New Delhi: On the foundation day of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), established in 1924, the world observes International Chess Day on July 20 every year.
On UNESCO’s initiative in 1966, FIDE decided to celebrate the day across the globe by conducting numerous chess events and competitions to mark the day. At present, FIDE has 181 federations as its members.
However, the UN General Assembly officially announced the day as an international event on 12 December 2019.
As per the information provided on UN website, “Whilst modern Chess is believed to have been derived from Chaturanga means ‘four divisions’ referring either to the divisions of the playing pieces into infantry, cavalry, elephantry and chariotry (pieces which in the modern game became the pawn, knight, bishop and rook), or to the fact that the game was played by four players. Chatrang, and later Shatranj, was the name given to the game when it arrived in Sassanid Persia around 600 CE”.
Here, we have brought that you need to know about the ‘World Chess Day’:
Historical Significance
In the ancient India, Chaturanga (which later evolved as chess) was considered as a stratergy booster board game and included four players during the Gupta Empire in 4th century CE to 6th century CE.
The game is beilieved to travel from India to the Arabic nations via then silk route and became popular in Europe in around 1000 CE.
Importance of Chess
Various studies proves that the relatively affordable game develops leadership, decision taking, enhances intellectual capabilities, and more. In the present times, numerous versions of ancient Shatranj or modern day chess exists across the world.
Famous Quotes
1. “There is always the risk of being over-confident when you are preparing to face a weaker player.”
– Viswanathan Anand
2. “Chess is the gymnasium of the mind.”
– Blaise Pascal
3. “Chess helps you to concentrate, and improve your logic. It teaches you to play by the rules and take responsibility for your actions, how to problem solve in an uncertain environment.”
– Garry Kasparov
4. “You can only get good at chess if you love the game”
– Bobby Fischer
