Chess: the Feudal Game
Name:____________________________
Date:________________
In many countries and civilizations around the world a system known as feudalism
developed in which warriors pledged certain military and legal duties to one another in
exchange for certain privileges, especially control of land that the non-warriors in society
did not have. The game of chess is a perfect metaphor for this feudal system, no wonder
it was a game widely played in the Middle Ages.
TASK: You are to learn about the game of chess and make connections as to how the
game of chess represents the world of Medieval Europe and the feudal system. Despite
being based on feudalism, some of the rules of the game are very unlike the feudal
society. Your job will also be to explain how some rules of the game would be
impossible to feudal society. You will have to write an essay describing what you have
learned.
THE BOARD: Each player has 16 pieces on a 64 square board. Half are dark squares,
the other half are white, just like one team is black, the other white.
“All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances…”
- William Shakespeare
THE PIECES:
NAME
________
________
HOW IT MOVES
This piece can move only
one square at a time in any
direction. It can move
forwards and backwards. It
has to be protected at all
times! If any opponent’s
piece threatens to take it, the
opponent must declare
“CHECK!” This piece can
move two squares to the left
or right ONLY IF: it is the
first move, the castle to the
right or left (the side you
choose) has not been
moved, the piece is not in
check (being attacked) or
moving through a square
that could be attacked. THIS
IS CALLED “Castling.” The
game ends when this player
is being attacked and has no
square to move to that he
can not be attacked.
This piece is the most
valuable piece on the board
because of its abilities to
move in so many directions
and attack in lots of
directions. This piece can
move in any direction as
many spaces are available,
but can not hop over pieces.
It can move forwards and
backwards. It attacks by
taking over an opposing
player’s square.
This piece can move in a
straight line as many
squares that are available. It
can move forwards and
backwards, right and left. It
can not hop over pieces. If it
has not moved it can be
involved in “Castling (see
above).” It attacks by taking
over an opposing players
square that is in line with it.
FEUDAL SIMILARITIES
FEUDAL
DIFFERENCES
________
________
________
This piece moves
diagonally. It can move
as many spaces are
available and attacks
diagonally. If the piece
starts on a dark color it
will always be on dark. If
it starts on a white
square it will always be
on white. It cannot hop
over pieces. It attacks
by taking an opposing
player’s square that is in
a DIAGNOAL LINE with
it.
This piece looks like a
horse and is the ONLY
piece that can HOP over
other pieces. Its
movement is not like the
rest. It moves in an “L”
shape. It can move
either 1 square by 2
squares or 2 squares by
1 square. An easy HINT
is if it is on a white
square it will land on a
dark square its next
move, or if it is on a dark
square it will land on a
white square the next
time it moves. It attacks
by landing on a square
that an opponent’s piece
is on.
This is the most
numerous piece. It can
move only straight
ahead. It can never move
backwards. It can only
move one square ahead
at a time, but on its first
move it can move either
one or two squares (the
players choice). It can
only attack
DIAGNOALLY, but only
ONE SQUARE. If it
makes its way to the end
of the board a player can
turn it into any other
piece it wants, except a
King. But it can become
a queen.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
TO HELP YOU FILL IN THE CHART AND WRITE YOUR ESSAY:
Each is worth one point.
NAME:_____________
1) What do you think the playing pieces represent in Europe if the two sides, black and
white, were at war?
2) Which piece was the most important in the game and how many of this piece are there?
Would this be the same as in feudal Europe?
3) What was the major religion in Europe during feudalism? Is this religion represented in
the game and if so, how?
4) What do you think the pawns represented in feudalism? Why do you think this? Could
the people they represent in feudalism become kings or queens?
5) Who did the most fighting in feudal society? Is this piece represented in the game? If
so how?
6) If the game is like feudalism what do you think each square on the board represents?
ESSAY RUBRIC
Format:
8
6
4
2
The paper is
typed with
your name on
it. There are
four
paragraphs
that each has
its own
purpose in the
essay.
The paper is
typed with your
name on it.
There are three
paragraphs that
each has its
own purpose in
the essay.
The paper is
typed with your
name on it.
There are two
paragraphs that
each has its own
purpose in the
essay.
The paper is
typed with
your name on
it. There is one
paragraph that
each has its
own purpose
in the essay.
Similarities: There are
There are two
three
similarities
similarities
between chess
DOUBLE
between
and feudalism
WEIGHTED chess and
and each has
16 Points feudalism and supporting
each has 3 to sentences. Or 3
4 supporting
similarities with
sentences.
only 2
supporting
sentences.
There
are
There are two
Differences:
three
differences
differences
between chess
DOUBLE
between
and feudalism
WEIGHTED chess and
and each has
16 Points feudalism and supporting
each has 3 to sentences. Or 3
4supporting
differences with
sentences.
only 2
supporting
sentences.
Spell
check
There are 1 to 3
Spelling:
was used and spelling
the essay was mistakes.
proofread to
ensure no
spelling
mistakes at
all.
There is one
similarity
between chess
and feudalism
and has a
supporting
sentence. Or 2
similarities with
only 2 supporting
sentences.
One point will
be subtracted
if it is not
typed.
There are
similarities
between chess
and feudalism,
but they are
just listed
without
supporting
sentences.
There is one
difference
between chess
and feudalism
and has a
supporting
sentence. Or 2
differences with
only 2 supporting
sentences.
There are
differences
between chess
and feudalism,
but they are
just listed
without
supporting
sentences.
There are 4 to 6
spelling
mistakes.
There are
more than 4
spelling
mistakes.
TOTAL SCORE ___/ 48 Points
ESSAY REQUIREMENTS
NAME: ___________________________
You will be required to state 3 significant similarities and 3 significant differences
between the game of chess and the system of feudalism that occurred in Middle
Ages Europe. Answer the thought questions because they will be extremely
useful in completing this assignment.
The paper must be at least 4 paragraphs, but very easily could be a lot longer in
length. I am more concerned with content and what you have learned. It
must be typed and have no spelling or grammar mistakes.
The opening paragraph should be an introduction of the topic. The second
paragraph should be about the similarities and the third paragraph should be
about the differences. You could easily have a fourth paragraph to conclude
your thoughts. Please feel free to use the following frame to help you write
your essay:
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: explaining what chess
and feudalism are.
Three reasons why chess is similar to the feudal system are
_______, _________, and ______. The first reason is
______________ (then add 3 to 4 support sentences). Another
reason is _________ (then add 3 to 4 support sentences). The
final reason is _____________ (then add 3 to 4 support
sentences).
Three reasons why chess is different from the feudal system
are _______. The first reason is ______________ (then add 3 to
4 support sentences). Another reason is _________ (then add 3 to
4 support sentences). The final reason is _____________ (then
add 3 to 4 support sentences).
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH.