History of Chess
History of Chess
History of Chess
AC1321
HISTORY OF CHESS
According to chess historians, chess is one of the oldest games in existence, that originated around 6th
century AD.
In those times, The Indian Rajah (King) believed that war was the most effective school to learn the values of
valor, decision-making, endurance, circumspection and bravery. Because of this it is believed that war was
chosen as the model of the game.
The most fascinating and frequently repeated story credits the invention of the game to the holy saint, Sissa,
at the courts of the Indian King, Balhait. The King was disturbed by the prevalence of gambling and the
addiction with the games of pure luck. He summoned Sissa and requested the wise man to create a game, which
would require pure mental qualities of prudence, foresight, valor, judgment, endurance, circumspection and
analytical and reasoning ability, to oppose the teaching of games in which chance (luck)
decides the outcome by the throw of dice.
At some time thereafter, Sissa returned to the court of the King with a board (Ashtapada) consisting of
8x8=64 squares with rules not much different from the ones we use today. There were two armies of
different colors consisting of 32 men each in which the object was to capture or slay the king of the opposing
army.
In this game there used to be four participants due to which it was named CHATURANGAmeaning four
bodies to be elephants, Horses, chariots and foot soldiers. Another name for this game was Ashtapada
meaning eight steps.
Sir William Jones, laid that chess under the Sanskrit name Chaturanga was exported from India into Persia in
the 6th Century AD and by the natural corruption, the old Persian changed the name into Chatrang; but when
their country was afterwards taken possession of the Arabs, who had neither the initial nor the final letter of
their alphabet, they altered it further intoSHATRANJ.
The Persian Poet Firdousi, in his historical poem, The Shahnama, gives an account of the introduction of
Shatranj into Persia in the reign of Chosroes I Anushirwan, to whom ambassadors from the sovereign of Hind
(India), with a chessboard and men asking him to solve the secrets of the game, if he could or pay tribute. The
King asked for seven days grace, during which time the wise men vainly tried to discover the secret.
Finally, Kings minister took the pieces home and discovered the secret in a day and a night.
Shatranj as Forbes has pointed out is foreign word among the Persians and the Arabians, whereas its natural
derivation from the term chaturanga is obvious.
Even the word check-mate is derived from the Persian term Shah-mat, which means The King is Dead. The
Sanskrit translation of this term would be Khastra Mruta.
1400 years went by before the game reached the western world. The Moors brought it to Spain; the Italians
learned it from the Saracens with remarkable speed.
In India His Majestic Beneficence and his Vizier led the pieces represented division of the kings army
Elephant, Horse, chariots, and foot soldiers, into battle. The Vizier was to become a Queen in the European
version of the game and in the course of history The Indian Elephants metamorphosis into Bishops and the
Chariots into Rook.
TAYAG, ROMMEL ANTHONY O.
AC1321
One of the set of counters used in the chess is The Rooks. Rook is similar to Indian chariot, protecting the
armys flank. The term originated from the Persian term Roth that means a Soldier. The Persian term is
derived from the Indian term Rukh, which is obviously seems to have generated in the Sanskrit word Rakshak
which means a soldier which means, to protect.
The Bishop amongst the Persians was called Pil (Elephant) but the Arabs not having the letter P in their
alphabet, wrote it Fil, or with their definite article, Al-Fil (The Elephant). It was the next in command and a
force assisting counselor or minister.
The elephant were represented by short upright pieces deeply split on top, symbolizing the tusks of these
animals. This shape was erroneously interpreted as a fools cap in France and as a Bishops miter in Portugal
and in many English-speaking countries.
The Queen in Europe where women did not play the subordinate role assigned to them in the orient
represented The Advisor. The Queen is the curvaceous of the modern pieces and has undergone changes in
name, sex and power. In Shatranj, this piece was called Firz or Farz meaning counselor or General.
The Knight as a symbol has come to represent the virtues of chivalry with their mane and tail exquisitely
sculpted and flowing in the breeze. Their features have been delicately accented in the Staunton chess set.
Phidias was the sculptor who worked on the Parthenon (Elgin Marbles) and is considered the greatest sculptor
of ancient Greece. The Grecian statues were designed in accordance with a set of mathematical proportions
and Phidias Supreme masterpiece was the Parthenon of Athens.
The Horse became identified with rider on horseback, Knight in English, Cavalier in French, Cavaliere in Italian,
Springer in German and so on.
The game framework has remained fixed since this period. It is a square board on which horizontal and vertical
lines mark off eight rows of eight cells each. The squares on the traditional boards are always referred to as
black and white, the same as chessmen regardless of their actual color.
