Chess is a strategy board game with an ancient history and a long pedigree. Some historians believe that chess may be one of the oldest strategy games still in play, and there are some disputes about the origin of the game in many discussions of the history of chess. It has also experienced a great deal of evolution through centuries of play; the form of chess played in 700 CE, for example, would probably be utterly alien to modern players.

The history of chess appears to begin in Persia and India, where versions of game were played as early as 600 CE. Some historians argue that chess actually originated in China, and spread West, but it has been difficult to find firm evidence for either side. In Persia, the game was known as shantraj, a loaner word from Sanskrit meaning “four divisions of the military,” a reference to the different types of pieces on the board. Shantraj certainly spread to China by 800 AD, and it reached Europe through the Muslim conquest of Persia.

The Muslims picked up the game, spreading it through conquest of countries like Spain and along trade routes. By the medieval period, chess was common throughout Europe, where it was thought of as the “king's game,” an object lesson in strategy and noble responsibilities. Chess was often incorporated into the education of aristocratic men, and it featured in cultured evenings in wealthy homes. It is intriguing that the history of chess is so filled with conquest, since it is a game about conquest and military strategy.

However, this form of chess was still very different from the modern version. Around the 13th century, the rules of chess began to evolve, more or less reaching their current state in the 15th century. These rules allowed more flexibility for pieces which had previously been less mobile, such as the queen. This was an important step in the history of chess, leading the game more in the direction of complex theory and strategy.

By the mid-1800s, the history of chess also included chess tournaments, which appear to have arisen in Britain. These tournaments allowed talented players and representatives of chess clubs to compete for honors and prizes. They also increased the theory aspect of chess, with many books being published on chess strategy, famous tournaments, and famous chess players.

Although chess has evolved a great deal, the basic principle of the board and pieces remains the same; chess sets from Ancient India are recognizable today. In addition, the Persian roots of the game can be seen in the word shah, which is used to mean “check” in much of the world. Shah means king, referring to the fact that the opposing player's king is in danger, with the phrase shah mat being used for “checkmate.”