Chess as we know it has been around since medieval times and its predecessor, chatrang has been around since the early 7th century. This game was played in Persia and India and with the conquests of Islam slowly spread throughout Europe. By the 13th century, pawns gained the ability to move two spaces on their first move and queens and bishops acquired their modern powers. Chess became competitive in the 19th century as the sport became accepted widely as more than just a coffeehouse game.
Today the youngest chess champion in the world is a Norwegian, age 19, named Magnus Carlsen. At 13 he was the third youngest Grandmaster in history.
On April 17th at the Chai Center NY, there will be a national chess champion, who will play 20 games simultaneously. Not only that, but there will be a blindfolded chess exhibition, and brief lessons following. Winners of the games will take home the pieces and chess boards they play on. There is a $20 fee to play, benefitting the Chai Center NY. If you don’t feel up to play but still want to watch a chess master at the Dix Hills Jewish Center, it’s $10 or a discount $30 for families.
No comments:
Post a Comment