PE 213 – PATH-FIT

MODULE 1 - History of Chess

WHAT IS THIS MODULE ALL ABOUT?

This module is about the understanding of individual and dual sports, specifically the game chess.
In this module, you are going to know the history and origin of the sports, rules and regulations
on how to play the sports. Determine the different pieces and it’s movements.

With the current situation in which we are all struggling with the global pandemic (Covid-19), the
daily routine of the people was somehow affected. The idea of home and sitting down more often
than we usually do affects our physical and even mental health.

To address the imperative concern, this module introduces you to one of the oldest sports in the
world. Engaging in any physical activity can be beneficial to our mind and body. At times like
this, people should be active as possible to get away from any lifestyle diseases.

GAIN INSIGHTS!
At the end of the module, you will be able to:
 discuss the nature/background of the game chess;
 explain the benefits that the family can derive from playing chess;
 practice proper and acceptable behavior when participating in indoor recreational activities;
 promote indoor recreational activities to family members;
 execute basic skills and tactics in chess;
 interpret rules and regulations in chess;
 apply knowledge of rules and regulations and strategies in chess.

Background Information:

Brief History of Chess

Do you know where chess originated? Chess is a game that has been played for centuries and was
thought to have originated in India over the 15th century. Long ago, it was considered a game reserved
only for Kings and members of the upper classes. Nowadays, chess is played by common people even at
early age.
The modern design of chess pieces bears the name Staunton, who was an English master in the
mid-18OO's. These are the type of pieces that are now used in all tournaments worldwide.
The first international chess tournament was the London Tourney played in 1851. A German
named Adolf Anderssen won the game. He became the unofficial best chess player of the world because
he did not receive any award or title.
The first great American-born chess player is Paul Morphy. Paul traveled to Europe in the
185O's, where he beat all challengers, including Adolf Anderssen. However, the English champion of the
time (Staunton) refused to play with him, so Morphy never became a world chess champ.
The first official championship chess tournament was played in 1866 in London, with sand clocks
to restrict the length of a game. A Bohemian (Czechoslovakian) Jew named Steinitz won the game. He
became the world's first official chess champion, holding this title until 1894.

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Have you wondered who rules in the world of chess today? Recently, Russia dominates the game
of chess. This results from the establishment of government schools for talented chess players after the
communist revolution of 1917. Since 1927, many of the top chess players have been citizens of the
former USSR, and include: Tal, Alekhine, Petrosian, Spassky, Smyslov, Anatoli Karpov, and Gary
Kasparov.

Benefits Derived from Playing Chess.

Chess is an indoor recreational activity which is now being introduced as a major part of tertiary
level curriculum because of the benefits it gives to the students.
You probably know some of the benefits derived from playing chess. Here are some of the
benefits which can be derived from playing chess.
1. Chess increases the mathematical and scientific skills of the students. It also enhances the
problem solving skills, concentration ability, as well as logical thinking ability of the students.
2. It develops a sense of confidence and self-worth of a student.
3. It also increases communication skills of a student.
4. It gives a lesson of hard work and commitment.
5. Aside from intellectual exercise, chess provides entertainment and relaxation. This game is free
and can provide entertainment even for the observers.
6. Chess also has health benefits. It is considered as a form of recreational therapy. Chess keeps
the mind healthy and a healthy mind results in a healthy body. It is used by therapists to help
people suffering from cognitive functioning such as anxiety and depression.
7. Chess a form of indoor recreational activity can be used to strengthen family bond. The
members of the family can play with each other while at home. In a way, the chess pieces can
represent the family members. Each member of the family has a role to play. In chess, the pieces
also have specific function to perform to win the game.

Proper and Acceptable Behavior When Participating In Indoor Recreational Activities.

How do you define indoor recreational activities? It can generally be defined as activities which
are undertaken in the comfort of one’s home or more specifically indoor. They are to recreate the mind.
There are proper and acceptable behaviors which you should remember when participating in
indoor recreational activities.
1. Never boast over a victory (no happy dances) or show of rude behavior over a defeat. Always
show sportsmanship.
2. Minimize talking when at the events venue.
3. Refrain from giving comments on another game that is in progress, it may distract the other
players.

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4. Do not make it obvious if you make a mistake or you see someone else make a mistake while
playing. It might be that your opponent will not notice your mistake if you play quietly.
5. Never blame others for something they did not do or lie about your move in order to save a
point.
6. If you disagree with what your opponent has done and believe he/she has made an illegal
move, raise your hand and ask for help.

