Christianity In Chess

The game of Chess reminds me of Christian life. Chess is two armies fighting each another. Every piece is either a friend or foe. There is no neutral piece. In our life, everyone is either in God's army or Satan's army. Besides this general application, there is also one for each Chess piece.

KING:

All other Chess pieces exist to serve their king. All their work is done in the service of their king. Do you see the cross on top of the King? This piece is a picture of Jesus, the King of kings. We Christians are also to serve our King, just as the Chess pieces serve theirs.
Matthew 25:40.
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
John 18:37.
Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Revelation 17:14.
These (the kings of the world) shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

QUEEN:

The Queen is also the King's Bride. The truly saved are the Bride of Christ. Now we are in the engagement period. But this engagement cannot be broken. We have the Holy Spirit as the promise that one day our King will come for His Bride. Then in His home, the New Jerusalem, Jesus will marry us and we will live with Him forever.
Revelation 19:7-9a
(7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (9) And he (angel) saith unto me (Apostle John), Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb ...

ROOK (CASTLE):

The Rook or Castle is the home and refuge of the royalty and their servants. In Chess, the rooks will often guard the ranks and files against a sneak attack from the enemy. Our Homes should also be a refuge from the storm of life and a guard against satanic sneak attacks. There is a move in Chess called "castling" where one Rook is moved beside the King for better protection. If we wish to better protect our Homes we should link them to Jesus. Then we can be sure our families can endure. Prayer is a key way to ensure our Homes remain strong.
In 1944, General William Brougher wrote a poem about his family at prayer. His poem expresses perhaps better than I can this thought. This poem was written in a Japanese prison camp.
When twilight falls and silence calls
To evening prayer,
Fair forms appear and hover near
About my chair.
Soft hands entwine themselves in mine,
Lips touch my face;
Then miles are not, and time's forgot,
As souls embrace.

BISHOP:

The Bishop was the spiritual leader for most people in the Middle Ages. There are two Bishops in Chess. One moves on light squares only, while the other moves only on the dark squares. They can't do the same thing, but if they work together they can create a devastating attack on the enemy. I see them representing the Pastor and the Missionary. The Pastor's main job, though not his only one, is to evangelize and minister to the people already in the church. While the Missionary's main job, but not his only one, is evangelizing those outside the church. If Pastors and Missionaries work together, they too can create a devastating attack on the enemy. I wouldn't give a penny for a pastor who didn't care about missions, or a missionary who couldn't get along with his pastor. We all do our best work if we do it together.
Romans 10:14-15.
(14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

KNIGHT:

The Knight of the Middle Ages was a professional warrior who fought for a lord or king. The Chess Knight is the only piece that can jump over other pieces to get where it is most needed, either for offense or defense. It is a picture of the Prayer Warrior. In Prayer we too can jump over any barrier, border, or even an ocean to get where we are most needed. The Bible says we are to pray for our leaders and each other. The Prayer Warrior can accomplish what others cannot.
Colossians 1:9b.
(We) do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (This is leaders praying for their members).
2 Thessalonians 3:1.
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: (A request that the members pray for their missionaries).
2 Timothy 2:1-2.
(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (Members praying for their leaders)
James 5:16. (Prayer for each other)
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

PAWNS:

Pawns were the foot solders of the Middle Ages. In Chess, Pawns are often used to shield the King and other pieces. I have played games in which my opponent's pawns created such an effective Shield that I could not attack his pieces. So too the individual members of a local church can create a Shield to block enemy attacks. If we comfort, encourage, support, and back up each other, we members can help to block Satan and his desire to destroy our church. But if we turn on each other with gossip or accusations, we are helping Satan to destroy our church. Remember, Satan is the king of gossip. Let us build that Shield of protection and not tear it down.
I Thessalonians 5:11.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Ephesians 4:32.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
I John 3:16.
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
I John 4:11.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.


This is the end of my study. Perhaps the time you see a Chessboard, you will be reminded of the King, Queen, Home, Pastor, Missionary, Prayer Warrior, & the protective Shield created and maintained by church members.

All scripture quotations are from the Authorized or King James Version of the Holy Bible.
© 2005 Michael Yarnell