History

The history of chess can be traced back nearly 1500 years, although the earliest origins are uncertain. The earliest predecessor of the game probably originated in India, before the 6th century AD; a minority of historians believe the game originated in China. From India, the game spread to Persia. When the Arabs conquered Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim world and subsequently spread to Southern Europe. In Europe, chess evolved into roughly its current form in the 15th century. Chess remains a highly popular pastime among the general populace to this day. A 2012 survey found that "chess players now make up one of the largest communities in the world: 605 million adults play chess regularly". Chess is played at least once a year by 12% of British people, 15% of Americans, 23% of Germans, 43% of Russians, and 70% of Indian people.[2] The game originated in northern India in the 6th century AD and spread to Persia. When the Arabs conquered Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim world and subsequently, through the Moorish conquest of Spain, spread to Southern Europe.[1][2] In Europe, the moves of the pieces changed in the 15th century. The modern game starts with these changes. In the second half of the 19th century, modern tournament play began. Chess clocks were first used in 1883, and the first world chess championship was held in 1886. The 20th century saw advances in chess theory, and the establishment of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).[3] Chess engines (programs that play chess), and chess data bases became important.

Milestones of the game

• 600AD: First clear reference to chess, in a Persian manuscript.
• 700AD: Date of first undoubted chess pieces.
• 800AD: Moors bring chess to Spain and Sicily.
• 900AD: Early Muslim chess masters, as-Suli and al-Lajlaj write works on the technique of chess.
• 1000AD: Chess widespread in Europe, including Russia.
• 1300AD: First European comments on chess in sermons and stories.
• 1475–1500AD: Birth of the modern game: especially, new moves for queen and bishop.
• 1495: First printed chess book.
• 1497: First printed chess book to survive to the present day.
• 1600: First professional player-writers.
• 1780s: First master games to be recorded as they were played.
• 1836: First chess magazine.
• 1849: First US chess tournament.
• 1851: First international chess tournament.
• 1866: First match to be timed by clock.
• 1883: First tournament to use specially designed chess clocks.
• 1886: First acknowledged world championship match.

Changes in names of pieces

The following table provides a glimpse of the changes in the names and character of chess pieces, as they passed from one culture to another, from India through Persia to Europe:[1]p221 Changes in the Arabic names of pieces happened over several centuries after the game arrived in Europe. Most changed were the pieces which had no equivalent in Europe, such as the elephant (eh-l-fh-ant), the visier (an advisor: the firzan or wazir), and the chariot (rukhkh). The greatest variety of names was for the elephant,[1]p424 which was not seen in Europe, and so not used in war. In Spain names derived from Arabic lasted for centuries (alfil, aufin, orfil...). Eventually, all but France used a word for "bishop". In a similar manner, vizir eventually became "queen", and the chariot became a word for "castle". Except, that is, in English, where "rook" is obviously a version of "rukh". The following table does not capture all these complicated changes.

The table, based roughly on square control, suggests the modern game deploys about 20% more force on the board than the older game.[6] However, this understates the case, since the table does not allow for castling, nor the initial optional double move of the pawn. Also, the pawn promotion to the new queen is hugely significant when it takes place. No exact value can be placed on these elements, but perhaps the modern game makes use of up to a third more force than in the original game.