You might have come across many unforgettable moments in your lifetime. These moments are stored in your memory for a long period of time, having various symbolic significance. You associate your numerous emotions with such moments and thus recollect memories from the past.
Chess as a game has come a long way since it’s birth. Its epic transformation from being a strategic gameplan framework to a prestigious sport is noteworthy. Today let us find out the monumental events that occurred in the history of chess.
1. The birth of the game
Nobody knows how the game originated, or who is responsible for setting up the rules of this magnificent game. However, after much debate, it was speculated that chess is inspired by the Arabic game Shatranj and the Indian game Chaturanga which was played in 600 AD. The white and black 8X8 checkered board, with 16 pieces on each side is a traditional way of playing the game which is even followed now. Though the rules have evolved, the game still has the same popularity that it had, centuries ago.
2. The queen- who drives the game
After the adoption of the traditional game, the game spread across continents and cultures. It was around the year 1450, when chess, the game of pawns and bishops started undergoing a revolutionary change. Now the game was controlled by the queen. This was actually a rule that was made by the influence of time. At that time, many women of Europe and Russia were known for the power and their ability to rule, thus queen took the role of being the most powerful piece in a chess board.
3. World’s first informal Chess Tournament
Look around you and you would find a chess tournament being held in your city. But it was not so common back then. The first chess tournament was held in 1575 in the courtroom of Philip II in Madrid. It was between the Italians Leonardo da Cutri and Paolo Boi and Ruy Lopez and Alfonso Ceron of Spain. Long after the first informal tournament, in 1851, the world’s first formally organised chess tournament was conducted.
4. It is Chess’O’ Clock
What fun it would be if games and sports are not restricted to time. This is a common demand that every child has. However, the same was happening in a game of chess. People were tiring out their opponent as each game of chess would last 12-14 hours in the absence of timers. The first chess timer was introduced in 1861, that was sand hourglasses. Then came the electronic clocks in 1964. This was a well recognised invention in the history of chess.
5. The Computer way
IBM being the most prominent computer building company thought about developing a computer that could beat chess champions in chess. The first two attempts of the company failed against World chess champion Garry Kasparov. But it was the 1997 match that defeated Kasparov by a score of 3.5 to 2.5. This was a historic day and is still known to be an event that challenges humans against a machine.
We believe every kid of this generation is capable of rewriting history. The Mind Mentorz is just a medium that encourages your children to love chess or any recreational activity that they love doing. Let your kids follow their passion to become the one they admire.