Some questions about chess

1. What is the origin of the game of chess?

Chess is a game of war that was created in India in the 700’s. It may have been used to train warriors or as a civilized way for kingdoms to settle their differences since chess is a battle between two armies. Chess was brought to Europe by crusaders and the Moorish and Persian traders who dealt in silk, spices, from the east.

2. Why does the white player move first?

In medieval times black was thought to be a lucky colour. The white player was allowed to go first since the black player already had the advantage of the lucky colour.

3. Who are some famous chess masters?

Boris Spassky, Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Paul Morphy

4. What changes were made to moves by the queen and bishop?

In medieval chess the queen moved only one square diagonally. The medieval chess bishop could leap over pieces like a knight, and like the knight moved exactly two steps; but unlike the knight, it moved its two steps diagonally. In the late 15th century, the queen and bishop were given the powers they now have. This probably happened in Italy, France, or Spain, around 1475-1485. Modern chess was created in the same historical period that produced the printing press and the discovery of America.

5. How does a chess game represent life in medieval times?

The chess pieces represent people and places  of medieval times. Ceremonies and wars are represented by the chess game. Medieval Europeans modernized the chess game of the Persians to reflect their lives. They used the pieces to describe the lives of the ordinary and wealthy people.