DictionarybishopDiagonal chess piece
noun

bishop

A chess piece that moves diagonally across the board.

She moves her bishop diagonally across the chessboard, capturing a pawn.

Etymology

The older title means overseer and developed into the church office. English chess names this piece after that office, commonly representing it with a bishop’s headdress.

More examples

  • Each player starts a chess game with two bishops.
  • My bishop stays on dark squares throughout the game.
  • He sacrifices his bishop to expose the enemy king.

Forms

bishop · bishops

Similar words

rook
Moves horizontally or vertically rather than diagonally.
knight
Moves in an L-shape and can jump over other pieces.