History Of Chess

The history of chess goes back almost 15 centuries. 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. But in early Russia, the game came directly from the Khanates (muslim territories) to the south.

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). Chess engines (programs that play chess), and chess databases 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.