History of Chess
Chess has such a colourful and exciting history that goes back over 1500 years! It all started in India with a game called Chaturanga. Although that early version was a bit different from the chess we love today, it truly set the stage for the wonderful game we enjoy now.
In Chaturanga, the game that came before chess, the four forces were represented by infantry, horses, elephants, and chariots. Over time, these forces transformed into the chess pieces we recognize today, with names that still hint at their original roles.
- Infantry: Pawns
- Horses: Knights
- Elephants: Bishops
- Chariots: Rooks
It is special that in the starting position of this Chaturanga game, the kings were not facing each other like nowadays.
Chess originated in a different form and later spread to Persia and Muslim countries. It was introduced to Europe via Spain and Italy.
By the 18th century, chess had evolved into a more scientific game, and by the 19th century, modern chess had emerged. The first official World Chess Championship tournament was held in 1886, with Wilhelm Steinitz becoming the very first official World Chess Champion.
In the 20th century, chess became more focused on theory and strategy, and the World Chess Federation was established.
In 1997, IBM's supercomputer faced off against Garry Kasparov, the world chess champion at the time, and made history by winning! This exciting moment marked the start of a new era where computers started to really shine in the game of chess.
Computers are now so smart that they can analyze chess moves better than any human player! And with the rise of online chess, finding a friendly game and improving your skills is easier than ever.
The article is originally published in Sinhala language for chess players in Sri Lanka.
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