Chess

Lore & Background

Chess originated from chaturanga in 7th-century India, which also influenced games like janggi, xiangqi, and shogi. It spread to Persia, the Arab world, and then to Europe, where modern rules emerged by the end of the 15th century and became standardized by the end of the 19th century. The rules of chess are published by FIDE in its Handbook, though national bodies like the United States Chess Federation may differ in details, such as time-keeping rules. The game is played on a board with alternating light and dark squares, with White moving first. Each player controls sixteen pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns, each with distinct movement patterns. The objective is to checkmate the opponent's king, and games can also end in a draw. Chess has a large body of theory and has influenced Western culture, the arts, mathematics, computer science, and psychology. Modern chess engines are significantly stronger than humans and have influenced chess theory, though chess is not a solved game.

Reader's Guide

Its rules, governed by FIDE, have remained largely consistent since the late 19th century, though minor variations exist among national bodies. The game's structure—with distinct piece movements, special moves like castling and en passant, and the objective of checkmate—has made it a subject of deep theoretical study. Despite the strength of modern chess engines, the game remains unsolved, ensuring continued human and computational interest. Its legacy includes a rich competitive tradition, with world champions from Wilhelm Steinitz to Gukesh Dommaraju, and its influence on culture and art underscores its enduring relevance.

Did You Know?

• The recorded history of chess dates back to chaturanga in 7th-century India.
• Chess is not a solved game.