A rook is the second most valuable chess piece

Many people understand that the boat is an obsolete word. By it can be meant not only a sailing and oar ship for moving along rivers and seas, but also a fairly significant figure in chess. It is about her that we’ll talk. Its features of movement on the board, value level, participation in certain maneuvers and some other points will be considered.

Where did the modern name come from?

The history of chess has been measured for thousands of years, so many transformations were made throughout the life of the game. Over the years, the rules, names and forms of figures have changed. A boat is a boat among the ancient Slavs with the possibility of sailing and rowing along the sea or river. Figures of this shape can be seen on the chessboard in some museums.

However, in the European version, the boat is a tower resembling a heavy fortress. Over time, I had to come to some common denominator. Therefore, the figure of the sailboat is no longer used on a chessboard. The form has changed, but the name has been preserved. In connection with the introduced changes, the figure in some cases is called a tour.

Estimated Value and Impact Strength

Pawn has the most limited number of variations of moves. When measuring the comparative strength and significance of figures, it is used as an equivalent. Using a special table, the player can determine the approximate value and potential capabilities of the rook. This ratio is not absolute, since during the game the positions change greatly.

As for the impact force, it means the ability of the figure to attack a certain number of fields, being in different positions.

The table shows that the rook is the second most valuable piece with universal attacking abilities. She is able to effectively inflict damage to the enemy, regardless of position. The shift of the remaining pieces to the perimeter of the board significantly reduces the potential for attack.

Starting position and allowable moves in the game

On a chessboard, rooks are set in the corners. In front they are covered by pawns, and on the side by horses. You can only move them horizontally or vertically, if there are no obstacles in the way in the form of other figures (yours or others). This explains the versatility of the rooks on the playing field.

If there is an opponent’s piece on the way, it can be captured. The rook is then set in its place. Quite often, this figure inflicts a decisive blow, which largely determines the outcome of the game. It is especially dangerous for an adversary with the threat of a mat when the king is directly on the eighth diagonal.

Castling

It must be remembered that the rook is the only piece interacting with the king. She takes part in a special move called castling. With this option, it is possible to swap the king and the rook on one or the other side. When making other moves, it is allowed to move no more than one piece.

When castling, the king is transferred to the second cell in one direction or another, after which the round is placed for him. Moving to the left is made along a long path, and to the right along a short one. Regardless of the type of castling being carried out, the king first moves in any case.

You can make a simultaneous move only once for the entire batch, subject to certain conditions:

1. The king and the rook must remain in the starting position. If a move was made by at least one piece, then castling is impossible. However, when moving one rook, it is allowed to move in the opposite direction.
2. No shapes should be between the shapes. For example, to conduct a long castling, you will have to remove the horse, elephant and queen from the path. On the other hand, only two figures, listed first, interfere.
3. When castling, the king should not be hit by an opponent’s piece or in such a situation. If a check has already been made to him or is only threatening, then making a move in the game is not allowed.
4. The king also must not cross cells that are under the attack of other people's figures.

In other cases, castling is possible. When used correctly, it allows you to lead the king away from the central part of the board, thereby ensuring the greatest security, and also improve the position of the rook to carry out active actions in the attack. In most cases, both opponents make a simultaneous move for the game, but it is not mandatory.

Final part

Even for a novice player, it becomes clear that in chess a rook is a significant figure that can decide the outcome of a game. Her participation in the castling opens up wide opportunities for the defense of the king and further attacking actions. However, it all depends on the situation on the chessboard and the ability to use this piece in the game.