Your Favorite Chess Piece

In a game steeped in history and tradition, characters can take on a mythical or personal meaning for players. And I get to wonder if current chess players have a particular piece they associate themselves with more than the usual attention. A piece whose every move is more important for you than any of the other pieces. Or one that you would probably forego sacrificing for no sane game-related reason, if at all possible (of course, you can't give up the King, but you get my drift). A piece that gives you the rush and see your very self embodying it. Then, I get to wonder what is it that makes one associate with a piece? What personality traits does it probably reveal? Could it be something that one can use to better understand a person?

Well, here's my take on what I think a piece reveal about a person:

King - the standard-bearer. The embodiment of a principle. People who see themselves in this piece think in terms of abstract virtues and world-level views. They see grand plans. They consider elaborate sets of conditions. Where he is determines to a great extent the outcome of things big and small. And of course, it comes with a sense of detachment. A sense of entitlement for protection and privacy.

Queen - the General. The Strategist, who will only come out when the stage is set to sweep down on the opponents in one major blow. Some literature actually says that the modern day Queen piece is actually a male in earlier days of chess. This is very much so in Shatranj, a chess variant.

Rook - the Commander. He clears the way for the General. The blunt tactician.

Bishop - the Silent Support. His strength lies in the ability to collaborate and ease the entry of stronger pieces, or put in jeopardy a major opponent piece .

Knight - the Rogue. A stealth. He can take you out of a bad situation, but he is also a continuous threat for being unpredictable.

Pawn - the ultimate underdog.

How accurate did I described you? Let me know by leaving your comments.

Have a good day!