Chess is one of the most widely played games in the world, and its roots stretch back more than 1,400 years. The pieces and rules have changed a great deal along the way.
Key takeaways
- Chess likely began in India around the sixth century as chaturanga.
- It travelled to Persia, then to the Arab world and Europe.
- The modern powerful queen and bishop appeared in Europe around the late fifteenth century.
- Formal international competitions began in the nineteenth century.
- Computers now play chess far better than any human.
Chaturanga
The earliest ancestor of chess is generally traced to northern India around the sixth century CE. Called chaturanga, a Sanskrit word referring to the four divisions of an army, it had pieces representing infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots, which correspond to the pawn, knight, bishop and rook. The aim was to capture or trap the king.
Persia and the Islamic world
The game spread to Persia, where it was called shatranj. Persian players introduced terms still used today, including "shah mat," meaning "the king is helpless," the origin of "checkmate." Shatranj was widely played across the Islamic world, and many strategy manuals and puzzle problems were written. Pieces were often abstract designs, because of religious concerns about figurative images.
Arrival in Europe
Chess reached Europe by the tenth century, through Spain and Italy and via trade routes. It became a pastime of nobles and clergy, and its pieces were given European meanings such as king, queen, bishop and knight. The queen and the bishop were weak in early European chess, moving only one square diagonally or a limited distance.
The modern rules
Around the 1470s and 1480s, probably in Spain or Italy, the rules changed to give the queen and bishop their present long-range powers. The game became much faster and more tactical, and this version was sometimes called "mad queen chess." Other rules, such as castling and en passant, were standardised over the following centuries.
Competitive chess
Chess clubs and tournaments flourished in the nineteenth century. The first major international tournament was held in London in 1851. Wilhelm Steinitz is regarded as the first official world champion, in 1886. The international federation, FIDE, was founded in 1924 and organises championships. The Elo rating system, developed by Arpad Elo, ranks players based on results.
Chess and computers
Programmers began writing chess programs in the mid-twentieth century. In 1997, IBM's Deep Blue defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in a match. Today engines such as Stockfish and neural-network systems far exceed human strength, and players use them to prepare and analyse games. Online platforms have made chess accessible to millions.
Why people still play
Chess is valued for its depth, its balance of calculation and creativity and its mix of competition and study. Studies on the benefits of chess for learning give mixed results, but many schools and clubs offer it as an enjoyable activity.
The basic rules
Chess is played on an eight-by-eight board by two players, each starting with sixteen pieces: a king, a queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns. Rooks move in straight lines, bishops diagonally, the queen in both ways, and knights jump in an L shape. Pawns move forward but capture diagonally, and a pawn that reaches the far side is promoted, usually to a queen. Special moves include castling, where the king and a rook move together for safety, and en passant, a pawn capture. A game ends in checkmate, when the king is attacked and cannot escape, or in a draw by stalemate, repetition of position, the fifty-move rule or agreement.
Opening principles
Beginners are often given a few simple principles for the first moves. Control the centre of the board with pawns and pieces, develop knights and bishops early, castle to protect the king, and avoid moving the queen out too soon where it can be chased. Do not move the same piece repeatedly in the opening without a reason, and try to connect your rooks. Strong players study opening theory in depth, but these ideas give a sound start.
Famous matches and players
Chess has produced dramatic moments. In 1972, the American Bobby Fischer defeated Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in Reykjavik in a match that drew worldwide attention during the Cold War. In 1997, IBM's Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in a six-game match. Magnus Carlsen of Norway became world champion in 2013 and held the title for a decade. Judit Polgar is regarded as the strongest woman player in history, reaching the world top ten. The game continues to produce new stars, including young prodigies.
Computers and the modern game
Chess engines such as Stockfish are stronger than any human and are used for training and analysis. In 2017, DeepMind's AlphaZero taught itself chess through self-play in hours and defeated a top engine, playing in an imaginative style that surprised grandmasters. Online platforms became hugely popular during 2020 and later, with streaming and a television series boosting interest. Engines have changed how players prepare, but human games remain compelling because of creativity, pressure and mistakes.
How to learn and improve
A good way to improve is to solve tactics puzzles regularly, which trains pattern recognition. Learn basic endgames, such as king and pawn against king, because they teach how the pieces work together. Play games at a pace that lets you think, review them to find mistakes, and join a club or online community. Reading about a few classic games can also teach strategy. Patience matters, and improvement usually comes in steps.
Frequently asked questions
Who invented chess?
No individual is known. It evolved from earlier Indian games.
Why is it called checkmate?
From the Persian "shah mat," often translated as "the king is helpless" or "the king is left unable to move."
How many possible chess games are there?
An enormous number, far more than can be counted, though exact estimates depend on assumptions.
How many pieces are there in a chess game?
There are thirty-two at the start, sixteen for each player. The pieces are the king, queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns for each side.
Is chess good for children?
Many schools and parents like chess because it encourages concentration, patience and planning, and it can be fun. Evidence that it improves general academic skills is mixed, but it is a rewarding game in its own right.
What is stalemate?
Stalemate is a draw that occurs when the player whose turn it is has no legal move and is not in check. It often happens in endgames when a player with an advantage is careless, so it is worth knowing how to avoid it.
Sources and further reading
Written by
FactNest Editorial Team
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