Chess has captivated minds for over 1,500 years, evolving from ancient strategy games to a battleground for artificial intelligence. Let’s explore its fascinating journey. 1. Ancient Origins: Chaturanga (6th Century India)

• The earliest ancestor of chess, chaturanga, simulated Indian warfare with pieces like infantry (pawns), elephants (bishops), and chariots (rooks).
• Key difference: Victory depended on eliminating the king, not checkmate.

2. Medieval Chess: Shatranj in Persia (7th–15th Century)

• Adopted by the Islamic world as shatranj, the game spread to Europe via trade routes.
• The modern queen and bishop emerged in 15th-century Spain, reflecting the era’s powerful monarchies.

3. The Rise of Competitive Chess (1851–Present)

• The first international tournament in London (1851) crowned Adolf Anderssen as champion.
• Steinitz, Lasker, and Capablanca codified positional play in the early 20th century.

4. AI vs. Humans: Deep Blue to Stockfish

• IBM’s Deep Blue defeating Garry Kasparov (1997) marked a turning point.
• Today, engines like Stockfish and AlphaZero analyze positions beyond human comprehension.