The Game of Thrones

The evolution of chess

- Smt. Sujatha Rao

The Context

As we celebrate World Chess Day on 20th July, let us try to understand in greater detail, this game of 64 squares, comprising of 8 rows and 8 columns, enthralling the world over the last few decades.

Brief History of the Game

Present day chess has its roots in the Indian game 'Chaturanga' played almost 1500 years ago during the time of the Gupta Empire (600 CE) in India. No wonder the pieces involved in 'Chaturanga' had military elements such as the infantry, elephants, cavalry and chariots, as the name translates to four divisions of the military. It is also opined that the name 'Chaturanga' is derived from the great Indian epic Mahabharata, wherein a strategic military formation by that name was used in the Great War narrated therein. Subsequently, these four elements evolved into the modern pawn, knight, bishop and rook.

From India, the game spread to Persia where it came to be popularly known as 'Shatranj'. Subsequently, around 1200 CE, the game underwent drastic changes as it came to Europe, especially to Italy and Spain. Around the 18th century, the game spread to Western Europe with matches being played in coffee houses in large cities like London and Paris.