The history of chess
From chaturanga in India to today’s world championship, in short steps, each with its source.
From India to Europe
Chess first appeared in India in about the 6th century CE, as a game called chaturanga. Britannica: chess By the 10th century it had spread from Asia to the Middle East and Europe. Britannica: chess
Muslims brought chess to North Africa, Sicily and Spain by the 10th century. Britannica: chess Since at least the 15th century, chess has been called the “royal game” because it was so popular with the nobility. Britannica: chess
The rules change
After 1475 a rule change turned the old counsellor piece, which could move only one square diagonally, into the modern queen, the most powerful piece on the board. Britannica: chess Castling and the en passant capture were known in the 15th century but were not used much until the 18th century. Britannica: chess
With the new queen and bishop moves, checkmate could come in as few as two moves: the fool’s mate, 1. f3 e6 2. g4 Qh4#. Britannica: chess
The pieces through time
The knight has been shown as a horse ever since chaturanga. Britannica: chess The bishop has had other names, such as “fool” in French and “elephant” in Russian. Britannica: chess In Russia the rook was usually shown as a sailing ship until the 20th century. Britannica: chess
The Lewis chess pieces
Britannica’s main text says the Vikings are believed responsible for 78 walrus-ivory chess pieces found on the Isle of Lewis in 1831, dating from the 11th or 12th century. Britannica: chess Britannica’s picture caption says the Lewis pieces were carved from walrus tusk ivory and whale teeth, are thought to be Norwegian, and date from the late 12th or early 13th century. Britannica: chess
The two dates side by side: see when sources disagree.
The Staunton set
The standard for modern chess sets was set in about 1835 by a simple design from an Englishman, Nathaniel Cook. Britannica: chess After it was patented in 1849, the design was backed by Howard Staunton, then the world’s best player, and became known as the Staunton pattern. Britannica: chess
Only chess sets based on the Staunton design are allowed in international competition today. Britannica: chess
Matches, champions and FIDE
The first major international event was a series of six matches in 1834 between the leading French and British players. Britannica: chess In 1886 Wilhelm Steinitz played Johann Zukertort in the first match named as being for the world championship. Britannica: chess
In 1924, representatives of 15 countries met in Paris to set up FIDE, the first permanent international chess federation. Britannica: chess Vera Menchik of Great Britain won the first Women’s World Championship, run by FIDE in 1927. Britannica: chess
In 2024, aged 18, Gukesh Dommaraju beat Ding Liren to become the youngest ever world chess champion. Britannica: chess
Timeline
- About the 6th century CE Chess first appears in India, as a game called chaturanga. Britannica: chess
- By the 10th century Chess has spread from Asia to the Middle East and Europe. Britannica: chess
- 11th to 13th century The Lewis chess pieces are made. Britannica gives two dates (see the open question). Britannica: chess
- By the 15th century Chess is known as the “royal game”, popular with the nobility. Britannica: chess
- After 1475 Rule changes turn the counsellor into the modern queen, the most powerful piece. Britannica: chess
- 1834 Six matches between the leading French and British players: the first major international event. Britannica: chess
- About 1835 Nathaniel Cook’s simple design sets the standard for chess sets. Britannica: chess
- 1849 The design is patented, and becomes known as the Staunton pattern. Britannica: chess
- 1886 Steinitz plays Zukertort in the first match named as a world championship. Britannica: chess
- 1924 15 countries meet in Paris to set up FIDE. Britannica: chess
- 1927 Vera Menchik wins the first Women’s World Championship. Britannica: chess
- 2024 Gukesh Dommaraju, aged 18, becomes the youngest ever world champion. Britannica: chess