Origin And Use of Chess – Not Just A Game

By | August 13, 2019

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Playing Chess. Source: (theconversation.com)

Chess is a highly challenging game that is not just a game to play for fun but also used as a teaching tool for learning various types of math and programming techniques. Tournaments are even held in locally, nationally, and even worldwide venues where players compete against each other. Like any other competitive game or sport, these tournaments are taken very seriously by those who enter them. For them, it is not just a game but a way of life!

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Chaturanga. Source: (thehumornation.com)

How long has this game of chess been around? Forms of it originated in the 6th century in India during what was called the Gupta Empire. The Gupta Empire was an ancient empire that was founded by King Sri Gupta. This form of chess was called Chaturanga which was later introduced to first Persia and then Europe during the late medieval era. The name Chaturanga means “having four limbs or parts” and was played on a board called “ashtapada.” Rules were slightly different but basically the same. Chess pieces were named differently. For example, the bishop was actually an elephant; the rook was a chariot; the knight was a horse, and the pawn was a foot-soldier. This game was even used by kings to develop war strategies.