RULES AND REGULATIONS IN CHESS

As you watch a chess match, there are two players on opposite sides of a board containing 64
squares of alternating colors. Each player has 16 pieces: 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights,
and 8 pawns. The goal of the game is to checkmate the other king. Checkmate happens when the king is
in a position to be capturxed (in check) and cannot escape from capture.

A white king, usually indicated by A black king, usually

the symbol indicated by the symbol

A white queen, usually indicated by A black queen, usually

the symbol indicated by the symbo

Two white rooks, usually indicated Two black rooks, usually

by the symbol indicated by the symbol

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Two white bishops, usually Two black bishops, usually

indicated by the symbol indicated by the symbol

Two white knights, usually Two black knights, usually

indicated by the symbol indicated by the symbol

Eight white pawns, usually indicated Eight black pawns, usually

by the symbol indicated by the symbol

The initial position of the pieces on the chessboard is as follows:

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The eight vertical columns of squares are called ‘files’. The eight horizontal rows of squares are
called ‘ranks’. A straight line of squares of the same color, running from one edge of the board to an
adjacent edge, is called a ‘diagonal’.

Starting a Game
There are some steps which you need to follow to start a game of chess. These are the following:
1. Begin by laying out the chess board so that each player has the white color square in the
bottom right hand side
2. Arrange the chess pieces in the following order: all pawns on the second row, rooks in the
corners, then the knights, bishops, and finally the queen, who always goes on her own matching
color (white queen on white, black queen on black), and the king on the remaining square.
3. The player with the white pieces always moves first. The players decide who will have the
white pieces. The white and black moves alternately until the end of the game.
How the Chess Pieces Move

Do you know the different functions of each 6 different kinds of pieces chess
pieces? You need to remember each specific move to win a game. Pieces can be moved
to capture an opponent's piece. This is done by landing on their square and then
replacing them. Pieces can also move to defend other pieces in case of capture, or
control important squares in the game.

The King
The king is the most important pieces, however it is considered
one of the weakest. The king only moves one square in any direction -
up, down, to the sides, and diagonally. The king may never move himself
into check

Note: The dot (●) represents the direction of move of the pieces.

The Queen
The queen is the most powerful piece. It moves in any
one straight direction - forward, backward, sideways, or diagonally. As all the
other pieces except the knight, it cannot move over any intervening piece.

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The Rook
The rook may move to any square as far as
it wants, but only forward, backward, and to the sides. The rooks are
particularly powerful pieces when they are protecting each other and
working together!

The Bishop
The bishop may move as far as it wants, but only
diagonally. Each bishop starts on one color (light or dark) and
must always stay on that color. Bishops work well together
because they cover up each other’s weaknesses.

The Knight

Knights moves by going two squares in one direction,

and then one more move just like an “L” shape. Knights are the
only pieces that can move over other pieces.

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The Pawn
Pawns move forward, but capture diagonally. They can
never move backwards. On its first move, the pawn can advance
two squares at a time. Succeeding moves will be one square at a
time. There are also special features of the pawn. Pawns can be
promoted and has a special move called en passant.

Promotion
Pawns have another special ability and that is that if a pawn reaches the other side of the board it
can become any other chess piece except the king. A pawn may be exchanged to a queen, rook, bishop or
a knight. Pawns exchange is not restricted to a piece that has been captured. Only pawns may be
promoted.
En Passant
The last rule about pawns is called “en passant,” which is French basically means “in passing”. If
a pawn advances two squares on its first move, and lands to the side of an opponent’s pawn (effectively
jumping past the other pawn’s ability to capture it), that other pawn has the option of capturing the first
pawn as it passes by. This special move must be done immediately after the first pawn has moved past,
otherwise that option is forfeited.
Other terminologies which you need to remember include castling, check and checkmate and
draws.
Castling
Another special rule is called castling. This is a move of the king and either rook of the same
color along the player’s first row. On a player’s turn he may move his king two squares over to one side
and then move the rook from that side’s corner to right next to the king on the opposite side. In order to
castle, however, it must meet the following conditions:

 it must be that king’s very first move

 it must be that rook’s very first move

 there cannot be any pieces between the king and rook to move

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 the king may not be in check or pass through check

Check and Checkmate
Let us recall, the purpose of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king. Checkmate occurs if
the king is checked and cannot get out of check. If a king is checked, he can get out in by moving out of
the way, blocking the check with another piece, or capturing the piece threatening the king. If a king has
no possible move to escape, then the game is over.
Draws
In a chess game, if nobody ends as a winner, it is declared as a draw. There are 5 reasons why a
chess game may end in a draw:

 The position reaches a stalemate when it is one player’s turn to move, but his king is NOT in
check and yet he does not have another legal move.

 The players agree to stop playing.

