BISHOP

A minor piece represented by a character B. Initially, each player has two bishops that can be moved on diagonals of their colors and capture the same way. Conventionally, a bishop is equal to a knight or three pawns in its power. Double bishops, however, are more powerful than, for instance, double knights, especially in the open middle and end game. Originally, this piece was called elephant (Arabic – alfil) and could move diagonally and leap over one square. It was not until the late 15^th century when it finally became the bishop we know. Bishop is translated Fou in French, Alfil in Spanish, Alfiere in Italian, Slone in Russian and Läufer in German.

BISHOP of Opposite Color A situation where each side has only one bishop left and those bishops travel on squares of the opposite color. The significance of this situation is that it often (but not always) brings about a drawn endgame, even if one side has extra pawns.