When you are playing a game of chess, have you ever thought of the
the background to this game? Chess is probably the world's most
fascinating and universal board game; it is unlike other board games of
chance that have been part of man's life for thousands of years.
Before we continue playing let us ponder deeply the origin and history

of the game which are clouded in mystery. It is one of the most an-
cient of games, and there are many stories and legends told about it.
From its early days it was more than just a pastime; chess, from what
is known, is a duel between two players, a mental "Game of War". Each
player trying to find a loophole in the error in the logic of their
opponent and after the correct strategic moves, one side overthrows
the forces of his opponent; then checkmates the King to victory.
As the chess master Siegbert Tarrach explained, "Chess like love,
like music, has the power to make men happy."

Originally the game of chess was called CHATURANGA in Sanskrit,
CHATRANG in Persian, and SHATRANJI in Arabic. The name of the game is
based on the Persian word SHAH, meaning king. The name became known in
the early years as SCACCUS in Latin and in Hebrew SHACH; later it
became known throughout the English speaking countries as CHESS.

The earliest reference to chess can be found in a Persian romantic
story written around 560 A.D.; it told of a prince who was skilled
in horse riding, hunting, and in the game of chess. Another early
document from Persia, written in the seventh century, is the "Book of
Chess", the story of an Indian king, who had sent chess, set to
the Persian king Chosros I (531-538 A.D.)

Legend has it that it was Alexander the Great of Ancient Greece
(356-323 B.C.) that brought the game of chess to Persia and India. The
Grecian people played a board game (PETTEIA or PESSEIA), which required
skill and logic. This game was brought in during the conquest of
Alexander to the East. In India this game was mixed with a local one
(CHATURANGA) which symbolized the four elements of battle - chariots,
elephants, cavalry and infantry. Thus producing the game of pure
calculation, which is known today as chess.

The armies of Alexander carried the game of battle or chess through
the regions bordering the Caspian Sea to Persia. The history of the country
offers interesting information to the game of chess. The regions south and east
of the Sea were the home of the earliest Persian chess players of renown.

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