Chess is an ancient game that many people have enjoyed playing for centuries. The game of chess is thought to have originated in India, around the 6th century AD. It is thought to have evolved from a game called Chaturanga, which was played on an 8×8 board with dice. The game spread from Persia to Arabia, where it was known as Shatranj. From there, it spread to Europe via Spain and Italy.
The modern game of chess emerged in the 15th century in Western Europe. The rules were codified by a man named Pietro Carrera in 1617. The first recorded chess tournament was held in London in 1851. Since then, chess has become a beloved game all over the world, with people of all ages and backgrounds taking part. It is estimated that there are over 600 million people who play chess regularly.
Chess is a classic board game that has been enjoyed by generations of people. At the heart of the game are a hundred and fifty-four pieces divided into sixteen different types. The board, itself, is looped into sixty-four alternating dark and white squares, called the ‘chessboard’. The two players, each controlling sixteen pieces previously arranged before gameplay began; take turns making moves and attempting to capture their opponent’s pieces. The main objective of the game is to manipulate the opposing player so that the opponent’s king can either be ‘checkmated’ or forced into a stalemate.
The sixteen chess pieces on the board include two different types of pieces: The major pieces (Queen, King, two Rooks, two Knights, and two Bishops) and the minor pieces (eight pawns). Each chess piece holds a specific position with varying capabilities. Starting from the position closest to the starting player’s left is the most powerful chess piece, known as the Queen. As the Queen, you have an unlimited travel range and can move diagonally, horizontally, or vertically. When playing with the Queen, you are also capable of checking and checkmating your opponent’s king.
Right beside the Queen, is the King’s piece. It is the most crucial piece of chess. The purpose of the King is to aptly be protected by other pieces and avoid being attacked by the opposing player through checkmate. It’s important to note that the King is the only piece on the board that can not take other pieces in the direction of their move. Therefore, their main focus within the game should be to stay safe and find the most secure route for survival.
To the right of the King starting from the closest to the board is the Rook. The Rook’s piece is used for jumping from one diagonal line to the other, as it can only move horizontally or vertically. This movement enables players to challenge outfield pieces, such as players’ pawns. This piece is also used for castling, where the King and the Rook switch their positions to protect the King from danger.
The Bishop is positioned in a diagonal line from the King and the Rook. This piece’s movement is the same and only visible movement as the Queen’s, as they can move through any amount of squares in a diagonal direction in a single turn. Though they have the same.
At the start of the game, each player has the same set of pieces in the same place on the board. The game begins with white having the first move. The player will move the desired piece, repositioning it in a specified number of spaces, following the guidelines given to the specific piece. One thing to keep in mind is that a player can only move a single piece in each turn. After white moves, black also makes a single move, and then white moves again, making the turns alternate between players.
When it is threatened by an opposing player’s piece, it is called a ‘check’. The player whose king is in check must find a way to escape the check or ‘checkmate’ the opposing player’s king. Checkmate occurs when a king is in a position where it can’t move and remain safe from being captured by the opposing player. The minor pieces can also be used to either threaten the opposing player’s king or block attacking pieces.
As you become a more advanced player, more advanced strategies and playing styles are used, using bluffs, sacrifices, and aggressive maneuvers. It combines elements of critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategy that can be used in other everyday tasks. Understanding the basics of the game will surely prove beneficial to your everyday life. However, chess is a highly enjoyable game, even to those who are not experts, as it does not require a commitment of hours and hours of practice to get started and improve. Indeed, for anyone who loves a challenge that tests the agility of a sharp mind and eye, chess provides an enjoyable challenge that is not easily matched.
By: APREET KHUSHI
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