International Chess Day

The founding of the Fédération Internationale Des Échecs (FIDES) in 1924 is commemorated on International Chess Day on July 20th. The FIDES became the governing body of chess, an ancient game played around the world.

During the fifth century, Chess developed in India. As the strategic game spread across continents, the pieces and rules changed. It also changed between classes. Only the upper class could afford to linger over a long, difficult game. However, the merchant class would later bring the game to the majority of the population as they traveled around the world selling their wares.

Two players face each with 16 playing pieces each in the game of chess. These include eight pawns, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, two knights, two bishops, one king, and one king in each color. Their aim is to capture the enemy's king by a series of tactical moves.

The day honors chess' long history and honors the role chess plays in uniting people from cultures. The game has shattered many barriers – gender, language, and cultural – simply by two people sitting down to play one of the world's most physically demanding games.

Chess facts

It's a mental game. However, the game can come to an end as quickly as two moves
5,949. The longest known chess game in terms of number of moves is 5,949
Checkmate derives from the Persian word Shah Mat, which means "checkmate." "The King is dead," the phrase means
A chess match between Ivan Nikolic and Goran Arsovic in Belgrade in 1989 ended in a draw. It was rated as the longest official check game and took 269 moves
The playing board with the alternating light and dark squares first appeared in Europe in ten90

How to celebrate #internationalchessday

Invite someone to a game of chess. Offer to teach someone how to play chess or ask someone to demonstrate you. Prepare your skills and enter a competition to get some exercise. Visit the World Chess Federation website. To post on social media, use #InternationalChessDay to post.