I never understood what the Rook was supposed to represent. Everything else has a rough analog to actual battle. But castle towers are notable non-mobile.
Originally, the rook symbolized a chariot. The Persian word rokh means chariot, and the corresponding pieces in Oriental chess games such as xiangqi and shogi have names meaning chariot. Persian War Chariots were heavily armoured, carrying a driver and at least one ranged-weapon bearer, such as an archer.
In German they’re called “Turm” which literally translates to tower…
I suppose siege towers would make sense, however I’ve never seen a chess set that didn’t have them look like a castle. (Which could be one reason they look like that, so castling actually produces a castle)
My take is that they represent a fort, or to put it another way, an engineer Corp. They attack linearly, which makes them bad at offense, but they’re powerful field control.
They can’t get out early and it’s easy to spot their attacks, but their range is fantastic
I never understood what the Rook was supposed to represent. Everything else has a rough analog to actual battle. But castle towers are notable non-mobile.
Modern ones are akin to siege towers is my take.
In German they’re called “Turm” which literally translates to tower…
I suppose siege towers would make sense, however I’ve never seen a chess set that didn’t have them look like a castle. (Which could be one reason they look like that, so castling actually produces a castle)
You haven’t played enough Stronghold
siege tower.
My take is that they represent a fort, or to put it another way, an engineer Corp. They attack linearly, which makes them bad at offense, but they’re powerful field control.
They can’t get out early and it’s easy to spot their attacks, but their range is fantastic
deleted by creator