PATHFIT 4: RECREATION

Chess Terms

Players’ title and rating:

Class E (under 1200) • Class D (1200-1399) • Class C (1400-1599) • Class B (1600-1799) • Class A
(1800-1999) • Expert (2000-2199) • Candidate Master (2200-2299) • FIDE Master (2300- 2399) •
International Master (2400- 2499) • Grandmaster (2500- 2699) • Super Grandmaster (2700+)

Algebraic Notation: A method for writing moves down by using the names of the pieces and the
ranks and files. Replaced older Descriptive Notation (“P-K4” is now “e4”) about 1970.

Blunder: A bad move; primarily a move that turns a win into a loss or draw, or a draw into a loss.

Castle: To move your unmoved King 2 squares toward an unmoved Rook and to move the Rook
on the other side of the King is the castling move.

Check: An attack on the King. You do not have to announce “check”.

Checkmate: An attack on the King where there is no way for your opponent to finish his turn and
no longer have the King attacked. To be checkmated.

Desperado: A piece that is going to be captured anyway so it can “sacrifice” itself at the highest
cost.

Draw: Any game that ends without either player winning, e.g. Stalemate, Lack of Mating
Material, 50-Move Rule, etc. The word “tie” s not used.

File: The rows of a chess board going up and down, lettered a-h (lower case), with “a” always on
White’s left (and Black’s right).

Light and Dark Squares – the 64 squares alternate in color

Pin: An attack (by a Rook, Bishop or Queen) on a piece that cannot or should not move, because
a piece behind the attacked piece is worth even more. If the piece behind is a King, this is an
“absolute” pin and the pinned piece is not allowed to move, or it would put the King into check.

Promote: When a pawn reaches the other side of the board, the 8th rank, it can promote to a
Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight on the promoting square.

Rank: The rows of a chessboard going sideways, numbered 1st-8th starting from White’s side as
1st.

Resigns: When you purposely turn down your King or say “I resign” – the game is over and you
lose. Note that shaking hands does not end a game.

Stalemate: When the player to move isn’t in check, but none of his pieces can move. This is a
type of draw – but not all draws are stalemates.

Threat: A move which can win material, checkmate, or make progress next move if the
opponent does not stop it. Attacking an undefended piece is a possible threat.

Zugzwang: The obligation to move, when any move at all will be bad.

The question “facilities for chess” can refer to several different aspects of playing chess, from
the physical equipment needed to the places where people gather to play. This answer will
explore both the essential equipment used in chess and the various locations where you can find
chess facilities.
Places to Play Chess

There are many different places where you can play chess, both formally and informally:

- Chess Clubs: Chess clubs are dedicated spaces for chess players to meet, play, and improve
their skills. They often host tournaments, lessons, and social events

- Chess Cafes: Chess cafes are cafes that cater to chess players, providing a comfortable space to
play, socialize, and enjoy refreshments. They often host tournaments and events, and some
even offer lessons. Today, the Café de la Régence remains a popular spot for chess players in
Paris, France to gather and play. With its cozy atmosphere and rich history, it’s no wonder why
so many chess players consider it a mecca for the game. And with so many other players
around, it’s easy to find a match and make new friends.

- Outdoor Chess: Many parks and public spaces have outdoor chess tables where people can
play informally. This is a great way to enjoy a game of chess while getting some fresh air and
exercise

- Chess Museums: Chess museums showcase the history and evolution of chess, with exhibits
featuring ancient chess sets, famous players, and notable games. They often have chess boards
and pieces on display, and some even offer chess lessons or tournaments. The Eugene Torre
Chess Museum is the very first chess museum in the Philippines. It is dedicated to Grandmaster
Eugenio “Eugene” Torre, Asia’s First Chess Grandmaster, the First Filipino Chess Grandmaster,
and also the First Asian Male Inductee in the World Chess Hall of Fame by winning a silver medal
on board one at the 1974 World Chess Olympiad in Nice, France. The Chess Hall of Fame was
created in 1986 by the U.S. Chess Federation and moved to St. Louis in 2011 into one of the
many red brick residences that adorn the streets of St. Louis.

- Online Chess Platforms: Online chess platforms like Chess.com and Lichess allow you to play
chess against other players from around the world. They offer different game formats, levels of
play, and features like analysis tools and puzzles

Chess is a popular and engaging game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
With the right equipment and a place to play, you can enjoy the strategic challenge and
intellectual stimulation of chess. Whether you prefer to play in a formal setting like a chess club
or museum, or informally in a park or café, there are many opportunities to experience the
world of chess.

