Chess in Turkiye part 1

Hi,

Who Invented Chess? The Hidden Turkish Connection You Never Knew

Who invented chess? The question seems straightforward with a commonly accepted answer pointing to India. Most historical accounts attribute the game’s creation to the Indian subcontinent around the 6th century CE, where it was known as Chaturanga.

However, a lesser-known narrative challenges this conventional wisdom. Archeological discoveries at Delvarzin-Tepe and linguistic evidence connecting the term “Shatir” to Turkish roots suggest a significant and overlooked Turkish influence on the game’s development. This hidden connection predates many traditional timelines and reshapes our understanding of chess history.
Chess traveled from its disputed birthplace through Persia and the Arab world before reaching European courts, evolving dramatically along the way. Throughout this journey, Turkish civilization played a crucial role in preserving, transforming, and spreading the game across continents. The Seljuk and Ottoman periods further cemented this influence, though their contributions remain largely unrecognized in popular chess history.
This article explores the ancient origins of chess, traces its evolution across civilizations, and uncovers the surprising Turkish connection that most history books fail to mention.
The Ancient Origins of Chess
The game we recognize as chess today has roots stretching back more than 1,500 years. Archeological evidence suggests that board games with similarities to chess may have existed in the Indus Valley civilization as early as 5,000 years ago, although these connections remain speculative.

Here we end part 1 and-

Have a good day!

See you soon in part 2

Adam