Chess

History and Evolution

The predecessors of chess originated in India during the Gupta Empire (~6th century CE). That early game, known as Chaturanga, is the earliest confirmed ancestor of modern chess. From India, the game spread to Persia, where it was called Shatranj, and later throughout the Islamic world and into Europe[citation:1].

The Modern Era

The rules took their current shape in Spain and Italy around the late 15th century. The powerful queen and bishop moves were introduced, making the game faster and more dynamic. The first modern chess tournament was held in London in 1851. The first universally recognized World Chess Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz, claimed his title in 1886.

Chess in India

India has a rich chess heritage, being the birthplace of the game. The All India Chess Federation was formed in 1951. Viswanathan Anand, becoming World Champion in 2007, ignited a massive chess boom in the country. Today, India is a superpower in world chess, with talents like Praggnanandhaa R, Gukesh D, and Koneru Humpy leading the charge. Indian servers on platforms like Chess.com and Lichess are among the most active globally.

Rules of the Game

Standard chess follows the rules codified by FIDE. The board is placed so each player has a light square on their right-hand side.

Piece Movement and Capture

• King (♔,♚): Moves one square in any direction. It must never move into check.
• Queen (♕,♛): Moves any number of squares vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
• Rook (♖,♜): Moves any number of squares vertically or horizontally.
• Bishop (♗,♝): Moves any number of squares diagonally.
• Knight (♘,♞): Moves in an "L" shape: two squares in one direction, then one perpendicular. It jumps over pieces.
• Pawn (♙,♟): Moves forward one square, but captures diagonally. On its first move, it can advance two squares.

Special Rules

Castling: The only move allowing two pieces (king and rook) to move simultaneously. Conditions: Neither piece has moved; no squares between are under attack; the king is not in check.

En passant: A special pawn capture that can occur immediately after a pawn moves two squares forward from its starting position.

Promotion: When a pawn reaches the eighth rank, it is promoted to a queen, rook, bishop, or knight of the same color.

Strategy and Tactics

Chess strategy involves long-term positioning and planning, while tactics are short-term calculated sequences.

Opening Principles

Follow these core ideas in the opening: 1) Control the center (e4, d4, e5, d5 squares). 2) Develop your knights and bishops. 3) Castle your king to safety. 4) Don't move the same piece twice unnecessarily. 5) Don't bring your queen out too early.

Middle Game Tactics

• Fork: A single piece attacks two or more enemy pieces simultaneously.
• Pin: A piece is attacked but cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it.
• Skewer: Similar to a pin, but the more valuable piece is in front.
• Discovered Attack: Moving a piece reveals an attack by another piece.

Endgame Fundamentals

With few pieces left, king activity becomes crucial. Learn key squares, the opposition, and basic checkmates like King+Queen vs. King and King+Rook vs. King.

Download, Play & Indian Server Guide

Playing chess online is the easiest way to practice. Here’s how to get started, optimized for players in India.

Top Platforms & APK Downloads

In-App Purchases with Indian Rupees (₹)

Most platforms accept local payments. Chess.com Premium can be bought via Google Play Store / Apple App Store with local currency, or via UPI on their website. Always check for special discounts during Indian festivals like Diwali.

Update Log (Latest: 2025-12-08)

Frequently Asked Questions (Indian Players)