UPS AND DOWNS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 147, 19 December 1933, Page 17

UPS AND DOWNS

THE 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 tlio earth have claimed their own land as the cradle of chess. Phoenicians, Medes, Persians, Arabians, Indians, Turks, Chinese; all offer their doubtful claims to priority. Thero are plenty of allusions to chess in the old Sanskrit, but the earliest actual chess literature dates from the seventh century and mentions north-west India, Persia, and Islam. • Early Persian and Arabic tradition both ascribe tne ganio to India. The system of play is not internationally unified as.yet, although all existing systems are easily traceable to the originallndiangamoof ''Chaturanga.'' Christian Europe began to learn chess from the Moors in 1000 A.D. Prom 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 is today^ divided into three, standard games, all of which are swiftly losing ground in favour of the game1 as played in all the international tournaments. •.■•■■■■■■■;■ "■'.-.■ An Arabic historian writes hi 050 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 imove the,pieces ia play.' ■■■ • \ j . Among the fine arts of that age, and during the following • six centuries, chessmen carving was listed. Skilled, patient crafismeu spent decades in turning cut sets carved from gold or precious stones, often from pure, pearl or tinted ivory, these setß being valued from £5000 to twice or three times that amount. Such, sets have been bequeathod in the wills of the nobility of many nations, and are treasured very highly by their present owners. The writer had the privilege of playing with such a sei in England some years ago, and waa amazed at the fragile beauty and delicate craftsmanship of the pieces, . , ! TIDE OF ANTAGONISM. I A bitter tide of antagonism assailed (the game during the Middle Ages. | People bowed under superstition claimed 'that chess players wore allied with Satan. A canonical law of the Eoinan 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 love of chess and might, have lost his high office. At this time strenuous attempts were made to forbid the game to all members of j the clergy or of knightly orders. St. Bernard of Clairvaux forbade sternly, any Knights Templar from play! Later, however, Werner Orselm, 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 dotes from. 1173, coupled with recommendations that all should study; hard with the hope of being able to. play before the Courts. (Arabic and Persian MSS.) Tho oldest book of problems now in existence dates from the thirteenth century. '"■ . During the ifiddle Ages sermons were preached on, chess and allegories written on the subject. Many believed tho game to be symbolical of human life.. ■ ' ■ .'.-■.'■ In the latter part of tho fiftoenth century the game as played today gradually took precedence over all others; the powers of the Quoen wero doubled, a promoted Pawn became an extra Queen and their combined attack almost irresistible. Tho game became lightning swift;-a-smashing attack could bo delivered commencing with tho second move, and powerful major pieces hurled into direct contact at once. Even a checkmate in two moves became possible, being known today as the "Pool's Mate!" Tho birthplace' of this astonishing new game was undoubtedly Spain. Tho modem form of "castling" dates from 1585 and originated in Rome. •The. literature of chess today surpasses that of the combined literature of all games known to man. In the Boston Public Library alone thoro are five hundred volumes in about twenty languages. A noted German authority has listed 5000 beoks on chess. IN ICELAND. • Finland has no chess literature, and the game there is played only by children. Iceland, however, has played, studied, and written with 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 modem chess is by Damiaxuo, dated 1512. Thero were soven editions published in Borne by 1500. Tho 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 tho student of today. The famous Spanish master Lopez wrote one of the early text books listing many brilliant attacks and defences. Ho also originated tiio term "gambit" from the Italian "gamba," meaning leg. He delighted in watching wrestlers jockeying for position. It was a distinct advantage if a wrestler succeeded in grabbing*his opponent's leg. _A "gambit" therefore becamt) the descriptive term for a brilliant opening attack. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries master chess players became great favourites oS tho courts of Europe and were often showered with gifts of great wealth. Some- wero highly favoured by various Popes. A coveted position during that era was ~ that of Koyal Chess Master of the Court. International chess matches date from 1566, at which time tho greater players amassed fortunes by their play. Cavrora of Italy rosicnerl competitive play tit the ago of C 5 with a fortune of 30,000 crowns won in honourable encounter. The first blindfolded player of note was Alonso Ortega of Palermo (about 1011). Other famous names which descend from that period are those of Lopez, Salvio, and Greco. PLAYED IN HOTELS. After 1650 tho leading hotels and restaurants of London and Paris were equipped with chessmen and boards,and thousands played daily while eating. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries gave a parade of magnificent strategists, among thorn Allgaior of Germany, who .reached his 'zenith in 1793, Philidor, Coekrnnc, and Ssirraft of England, Do la Bourdaimais and Desuhappelles of Franco, MacDonnell of Scotland. Philidor was flic first to play teams of massed opponents, himself blindfolded, Tho. Jews hnvo contributed twti world's champions whoso play will never be forgotten—Sfciuitz (IS3<5-

1900), and Lasker, who beat him in 1894, 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 mfiuy elementary schools in Germany and Kussia. The two noted Preach philosophers, Voltaire and Rousseau, played in brilliant style throughout their era. The first newspaper in the world to devote a daily column to chess was the. "Liverpool Mercury," commencing July 9, 1813. The oldest column now 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 loss worthy pastimes. It is open and above board, fair and square, and ent; ,ely 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 he may find himself still playing at sunrise. ' •