Chess Terms
The game of chess, a mosaic of strategy and intellect, is as linguistically diverse as it is universally beloved. Its terms, rich in linguistic history, trace back to an array of languages including Germanic, Greek, Persian, Latin, and Sanskrit, each telling a unique story of cultural intermingling and historical evolution.
From the Germanic roots of ‘King’ to the elegant French ‘En Passant,’ and the ancient Persian origins of ‘Checkmate,’ the etymology of chess terms provides a captivating glimpse into how this age-old game has woven its way through different cultures and eras.
Let’s explore the linguistic roots of ten chess terms.
King has an etymology rooted in Old English, where it was called “cyning.” The word is Germanic, and shares a root with Dutch konge, German König, Danish and Noreweigan konge, Icelandic konungur and Russian князь (knjazʹ, “prince” — used for rulers of Russian principalities before unification under a Tsar) from Old Church Slavonic кънѧѕь (kŭnędzĭ). The Russian for the chess piece however is Король (Korol), which is different word for king. In other languages, the king piece has various names that often echo the concept of a monarch or supreme ruler. For instance, in Spanish, it is called “Rey,” and French, “Roi,” both from the Latin Rex.
Queen, in the context of chess, has an etymology that traces back to the Old English “cwēn,” also a Germanic word, originally denoting a woman of high rank or authority. Over time, this term evolved to specifically refer to the wife of a king. In various languages, the name of this piece reflects its distinguished status. For instance, in Spanish, it’s called “Reina”; in French, “Reine”; in German, “Dame,” which interestingly means “lady” rather than “queen”; and in Russian, it is known as “Ферзь” (Ferz), originally derived from the Persian “farzin,” meaning wise man or counselor.
Rook derives its name from the Persian word رخ (rox), which may be related to the Sanskrit word for chariot, रथ ratha. This etymology points to the game’s ancient origins and the piece’s evolution over time. In various languages, the rook is known by names that often allude to its formidable presence on the chessboard. In Spanish, it is referred to as “Torre,” meaning tower; in French, it’s “Tour,” also meaning tower; in German, it’s “Turm,” again translating to tower; and in Russian, it’s known as “Ладья” (Ladia), which historically refers to a type of boat, emphasizing its steady, straightforward movement.
Bishop, in the game of chess, gets its name from the Old English “bisċop,” borrowed from the Latin “episcopus,” which means overseer or guardian, originally from the Greek ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos, “overseer”), from ἐπί (epí, “over”) + σκοπός (skopós, “watcher”). This etymological path reflects the piece’s representation of a high-ranking member of the church, a common figure in medieval societies where chess became popular.
In different languages, the bishop is known by various names, often with religious connotations. In Spanish, it is called “Alfil,” derived from the Arabic “al-fil,” meaning the elephant, showcasing a fascinating cultural journey of the game. In French, it’s “Fou,” meaning jester or fool; in German, “Läufer,” which translates to runner, and in Russian, it’s “Слон” (Slon), meaning elephant, indicating its diagonal movement, akin to how an elephant moves powerfully yet gracefully.
Knight, in chess, derives its name from the Old English “cniht,” (with a hard ‘c’ giving [kniçt]) meaning boy or servant, which evolved to signify a mounted and armored soldier in the Middle Ages. This evolution reflects the knight’s role as a symbol of chivalry and military prowess in the game. In different languages, the knight’s name often references its horseback riding aspect. In Spanish, it’s called “Caballo,” meaning horse; in French, “Cavalier,” also related to horseman; in German, “Springer,” meaning jumper, referencing its unique movement; and in Russian, it’s “Конь” (Kon’), directly translating to horse.
Pawn, the most numerous yet often underestimated piece in chess, derives its name from the Medieval Latin “pedonis,” meaning foot soldier, which in turn comes from the Latin “pes,” for foot. This etymology reflects the pawn’s role as the frontline troops in the game, symbolizing infantry or lower-ranking soldiers. In different languages, the pawn is referred to by various terms that emphasize its status as the game’s foot soldier. In Spanish, it is known as “Peón,” directly correlating to the English term; in French, it’s called “Pion,” similarly denoting a foot soldier; in German, it’s “Bauer,” meaning farmer, indicating its humble status; and in Russian, it’s “Пешка” (Peshka), also meaning a foot soldier.
This concludes the names for pieces — now the name for some Chess specific words — check, check mate, stalemate, and en passant.
Check is from the French, “Échec” (which is also the modern word for failure). It has an etymology rooted in the Persian word شاه “shāh,” via Arabic شَاه (šāh, “king [in chess]”). In different languages, the term for “check” often retains the connection to the king or royalty. For example, in Spanish, it’s “Jaque,” derived from the same Persian root, in German, “Schach,” and in Russian, it’s “Шах” (Shakh). These variations all harken back to the original concept of the king being in danger, a universal element in the game of chess.
Mate is also Persian — either because the king is amazed مات (mât) or, more likely, dead مَاتَ (māta). In Spanish, it is “Jaque Mate”; in French, “Échec et Mat”; in German, “Schachmatt”; and in Russian, it’s “Шах и Мат” (Shakh i Mat).
Stalemate refers to a situation where a player has no legal moves left while their king is not in check. The etymology of “stalemate” stems from two parts: “stale,” from the Middle English, meaning something that is not fresh or is immobile, and “mate,” from the Persian “māt,” used in “checkmate,” as before.
In various languages, the term for stalemate often alludes to this idea of a deadlock or impasse. In Spanish, it’s called “Tablas,” meaning boards, referring to a draw; in French, “Pat,” which also signifies a deadlock; in German, it’s “Patt,” similar to the French term; and in Russian, it’s “Пат” (Pat), again indicating a situation where no progress can be made.
En Passant comes directly from French, meaning “in passing.” This term aptly describes a special pawn capture that can only occur where a pawn captures an opponent’s pawn as it passes by two squares forward on their first move. In various languages, the term “en passant” is often used as is or translated directly — in Spanish, it’s “al paso,” in German, it’s “im Vorbeigehen,” Russian, “на проходе” (na prokhode) means the same thing This consistency across languages underscores the late development of this move in the 15th century.
The rich linguistic diversity of these ten terms, from ‘King’ to ‘En Passant,’ speaks to the game’s profound historical roots and its remarkable journey across cultures. Yet, the true beauty of chess lies in its universal appeal — it unites players under a common intellectual pursuit, even when common words are not shared.
If you liked this article, then you might also enjoy learning the different names for the black and red pieces in Chinese chess:
I don’t speak most of the languages used in this article — fortunately, ChatGPT did. Explore other ways to use it to learn more about language here:
