Tag: Internationalchessday2021

INTERNATIONAL CHESS DAY 2021

International Chess Day is celebrated on July 20, every year as the founding day of World Chess Federation (FIDE). The concept of celebrating this was presented by UNESCO and this year marks FIDE’s 97th anniversary.

Chess is likely one of the oldest games of our era. It was invented in India in the fifth century and was then named “Chaturanga”. Later, the game moved to Persia, and when the Arabs invaded Persia, chess became an important part of the Muslim population’s existence, and it spread to Southern Europe from there. Chess took on its modern shape in Europe during the 15th century and evolved into a contemporary sport. Ever since then it has been a popular sport. Today, Chess competitions are held with fresh and interesting variations all around the world

Chess helps you increase your fluid intelligence and processing speed , elevates your creativity and enables you to enter a flow state , leads to better planning and strategy skills, and can improve the symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Studies prove that Electronic chess may help stave off a panic attack when you play on the right level. Playing Chess also increases the effectiveness of any mental therapy.

Here are few recommendations of books and movies related to chess

Books

  • Chess 101 by Dave Schloss
  • Bobby Fischer teaches chess by Bobby Fischer
  • The steps method by Rob Brunia and Cor Van Wijgerden
  • Pandolfini’s Ultimate Guide to Chess by Bruce Pandolfini
  • Winning Chess strategy for Kids by Jeff Coakley
  • Tips for young players by Matthew Sadler
  • How not to play chess by Eugene A. Znosko-Borovsky
  • The art of checkmate by Renaud and Kahn

Movies , Documentaries and Series

  • Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
  • Magnus (2016)
  • Brooklyn Castle (2012)
  • Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
  • The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
  • Pawn Sacrifice (2014)
  • Queen of Katwe (2016)
  • Geri’s Game (1997)

International Chess Day 2021: Theme, History, significance and what to do?

Theme this year: “Teach someone how to play chess”

The idea to commemorate International Chess Day was proposed by UNESCO after it was established by FIDE in 1966. FIDE, the International Chess Federation has 181 chess federations as its members organize chess events and competitions across the globe on International Chess Day.

FIDE: Fédération Internationale des Échecs

-Chess was invented in India around 8th Century. It was known as chatrang-

Chess:

Chess is a board game played by two players. It is enjoyed all over the world. There have been many grandmasters and the records get tougher to hold the title. Chess is an abstract strategy game and involves no hidden information.

 It is played on a square chessboard with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. At the start, each player controls sixteen pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. The main chessboard and pawns are black and white.

The goal of the game is to put the opponent’s king under immediate attack .i.e. in “check” and give no way for it to escape. There are also several ways a game can end in a draw. Each pawn has its own limitation of movements.

It is one of the most fun, intellectual, and brainy indoor games.

Players: 2

Abilities: Strategy, tactics

Fact: In 1997, Deep Blue became the first computer to beat the reigning World Champion in a match when it defeated Garry Kasparov.

History:

The origin of chess date around 7-8th century. Three are written in Pahlavi and one, the Harshacharita, is in Sanskrit. Chatrang was named shatranj, after the Islamic conquest of Persia. Xiangqi is the form of chess best-known in China

The modern piece movement rules began to appear in intellectual circles in Valencia, Spain around 1475. The queen replaced the vizier chess piece and by the 15th century had become the most powerful piece.

Prague-born Wilhelm Steinitz laid the foundations for a scientific approach to the game, the art of breaking a position down into components. In addition to his theoretical achievements, his triumph over the leading German master Johannes Zukertort in 1886 is regarded as the first official World Chess Championship.

Significance of chess:

“The United Nations recognizes that sports, the arts and physical activity have the power to change perceptions, prejudices and behaviours, as well as to inspire people, break down racial and political barriers, combat discrimination and defuse conflict, and therefore contrabute in promoting education, sustainable development, peace, cooperation, solidarity, social inclusion and health at the local, regional and international levels.

The designation of World Chess Day of the UN will not only recognize the important role of the FIDE in supporting international cooperation for chess activity and aiming to improve friendly harmony among all peoples of the world, but also to provide an important platform to foster, dialogue, solidarity and culture of peace”

-United Nations

Fact: The rules of chess are published by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs)

Notable Men and women in the world of chess:

  • Judit Polgár
  • Garry Kasparov
  • Vera Menchik
  • Magnus Carlsen
  • Rohini Khadilkar
  • Andrey Espienko
  • Nona GAprindashvili
  • Hou Yifan

Movies to watch:

  1. The Queen’s Gambit
  2. Queen of Katwe
  3. Pawn Sacrifice
  4. Searching for Bobby Fischer
  5. Brooklyn Castle
  6. Hikaru no Go

What to do?

LEARN CHESS!!

Cause why not? Learning moves or moving pieces entirely after thorough thought, being on your toes to find the easiest or quickest win to checkmate, and tricking someone to make the move you wanted them to do! It is a load of exercise for your brain.

Refernces:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess#1200%E2%80%931700:_Origins_of_the_modern_game