A Brief History Of Chess: From Origins to AI

Chess was invented in India around the 6th century AD. It originated as a game called Chaturanga, which means "four divisions of the military." This ancient game was played on a board divided into 64 squares and featured pieces that represented different elements of an army:

• Infantry

• Cavalry

• Elephants

• King. 

The primary objective was similar to modern chess: to defeat the opponent’s army and protect your king.

Chaturanga spread from India to Persia, where it became known as Shatranj. The Persians made small adjustments to the game, such as renaming the pieces and refining the rules. Shatranj introduced strategic elements that made the game more sophisticated, such as distinguishing between strong and weak pieces.

During this period, chess began to carry cultural and educational significance. Persian aristocracy often played Shatranj to demonstrate their strategic thinking and decision-making skills. The word “checkmate” even comes from the Persian phrase shah mat, which means “the king is helpless.”

The spread of chess wasn’t just about entertainment. Traders and diplomats carried it across regions, introducing the game to different cultures. By the 7th century, it had reached the Islamic world and reached significant popularity. This marked the beginning of chess’s global journey, eventually reaching Europe, where it evolved further.

Antique North Indian Mughul shatranj chess set made from sandalwood.

The first game of chess: myth vs reality

You may have heard myths about chess being invented by figures like Pythagoras or Moses, but these stories are not based on historical evidence. Instead, chess has a much more practical and gradual origin. The earliest known version of chess, Chaturanga, emerged in India around the 6th century AD, as mentioned at the start of this article. While the exact first game is lost to history, we do know how chess began to take shape.

One popular myth claims that chess was created as a tool to teach war strategies to rulers. Although Chaturanga did reflect elements of military tactics, there’s no evidence to suggest it was designed for this purpose. Instead, it was likely a recreational game that gradually became more complex and widespread over time.

The earliest recorded games of chess date back to the 9th century in Persia, during the Shatranj era. These games were documented in manuscripts and provided insight into how players used early strategies to achieve “Shah Mat,” or checkmate. The Persian influence also introduced a written tradition of chess puzzles and problems, showing that the game was evolving into a mental challenge, not just a pastime.

Archaeological findings also give us clues about the early days of chess. Ancient pieces, like those found in Uzbekistan, and references in Indian and Persian texts confirm that the game had a rich history long before it reached Europe. However, the exact first game of chess, as we understand it today, likely never existed. It was a gradual process of development across cultures.

By separating myth from reality, you can see that chess wasn’t created by a single person or for a single purpose. It was developed by centuries of cultural exchange.

Chess in medieval Europe and the invention of modern chess

Modern chess, as you know it today, began to take shape in medieval Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. Each culture adapted the game, but in Europe the rules were completely finalised.

When chess reached Europe in the 9th century, it was still heavily influenced by Shatranj. The pieces and rules remained similar, but changes were introduced step by step. One of the most significant developments came in Spain and Italy around the 15th century, when the queen and bishop were given more powerful moves. The queen, which had been a relatively weak piece, became the strongest on the board. This shift made the game faster and more dynamic, which opened the way to modern strategies.

The chessboard also underwent changes during this period. European players adopted an alternating light and dark square pattern, making it easier to track piece movement. By the late 15th century, the rules for pawn promotion, castling, and en passant were formalised, bringing the game even closer to its current form.

The first known book on chess strategy, written by the Spanish priest Ruy López in 1561, further established Europe’s role in shaping modern chess. López analysed openings and introduced strategic concepts that are still studied today. His contributions helped solidify Europe as the birthplace of modern chess.

So, while chess originated in India, it was in medieval Europe where it evolved into the game you recognise today.

A depiction of the chess match between Howard Staunton and Pierre Saint-Amant, on 16 December 1843

The rise of competitive chess in the 19th century

Chess changed a lot in the 19th century. It went from being a casual hobby to a proper competitive sport. At this time, important changes made the rules of chess the same for everyone. This made it possible to have organised tournaments and competitions with players from different countries.

In 1849, Nathaniel Cooke designed the Staunton chess set. This set was endorsed by Howard Staunton, who was a top player at the time. Cooke’s design became the standard for chess tournaments because the pieces were clear and easy to use. Before the Staunton set, chess sets looked very different from each other, which made it hard to play consistent games.

Another big change was the invention of the chess clock. This was invented to stop games from taking too long. Before clocks, some games could last for over 10 hours. But with the introduction of time limits, competitive chess became more exciting and suitable for tournaments. These changes, and the first modern chess tournaments held in the mid-19th century, made the game more formal.

In the 19th century, Paul Morphy became a very important player in chess. He was often called the first unofficial world champion. His games were played in a way that was popular at the time, called “Romantic Chess”. He was known for being aggressive and for having good tactics. One of his most famous games was called the “Opera House Game”. It is still considered to be one of the best examples of attacking play in chess.

