For centuries, players of all ages have enjoyed the engaging game of chess. It is known for the stimulating challenge it presents and helps players develop critical thinking. People who enjoy playing it may sometimes wonder where did chess originate and will be interested to learn about its beginnings.
The earliest origins of this game come from India in the 7th century AD. It was known then as "Chaturanga", which literally translates into "four parts". It was really a mock army battleplan, and the playing pieces were tiny replicas of the actual army and included elephants, chariots, horses, soldiers, the king and minister. The objective was to eliminate the opposing player's pieces and capture the king, just as it is today.
Around 600 AD, the game was introduced to Persia (Iran) by way of merchants and soldiers, and was renamed to "Shatranj". The Persians build upon the existing rules and were the first players to come up with the terms "check" and "checkmate", which were used from that time onwards. The game was also brought to the Orient around this same time, and was adapted into different forms by both the Chinese and the Japanese.
After the conquest of Persia, the game became popular in the Muslim world where it continued to be played using the Persian terms. In the 12th and 13th century, Crusaders from Europe appeared in Palestine to fight the Holy Wars and encountered the game which they brought back to Europe with them where it was renamed "chess" from the French word "echec" (to check).
The game soon became popular in the many countries of Western Europe, and also in Russia and it now had many names in different languages. The game pieces also saw some changes around this time, with the elephants being replaced with castles, the minister replaced by the lone female piece, the Queen, and the addition of a new piece called a "bishop" which was added to please the Catholic church.
Some renaissance land barons would go a step further in their involvement in the game and organize a variation which used human beings as the playing pieces, who upon their capture were in fact beheaded. It soon also became apparent to players that they could affect the game's eventual outcome from the first moves made at the start, and started noting the moves their opponents would often make and formulate moves to block them.
The modern form of chess people play today had come about by the late 15th century, although at one point it had almost been banned by the Christian Church. As players grew more skillful at the game, competitive tournaments started to be played and in the late 19th century games began to be timed.
With professional matches becoming more commonplace, it became necessary to have some formal rules established, and the organization known as the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) was born. There is now even a Chess Olympics every two years for the best players in the world to compete in. Having an understanding about where did chess originate can give players a new respect and appreciation for the game.
The earliest origins of this game come from India in the 7th century AD. It was known then as "Chaturanga", which literally translates into "four parts". It was really a mock army battleplan, and the playing pieces were tiny replicas of the actual army and included elephants, chariots, horses, soldiers, the king and minister. The objective was to eliminate the opposing player's pieces and capture the king, just as it is today.
Around 600 AD, the game was introduced to Persia (Iran) by way of merchants and soldiers, and was renamed to "Shatranj". The Persians build upon the existing rules and were the first players to come up with the terms "check" and "checkmate", which were used from that time onwards. The game was also brought to the Orient around this same time, and was adapted into different forms by both the Chinese and the Japanese.
After the conquest of Persia, the game became popular in the Muslim world where it continued to be played using the Persian terms. In the 12th and 13th century, Crusaders from Europe appeared in Palestine to fight the Holy Wars and encountered the game which they brought back to Europe with them where it was renamed "chess" from the French word "echec" (to check).
The game soon became popular in the many countries of Western Europe, and also in Russia and it now had many names in different languages. The game pieces also saw some changes around this time, with the elephants being replaced with castles, the minister replaced by the lone female piece, the Queen, and the addition of a new piece called a "bishop" which was added to please the Catholic church.
Some renaissance land barons would go a step further in their involvement in the game and organize a variation which used human beings as the playing pieces, who upon their capture were in fact beheaded. It soon also became apparent to players that they could affect the game's eventual outcome from the first moves made at the start, and started noting the moves their opponents would often make and formulate moves to block them.
The modern form of chess people play today had come about by the late 15th century, although at one point it had almost been banned by the Christian Church. As players grew more skillful at the game, competitive tournaments started to be played and in the late 19th century games began to be timed.
With professional matches becoming more commonplace, it became necessary to have some formal rules established, and the organization known as the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) was born. There is now even a Chess Olympics every two years for the best players in the world to compete in. Having an understanding about where did chess originate can give players a new respect and appreciation for the game.
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