Chess is a game with more than 1.5 thousand years of history. Therefore, it is not surprising that for such a period she “survived” many transformations.
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One of the most likely “ancestors” is the Indian game Chaturanga, which was borrowed and somewhat modified by the Persians. In a new guise, the game was called shatranj. The Arab conquest of Persia contributed to the fairly rapid spread of Shartranj within the Arab Caliphate. And already from Arab players to European ones.
Close to the modern form of chess received by the end of the XV century. At that moment, the queen, and bishop figures appear. There are innovations in the rules: the “movements” of the players become more dynamic, the white pieces get the opportunity to be the first to make a move.
Interestingly, the rules of the game of chess did not differ in unity. Each region of Europe had its own characteristics. In Italy, a capture on the aisle was not recognized, but a player could defend himself with a pawn move. In Germany, only two outer or two central pawns could move two squares. Players from England have been arguing for a long time about the promotion of a pawn into pieces that have not yet been removed from the board.
Since the 18th century, the game of chess has found new reflections. There is a fashion for playing in a cafe. Especially in Paris and London, where the strongest chess players in Europe met. In 1770, the first machine for the game appears in Vienna – the Turk figure, with which you can play a game. This chess automaton toured Europe successfully until the 1830s.
Toward the middle of the 19th century, a system of international competitions appeared. First, there were game meetings between the strongest chess players within different cities and countries, later – international tournaments.
The 20th century opened up to the world many names and achievements of great players. It is believed that the greatest contribution to the transformation of chess into a professional sport was made by Emanuel Lasker, who was a versatile player – he knew how to attack and defend. The second World Chess Champion held the record for the longest title holding.
In the early 1930s, a new generation of chess players came to the fore – Mikhail Botvinnik, Salo Flora, Paul Keres and others.