Origin of Chess and its Background

The recorded history of chess goes back at least to the emergence of a similar game,
chaturanga, in seventh-century India. After its introduction in Persia, it spread to the Arab world
and then to Europe. The modern rules of chess emerged in Europe at the end of the 15th
century, with standardization and universal acceptance by the end of the 19th century. Today,
chess is one of the world's most popular games, with millions of players worldwide.

Organized chess arose in the 19th century. Chess competition today is governed internationally
by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs; the International Chess Federation). The first
universally recognized World Chess Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz, claimed his title in 1886;
Gukesh Dommaraju is the current World Champion.
A huge body of chess theory has developed since the game's inception. Aspects of art are found
in chess composition, and chess in its turn influenced Western culture and the arts, and has
connections with other fields such as mathematics, computer science, and psychology. One of
the goals of early computer scientists was to create a chess-playing machine. In 1997, Deep Blue
became the first computer to beat a reigning World Champion in a match when it defeated
Garry Kasparov. Today's chess engines are significantly stronger than the best human players
and have deeply influenced the development of chess theory; however, chess is not a solved
game.

1. *Ancient India (6th century AD)*: Chess originated in India during the Gupta Empire (320-550
AD), specifically in the kingdom of Magadha.

2. *Game of Chaturanga*: The earliest known predecessor of chess was Chaturanga, a game of
strategy and skill played on an 8x8 square board with pieces representing the four branches of
the Indian army: infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots.

3. *Spread to Persia (modern-day Iran)*: Chaturanga was introduced to Persia through the Silk
Road trade route and evolved into Shatranj.

4. *Arabic Golden Age (8th-13th centuries)*: Shatranj spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula
and eventually reached Europe through the Islamic world and the Mediterranean trade routes.

5. *European adaptation (11th-15th centuries)*: Chess evolved into various forms, such as
Italian, Spanish, and French chess, before standardizing into the modern game.

Evolution of Chess Pieces

 Original Chaturanga pieces:

Rajah (King)

Mantri (Counselor/Queen)

Ratha (Chariot/Rook)

Gaja (Elephant/Bishop)

Ashva (Horse/Knight)

Pedati (Foot soldier/Pawn)

 Shatranj pieces (Persian influence):

Shah (King)

Wazir (Vizier/Queen)

Rukh (Chariot/Rook)

Pil (Elephant/Bishop)

Asb (Horse/Knight)

Pedah (Foot soldier/Pawn)

 Modern chess pieces:

King
Queen

Rook

Bishop

Knight

Pawn

Historical Milestones

1. *550 AD*: Chaturanga mentioned in the ancient Indian text, the Mahabharata.

2. *640 AD*: Shatranj introduced to Persia.

3. *1000 AD*: Chess reaches Europe through the Islamic world.

4. *1475 AD*: Modern chess rules emerge in Europe.

5. *1883 AD*: First international chess tournament held in London.

6. *1924 AD*: FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation) founded.

Chess Equipment

1. *Chessboard*: 8x8 square board with alternating light and dark squares.

2. *Chess pieces*: Figurines representing the six types of chess pieces.

3. *Chess clocks*: Timekeeping devices to monitor players' thinking time.

4. *Score sheets*: Paper or digital records of moves and game results.

5. *Chessboxes*: Containers for storing and transporting chess equipment.

Interesting Facts

1. Chess is the oldest game still widely played today.

2. The word "checkmate" comes from the Persian phrase "shah mat," meaning "the king is
dead."

3. The longest recorded chess game lasted 269 moves.

4. Chess has been recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since
1999.

World Famous Moves in Chess

Opening Moves

1. *The Ruy Lopez*: Move your pawn in front of your king two spaces forward (1.e4), then
develop your knight to attack the opponent's pawn (2.Nf3). Next, move your bishop to attack
the opponent's knight (3.Bb5).

2. *The Sicilian Defense*: Respond to the opponent's pawn move by moving your pawn in front
of your queen two spaces forward (1...c5).
3. *The Italian Game*: Move your pawn in front of your king two spaces forward (1.e4), then
develop your knight to attack the opponent's pawn (2.Nf3). Next, develop your bishop to attack
the opponent's position (3.Bc4).

Tactical Moves

1. *The Fork*: Move your knight to attack both the opponent's king and queen simultaneously
(Nd5).

2. *The Pin*: Move your bishop to attack the opponent's knight, which is defended by their
queen (Bb5).

