Why Is the Rook so Short?

I mean, the chinese chess thingy

Right, but since that person is persona non grata, we'll rely on your expertise instead.

I can't believe this stupid thread has become my most popular.

I meant to say this lighthearted thread.

I believe significant amount of the credit goes to the many flamboyant posters who came up with various ridiculous theories and reasoning to explain Rook's shortage of height 

I agree and appreciate the support.  By the way, folks, if you also like serious threads, visit Favorite famous game.  We've all got some favorite famous games.  You might have one that some of us aren't familiar with.  Why not share it by posting it on that thread?  If you want, add some comments about the game's background, the players or what you like most about it.

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/favorite-famous-game

What debate?

The debate about whether the rook is a chariot or a castle, which in turn proves that the king's shoes cannot be worn by the rook, which explains why the rook is so short.

The duck prefers chariot to castle but he went further than that:  "Any chess player who thinks of a rook as a castle is basically voting for oppression and slavery."  You don't even have to call it a castle; even if you think of it as one, you just voted for oppression and slavery.

i'm not sure who said it's the thought that counts ...

Yeah, apparently the thought of a chess piece counts as a vote for oppression and slavery.  Who would've thought?

xavier says no to castles!

By the way, the duck shaking its head was perfect!  I like the visuals.

Once again, visit Favorite famous game to post one or more of your favorite games.  By the way, if the game is brilliant, it doesn't have to be famous.

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/favorite-famous-game

let the duck back in,  you'll have even more spectacular fireworks :-)

Yeah, I should.  I only did it 'cause I couldn't pass up a perfect response.  After all, I am an oppressor, no?  However, I'm also a strong advocate of free speech.  And I don't want others to think I run my thread like a dictator.  Okay, I'll unblock the duck.

If you planned to abandon the thread because of my dictatorial excesses, I've unblocked the duck.

Blocking is indeed the ultimate form of cowardice for the weak minded and those  who cannot come up with a good reply in general possible due to being thin skinned and not quick witted enough.

However un-blocking coupled with an admittance to the error of ones ways takes guts even if only to try revive a mindless thread in which to promote other equally mindless threads that should have died a quick death in the no responses section.

I too apologize for trying to keep this dead herring in the hot topics list.

I think now that we have both apologized and cleared the air we can resume the topic of the rook and its apparent lack of suitable size.

This clearly proves the duck is not one to hold a grudge and also gives credit where credit is due.