Question about the history of the game of chess.?

Question

Why is the queen the most powerful piece? Was this game designed during the Elizabethan period?...In the history of the western world kings usually had all the power? Why isn't this so in the game of chess?

Answer 1

Kirk has one theory.  My favorite theory deals with it being called "...della dame" at first to differentiate it from the slower version with the old Bishop and Queen moves.  It was either "... of the lady" because of the new (in 1490) queen move or it was the ladies version.

Oh the old queen move was one square diagonally, like a half king  Pawns had to promote to this and K+P was insufficient to force mate.

Answer 2

Chess did originate in India and was brought to England by knights for strategy training. But the queen is the most powerful piece move wise because the whole game is dedicated to the capture of the king. It would just be too easy for the king to get out of check just by moving him the other side of the board. And besides, the king is suppose to be 'hiding' or being protected, why would you want to use your king for attacking?

Answer 3

The origins of chess are from India and Persia.  Originally,

the chess piece that later became a queen, was a much weaker figure.

Much later, in Europe at around 1475, when Isabella was crowned Queen,

the figure became female, but able to move only one square at a time.

In 1495, Isabella was the most powerful woman in Europe.

At that time, the present rules of chess were established,

in which the Queen moves in all directions on the board.

The fact that the first female chess piece coincided with

the emergence of Queen Isabella, is no coincidence.

The Queen was more powerful than her husband Ferdinand,

but at the same time the King was the most important.

The same analogy applies to the Chess Queen which is the

most powerful piece in the game, but not the most important.

Answer 4

I may be wrong but the origin of chess is believed to be from India.  Nobody knows 100% though.

Answer 5

Chess is to long and boring like baseball......Blessings Yahoo