Chess History (for Kids)

Origin of the Game

• In the 6th century A.D., when the Gupta Empire ruled in India, a game called Chaturaṅga was fast gaining popularity.

• Chaturaṅga, translates as "four divisions (of the military)": infantry, cavalry, elephantry, and chariotry, represented by the pieces that would evolve into the modern pawn, knight, bishop, and rook, respectively.

• The four divisions in Chaturaṅga (infantry, cavalry, elephantry and chariotry) are found in modern Chess.

• Chaturaṅga was also played on a 8 x 8 board.

• Both games are played with different pieces having different powers.

• Victory depended on the fate of one piece, just like the king in modern chess.

• When the game spread to Persia in the 7th century A.D., it began to be called Chatrang which changed with time to Shatranj.

• The term Shah Maat to describe what is now known as Check mate also evolved at that time and it is the word 'Shah' meaning King, which is gradually believed to have evolved into the word 'Chess'.

• Many people claim that Chess was first invented in their country including Russians, Chinese, Turks and Greeks.

• However most scholars now agree that India gave birth to Chess through Chaturaṅga.