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20 Feb 2024

Checkmate Time Travel: From Ancient India to Your Living Room

Written by

The Logical Indian

Introduction

The origin of chess is a puzzle wrapped in the mists of time, but one thing is clear, its roots trace back to the enchanting landscapes of ancient India. While debates continue over its exact origins, the game's significance is undeniable, capturing hearts and minds across continents and centuries.

Ancient Indian Genesis: Chaturanga's Birth

The earliest precursor to modern chess was a war game called chaturanga, mentioned in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Flourishing in northwestern India by the 7th century, chaturanga exhibited two crucial features found in all future chess variants – distinct powers for different pieces and victory hinging on the king, a fundamental element in today's chess.

The Evolution into Shatranj

The evolution of chaturanga into Shatranj, a two-player game popular in northern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia after 600 CE, added a new piece called firzān. This counsellor, unrelated to troop formations, brought fresh dynamics to the game. Shatranj spread eastward, with chess-like games reaching China by 750 CE and later finding their way to Japan and Korea.

As the game travelled west, it underwent transformations on its journey to Europe. Persian, Byzantine, and Arabian influences played pivotal roles. Chess found its way into Europe through various channels, including the expanding Arabian empire, introducing a new era of strategic gaming.

Muslims brought chess to North Africa, Sicily, and Spain by the 10th century, and Eastern Slavs spread it to Kievan Rus. Vikings carried the game to Iceland and England, are to be believed responsible for the most famous collection of chessmen that were found on the Isle of Lewis, discovered in the Outer Hebrides and dating back to the 11th or 12th century.

Chess - The Royal Game

Despite periodic bans by kings and religious leaders, chess persisted, becoming associated with wealth, knowledge, and power. Kings and monarchs, including Louis IX, Henry I, Henry II, John, Richard I, Philip II, Alfonso X, and Ivan IV, embraced the royal game. Its allure grew, earning the moniker "royal game" by the 15th century.

The standardisation of rules occurred gradually, with regional variations persisting. By 1300, the pawn gained the ability to move two squares on its first turn. Crucial rule changes after 1475, including the transformation of the counsellor into the modern queen, catapulted chess into a new era. The addition of castling and en passant capture, known since the 15th century but widely adopted in the 18th century, further enriched the game.

The Unification of Rules

The appearance of chess pieces also underwent transformations, from simple designs before 600 CE to ornate figurative sets depicting animals, warriors, and noblemen. Muslim sets of the 9th–12th centuries, adhering to Islamic prohibitions, often featured nonrepresentational pieces. As chess spread to Europe and Russia, stylised sets adorned with precious stones returned to fashion.

The modern era of chess sets was ushered in around 1835 with the Staunton pattern, a simple design endorsed by Howard Staunton, the world's best player at the time. This design, patented in 1849, remains the standard for international competitions today.

Conclusion

An Indologists' group concluded that chess originated in Kannauj when it was the capital of the Maukhari kingdom in the 6th century. Despite claims of its existence in ancient Egypt, the chess played by Egyptians differed significantly from the modern game we know today. Chess's journey from ancient India to the global stage is a testament to its enduring appeal, captivating players worldwide and standing as a symbol of strategy, intellect, and cultural richness. As we celebrate this timeless game, let's remember its Indian roots and the profound impact it has had on shaping the world of strategic gaming.

References

Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess/History

Times of India - (Akhilesh Kumar Singh - Mar 9.2007)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/chess-originated-from-up/articleshow/1738492.cms

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IndiaFirst Life & the logical indian

Headquartered in Mumbai, IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited (IndiaFirst Life), is one of the country's youngest life insurance companies. The Logical Indian is an independent and public-spirited digital media platform for Indian Millennials. IndiaFirst Life and The Logical Indian have come together to showcase India’s rich history of innovation in different fields of life which have made a significant mark on humanity and globally. The information presented here is the result of a collaborative effort between The IndiaFirst Life, Dentsu Creative & The Logical Indian. All research and fact-finding is credited to Dentsu Creative in association with The Logical Indian.