HISTORY OF CHESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 92, 29 January 1934, Page 8

HISTORY OF CHESS

ONCE BANNED BY CHURCH. AND LATER FAVOURED. Few devotees of the game of chess realise anything of the history, tradition, or romance of the game, nor of the mystery that obscures its origin, .says the “Christian Science Monitor.” Most of. the ancient peoples of the earth have claimed tlieir own land as the cradle of chess. Phoenicians, Medos Persians, Arabians, Indians, , Turks, Chinese; all offer their doubtful claims to priority. There are plenty of allusions to chess in the old ? Sanskirt, hut the earliest actual chess litH'ature dates from the seventh century and mentions north-west India, Persia and Islam. Early Persia and Arabic tradition both ascribe the game to India. The system of play is not internationally unified as yet although all existing systems are easily traceable to the original Indian gamo of “Chaturanga.” Christian Europe began to learn chess from the Moors in 1000 A.D. From the Mediterranean it spread northward over France, Germany, Britain, Scandinavia, and Iceland and finally to the Americas in the sixteenth century. Strangely enough, chess in India to-day k divided into three standard games, all of which are swiftly losing ground in favour of the game as played in all tile international tournaments. An Arabic historian writes in 950 A.D. of open-air games of chess on enormous “ground boards” played with ponderous ivory pieces weighing' two hundred pounds or more. The opposing players sat in towers high above the field and directed the slaves to move the pieces in play. Among the fine arts of that ago and during the following six centuries, chessmen carving was listed. Skilled, patient craftsmen spent decades in turning out sets carved from gold or precious stones, often from pure peail or tinted ivory, these sets being valued from £SOOO to twice or three times that amount. Such sets have been bequeathed in the wills of the nobility ot many nations, and are treasured very huffily by their present owners. I lie writer had tho privilege of playing with such a set in England some years a<v o , and was amazed at the fragile beauty and delicate craftsmanship of the pieces. Tide of Antgpnism. A bitter tide of antagonism assailed the game during the Middle Ages. People bowed under superstition claimed that chess players were allied with Satan. A canonical law of the Roman Catholic Church (about 1050 A.D.) provided that a bishop or priest could be deposed if detected playing chess. Pope (Nicholas 11., while a cardinal, was severely censured over his lo.ve of chess and might have lost Ins high office. At this time strenuous attempts were made to forbid the game to all members of the clergy or of knightly orders. Later, however, Werner Orslem Grand Master of the Teutonic Order (fifteenth century) acclaimed it as a worthy sport for a knight. From then on its march was irresistible. The first book of chess problems dates from 1173, coupled with recommendations that all should study hard with the hope of being able to play before the Courts. (Arabic and Persian Mfefo). The oldest book of problems now in existence dates from the thirteenth century.

During the Middle Ages sermons were preached on chess and allegories Avritten on the subject. Many believed the game to be symbolic of human life. &

In the latter part of the fifteenth century the game as played to-day gradually took precedence over all others; the poAvers of the Queen Avere doubled, a promoted PaAvm became an extra Queen and their combined attack almost irresistible. The game became lightning swift; a smashing attack could he delivered commencing Avith the second move, and powerful major pieces hurled into direct contact at once. Even a checkmate in tAvo moves became possible, being knoAvn to-day as the “Fool’s Mate!” The birthplace of this astonishing neAV game Avas undoubtedly Spain. The modern form of “castling” dates from 1585 and! originated in Rome. The literature of chess to-day surpasses that of the combined literature of all games knoAvn to man. In the Boston Public Library alone there are five hundred volumes in about tAventy languages. A noted German authority has listed 5000 books on chess. In Iceland. Finland lias no chess literatuie and the game there is played only by children. Iceland, hoAvever, has played studied, and Avritten Avith enthusiasm since 1500. Nor is Iceland alone in its enjoyment of the game, for the tiny island of Grimsby, 60 miles north of its coast, is noted for the players it produces. The earliest book on modern chess is by Damiamo, dated 1512. There Avere seven editions published in Rome by 1560.

The language of chess, its idioms and technicalities have passed into the language and literature of everyday life. Its principles and possibilities have been zealously studied for the past 400 years, all great battles being faithfully recorded, play by play, and made available to the student of to-day.

The famous Spanish master Lopez wrote one of the early text hooks listing many brilliant attacks and defences. He also originated the term “gambit” from the Italian “gamba” meaning leg. He delighted in Avatching Avrestlors jockeying for position. It was a distinct advantage if a. Avrestler succeeded in grabbing his opponent’s leg. A “gambit” therefore became the descriptive term for a brilliant opening attack.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries master chess players became great favourites of the courts of Europe and Avere often shoAvered with

gifts of great wealth. Some were highly favoured by various Popes. A coveted position during that era was that of Royal Chess Master of the Court.

International chess matches date from 1566) at which time the greater players amassed fortunes by their play. Carrera of Italy resigned competitive play at the age of 65' with a fortune of 30)000 crowns won in honourable encounter. The first blindfolded player of note was Alonso: Ortega of Palermo, (about 1611). Other, famous names which descend from that period are those of Lopez, Salyio and Greco. After 1650 the leading hotels and restaurants of London and Paris were equipped with chessmen and boards, and thousands played daily while eat-

The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries gave a parade of magnificent strategists, among them Allgaier of Germany, who reached his zenith in 1795, Philidor, Cochrane, and Sarratt of England, De la Bourdannais and Deschappelles of France, Mac Donnell of Scotland. Phillidor was the first to play teams of massed opponents' himself blindfolded. The Jews have contributed two world's champions whose play will never be forgotten—Steinitz (18361900), and Lasker, who beat him in 1.894) but lost to him the same year. Most of the rulers of European and Asiatic countries have been arduous students of chess; the great field marshals and admirals commanding their armies and navies have found the inspiration and guidance for many of their attacks on the chess board. In Scandinavia, Gustavus Adolphus and King Charles XII. were remarkable exponents of the game. The oldest Danish text book dates from 1774. Chess is now taught in many elementary schools in Germany and Russia. The two noted French philosophers, Voltaire and Rousseau, played in brilliant style through their era. The first newspaper in the world to devote a daily column to chess was the “Liverpool Mercury,” commencing July , 1813. The oldest column mow in existence is in the “Illustrated London News,” a column which has run unceasingly since June 25, 1842. It is regrettable that the reputation of chess as to the difficulty of reaching a high standard has side-tracked many people to less worthy pastimes. It is open and above board, fair and square, and entirely devoid of luck. The entire field and all its pieces are visible to both players. Opponents start on an even footing, mind versus mind, judgment versus judgment. A man requires a cosy room, silence, concentration and patience. He will be well advised, however, if playing during the evening, to set his alarm clock for his usual bedtime hour or ho may find himself still playing at sunrise.