subject: The History of Chess [print this page] Chess is a popular game around the world and can b played between people that cannot communicate with each other for any reason. Language barriers can be overcome easily to play this game. It can be a time consuming game full of strategy and skill. The game itself can be traced back to Persian influences.
Chess has become more than just a game. International tournaments have created a high stakes competition. Chess boards are also used as dcor in homes and offices to symbolize intelligence and wit.
The board itself is made up of 64 squares that are alternating colors that represent the two people playing the game. Each player begins the game with a king, a queen, two knights, two rooks, two bishops, and eight pawns. Each piece is unique when it comes to how they can be moved around the board. The object of the game is to get your opponent's king in a position where there are no possible moves left. This is known as checkmate.
The history of chess is a long road. The earliest form of chess dates back to the 500s, in India. The rules were different than they are today. The Persians picked up the game and it became a game for royalty. The popularity spread through Portugal, Spain, and Greece before becoming a game we would recognize as chess in Europe. Russia picked up the game in the 9th century and it spread to China.
Most of the modern game rules originated from play throughout Spain and Italy. These were officially set as rules in Europe during the year 1200. The complete set of rules that we use today were finalized in the 19th century with the addition of a stalemate. The first modern tournament of chess was played in London during the year 1851.
