Chess is actually a fantastic game that, in addition to being extremely fun, also serves to develop useful skills in everyday life. Chess teaches us, among other things, that each of our choices has certain consequences; if we play fast and recklessly, the consequences can be dire, and when we take our time and think about the next step, the consequences are likely to be much better. Also, one of the biggest benefits of playing chess is that it practices focus and creativity!
At the beginning
At the beginning of the game, the chess piece of the Queen could only move one square in the diagonal direction. Later, it rose to 2 fields, and only after the Spanish Reconquista in the 15th century, due to the victory of Queen Isabel I, did the Queen become the strongest figure on the board.
The oldest chessboard
The oldest chess set in the world was found on the island of Lewis in Scotland and dates back to the 12th century. It is supposed to have been made in Iceland or Norway, and it is particularly interesting that it was used in the first Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Chess boards over time have become more advanced, and there have been numerous modern twists and adaptations of the classical chess board. The whole process of chessboard making is often considered an art form due to the amount of time and effort put in by chess masters to create the perfect board for playing. Even the type of wood can play a certain role in giving the board value; some common types are Sheesham, which is regarded as a type of rot-resistant, dense, and quite resilient wood type. Then there is maple; lightweight, durable, elastic, and quite available; or you can even choose for the board to be made from rosewood; extremely durable, beautiful, amazingly grained, and, of course, rot-resistant.
Some newer models are made from glass, plastic, or even recycled materials to spread awareness of the environmental footprint we leave.
The oldest chess game
The oldest recorded game of chess dates back to the 9th century between a historian in Bahdgdad and his student. While the origins of the game probably date back to the 6th century in India and across that part of Asia, however, records are a bit vague on the matter. When it comes to the longest chess games in history, there are a few honorable mentions worth sharing. Ivan Nikolic and Goran Arsovic were first with a staggering number of 269 moves. The whole game, believe it or not, lasted for 20 hours, exhausting the two players to unimaginable limits. Other games which fall under the category also lasted around 200 plus moves, while the shortest and fastest game of chess lasted only four moves. The game happened in 1924 between two grandmasters, Lazard and Gibaut.
Chess is regarded as the game of the intelligent and nobility, and the options are almost endless, allowing you to play it over and over again without ever getting tired. It is said that even the kings and generals of Medieval Europe played chess regularly as a mental exercise to boost their concentration and strategic abilities.
The mental benefits
Psychologists believe that chess is a great way to improve memory. This is why chess is played regularly in some schools because it has been shown to have a great positive effect on children.
It is also known to boost creativity and even intuitive thinking, as sometimes you must think ahead of your opponent, which often requires you to have a “gut” feeling regarding his/her next move. Children are advised to play it often and practice regularly with the intent of boosting memory, creativity, and focus.
How long does it take to become a grandmaster?
This estimate might vary depending on the person and specific circumstances. However, it usually takes around 12 to 13 years of active practice, competition, and hard work to acquire the title of grandmaster. There have been exceptions, with the youngest chess player being just 16 years old and of Indian origin. The sport is also known to have female competitors, with some famous names being: Hou Yifan, Anna Rudolf, Harriet Hunt, Lisa Lane, Swaminathan Soumya, and many others.
It has a rating system
The chess rating system allows for the players to rate each other according to their abilities, time spent, and any wins made. There have been different systems throughout history, but overall they serve the purpose of estimating the strength of the player. The highest rating ever achieved by a chess player is 2882, and the bearer of the title is none other than Magnus Carlsen, often regarded as the best chess player ever, followed by Robert Fischer and Gari Kasparov. The rating systems are used by the US Chess Federation, FIDE, the English Chess Federation, and the International Chess Federation.
If you’ve never played, we strongly recommend doing so. The sooner the better, as you’ll fall immediately in love with the game, and once you become addicted, the rest naturally follows.
