There is more to chess than it just being a game. It is a battle of minds and is the test of patience and strategy. It has been being played for over centuries, across the globe. It offers endless opportunities for intellectual growth and excitement. In this blog, we’ll explore the chess, its history, the rules, its role in the life of teenagers, and modern life.
Around the 6th century AD, chess was originated in India, in the form of ‘Chaturanga’. Back then these pieces were called infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots, which in modern chess are known as pawn, knight, bishop and chariots. Around the 7th century AD, Persia’s expansion, along with India’s influence of trade, meant that ‘Chaturanga’ spread to Persia as well. However, the name soon changed to Shatranj, the ‘Persian’ adaptation of ‘Chaturanga’. The rules of the game were modified, but the fundamental idea was kept intact. After the Islamic conquest of Persia, the game spread through the Islamic World. It spread throughout Baghdad, and other cultural centers. Through Spain and Italy in the 10th Century, it also spread into Europe. It became known as ‘Shatranj’ in the West.
By the 15th Century, it started to take its modern form. The most prominent change was the queen and bishop’s movement system, which changed the game entirely.
In 1886, the first World Chess Championship was held in 1886, with Willhelm Steinitz becoming the first official world chess champion. Throughout the 20th Century, the creation of ‘FIDE’ (international chess federation) in 1924 helped organize international competitions. During the cold war, chess was a show of pride, and Russia saw many professional chess players.
Figures on chessboard isometric illustration. Black and white chess pieces s set.
Now in the modern era, chess continues to thrive. It is played throughout the globe, not only face to face, but online as well. Notably on online platforms such as Chess.com and Lichess. Chess engines are now used to analyze games and train players, and the game remains a popular pastime, with millions of people participating at all levels.
It’s not only played by adults, but it is also promoted to teenagers, for a number of reasons. Chess requires players to think crucially and analyze situations. Teenagers learn to evaluate different options, and decipher which would be the best, to put themselves in a winning position. It enhances concentration and focus. Not only does it foster creativity and imagination, but it boosts their confidence. An actual game of chess also has a timer, which can stress the teenager. It means that they have to play around the timer. This enhances their time management and decision making skills. Another fun thing about chess is, that you can never be perfect. There is always more room for improvement, even on the professional level!
One way of promoting chess to teenagers is by holding competitive matches in schools. Many schools, including Beaconhouse Educational Complex, also held competitive matches. The four participating ‘houses’ were ‘Legendary Leopards’, ‘Majestic Markhors’, ‘Dashing Dolphins’ and lastly, ‘Exquisite Eagles’. In the first bracket, Dashing Dolphins would face against Legendary Leopards, whereas Exquisite Eagles would face Majestic Markhors, and the winners would face each other for winning the event. Legendary leopards and Exquisite Eagles were able to win their respective matches and would face each other in the last match. Legendary Leopards was represented by Ahmad, whereas Exquisite Eagles were represented by Haasin. You couldn’t favour either player for the first half of the match, however, as a result to the pressure, Ahmad made a severe blunder. Hashim seized the opportunity and took the victory right from the grasp of Ahmad, securing the victory for Exquisite Eagles. They both showed their sportsmanship throughout the tournament, even in parts they struggled. This shows that chess is not only a competitive game, but it also brings out the best in people and has an emotional factor to it.
So, in conclusion, chess is not only a game, but a strong tool for the personal development of a person. It fosters critical thinking, patience and emotional strength, which is useful even outside the chess board. Chess even prepares teenagers for the challenges of adulthood, shaping young minds and making it an ideal activity for anyone, as it is a game that you can never really master, and can always keep improving in it.