Chess in Middle Earth ? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Mouth of Sauron · 12-08-2010, 06:22 PM

The game of chess is at least twice referred to in the Return of the King, by Gandalf and Pippin when they refer to "pawns" and "pieces on the board".
Considering that chess involved pieces known as Bishops - a title and role totally unknown in Middle Earth - did JRRT make a mistake in mentioning chess ?

12-08-2010, 06:22 PM	#1
The Mouth of Sauron Wight Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Barad-Dur Posts: 196	Chess in Middle Earth ? The game of chess is at least twice referred to in the Return of the King, by Gandalf and Pippin when they refer to "pawns" and "pieces on the board". Considering that chess involved pieces known as Bishops - a title and role totally unknown in Middle Earth - did JRRT make a mistake in mentioning chess ?