History of chess

aspect of history

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The history of chess goes back 2200 years. It was played in Chinese Warring Sates Period about 200BC,
called XiangQi. Modern International Chess game though originated in northern India in the 6th century
(which shares quite a few common Characteristics with the Chinese creation) AD and spread to Persia.
When the Arabs conquered Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim world and subsequently, through
the Moorish conquest of Spain, spread to Southern Europe.[1][2] But in early Russia, the game came
directly from the Khanates (muslim territories) to the south.[3]

12th century Islamic-style chess set from Iran. New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

12th century chessmen from the Isle of Lewis (four kings)

A leaf from the Libro de los juegos, Alfonso X of Castile, c. 1283

In Europe, the moves of the pieces changed in the 15th century. The modern game starts with these
changes. In the second half of the 19th century, modern tournament play began. Chess clocks were first
used in 1883, and the first world chess championship was held in 1886. The 20th century saw advances
in chess theory, and the establishment of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).[4] Chess engines
(programs that play chess), and chess data bases became important.