Al-Rashid's Gambit: Tracing Arab Chess through the Ages

In the 7th century, during the Islamic Golden Age, chess found a place among Arab scholars. Al-Adli ar-Rumi's "Kitab ash-shatranj" (800-870 AD) became the first Arabic chess book, outlining rules, strategies, and ethical considerations.

Harun al-Rashid, the Abbasid Caliph from 786 to 809 AD, played a significant role. A chess enthusiast, he promoted the game within his court, elevating it to a symbol of cultural refinement, and also used it as a tool in diplomacy, when he sent Ivory chess boards as gifts to Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne.

Under Harun al-Rashid's rule, chess extended beyond palaces to marketplaces and coffeehouses in Baghdad. Chess sets, influenced by traditional Arab art, became expressions of cultural richness.

Between the 8th and 12th centuries, chess became a communal activity, enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Pieces infused with Arabic influences turned into miniature works of art, celebrating Arab culture, intellect, and unity.

In the Golden Age of Arab chess, scholars like Al-Adli ibn Ahmad al-Sulami shaped the game's theory. Opening strategies, endgames, and pawn structures emerged, with Ibn Khallikan documenting tales of legendary players.

In the 20th century, Grandmaster Ahmed Adly and Grandmaster Bassem Amin brought international acclaim to Arab chess. The establishment of the Arab Chess Federation in 1975 reinforced the commitment to organizing tournaments and nurturing talent, ensuring the enduring legacy of chess in the Arab world.