Birth of the Chess Queen: A History

Excellent performance !

There is always a danger when writing about a very narrow thread of history that much more will need to be said that in reality is peripherally related to the focus of the book. The history of the game of chess is one such thin thread and in particular the evolution of its rules such as to give the queen the ultimate power on the board. This book is about more than chess. It is about the history of political dynasties in medieval Europe and in particular, in Europe as compared to Muslim lands, it was possible (if relatively rare) for a woman to find herself at the pinnacle of political power. Not all of those women took well to those positions, but many did and it is this author's contention that this phenomena set the tone for the evolving game. She doesn't try to make a case as concerns any specific queen (although Isabella of Spain and Elizabeth I of England stand out) but rather the propensity throughout Europe to accept female monarchs from time to time. It was this socio-political dynamic, she claims, that led over multiple centuries to the queen's modern representation on the chessboard. Is she right? It is hard to say, but there is certainly plausibility in her claims particularly when one considers that in the Arab world, the position of the queen is still represented by a male figure although it too has taken on modern powers.

For those with an interest in chess history, this is an excellent discussion of the origins of the chess queen. The author provides numerous examples of historical queens who may have opened the door, first for the conversion of the vizier (original predecessor to the queen, still extant in some cultures) and second from one of the weakest pieces (other than the pawns), to the most powerful. The author also helps put the game in its historical context, initially as a game predominantly for the nobility and upper classes, and later becoming a common game regardless of socioeconomic status. Well worth reading.

Birth of the Chess Queen is a history about chess in medieval Europe - it focuses on the status of queens both on and off the chessboard.It was not until the 15th century that the Chess Queen became the most powerful piece on the board. We are told this change was part of a broader social history of chess and of women players. Queens and rulers in Spain, Italy, Germany, France England, Scandinavia, and Russia were playing the game - women such as Eleanor of Aquitaine, Margaret of Denmark, Isabella of Castile, and Catherine the Great, among many others.Chess Queens can also be linked to the cult of the Virgin Mary. And chess had links with the cult of love and was a symbol of romance, because chess-playing was one of the few ways in which noble women could interact with men.The book is rich with illustrations and is a pleasure to read for chess players and equally for non chess players.

I enjoyed this book for one reason. I learned some history! I hated history in school and did not pay attention. This book centre's on a subject I love "Chess" and does a good job on covering the history of the Queen. I have not verified Ms. Yalom's research in-depth but what I have confirms her conclusions. Ms. Yalom discuss the replacement of the Vizier on the original board to a minor, weak piece to how she became the piece she is today. Yalom uses historical Queens, including Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen Isabella, Catherine de' Medici, and Elizabeth I to show how they might have influenced the "Queen's evolution. I especially enjoyed the color pictures of the surviving pieces, showing the detail and artistry.If you are a Chess-Nut, enjoy learning, and not afraid of a female CEO then you will probably enjoy this book.

This is a fascinating book but the digital edition is a rip off as it does not include illustrations, making some of the text unintelligible. Very sad. I do wonder about the accuracy, as the author keeps referring to the Italian language and a nation of Italy, neither of which existed in the Middle Ages.

If you never, ever, play chess, this book is well worth reading. If you ever wondered why people in Europe and the West hold ladies in high regard, this book covers the subject. This book tells how the most powerful chess piece developed from a humble advisor to a mighty force. This development on the chess board mirrored the careers of royal women in Western Europe who rose to the occasion when country and duty called. This is the story of some pretty awesome ladies. Well worth the read.

Very well written and well researched. When I was first assigned the book for my class, I was a little nervous that it would be repetitive and I would get tired of reading about chess, but in fact it was the exact opposite. Would highly recommend to any history or chess buffs

Very well written and worth it for anybody with a curiosity about the history of chess overall.@thechessnerd on instagram ❤️