History of Chess

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Chess journeyed from ancient India's Chaturanga to become a global game of strategy, evolving over centuries with pieces like the queen gaining power, here are some things to know.

1

Ancient Indian Origins

Chess originated in India as a game called Chaturanga, which means "four divisions" referring to the four arms of the military.

2

Journey to Persia

Arab traders brought Chaturanga to Persia, where it evolved into a game called Shatranj.

3

The Islamic World

From Persia, chess spread to the Islamic world, where it flourished in centers of learning and culture.

4

Chess Arrives in Europe

The game underwent further modifications, with the queen becoming the most powerful piece and castling being introduced.

5

Rise of Modern Chess

The modern design of the chessboard and pieces emerged, and chess openings and endgame theory began to be developed.

6

Birth of Competitive Chess

The first World Chess Championship was held in 1886, & chess federations were established to organise tournaments and award titles.

7

Computer Age & Beyond

The 20th century saw the rise of chess computers, which eventually surpassed human players in strength.