The first official World Chess Championship was held in 1886. It was between Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort. Steinitz won and became the first official world champion. This event marked an important step in making chess a structured competitive sport.

In this video, you get to see the game between Steinitz and Zukertort during their World Chess Championship:

Chess in the 20th century from tournaments to soviet dominance

In the 20th century, chess became really popular all over the world. It became a competition between players from different countries. This was because there were more international tournaments and organisations that ran the game. In 1924, the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), or the International Chess Federation, was established to oversee international tournaments and maintain consistency in chess regulations. This step made sure that chess carried on growing as a professional sport. It also led to the creation of official rating systems to rank players worldwide.

The Soviet Union became a chess superpower during this time. From 1927 to 1972, Soviet players held the World Chess Championship title almost all the time. Legends like Mikhail Botvinnik, Anatoly Karpov, and Tigran Petrosian were some of the players who dominated the scene. The Soviet Union was good at chess not just because its players were talented, but also because it had state-supported chess programs that identified and trained promising players from a young age. Chess became a symbol of the USSR's intellectual strength and national pride.

One of the most famous events in chess history happened in 1972. American player Bobby Fischer challenged Russian player Boris Spassky to a chess match. This was called the "Match of the Century". It was more than just a game. It was a symbol of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Fischer won that day and it was the first time in 24 years that a player from outside the Soviet Union had won the title. 

In the late 20th century, technology started to have an effect on chess. Computer programs like ChessBase and those that played chess became tools for both professional and amateur players. This completely changed how people prepared and analysed games.

World Chess champion Garry Kasparov (left) ponders a chess move during the sixth and final game of his match with IBM's Deep Blue computer on May 11, 1997. (Image credit: Roger Celestin/Newscom)

Chess and the AI revolution

The 21st century brought a revolution in chess with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). While computers had been used for analysis since the late 20th century, AI took chess to an entirely new level, transforming how the game is played, studied, and understood.

The breakthrough moment came in 1997 when IBM’s Deep Blue defeated longtime World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov in a six-game match. This marked the first time a computer had beaten a world champion in a formal match, proving that technology could rival human intellect in chess. Kasparov’s loss was a turning point that sparked further development in chess engines and AI research.

Following Deep Blue, open-source engines like Stockfish became widely available, offering analysis far superior to human capabilities. These engines, with Elo ratings exceeding 3400, allowed players to study games, prepare openings, and identify mistakes with unprecedented precision. Today, nearly every chess player — from enthusiasts to grandmasters — relies on engines for training and preparation.

The next big step came in 2017, when Google's DeepMind introduced AlphaZero. Unlike normal chess engines, which use pre-programmed rules, AlphaZero learned to play chess by playing itself. After just a few hours of playing against itself, AlphaZero was better at chess than Stockfish, a very good chess program, in a 100-game match. AlphaZero's way of playing was new and exciting, and its moves often seemed to defy logic, which made even top players amazed.

AI has also made chess more accessible. Websites like Chess.com and Lichess.org use AI to provide personalised game analysis, helping players of all levels improve. Additionally, AI-driven matchmaking ensures that players are paired with opponents of a similar skill level, enhancing the online chess experience.

What is chess today?

Chess is more popular now than ever before. This is because of a combination of human talent, advanced computers and the rise of online platforms. The game has moved beyond physical boards and international tournaments. It is now a global phenomenon that anyone can take part in.

Online platforms like Chess.com and Lichess.org have made chess available to millions worldwide. Whether you’re a beginner or a grandmaster, these platforms allow you to play games, study openings, and analyse matches from anywhere. The pandemic further pushed this trend, with online chess tournaments gaining prominence as in-person events were put on hold. Tournaments such as the Chess.com Global Championship and Magnus Carlsen’s Champions Chess Tour showcased how online chess can be as competitive and engaging as traditional formats.

Humans and computers now work together in chess. Players of all levels use engines like Stockfish and Lc0 to analyse their games, find mistakes and improve their strategies. AI has also enabled personalised coaching, with platforms providing tailored advice based on a player's performance. These tools have not only improved the skill level of casual players, but also raised the bar for professional competition.

Magnus Carlsen, who held the title of World Chess Champion from 2013 to 2023, represents the modern chess era. He is known for his deep preparation and remarkable endgame skills. He also uses technology to help him keep his skills up. He has also helped make chess more popular by supporting different websites and taking part in well known online events.

Another reason chess has gained popularity in recent years is partly because of the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit. The show was released in 2020 and made chess popular with people who weren’t even interested in the game. It also made millions of viewers want to learn and play the game. After the show was released, online platforms reported record numbers of new users, and sales of chess sets went soared.

Social media and streaming have also played a big part in making chess more popular. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube have lots of players and streamers who make educational and entertaining chess content. Events like PogChamps, which invited influencers and celebrities to compete in chess, have also made the game ever more popular.

So chess today is no longer just a competitive sport, it is a big global community.