The Queen Was The Worst Piece? The Brief History Of Chess Explained

Chess, one of the most popular games in the world, has spread across all seven continents (Yes, even in Antartica) and has been played by around 600 million people (FIDE estimates). But how did we get here? That is what I will try to explain in this brief history of chess; so, buckle up and get your seatbelts ready as we travel through time.

1,400 years ago, the game was created and spread from India to Persia. Then, when the Arabs conquered Persia, chess was played across the Muslim world and as a result reached as a far as Southern Europe. However, their understanding of the game was different from ours. At the time, the Queen, instead of being the strongest piece was the weakest. Instead of being worth nine points it was worth a measly two points. While the knight, which in modern times is worth three points, was valued at 4 points (so much for bishops being better than knights 😊). Furthermore, there was no such thing as castling.

These different rules led to different techniques as well. Today, gambits such as the Queen’s Gambit, Evan’s Gambit, and others are a popular opening choice. However, in the past slow, steady development was favored to these aggressive strategies.

By 1550, around 900 years after the game was created, the rules were updated and were more like the ones we know today. In Gioachino Greco’s games the change in strategy is clearly seen.

In this game, pawns are sacked left and right as Greco slowly corners black’s king while leaving his own king perfectly protected on e2. The game finishes off with a wonderful smothered mate that every chess player loves to see.

In this game, Gioachino crushes his opponent with the Fried Liver. After “NN” falls for the trap 
Greco ruthlessly attacks the opponents king and finishes the game off with a beautiful pawn mate. 

This type of attacking chess is a wonderful spectacle and it is of no surprise that Greco was often
 considered as one of the first chess masters. You can find more similar games here:
 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1003918. Enjoy!

A century later, Philidor (there is a defense named after him) plays one of the first blindfolded matches against two opponents (there were similar exhibitions before, but they were largely forgotten)! Despite losing the first game and drawing the second, his colleague, Jean d’Alembert, the Chevalier de Jaucourt called the exhibition “one of the most extraordinary examples of the power of memory and imagination”. This trend continued and more players attempted to accomplish to difficult feat.  In 1858, Paul Morphy held a blindfolded exhibition against the eight strongest chess players in Paris and recorded the stunning results of six wins and two draws. Nine years later, Wilhelm Steinitz played six simultaneous blindfolded games against Dundee and was able to win three and draw three.  For Louis Paulsen, Joseph Henry Blackburne (he played up to 16 simultaneous blindfold games), as well as the afore mentioned players (they were all blindfolded chess masters) this format of chess was not only a way for them to show off their skills, but it was also a good source of income.

Below is one of the games played during Morphy’s blindfolded simuls. After playing the Evan’s Gambit, Paul was able to successfully keep the opponent’s king in the center and later sacked a rook to checkmate the defenseless king.

Around this same time (1861), the first game via transoceanic cables was played between Dublin and Liverpool and as technology improved so did the playing distance. On March 13, 1896, the first cable chess match between the USA and Britain began. Each side had 8 players and the tournament was organized by the Brooklyn chess club. With a silver trophy on the line, the US was able to sliver through to win 4.5 – 3.5. Almost a year later, the British and the Americans faced off once more. This time, however, there were 10 players per side rather than eight. This new format favored the British and, helped by their bottom boards, they were able to get revenge. The match finished 5.5 – 4.5. Already a tradition, in 1898 the match was held once more. Just like the previous year, Britain was able to, with the same score line, win again.

Riding the boom in chess, organizers decided to hold the first World Championship Match between Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort. The games were played across the US and featured NY, St. Louis, and New Orleans. Wilhelm Steinitz, playing solid and stable chess (he only played a gambit twice), won the match 12.5 – 7.5 (with five draws) and was proclaimed the first World Chess Champion. Below you can find some of the games from this match:

After an even Ruy Lopez, Steinitz piled the pressure onto Zukertort but after a stunning 
miscalculation, Johannes was able to win.

In this Queen’s Gambit game, Steinitz endlessly attacked Johannes and eventually white was in zugzwang (every move they made lost). In a wild attempt to not lose, Zukertort tried sacking an exchange but afterwards immediately resigned.

Twenty world champions later… we have come to the present and chess
has developed into a game played by millions. It can be played online, in parks,
and in tournaments. Chess is a game played, watched, and beloved everywhere. 
For additional information:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK4BkadZ8H0