Chess

The game of chess has its roots in India. As far back as the 7th century a similar game was being played, and from there it spread to Persia. With the Arab conquest of Persia in the early to middle 7th century chess was incorporated and became part of muslim culture. We possess a number of copies of chess manuals dating back to the ninth century, proving the game was extremely popular before the turn of the second millennium.

Many believe the Chinese game Xiangqi is an early precursor to chess. With a history going back as early as the 3rd century, this strategy board game is played on a 10x10 board, with pieces placed on the intersection of lines, rather than within the squares. Though there is some debate as to whether Xiangqi significantly influenced the development of chess, it shares many features as a tactical board game between two players.

By the ninth century the Persian game of shatranj had reached Eastern Europe and Russia, and by 1200 a modified version was being played in many European cities. By the end of the 15th century the queen had become the most power piece, as indeed it is today of course, and pawns were granted the ability to advance two spaces on their first movement. Castling was also introduced, and the game was commonly known as Queen`s Chess, or Mad Queen Chess, to distinguish it from earlier versions where the queen was of lessor power.

Over the next 600 years chess became ever more popular, with the game finding most appreciation in Spain. Around the year 1400 the king and queen lost their abilities to make an initial two square move, which they had previously been able to do under special circumstances.

By the eighteenth century chess was most popular in southern Europe and France, and many of the finishing touches to the game were introduced during the nineteenth century. The convention that white is first to move was implemented, as previously either colour could begin, and the rules of castling were standardised in the 1900`s. By the mid nineteenth century numerous chess clubs had formed, along with the publication of many chess journals and books.

In 1851 the first modern chess tournament was held in London. Organised by Howard Stauton, the competition was eventually won by the German Adolf Anderssen. By the middle of the 20th century chess had become one of the most popular games in Europe and America, with most households owning a board and pieces. By the 1960s chess computer programs had been written, and in 1996 Deep Blue became the first computer to beat a reigning world champion: Gary Kasparov.

Most schools will have some kind of chess club, where students can learn to play, develop their abilities, and compete against their peers. The game teaches many valuable skills, such as the planning of strategy, problem solving, patience and focus. There are many online chess sites, where players from all over the world can compete against one another.

Tutor Hunt has many chess teachers who are ready to offer guidance, whatever the abilities of the student. They will be able to teach you the huge variety of `openings`, along with development, gaining control of the centre, king safety, and endgame tactics. Our tutors will very likely employ the use of online virtual chess boards, where they can easily point out different techniques. Students of any age will benefit from learning chess and developing their game - and for older adults who have tired of sudoku and crosswords chess is an excellent mental stimulant.