Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

alfil

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: al-fil
IPA

8

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A fairy chess piece that moves two squares diagonally, leaping over any intermediary pieces.

Example Sentences

"In problems with unorthodox pieces the convention is usually followed that they have appeared by promotion of pawns, though this is not sufficient in some cases (e.g. alfils and equihoppers may not be able to get to the required square from the promotion rank). […] The earliest known example of a partial rider is the Talia (meaning scout) which occurs in the Great Chess of Timur. It is a transition piece between the mediaeval alfil and the modern bishop, able to move like the bishop without being blocked by a pawn standing in front of it."

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish alfil (“chess bishop”).

Inflected Forms

alfils (plural) fil (alternative) pil (alternative)

Questions

What does alfil mean?: A fairy chess piece that moves two squares diagonally, leaping over any intermediary pieces.
Where does alfil come from?: Borrowed from Spanish alfil (“chess bishop”).

How to pronounce alfil

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “alfil”.
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