How Chess Became Popular

Chess, originating from the Indian game of Chaturanga in the 7th century, gained popularity through its spread to Persia, the Arab world, and then Europe, eventually becoming a global phenomenon thanks to its strategic complexity and accessibility.  

Chaturanga :- How it originated from India 

Sanskrit Origin:
The word "chaturanga" is derived from the Sanskrit words "catu" (meaning "four") and "aṅga" (meaning "limb" or "part").  
Ancient Army Divisions:
In the context of ancient Indian warfare, "chaturanga" refers to the four main divisions of an army: infantry, cavalry, elephantry, and chariotry.  
Precursor to Chess:
The game of chaturanga is considered the earliest known form of chess and is believed to have originated in ancient India.  
War Game:
Like chess, chaturanga depicts a war between two armies, with each piece representing one of the four divisions of the Indian army.

Mythological stories:

1) Lord Shiva and Rajarajeswari:
One legend states that Lord Shiva, disguised as an old man, defeated Rajarajeswari (a goddess) in a game of chess to win the right to marry her, earning him the title "Sathuranga Vallabhanathar" (Lord of Chess).  
2) Ravana and Mandodari:
The Ramayana mentions Ravana, the demon king, creating chess to amuse his wife, Mandodari. Some accounts even suggest Mandodari devised the game to prevent Ravana from engaging in combat.

   Shatranj :- How it spread into Middle East 

How it spread into the Muslim World:

Chaturanga from North India spread to Persia. Within 638-651CE, Muslim troops defeated and conquered the Persian empire. There, they soon assimilated the culture of their enemies. The Persian elite adopted Islam and, in return, they were very important contributors to the  civilization that shone from Middle East. Chess is a good example of that success. The Arabs learned Chaturanga that became Shatranj after a phonetic evolution from Persian to Arabic. They brought Shatranj to the level of science, publishing several treatises of problems (mansubat) and openings (ta'biyat). 

There were 3 ways of winning:

Checkmate the Shah. Shah meant "the King is dead" in Persian, and this has been transmitted with phonetical evolution to give the word "checkmate".
Stalemate when the only possible move was putting the Shah in capture. (This is a draw in modern Chess).
Bare the opposite Shah, leaving him isolated with all his army captured. 

     Chess :- How it got introduced to Europe 

Arrival in Europe:
Chess arrived in Europe through the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) and Southern Europe (Byzantine Empire and Italy).  
Popularity and Evolution:
Chess gained popularity among the European nobility and aristocracy, becoming known as the "royal game". The game continued to evolve, with the modern rules of chess emerging in Italy and Spain by the dawn of the 15th century.  
Spread to Eastern Europe:
The game also spread to Eastern Europe, including Russia, through interactions with Islamic territories in the south.  
Examples of Early Chess Literature:
Chess literature began to emerge in Spain, with works like the "Libro de los juegos" (1283) commissioned by Alfonso X, and Spanish chess pieces dating from the 11th century.

 The Rise of Chess in 20th Century 

Establishment of FIDE (1924):
The Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) was founded in 1924, solidifying the international structure of chess and administering the world championship.  
Rise of Chess Superpowers:
The Soviet Union became a chess powerhouse, dominating the world championship scene for a significant period with players like Mikhail Botvinnik, Anatoly Karpov, and Tigran Petrosian.  
Iconic Players:
The 20th century saw the emergence of legendary chess players, including:

José Raúl Capablanca: Known for his brilliant positional play and undefeated record in tournaments, he became the third official world champion.  
Alexander Alekhine: A dynamic player who held the world championship title for a long period and was known for his aggressive style.  
Bobby Fischer: A US player who challenged the Soviet dominance and won the world championship in 1972, a significant event during the Cold War.  
Garry Kasparov: A Soviet player who dominated the chess scene in the late 20th century and was famously defeated by a computer program, Deep Blue, in 1997.

Evolution of Chess Theory:
The 20th century saw significant advancements in chess theory, with players exploring new openings, tactics, and strategies, leading to a more dynamic and complex game.   

At the beginning of 2001 a large poll for the "Ten Greatest Chess Players of the 20th Century, selected by Chess Informant readers" resulted in Fischer having the highest percentage of votes and finishing as No. 1, ahead of Kasparov, Alekhine, Capablanca, Botvinnik, Karpov, Tal, Lasker, Anand and Korchnoi. 

Thanks for Reading

With Regards 

Arjun Menon