Many Jewish and Christian scholars have played chess. The early Christian church condemned the game, which
shows the full force of the intolerant medieval mode of thinking prevalent during that period of florescence.
Chess is played in many eastern countries, which shows that the game has global appeal.
For 500 years chess was played in Europe with the rules inherited from the Moslems. But it took so long to
play a whole game that most players confined themselves to solving special positions. During the latter part of
the Middle Ages, leading Spanish and Italian Players proposed sweeping changes in the rules that shortened
the game considerably.
By the end of the 15th century, the new rules had been accepted in all European countries and gradually the
oriental countries followed suit. As players everywhere preferred the shorter game, it transpired that within
100 years it was again played with same rules but on a near global basis.
Because of its previous preeminence among intellectual pastime favored by the Upper class, Chess is also
called THE ROYAL GAME.
TAYAG, ROMMEL ANTHONY O.
AC1321
CHESS BOARD
A chessboard is the type of checkerboard used in the board game chess, and consists of 64 squares (eight
rows and eight columns) arranged in two alternating colors (light and dark). The colors are called "black" and
"white" (or "light" and "dark"), although the actual colors are usually dark green and buff for boards used in
competition, and often natural shades of light and dark woods for home boards. Materials vary widely; while
wooden boards are generally used in high-level games, vinyl and cardboard are common for low-level and
informal play. Decorative glass and marble boards are available but not usually accepted for sanctioned games.
CHESS PIECES
The King
The king can move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow in the diagram on
the left. The king is the main chess piece. The side whose king is captured loses. This
capture is called 'checkmate'. Checkmate happens once the king is under attack, cannot
move and cannot be helped by its own army of chessmen.
The Queen
The Queen can move any number of squares diagonally and also in horizontal and
vertical directions. The Queen, however, cannot jump over any pieces. The diagram on the
right illustrates that the Queen can move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow
and also to any of the squares marked with red dots.
The Rook
The Rook can move any number of squares in horizontal and vertical directions.
The Rook, however, cannot jump over any pieces. The diagram on the right illustrates that
the Rook can move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow and also to a square
marked with a red dot.
The Bishop
The Bishop can move any number of squares diagonally only. The Bishop, however,
cannot jump over any pieces. The diagram on the right illustrates that the Bishop can
move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow.
The Knight
The Knight can move from one corner to the other of any 2x3 rectangle of
squares. The Knight is also the only piece that can jump over any other chess pieces. The
diagram on the right illustrates that the Knight can move to any of the squares pointed to
by a red dot.
TAYAG, ROMMEL ANTHONY O.
AC1321
The Pawn
The Pawn can move from straight ahead only. From its starting square, the pawn
can move or 2 square straight ahead. If the pawn is not on its starting square, it can only
move 1 square straight ahead. The diagram on the right illustrates that the pawn can
move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow and a red dot. Although pawns move
only forward, they capture only sideways 1 square diagonally forward.
The eight vertical columns of squares are called files. The eight horizontal rows of squares are called ranks.
A straight line of squares of the same color, running from one edge of the board to an adjacent edge, is called
a diagonal.
If there is any piece between the king and the rook with which castling is to be effected.
3.9
The king is said to be 'in check' if it is attacked by one or more of the opponent's pieces, even if such pieces
are constrained from moving to that square because they would then leave or place their own king in check. No
piece can be moved that will either expose the king of the same color to check or leave that king in check.
in the case of the promotion of a pawn, when the pawn has been removed from the chessboard and the player's
hand has released the new piece after placing it on the promotion square. If the player has released from his
hand the pawn that has reached the promotion square, the move is not yet made, but the player no longer has
the right to play the pawn to another square.
The move is called legal when all the relevant requirements of Article 3 have been fulfilled. If the move is not
legal, another move shall be made instead as per Article 4.5.
4.7
A player forfeits his right to a claim against his opponents violation of Article 4 once he deliberately touches
a piece.
COMPETITION RULES
When using a chess clock, each player must make a minimum number of moves or all moves in an allotted period
of time and/or may be allocated an additional amount of time with each move. All these must be specified in
advance.
b.
The time saved by a player during one period is added to his time available for the next period, except in the
time delay mode.
In the time delay mode both players receive an allotted main thinking time. Each player also receives a fixed
extra time with every move. The countdown of the main time only commences after the fixed time has
expired. Provided the player stops his clock before the expiration of the fixed time, the main thinking time
does not change, irrespective of the proportion of the fixed time used.
