GnrfFrtzl, that was very interesting piece of info. Thank you. I had never considered that before.
I don't want to hijack your thread, but please allow me to post one more historic question.
All piece moves make sense even those that seem irregular at first sight. Ex, at some point chess was accelerated and that is why the pawns can move 2 squares from their original position, but e.p. is still viable because that special move is 2 consecutive regular one-square moves and not a 2-square move. Similarly, while castling the King may not go over a threatened square because he 's making consecutive moves.
The thing that I haven't been able tofind a logical explanation to is the pawn promotion. Pawns when reaching the opposite 'camp' should be able to free one of the captured pieces and not magically transform into any piece leading to the absurb image of 2 queens, 3 rooks etc. For the very practical reason that sets do not have extra pieces this promotion irregularity is hard to believe that appeared without a reasoning.
Anyone have any idea?
Well, I wouldn't know, but I was actually taught this way by my father. We've never promoted to a queen if there was one on the board already for the same reason you just said.
It just seems more logical that a pawn would release a captured piece from the enemy camp than that they just magically transform to another one. It also makes the game harder and makes interesting endgames instead of just mating the opponent in three moves.
...the chance would be a fine thing....