At a glance, it is just a board of black and white squares and if you do the math 8 into 8, you’ll see that is 64 squares. At the two farthest ends of the board, you will see two miniature armies mostly carved in wood again in Black and White. Although it may seem a simple setting, it is a war we see. It is a checkered battlefield where minds clash, strategies collide, and battles unfold. Thus, Today, on the 20^th of July, we celebrate the World Chess Day, recognizing this timeless game that has captivated minds and brought people together for centuries.

Although its origins have a matter of debate, believed to have originated in India around the 6th century and chess has a fascinating history that spans continents and cultures. After evolving as “Chaturanga” in India, it has spread across the Arab world and has eventually transformed into the game we know today, leaving an indelible mark on human civilization.

Chess is more than just a game. At its core, chess is a game of strategy that challenges players to think several moves ahead, anticipate their opponent’s actions, and make calculated decisions. Thus, it is also an exercise for the mind. Numerous studies have shown that playing chess can have a positive impact on cognitive abilities, including critical thinking, problem-solving, concentration, and pattern recognition. Accordingly, these added benefits of playing chess may be the reason why chess players make up one of the largest communities in the world as found through surveys. In fact, at least 605 million adults all over the globe play chess on a regular basis. Now that’s a lot of chess!

Simply, chess can teach you a lot of things. The board and the games going on can sometimes become a clear representation of what is happening around us. The more you try to see chess in relation to life the deeper it resonates with your own experience. For example, most of us think the queen is the most powerful piece on board after the king. Yet, the board does not define the queen as the most powerful whereas the eight identical pawns who are often thought of as the least powerful even have the possibility of becoming any piece except the king. Thus, it is a game which has put a lot of thought into making which will give you more pleasure in discovering the mysteries hidden within this 64 square world.

Likewise, since 12^th of December 2019, after the General Assembly’s proclamation of 20^th of July as World Chess Day to mark the date of the establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), millions of chess players around the world celebrate this day and this game.

Happy World Chess Day! Checkmate!