6.3
Immediately after a flag falls, the requirements of article 6.2 a. must be checked.
6.4
Before the start of the game the arbiter decides where the chess clock is placed.
6.5
At the time determined for the start of the game the clock of the player who has the white pieces is started.
6.6
a.
Any player who arrives at the chessboard after the start of the session shall lose the game. Thus the default
time is 0 minutes. The rules of a competition may specify otherwise.
b.
If the rules of a competition specify a different default time, the following shall apply. If neither player is
present initially, the player who has the white pieces shall lose all the time that elapses until he arrives, unless
the rules of the competition specify or the arbiter decides otherwise.
6.7
a.
During the game each player, having made his move on the chessboard, shall stop his own clock and start his
opponents clock. A player must always be allowed to stop his clock. His move is not considered to have been
completed until he has done so, unless the move that was made ends the game. (See the Articles 5.1.a, 5.2.a,
5.2.b, 5.2.c and 9.6)
The time between making the move on the chessboard and stopping his own clock and starting his opponents
clock is regarded as part of the time allotted to the player.
b.
A player must stop his clock with the same hand as that with which he made his move. It is forbidden for a
player to keep his finger on the button or to hover over it.
c.
The players must handle the chess clock properly. It is forbidden to punch it forcibly, to pick it up or to knock
it over. Improper clock handling shall be penalized in accordance with Article 13.4.
d.
If a player is unable to use the clock, an assistant, who must be acceptable to the arbiter, may be provided by
the player to perform this operation. His clock shall be adjusted by the arbiter in an equitable way.
6.8
A flag is considered to have fallen when the arbiter observes the fact or when either player has made a valid
claim to that effect.
6.9
TAYAG, ROMMEL ANTHONY O.
AC1321
Except where one of the Articles: 5.1.a, 5.1.b, 5.2.a, 5.2.b, 5.2.c applies, if a player does not complete the
prescribed number of moves in the allotted time, the game is lost by the player. However, the game is drawn, if
the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the players king by any possible series of legal moves.
6.10
a.
Every indication given by the clocks is considered to be conclusive in the absence of any evident defect. A
chess clock with an evident defect shall be replaced. The arbiter shall replace the clock and use his best
judgment when determining the times to be shown on the replacement chess clocks.
b.
If during a game it is found that the setting of either or both clocks was incorrect, either player or the
arbiter shall stop the clocks immediately. The arbiter shall install the correct setting and adjust the times and
move counter. He shall use his best judgment when determining the correct settings.
6.11
If both flags have fallen and it is impossible to establish which flag fell first then:
a.
the game shall continue if it happens in any period of the game except the last period
b.
the game is drawn if it happens in the period of a game, in which all remaining moves must be completed.
6.12
a.
If the game needs to be interrupted, the arbiter shall stop the clocks.
b.
A player may stop the clocks only in order to seek the arbiters assistance, for example when promotion has
taken place and the piece required is not available.
c.
The arbiter shall decide when the game is to be restarted in either case
d
If a player stops the clocks in order to seek the arbiters assistance, the arbiter shall determine if the player
had any valid reason for doing so. If it is obvious that the player had no valid reason for stopping the clocks,
the player shall be penalized according to Article 13.4.
6.13
If an irregularity occurs and/or the pieces have to be restored to a previous position, the arbiter shall use his
best judgment to determine the times to be shown on the clocks. He shall also, if necessary, adjust the clocks
move counter.
6.14
Screens, monitors, or demonstration boards showing the current position on the chessboard, the moves and
the number of moves made, and clocks which also show the number of moves, are allowed in the playing hall.
However, the player may not make a claim relying solely on information shown in this manner.
Article 7: Irregularities
7.1
a.
If during a game it is found that the initial position of the pieces was incorrect, the game shall be cancelled
and a new game played.
b.
If during a game it is found that the chessboard has been placed contrary to Article 2.1, the game continues
but the position reached must be transferred to a correctly placed chessboard.
7.2
TAYAG, ROMMEL ANTHONY O.
AC1321
If a game has begun with colors reversed then it shall continue, unless the arbiter rules otherwise.
7.3
If a player displaces one or more pieces, he shall re-establish the correct position on his own time. If
necessary, either the player or his opponent shall stop the clocks and ask for the arbiters assistance. The
arbiter may penalize the player who displaced the pieces.
7.4
a.
