CHESS, Iranian or Indian Invention?
By: Shapour Suren-Pahlav

Tuesday, September 18, 2012


The Origin of Chess

(fig. 1) Seven pieces set, ivory, dated 762 CE

Chess is one of humanities popular pastimes and has been described not only as a game, but also as an art, a science and a sport. Chess is sometimes seen as an abstract war-game and a �mental martial art. And teaching and playing chess have been advocated as a way of enhancing mental prowess.

It is very unlikely that Chess, almost as it is played today suddenly came into existence or invented by one person. The idea of it being a combination of elements from other board-games has merit. Since almost all known board games have religious backgrounds the astrological component is entirely possible, even though one prefers the version that all elements come from other games, as the basis for the counters. Iran as the area of origin is highly possible, especially because of the two excavated debated pieces from the second century CE, which were found in the area of the Iranian cultural domination.
red more:  http://www.iranchamber.com/sport/chess/chess_iranian_invention.php