Chess Day

 Chess is an abstract strategy game with no secret knowledge or random factors that originated in India. It is a board game for two players, made to resemble two “armies” lined up on opposite ends of the board. The derivation of the word Chess comes from the word Chathuranga, a word created by joining the Sanskrit word “chatur”, which means four and “anga”, which means arms or branches. In ancient times, the Indian Army was made up of four branches: chariots, elephants, cavalry and infantry. In addition, the King back then would personally lead his army to battle. After years of evolution, the original pieces in this game were changed; the elephant has now evolved into a ‘Bishop’, the cavalry into ‘Knights’, the chariot into ‘Rooks’ and the infantry into ‘Pawns’. As the Arabs conquered new territories, they took the game with them, introducing chests across the world. The ‘Queen’ was only then introduced to this game by Jacobus. 

Though there is no clear indication on who invented this beautiful game, the first reference to chaturanga is found in the epic poem The Ramayana, which some historians date as having been composed in the 7th century B.C. The Ramayana includes the story of the King of Lanka, Ravana, who invented chess to amuse his brilliant wife Mandodari; she promptly defeated him.

Another early reference to chaturanga is found in the Arthashastra, written in the 3rd century B.C. by the Indian teacher and philosopher Chanakya. This is the world's oldest book on politics and it describes chaturanga as a war strategy game played on an 8-by-8 board. The oldest poem specifically about chess also comes from India. It was written in the 600s by the poet Bana, who dedicated his poem to King Sriharsha. Bana praised the King as a "Prince of Peace" because the only wars during his reign were between the bees as they searched for pollen, and the only armies were those that marched on the 64 squares of the chessboard.

No matter what one's age, race, gender, means of subsistence, or language, chess is played worldwide.  Chess is played by individuals with physical limitations. Even blind folks enjoy playing chess. It is a game of people, a unifying force that equalises everyone without allowing barriers created by any disability, age, caste, or religion to come into play. 

Chess is a fantastic game for fostering critical thinking abilities. Chess develops these abilities in a fun and intellectually interesting way by emphasizing analysis, strategic planning, problem-solving, patience, and self-reflection. Chess offers an excellent platform for developing and sharpening critical thinking skills that are applicable to many facets of life, whether it is played casually or competitively.

Chess sportsmanship is essential because it fosters a positive and fun playing environment. It promotes an environment where participants can develop, learn, and create enduring relationships. Additionally, sportsmanship lays the groundwork for the growth of players' characters by instilling in them critical life lessons like resiliency, humility, and moral conduct.

Sportsmanship is promoted and fostered by chess organizations, coaches, and players themselves. The chess community can continue to promote a culture of sportsmanship that benefits players of all skill levels by setting positive examples, offering mentorship, and promoting the ideals of fair play and respect.

Chess Day honours the game that has delighted and tested players for many years. It's a chance to unite chess fans, cultivate a sense of neighbourhood, and advertise the virtues of the game. Chess cultivates qualities that are useful in many facets of life, including critical thinking, problem-solving, patience, and decision-making. Whether you're a novice or an expert player, Chess Day offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the game. Chess Day can be made enjoyable and educational by planning a tournament, dissecting well-known games, working puzzles, holding simultaneous exhibitions, and learning about chess variations. Accept the challenges, friendship, and joy that chess gives, and help make Chess Day an annual celebration of strategy and intelligence in your neighbourhood.