What Your Favorite Chess Piece Says About You
Let me set the scene. You meet somebody new. The topic of hobbies comes up. You tell them you're a chess player. Suddenly, you're met with a deep, unsettling feeling... regret. You know it all too well. You and I both know what's coming. The Inevitable, unavoidable question.
"OMG you're a chess player! No way! So what's your favorite chess piece?"
You ponder momentarily. Not on the question itself but on why anybody decides this is a good question to ask. Do people ask guitar players what their favorite string is? Do they ask bakers what their favorite ingredient is? No. So why make a chess player choose?
But alas, it's too late to question the question itself. You must answer. And so you say, "the knight of course... but only in closed positions. Otherwise, the bishop. Especially in a pair, on an open board. Or in the ending, the rooks. Or maybe just the queen... in general. The king? Nah..."
You notice panic in the eyes of your new acquaintance. They realize they have opened a proverbial can of pawns. There is never just one answer. And what does that answer mean anyway? You're in luck because I'm here to tell you what your favorite chess piece says about you.
Jump to:
- The Queen
- The Knight
- The Light-Squared Bishop
- The Dark-Squared Bishop
- The F-Pawn
- Literally Any Other Pawn
- The Rook
- The King
- The Clock
- Any Nonstandard Piece
The Queen
Probably the most common answer, because why would you choose any other piece? The queen is objectively the most powerful piece in chess, and you would need three whole minor pieces to replace her.
If the queen is your favorite chess piece, then you're not here to rock the boat. You're easygoing, avoid confrontation (except on the chess board), and probably extroverted. Best of all, you aren't trying to be something you're not. Why make up some reason to choose a lesser piece just to sound edgy? She's worth nine points for a reason!
People are probably jealous of your confidence and security. You see no problem in liking things other people like; it doesn't detract from your individuality or unique personality.
The Knight
There are good arguments to be made for this piece being your favorite. Even GM Magnus Carlsen has occasionally asked, "how does the knight move?" I mean, those L shapes are just so darn tricky, right?
If the knight is your favorite piece, you are undeniably a meme connoisseur. A trickster, if you will. You are quick-witted, funny, and the life of the party. On the flip side, I'd say you're not so reliable, and when it comes to crunch time... you can't always deliver. I mean, how are you supposed to make it on time when to go two steps forward, you also have to go one step sideways?
Despite this, you have a certain charm that even the most dour individuals cannot deny and an endearing, youthful spirit that will take you far.
The Light-Squared Bishop
The two bishops control different color complexes and, as such, will be addressed as two different pieces. There are many light-squared bishops (LSBs), but none of us are talking about the French Bishop when we proffer a potential favorite piece. The LSB I'm talking about is the one pointing at f7 or h7, right in the middle of the action.
You're an extrovert through and through, and you can probably talk to anybody without even a hint of awkwardness. Or at least... you don't notice the awkwardness. You thrive on being around other people, but are those people really your friends? When was the last time you had a conversation that went to a deeper level? It can be hard to confide in someone who never seems to take things seriously.
You love being the center of attention, going to crowded parties, and making impulsive decisions. It's a risky way to live, though. How long can you go on running at 100 miles an hour? I know you have good intentions, but it seems you aren't always calculating all the variations.
The Dark-Squared Bishop
Just like Yin and Yang, the dark-squared bishop (DSB) fan and the LSB fan are two halves of a whole. This is the Sicilian Dragon bishop we're talking about: the fianchetto to end all fianchettoes. An attacking piece, of course, but with a little more nuance and sophistication than its light-squared counterpart.
If this is your favorite piece, you're probably an ambivert. You can be extroverted or introverted, depending on your mood. The fianchettoed DSB can be an attacker, as well as a defender. You pride yourself on your flexibility and emotional maturity; nothing fazes you.
You're also pretty energetic and love the outdoors. You hate being cramped inside for too long. What good is a bishop staring at a pawn, or a person looking always at the same four walls? You crave adventure, new experiences, and excitement. But you also enjoy having somewhere safe to come back to when it's time to rest.
The F-Pawn
You know those people who are obsessed with pushing f4-f5 at a castled king in EVERY position? Yeah, you're the ones I'm talking about. You might not even admit that the f-pawn is your favorite "piece." You might not even know it yet, but I do.
F-pawn pushers are ambitious and goal-driven. They are results-oriented both in chess and life, and you can tell by their "win at all costs" attitude. Are they compromising their own king's safety? Maybe. Do they care? Well, actually, I don't think they've thought that far ahead. Have you ever heard of the term "type B personality?" You know, that friend who's always forgetting their key or letting their phone die, but somehow, everything just works out for them anyway? That's your average f-pawn enjoyer.
