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Answer To Where Did Chess Originate

By Lana Bray


The answer to where did chess originate remains elusive considering that the game has evolved over time. A number of nations and people have contributed to its current form, making it impossible to attribute the current form to one person. India is however considered the mother land with the primitive form of the game having been played 1500 years ago.

The Indians took it to Persia while Muslims took it with them wherever they went. Some of the areas where they went include South of Europe. Its presence is Persian is mainly due to the contribution of Arabs. Europe had a huge part to play in getting the game where it is from the fifteenth century. A maiden championship held in 1886 is credited for instilling professionalism.

The formation of World Chess Federation around the twentieth century has contributed to the advancement of the theoretical element of this game. The advent of computers has also added a great deal to the growth of the game through computer analysis. Online gaming became popular in the mid ninety and has seen tremendous growth.

In India, the Gupta Empire referred to it as Chaturanga which represented the four divisions in their military. These divisions were cavalry, infantry, chariotry and elephantry. The pieces that have evolved today to represent these groups are the rook, bishop, knight and modern pawn. The game was adopted by the Persian Courts as one of the activities of the nobility.

The roles played by the king and checkmate have their origin in the Persian army. The queen and bishop were weaker and gained strength later in the 1500s. Some nations that have led to advancement of the game include Spain, France, Portugal and Italy. The stalemate situation was discussed and refined around the nineteenth century.

An Italian by the name Gioacchino Greco is considered the pioneer professional according to history books. He compared different games that were played in the same format, something that had never been done before. This led to formalization of this game with a harmonized structure for the rules and style of play.

Competition in this game began in 1851 at a professional and international level. This was in a tournament held in London that would define the future of the game. The time taken by players to make a move was a big concern to organizers. One player is said to have taken over twenty minutes to decide on the next move. In total, the delay was over twenty hours. The situation led to the emergence of Speed and Five minute Chess among other variations.

Penalties would be imposed for delays in making moves. The tournament in Bristol provided the first timing using a sand glass. Ever since that tournament, pendulums have been used and later, modern clocks. Champions recorded include Emanuel Lasker, Vera Menchik and Adolf Anderssen.

A definite answer when one asks where did chess originate has not been forthcoming. This is mainly due to contributions made by different people at different times over the years. Modifications on rules have made the game competitive, enjoyable and professional. This game is therefore a product of different people, cultures and time.




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