What is Chess?

What is Chess?

Chess is a boardgame played by two players. The chessboard has a chequered pattern of 64 alternating light and dark squares (usually black and white). Each player starts off with 16 chess pieces, meaning that a chess game require 32 pieces. The pieces required for each side are 8 pawns, 1 King, 1 Queen, 2 Bishops, 2 Knights and 2 Rooks (or Castles).

Types of Chess Sets

Chess pieces are usually made of wood or plastic although occasionally metal chess sets are seen or even glass sets. Chessboards can be made of a variety of material but wooden chess boards are most common, with plastic being a close second. Some luxury chess sets can be truly beautiful in their own right with the pieces and board being individually hand crafted. Of course these boards can be expensive, but solid wood boards (not veneer) and hand carved or individually designed pieces do not come cheap. Thus chess sets can be an expression of wealth and social status and not merely a boardgame.

The Origins of the Game

In its modern form chess from the late 15^th century, however it origins are from a much earlier period in India dating from around 1000AD. The game was known as Shatranj in India. Around 1200 a modified form of the game began to be played in Southern Europe. By 1450-1500AD the rules of the game and the chess pieces had been changed into a similar form of the game we would recognise today.

First Chess Tournaments

The first recorded chess tournament was held in London in 1851 and was won by a German, Adolf Anderssen (Matrix moment – “What must I do to beat you, Mr Anderson?”). Although this game is seen as being somewhat weak strategically it did give rise to the advent of a true World Chess Championship in 1886 which was won by Wilhelm Steinitz. This world championship competition has continued to this day, being held most notably in modern times by Gary Kasparov.

The Aim of the Game of Chess

The aim of the game is to checkmate the opponents King. This can be achieved in a number of ways and will be dealt with in detail in a later hub. For now suffice it to say that checkmate occurs when the king is faced with a threat from an enemy piece that the player cannot either move away from or take the piece that is giving the threat.

Rules of the Game

By tradition white moves first in a game and black responds, this pattern of alternating moves is followed until the end of the game. The game can end in a win, a loss or be drawn. Each piece moves in a unique fashion and I will explain these moves in a later hub. The rules of chess are currently maintained by the World Chess Federation.

Contact Me

As you can no doubt tell, I play and thoroughly enjoy the game of chess and occasionally talk about it on my personal blog at http://djfelton.com. Feel free to drop by and comment, or mail me there and say hello.

Best Wishes

Dave Felton (AKA Conflagrant)