If during a game it is found that an illegal move, including failing to meet the requirements of the promotion of
a pawn or capturing the opponents king, has been completed, the position immediately before the irregularity
shall be reinstated. If the position immediately before the irregularity cannot be determined the game shall
continue from the last identifiable position prior to the irregularity. The clocks shall be adjusted according to
Article 6.13. The Articles 4.3 and 4.6 apply to the move replacing the illegal move. The game shall then
continue from this re-instated position.
b.
After the action taken under Article 7.4.a, for the first two illegal moves by a player the arbiter shall give two
minutes extra time to his opponent in each instance; for a third illegal move by the same player, the arbiter
shall declare the game lost by this player. However, the game is drawn if the position is such that the opponent
cannot checkmate the players king by any possible series of legal moves.
7.5
If during a game it is found that pieces have been displaced from their squares, the position before the
irregularity shall be re-instated. If the position immediately before the irregularity cannot be determined, the
game shall continue from the last identifiable position prior to the irregularity. The clocks shall be adjusted
according to Article 6.13. The game shall then continue from this re-instated position.
8.5
a.
If neither player is required to keep score under Article 8.4, the arbiter or an assistant should try to be
present and keep score. In this case, immediately after one flag has fallen, the arbiter shall stop the clocks.
Then both players shall update their score sheets, using the arbiters or the opponents score sheet.
b.
If only one player is not required to keep score under Article 8.4, he must, as soon as either flag has fallen,
update his score sheet completely before moving a piece on the chessboard. Provided it is the players move, he
may use his opponents score sheet, but must return it before making a move.
c.
If no complete score sheet is available, the players must reconstruct the game on a second chessboard under
the control of the arbiter or an assistant. He shall first record the actual game position, clock times and the
number of moves made, if this information is available, before reconstruction takes place.
8.6
If the score sheets cannot be brought up to date showing that a player has overstepped the allotted time, the
next move made shall be considered as the first of the following time period, and unless there is evidence that
more moves have been made.
8.7
At the conclusion of the game both players shall sign both score sheets, indicating the result of the game.
Even if incorrect, this result shall stand, unless the arbiter decides otherwise.
9.1
a.
The rules of a competition may specify that players cannot agree to a draw, whether in less than a specified
number of moves or at all, without the consent of the arbiter.
b.
If the rules of a competition allow a draw agreement the following apply:
A player wishing to offer a draw shall do so after having made a move on the chessboard and before stopping
his clock and starting the opponents clock. An offer at any other time during play is still valid but Article 12.6
must be considered. No conditions can be attached to the offer. In both cases the offer cannot be withdrawn
and remains valid until the opponent accepts it, rejects it orally, rejects it by touching a piece with the
intention of moving or capturing it, or the game is concluded in some other way.
The offer of a draw shall be noted by each player on his score sheet with a symbol. (See Appendix C.13)
A claim of a draw under Article 9.2, 9.3 or 10.2 shall be considered to be an offer of a draw.
9.2
The game is drawn upon a correct claim by the player having the move, when the same position, for at least the
third time (not necessarily by a repetition of moves):
a.
is about to appear, if he first writes his move on his score sheet and declares to the arbiter his intention to
make this move, or
b.
has just appeared, and the player claiming the draw has the move.
Positions as in (a) and (b) are considered the same, if the same player has the move, pieces of the same kind
and color occupy the same squares, and the possible moves of all the pieces of both players are the same.
Positions are not the same if a pawn that could have been captured en passant can no longer be captured in this
manner. When a king or a rook is forced to move, it will lose its castling rights, if any, only after it is moved.
TAYAG, ROMMEL ANTHONY O.
AC1321
9.3
The game is drawn, upon a correct claim by the player having the move, if:
a.
he writes his move on his score sheet and declares to the arbiter his intention to make this move, which shall
result in thelast50 moves having been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without any
capture, or
b.
The last 50 consecutive moves have been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without
any capture.
9.4
If the player touches a piece as in Article 4.3 without having claimed the draw he loses the right to claim, as in
Article 9.2 or 9.3, on that move.
9.5
If a player claims a draw as in Article 9.2 or 9.3 he may stop both clocks. (See Article 6.12.b) He is not allowed
to withdraw his claim.
a.
If the claim is found to be correct, the game is immediately drawn.
b.
If the claim is found to be incorrect, the arbiter shall add three minutes to the opponents remaining thinking
time. Then the game shall continue. If the claim was based on an intended move, this move must be made as
according to Article 4.
9.6
The game is drawn when a position is reached from which a checkmate cannot occur by any possible series of
legal moves. This immediately ends the game, provided that the move producing this position was legal.