As the world celebrates International Chess Day, we delve into the intriguing realm of this timeless board game that has captivated minds for centuries. Beyond its checkered battlefield lies a tapestry of history, strategies, and fascinating anecdotes. Join us as we unravel 10 enthralling facts about chess, a game that transcends borders, cultures, and time, standing as a testament to the brilliance of human intellect and the unending pursuit of mastery. From ancient origins to modern-day championships, from legendary grandmasters to unexpected twists, these facts will take you on a journey through the captivating world of chess, where each move can shape the course of an extraordinary battle of wits. So, grab your knights, rooks, and pawns as we embark on this illuminating exploration into the game of kings - chess!

  1. The earliest precursor of modern chess is a game called chaturanga, which flourished in India by the 6th century.
  2. The word "checkmate" comes from the Persian phrase "shah mat," which means "the king is dead."
  3. The longest chess game theoretically possible is 5,949 moves.
  4. The first computer program to beat a human grandmaster was Deep Thought in 1988.
  5. There are an estimated 10^120 possible chess games.
  6. The world record for the number of moves without capture is 100, set in 1992.
  7. In a single game of chess, there are 400 possible moves after each move played.
  8. It is possible to checkmate your opponent in just two moves.
  9. Chess is a required school subject in Armenia.
  10. About 600 million people worldwide know how to play chess.

 Here are some additional facts:

  • The first book ever printed in the English language was about chess.
  • The first computer program to beat a human chess grandmaster was Deep Thought in 1988.
  • The highest-rated chess player in history is Garry Kasparov, with a peak rating of 2851.
  • The world's oldest chess tournament is the Hastings International Chess Congress, which has been held every year since 1895.
  • The most famous chess match in history is the "Renaissance Match" between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in 1972.