It Goes Beyond the 64 Squares
on the Chess Board
20 July, the world observes “International Chess Day”. Chess has its origin in India. It is the ‘chaturanga’, an Indian war game, later called Shatranj. Imagine a game that does not require any extraordinary gadgets to play. It is a battle between two people, and what they have in front is a checkered board of 32 pieces that transcends borders and captivates millions. Accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, fostering intellectual growth and cognitive development. The conflict between humans and machines escalated when Deep Blue defeated then chess world champion Garry Kasparov. The expansion of the digital era led to the creation of online chess platforms and computer chess engines. India has a grand band of achievers, Viswanathan Anand and Koneru. Hampi. Recently, Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali (his sister), and Gukesh are making waves and competing to be the best in the world. Research confirms that chess has several benefits, including its impact on memory, problem-solving abilities, creativity, and concentration. The timeless game of chess will continue to challenge, inspire, and unite us in an increasingly interconnected world.
20 July, the world observes “International Chess Day”. It commemorates the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on this day, way back in 1924. UNESCO took the initiative to celebrate the day in 1988.  In 2019, the UN endorsed the observation; since then, it has become a UN observation. FIDE has 181 chess federations as its members and is responsible for organising chess events.  Â
Chess has its origin in India. It is the ‘chaturanga’, an Indian war game, later called Shatranj. Chaturanga (four divisions of the military). It is considered the ancestor of many of the strategy games of the East. The game made its way into Europe through Persia. The Islamic influence is reflected in the chess pieces, which do not have any distinct human/animal features. Recorded evidence can be found in a manuscript from the 10th century, which describes a chess game played by a Baghdad historian and his pupil. The game spread across continents, increasing in popularity. In 1835, Englishman Nathaniel Cook established the design, endorsed by Staunton and known as the Staunton pattern. The game is currently played using this.
Imagine a game that does not require any extraordinary gadgets to play. It is a battle between two people, and what they have in front is a checkered board of 32 pieces that transcends borders and captivates millions. Accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, fostering intellectual growth and cognitive development.
At the peak of the Cold War, the World Chess Championship 1972 took gigantic proportions and was called the “Match of the Century”. That was the game between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.
The conflict between humans and machines escalated when Deep Blue defeated then chess world champion Garry Kasparov. 1996 was the beginning, and now it happens often. Google’s AlphaZero and so many. The expansion of the digital era led to the creation of online chess platforms and computer chess engines. It broke the barriers of geographical boundaries and time. AI cannot be left behind, and it has started profoundly impacting chess.
India has a grand band of achievers. The impact world champion Viswanathan Anand had on Indian chess has been phenomenal. Hampi has demonstrated what women chess players can achieve. The recent success of Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali (his sister), and Gukesh in preparing to compete for the world championship all reflect the journey of success in India. Most players come from humble backgrounds and the innumerable sacrifices made by their families.
There are 85 Grandmasters, 124 International Masters, 23 Woman Grandmasters, and 42 Woman International Masters as of May 2023. One will be curious to know which country tops the ranking in chess. It is calculated by taking the average rating of each country’s top 10 male and female players. Currently, it is the US, Russia, China and India, followed by Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Spain, Uzbekistan and France. When thinking about chess, curiosity arises about how many people play chess, an answer that is difficult to find. A 2012 survey indicated that it could be 605 million. It could have crossed one billion by this time.
Research confirms that chess has several benefits, including its impact on memory, problem-solving abilities, creativity, and concentration. Many schools are now bringing chess into the curriculum. Playing chess also promotes patience and discipline. Psychologists recommend playing chess to improve memory function, and doctors prescribe it to fight Alzheimer’s.
The significance of International Chess Day goes beyond the 64 squares on the chess board. The timeless game of chess will continue to challenge, inspire, and unite us in an increasingly interconnected world.
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