 There are not enough pieces on the board to force a checkmate (example: a king and a bishop
vs. a king)

 A player declares a draw if the same exact position is repeated three times.

 Fifty consecutive moves have been played where neither player has moved a pawn or captured
a piece.
Another thing is that in the game of chess, take note that there is a “touch-move” policy. Once a
player touches one of its own pieces he must move that piece as long as it is a legal move. If a player
touches an opponent’s piece, he must capture that piece. In case a player intends to adjust a piece on the
board, he must first announce the intention by saying “adjust”.
Lastly, there are basic strategies that you should always remember:
1. Always protect your king. It is best to put your king to safety by castling as soon as possible.
2. Don’t give pieces away. Guard each of your own pieces. Each piece is valuable and you can’t
win a game without pieces to checkmate.
3. Control the center. You should try and control the center of the board with your pieces and
pawns. If you control the center, you will have more room to move your pieces and will make it
harder for your opponent to find good squares for his pieces.
4. Use all of your pieces. Try and develop all of your pieces so that you have more to use when
you attack the king.

Name:

Course: Section:

Reflect and Understand:

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In this phase, the learners are provided with other learning resources and experiences for them to
enrich their understanding of chess.
Activity 1.
The King and I:
INSTRUCTIONS: Write your answer in the space provided. Don’t forget to write your name, course and
section.
Write the functions of each chess piece and relate the chess pieces to your family members and
write it’s function to perform in the family.
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

2. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

3. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

4. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

5. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

6. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

Activity 2.

Very Essay!
INSTRUCTIONS: Write your answer in the space provided. Don’t forget to write your name,
course and section.

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1. Do you think playing chess can promote health, fitness, and wellness among family members?
How?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________.

Activity 3.
Lights Camera Action!
INSTRUCTIONS: Create a video presentation using your preferred application. Send your
video presentation in our facebook page. Don’t forget to write a caption with your name, course
and section.
You will be going to create video presentation about chess:
1. Name each chess piece
2. Set up the chess board
3. Demonstrate how each chess piece
4. Demonstrate castling and en passant capture
5. Explain the four rules in castling
6. Demonstrate on a chess board four ways a chess game can end in a draw.
NOTE: If you don’t have a chess board, you can create a chess board using recyclable and
indigenous materials.

SUMMARY/SYNTHESIS/GENERALIZATION

This module focused on different sets of activities that help the learners develop the
required skills in playing chess. It has enabled the learners to understand the basic principles and
concepts behind the game. After performing all the required tasks in this module, it is expected
that they have already gained knowledge on the essentials of chess and its deeper value as a
recreational activity to promote good family relationship.
Part I gives a brief recall on the game chess. It has activities which strengthened your
students knowledge about the game such as providing them with the opportunity to enumerate

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what they know and what they want to know about chess. They are also acquainted with the
benefits derived and the proper behavior when participating in a chess game. Moreover, a
downloadable video clip is prepared for your students to help them better understand the rules
and regulations of the game.
Part II has activities intended to evaluate your students’ skills and understanding of the
game. They are tasked to demonstrate the move of each chess piece. Moreover, they are given the
opportunity to play online chess to enhance their skills in playing the game.
Part III provides the learners with activities to make them reflect and think deeper on the
value of chess as a game.
Part IV, the learners are made to transfer what they have learned in this module through a
product or performance. They are given the chance to apply what they have learned theoretically
and practically in this module. They are made to solve chess puzzles and played mini-chess
tournaments.
Surely, your students have gained a lot of knowledge after performing all the activities in
this module. It is hoped that they have also gained the family values this module wants to convey.

Glossary of Terms

1. Chess -A board game for two players, each beginning with 16 pieces of six kinds that
are moved according to individual rules, with the objective of checkmating the opposing king.
2. Checkmate- is a situation in chess in which one player's king is threatened with
capture (in check) and there is no way to meet that threat.
3. En Passant- It is a special pawn capture which can occur immediately after a player
moves a pawn two squares forward from its starting position, and an enemy pawn could have
captured it had it moved only one square forward. The opponent captures the just-moved pawn as
if taking it "as it passes" through the first square. The resulting position is the same as if the pawn
had moved only one square forward and the enemy pawn had captured normally.
4. Draw - a chess game where nobody ends as a winner.

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5. Promotion - Special ability of pawns wherein if it reaches the other side of the board it
can become any other chess piece.
6. Castling - This is a move of the king and either rook of the same color along the
player’s first row. On a player’s turn he may move his king two squares over to one side and then
move the rook from that side’s corner to right next to the king on the opposite side.
7. + - A move which places the opponent's king in check
8. ++ - Checkmate 9. X - a piece makes a capture

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