3. *The Skewer*: Move your bishop to attack the opponent's queen, forcing their king to move
and expose itself (Bxd5).

Strategic Moves

1. *The Minority Attack*: Move your pawn on the queenside one space forward (a4) to weaken
the opponent's pawn structure.

2. *The Pawn Chain*: Move your pawns in front of your queen and king two spaces forward (d4-
d5) to control the center.

3. *The Open File*: Move your pawn in front of your king or queen one space forward (f4-f5) to
open lines for your heavy pieces.

Famous Combinations

1. *The Immortal Game Combination*: Move your pawn in front of your king two spaces
forward (1.e4), then sacrifice material to launch a powerful attack (1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4
Qh4+).

2. *The Marshall Attack*: Move your pawn in front of your king two spaces forward (1.e4), then
develop your knight and bishop to attack the opponent's position (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6).

3. *The Petrosian Maneuver*: Move your pawn in front of your queen one space forward (1.d4),
then develop your knight and bishop to control the center (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6).

Endgame Techniques

1. *The Opposition*: Move your king to oppose the opponent's king, controlling key squares
(Kf4).

2. *The Triangulation*: Place your pawns in a triangular formation to limit the opponent's
movement (f4-g4-h4).

3. *The Passed Pawn*: Advance your pawn to promote it to a queen (e5-e6-e7).

Famous Chess Players and Their Records

Historical Legends

1. Magnus Carlsen (Norway)

World Champion (2013–2023).

Holds the highest-ever FIDE rating: 2882 (achieved in 2014).

Dominated classical, rapid, and blitz formats.

Records:

Longest unbeaten streak in classical chess: 125 games (2018–2020).

2. Garry Kasparov (Russia)

Achievements:

World Champion (1985–2000).

Held the highest FIDE rating (2851) for nearly two decades.

Famous for defeating IBM’s Deep Thought and competing against Deep Blue.

Records:

Longest reign as world’s top-rated player (1986–2005).

3. Bobby Fischer (USA)

Achievements:

World Champion in 1972 after defeating Boris Spassky in the "Match of the Century."

Won the 1963–64 U.S. Championship with a perfect 11/11 score.

Records:

Youngest U.S. Champion (age 14).

First official FIDE rating over 2700.

4. José Raúl Capablanca (Cuba)

Achievements:

World Champion (1921–1927).

Known as the "Chess Machine" for his flawless play.

Records:
Longest unbeaten streak at the time: 8 years (1916–1924).

5. Emanuel Lasker (Germany)

Achievements:

World Champion (1894–1921).

Records:

Longest reign as World Champion (27 years).

Modern Elite Players

1. Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia)

Achievements:

Challenger in the 2021 and 2023 World Chess Championships.

Records:

Fastest time to win a Candidates Tournament (2021).

2. Ding Liren (China)

Achievements:

Current World Champion (2023).

Records:

Second-longest unbeaten streak in classical chess: 100 games.

3. Wesley So (USA/Philippines)

Achievements:

Fischer Random World Champion (2019).

Records:

First player to defeat Magnus Carlsen in a Fischer Random World Championship.

1. Judith Polgar (Hungary)

Achievements:

Only woman to reach the FIDE top 10.

Records:

Defeated 11 World Champions during her career.

2. Hou Yifan (China)

Achievements:

Four-time Women’s World Champion.

Records:

Youngest Women’s World Champion (age 16).

Famous Filipino Chess Players and Their Records

1. Eugene Torre

Achievements:

Asia’s first Grandmaster (GM), earned the title in 1974.

Played in a record 23 Chess Olympiads.

Records:

Defeated World Champion Anatoly Karpov in a 1976 tournament.

Longest-active GM from Asia, inspiring generations of Filipino players.

Achievements:

Born in the Philippines, later represented the USA.

Three-time U.S. Chess Champion (2017, 2020, 2021).

Fischer Random World Champion (2019).

Records:

Youngest player to reach a 2600 FIDE rating (at age 14).

3. Rosendo Balinas Jr.

Achievements:

Grandmaster (GM) title in 1976.

Won the prestigious Odessa International Tournament (1976) without losing a game.

Records:

First non-Soviet player to win a tournament in the Soviet Union.

4. Janelle Mae Frayna

Achievements:

First Filipina Woman Grandmaster (WGM), earned in 2016.

Top performer in multiple women’s international chess tournaments.

Records:

Consistently ranks as one of the strongest female players in Southeast Asia.

5. Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr.

Achievements:

13-time Philippine Chess Champion.

Strongest Filipino rapid and blitz player of his time.