

However, according to, “Today we know that chess originated from the Gupta Empire (600CE), of India. In each region, chess took on different rules, pieces, boards, and such. There are many legends surrounding the origin of chess, and also the rules of the game have transformed so much during its about 1500 years of history, that it is difficult to trace exactly when “chess” came into being as we know it.

But how much do we know of its history, and where the royal game came from? This special game originated in India in the 6th century-but that is just the start of learning the beginnings of chess. It seems be getting even more popular as the years roll on. Millions of people play it daily, and millions of dollars of sponsorship go into the world championships of chess. Online chess tournaments are also very popular.Chess is perhaps the most popular and treasured board game in the world. At the same time, most players now use computers (chess engines) for analysis and research. Since then, several supercomputers have beaten world champions. In one famous 1997 match, world champion Garry Kasparov was defeated by supercomputer Deep Blue, the first time a computer beat a human in chess. Carlsen is the current world champion in blitz and rapid chess.Ĭomputers have also changed chess play dramatically. Some of the world's top-ranked chess players, including Carlsen, also compete in speed chess. Other categories include "blitz chess" (games between three and 10 minutes) and "rapid chess" (over 10 minutes but less than 60). The fastest category of speed chess is "bullet chess," where you must take your opponent's king (or force a draw) in three minutes or less. The twist is that if you capture an opponent's piece, your partner can then play that captured piece on their board.īut by far the most-played modern chess variation is " speed chess," which imposes shorter and shorter time limits on players. In Bughouse, you and a partner each play an opponent, so there are two games played simultaneously. However, he has said he will not defend his title in 2023, explaining that he is "not motivated" to do so.Īnother popular variation is a funky form of doubles chess known as Bughouse or tandem chess. Carlsen has been the reigning world champion since 2013 and is the highest-rated player in history. The current undisputed world chess champion is Magnus Carlsen. As of early 2023, there were 1,785 grandmasters, including 40 women. The best players in the world were informally known as "grandmasters" until 1950, when the FIDE established a set criteria for the title. In 1924, the World Chess Federation or International Chess Federation (also known by its French initials FIDE) was established.

Around this time, chess theory became more common, with players analyzing and memorizing different moves. In the early 20th century, clocks were introduced to impose time limits on the length of games. "This game was called 'an achievement perhaps unparalleled in chess literature.'" He gave up both rooks, bishop, queen and delivered a checkmate with three minor pieces," wrote Yury Markushin in Chess World.

One memorable 1851 game in London was between Adolf Anderssen of Germany and Lionel Kieseritzky of Russia - so memorable that it was later dubbed "the immortal game." "Series of sacrifices made by Anderssen made this game probably the most famous game of all time. There had been unofficial international matches before this.
