Chess, one of the world’s oldest and most strategic games, originated in India in the 6th century as Chaturanga, symbolizing military divisions. It spread to Persia as Shatranj, then to the Islamic world where it evolved further, eventually reaching Europe in the 9th century. By the 15th century, the queen and bishop were granted their modern powerful movements, changing the game’s dynamics.

In the 19th century, chess became a competitive sport, with Wilhelm Steinitz becoming the first official World Chess Champion in 1886. The Romantic Era followed, where aggressive, tactical play dominated, led by figures like Paul Morphy, who favored daring sacrifices for rapid attack.

The early 20th century saw the rise of the Scientific School, which focused on positional, strategic play. Emanuel Lasker and Wilhelm Steinitz emphasized solid, planned moves over speculative attacks. Around the 1920s, the Hypermodern School introduced new ideas by advocating for indirect control of the center with pieces rather than pawns. Richard Reti and Aaron Nimzowitsch were key figures, creating a deeper understanding of the game.

In the digital age, chess engines like Deep Blue (which defeated Garry Kasparov in 1997) transformed the game. Chess is now a global phenomenon, played online by millions, with platforms like Chess.com and Lichess providing accessibility to players worldwide.

"My little love, do you remember,
Ere we were grown so sadly wise,
Those evenings in the bleak December,
Curtained warm from the snowy weather,
When you and I played chess together.
Checkmated by each other's eyes?

Ah! still I see your soft white hand
Hovering warm o'er Queen or Knight;
Brave Pawns in valient battle stand;
The double Castles guard the wings;
The Bishop, bent on distant things,
Moves, sliding, through the fight.

Our fingers touch; our glances meet,
And falter; falls your golden hair
Against my cheek; your bosom sweet
Is heaving. Down the field, your Queen
Rides slow, her soldiery all between,
And checks me unaware.

Ah me! the little battle's done:
Dispersed is all its chivalry.
Full many a move, since then, have we
'Mid Life's perplexing chequers made,
And many a game with Fortune played;--
What is it we have won?
This, this at least,--if this alone:

That never, never, never more,
As in those old still nights of yore
(Ere we were grown so sadly wise),
Can you and I shut out the skies,
Shut out the world and wintry weather,
And, eyes exchanging warmth with eyes,
Play chess, as then we played together!"
Poem by Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton