The early history of chess, much like history itself, is obscured by the mists of time. Historians can only speculate about where and when chess first emerged.
Kannauj, the birthplace of chess (2024) by FIDEInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
1. Circa 550 AD. Kannauj, Northern India
According to the majority of researchers, the history of chess begins in Northern India, on the banks of the Ganges, in the town of Kannauj, during the reign of Sharvavarman.
Shatranj (1100/1199) by Photo by Viktor BoykoInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
2. 570 AD. Ctesiphon (southeast of Baghdad)
Indian envoys brought the mysterious game chatrang to the capital of the Persian Shahinshah Khosrow I (currently within Iraq). It fit well in Sassanid Persia and began to spread around the world.
3. 822. Cordoba (Spain)
The Persian encyclopedist, musician, and player Ziryab brought shatranj from Baghdad to the Cordoba Caliphate, now Spain. Thanks to his efforts, the game became fashionable. This is the earliest mention of chess appearing in Western Europe.
4. Circa 1100. Piacenza, Italy
The first depiction of a black and white chessboard in Europe is found on the choir floor of the Basilica of San Savino in Piacenza. The mosaic shows a man playing chess with the "hand of fate."
Lewis Chess Set (1100/1199) by Photo by Viktor BoykoInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
5. Late 12th century. Isle of Lewis (Scotland/Norway)
One of the oldest European chess sets, made in Norway from walrus tusk in the late 12th century, is a symbol of medieval chess and the Vikings' role in spreading the game across Europe. It was found in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.
Illustration from The Game and Playe of Chesse (1474) by Jonathon Oldbuck on the Game of Chess, Public domain and William CaxtonInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
6.1474. Bruges, Belgium
The printing press revolutionized the popularity of chess. English pioneer William Caxton's second printed book, "The Game and Playe of Chesse," was based on the famous "Book of Chess" by Jacobus de Cessolis, the first chess book ever printed.
Book of Chess Problems (late 14th century) by UnknownThe J. Paul Getty Museum
7. Circa 1490. Göttingen, Germany
The Göttingen manuscript, a Latin treatise stored in Göttingen, Germany, contains chess problems and descriptions of chess openings. It uses rules close to modern chess, marking the final stages of the transition to modern chess in Europe.
Incaleider Atahualpa wordt bekeerd tot het katholieke geloof (1788) by Vinkeles, Reinier (I)Rijksmuseum
8. 1532–1533. Cajamarca, currently in Peru
Chess spread to the Americas with the conquistadors. The last Inca emperor, Atahualpa, is considered the first chess player in America, learning the game from his Spanish captors. The house where he was held is still preserved.
Portret van Filips II, koning van Spanje, op 59-jarige leeftijd (1586 - 1636) by Wierix, HieronymusRijksmuseum
9. 1575. Madrid, Spain
In Madrid, at the court of King Philip II of Spain, the first international chess tournament was held. Participants included representatives from Spain and Italy, such as the famous Ruy Lopez and Giovanni Leonardo.
Barleycorn chess set (1800/1830) by Photo by Viktor BookInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
10. 1763. Oxford, Great Britain
William Jones, an English philologist and orientalist, wrote a poem called "Caissa", which popularized the chess goddess. She was first mentioned in Marco Girolamo Vida's 1527 poem "Scacchia, Ludus" but became widely known only in the 19th century.
Pieces from Staunton chess set (1950/1959) by Nathaniel Cooke and Photo by Viktor BoykoInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
11. 1849. London, Great Britain
British designer Nathaniel Cook, in consultation with uncrowned world champion Howard Staunton, developed the Staunton chess set for professional play. It became the world standard for official competitions, including FIDE events.
Wilhelm SteinitzInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
12. 1886. New York, St. Louis, New Orleans (USA)
The first official World Chess Championship match between Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort took place across several cities in the United States. Steinitz emerged victorious, being declared the first official World Chess Champion.
Fattorini chess clock (1890/1904) by FIDE archiveInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
13. 1883. London, Great Britain
At the London tournament, a specially designed chess clock with a double dial was used for the first time.
14. 1903. London, Great Britain
In August 1903, the first feature film about chess, a comedy titled "A Chess Dispute," directed by Robert W. Paul, appeared on movie screens. The film lasted one minute and three seconds, spanning 80 feet of film (just over 24 meters).
The reenactment of signing of the original FIDE Memorandum (2024-07-20) by FIDEInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
15.1924. Paris, France
The International Chess Federation (FIE, later FIDE) was established in Paris. Founding countries included Argentina, Belgium, Britain, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Finland, France, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia.
Emanuel Lasker playing against Mikhail Botvinnik (1935)International Chess Federation (FIDE)
With the creation of FIDE, chess entered its modern era, marking the end of its distant history and the beginning of a new chapter. You can read the short history of the International Chess Federation here.
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