National Chess Day

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Introduction

We are getting ready to celebrate the National Day of Chess, mostly observed on the second
Saturday in October. But that is not the case in the United States. This day has been
around for a long time, as it is a day where people prove the relevance and skillfulness in chess.

Can you play?

Are you a pawn god, or would the rest of the world drag you?

Like many before you… here’s a day to find out!

Excerpt

Celebrate this weekend by showing off and sharing on social media your tactical skill on this
special day.

History of National Chess Day

The game of chess is one of the oldest games in the world. It has existed for over 1,400 years
and has climbed to a level of intellectual significance and relevance. Chess is significant
today because of a few historical milestones.

We can say that the game traces back to India with the predecessor name “Chaturanga.”

Chaturanga had similar features to modern chess, but the objective may have slightly differed.
The rules of moving the queen (counselors) and bishops (elephants) were more restricted, and
you could even with the king still standing (so long as no other player is remaining).

By the tenth and eleventh century, the game had spread to Persia but with a shorter name,
“Chatrang.”
The game soon moved into Arab, and from there, it spread to Southeast Asia and China, where it
was known as “Xiangqi” or “Shogi.” It was during this period that people studied the game of
chess, its problem, and tactics.

Soon the game was in South Europe and Muslim Spain. In Europe, it was adopted and
was known to be the game of the nobles. It was soon considered an essential skill every
knight must possess or learn at inception in the late medieval periods.

Like many things, it lost its relevance and almost got banned by the Catholic church.
Because it was associated with violence and gambling.

So, the Europeans started introducing innovations that created mechanical changes, like
changing the piece’s name to bishops and knights. By this time, modern theories and principles
began to develop.

By the nineteenth century, the game became a vital part of European life and spread worldwide.

In 1851, the first international chess competition took place, while the first world tournament
was held in 1886 in London.

National Chess Day was celebrated on the second Saturday of October until the Assistant to the
president, Max Friedersdorf, sent a memo to the United States government in December 1975
with the proclamation that the chess day in the U.S should be observed yearly on October 9. He
did this because the president needed authorization from Congress before he can make his
proclamation public.

On October 9, 1976, during the bicentennial celebration, President Gerald Ford declared that
day as National Chess Day going forward.

Key Events/Moments in National Chess Day

500 B.C

Origin Of Checkmate

The victory word, checkmate, is from the Arabic word Shah Mat. And it means the king is dead

1090

The First Chess Board

1939

The Enigma Machine Code

The Enigma code of Strategy was broken by Alan Turing and saved millions of lives.

1989

The Longest World Chess Game

The longest game of chess is between Nikolic and Arsovic. The game ends in a draw after 269
moves.

How to Celebrate National Chess Day

1. Host your chess competition 

Gather your friends. Pair them up and get them to compete against each other. Share your story
online!

2. Teach someone how to play 

An excellent way to celebrate this day is to teach a novice how to play. Teach the rules and
regulations of the game. Carefully guide them until they pick up the basic principles.

3. Chess District 

You can visit artifact chess shops to purchase or view historical chess pieces. You can also join
the outdoor chess competition. Or just travel out of your city to enjoy the activities of other
cities.

5 Facts About The National Chess Day That Will Excite You

#1:

It is a game of mental strength and ability

Chess can be time-consuming, and it requires a lot of mental power. However, it could be
completed with a few moves, depending on your ability and that of your opponent.
#2:

It has a maximum number of move

The total number of moves that you can make in the game of chess is 5,949. This is attained by
several permutations and combinations.

#3

Chess is a mental booster

Chess is a high-level mental booster. It will help you develop your mental power, optical power,
and strategy.

#4

It improves concentration

The game can improve your concentration and attention to detail power.

#5

It allows diversity

The game unifies people. It brings people of different cultures, classes, and languages together.

Why We Love The National Chess Day

A. It inspires fall of discrimination

We love national chess day because it continues to inspire the fall of cultural, racial, and
language discrimination. With chess, more and more people are beginning to understand the
power of perception and thoughts. And they are connecting with more people from different
societies.

B. Chess teaches you how to use mind tricks

Chess teaches you that you don’t need physical weapons to defeat your opponent. You need
strategy and mind tricks.

C. It unites people
Who doesn’t love any game that unites people’s minds and hearts? We all do!

Meeting a person of similar strength and power is bliss. In chess, everyone has a place, and it
doesn’t take much time before you find your place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is the national chess day in the U.S?

October 9 was declared National Chess Day in the U.S by President George Ford in 1976.

Why do we celebrate national chess day?

We celebrate National Chess Day to celebrate the history of chess and how it moves across
different societies and people.

Who is the most favored nation that plays chess?

Russia is the most popular country that plays chess. Russia has a big chess feat with over 2000
chess title holders.