If this pawn is your favorite piece, it's not because you think it'll ever become a queen. It's because you think you can use it to crush the opponent. You're not the planning ahead type. Rather, you're more interested in what's in front of you and what you can do right now.
Literally Any Other Pawn
Pawns are the most misunderstood piece. They might be the lowest value, but they're the hardest to master. Maybe you think you're a little misunderstood yourself? I wouldn't be surprised if you're quiet, reflective, or introverted.
If you tell me the pawn is your favorite piece, I know it's because you see its potential to become anything. You're always planning ahead, thinking of the future and all of its possibilities. You're a good friend, but you rarely put yourself out there. You probably classify yourself as an introvert, and maybe you wait for other people to reach out first.
Pawns can't move backward, and you don't dwell on your past, either. You probably even know what you're going to eat for dinner next week. Most people wish they could be as organized and put-together as you. But could I give you one piece of advice? Don't let living in the future rob you of the present.
pov: you're a pawn promoting pic.twitter.com/QFutXMEcKL
— Chess.com (@chesscom) May 21, 2023
The Rook
Reliable. Sturdy. Straightforward. These are all words that could be used to describe someone whose favorite piece is the rook. You hate mixed messages, social games, and people not saying what they mean. Why can't everything just be simple, in a straight line?
You hate being the center of attention, but you still want to be involved. It's nice to be invited to things, even if you choose to hang out on the sidelines. Rooks aren't flashy chess pieces, but they're still some of the most important, powerful ones on the board. You like that they don't demand attention, but they do command respect. Nobody is ignoring a rook on an open file—or one that decides to do whatever it takes to get what it wants:
At the same time, you find it difficult not to compare yourself to others. It's hard to know where you belong when you feel like you're caught between two worlds. Not a bishop... but not a queen either. Over-analyzing life can be just like overthinking in chess: long think, wrong think. Remember, you're always somebody's favorite.
The King
Whose favorite piece is the one hiding in the corner? The one needing to be constantly protected and pandered to? Ah... I get it now. It's a metaphor. For you. If your favorite piece is the king, it's because you see yourself as the king. You need to be the center of attention all the time. You thrive in those hands-off, delegating roles where your main job is just making sure someone else is doing your job for you. I'm sorry if you don't like to hear it... but it's the truth.
Like in a chess game, you can't believe that a party would go ahead without you. That the world would keep on turning and life would keep on going if you didn't show up. But unlike in chess, it does. If the king is your favorite piece, maybe it's time to touch grass.
The Clock
Have you ever heard that phrase, "the clock is a piece?" It's kind of true. Being down on the clock can put pressure on you just as much as any actual position you could have on the board. If your favorite piece is the clock, then you like to do everything as fast as possible.
You're ruthlessly efficient, awake before your alarm, and you are never, EVER late. But I know you have a terrible sleeping schedule. I know you struggle to actually sit back and relax for once. And by the way, when's the last time you actually turned your screen off and reflected on your life (or your chess position)?!
Like chess, life doesn't have to just be bullet games and opposite-side castling Sicilians. If you feel like you've been running on empty for a while, maybe now you should actually step back and... take your time?
Any Nonstandard Piece
If you're about to comment below, "I can't believe you didn't include the Camel or the Knook or the Dabbaba" (yes, that last one is from a real variant called Fairy Chess), then let me tell you something first. This is like someone asking you what your favorite ice cream flavor is and replying that you prefer frozen yogurt. It's just a totally different thing altogether. And that's okay.
But are you okay? Is it not exhausting to always feel the need to play the devil's advocate? Have you ever thought that maybe it's okay to lower your standards sometimes, for yourself and others around you? It's O.K. to just pick one of the standard pieces and say, "hey, I like that chess piece. That's a good chess piece," and then go on with your day. So that's what I encourage you to do: scroll up and pick something else.
Conclusion
Everyone has personal reasons for why a certain piece might be their favorite: maybe they played a really cool bishop sacrifice once or got a royal fork with a knight, cementing it as the greatest chess piece of all time. But isn't there a chess piece we all have a certain affinity toward? Otherwise, why would so many non-chess players ask this question all the time? Surely, it says something a little deeper about us and our personalities beyond the 64 squares.
If you liked this article, check out Lularobs on Twitch and discover what your favorite chess opening says about you!
