Kings, queens, etc. (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: PIECES (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Kings, queens, etc." with 6 letters is "PIECES".Pieces refers to the individual game pieces used in chess, such as kings, queens, rooks, bishops, knights, and pawns. In chess, each piece has a unique movement and role, making the game a complex strategy of positioning and tactics.
Why “Pieces” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (6 letters) meaning “kings, queens, etc.” The answer, PIECES, fits exactly:
- Kings, queens, etc.: In the game of chess, pieces refers collectively to all the playing figures — including kings, queens, bishops, knights, rooks, and pawns.
- Direct match: The 6-letter word pieces neatly matches the clue’s enumeration.
- Precise usage: The clue’s reference to “kings, queens” strongly points to chess, and pieces is the standard word for the full set of such figures.
The word piece is widely used in gaming and broader contexts:
- Origin and usage: From Old French piece, meaning a portion or item, it evolved in English to signify individual game counters or objects that are part of a larger set.
- Chess context: Each king, queen, bishop, etc., is a chess “piece.” The term is universally recognized in the game and extends metaphorically.
- Examples: “She lost several pieces in the middle game,” or “The pieces were set out on the board.” Both highlight its direct connection to chess figures.
Quick crossword clues like “Kings, queens, etc. (6)” often rely on domain-specific but familiar references:
- The plural “etc.” signals that the clue points not to one role (e.g., just king or queen) but to the whole category.
- Alternative words like royals (6) could fit the surface reading, but the chess-specific context makes pieces the more precise solution.
- Crosswords frequently use chess terminology, and solvers attuned to games or logic puzzles often identify pieces quickly as the correct fit.
