One of the most popular games in the world today, and in fact for the past fifteen centuries, takes a lot of patience. In fact, much more patience than I have ever had.
Small
wonder that I have never been any good at it. Not only does the game require
patience, but also the ability to think several moves ahead.
By now
you may have guessed that the game I am referring to is the age-old game of
chess.
The
origins of chess started in India in the 6th century during the
Gupta Empire. The game was called “chaturanga” which means the “four divisions”
(of the military). The “four divisions” were the infantry, cavalry, elephantry,
and chariotry, which were represented by pieces that would later evolve into
today’s pawn, knight, bishop, and rook.
From
India, chess was brought to Persia, and became part of a nobles’ education.
From these, after the Islamic conquest of Persia, the game was introduced to
Muslim countries.
By the
9th century, chess had reached Western Europe as well as Russia. A
number of prohibitions and Christian Church sanctions throughout Europe almost
halted the spread of the game, but it survived, thanks to competitive tournaments
and charismatic players.
Several
variations of the game were introduced, including how to win. One way was to
win by checkmate, as we know. Another was by “bare king”, or the taking of all
of an opponent’s pieces except the king.
Chess
pieces have altered greatly from the times of chaturanga. Ornate pieces depicting
animals have given way to pieces of countless sizes and shapes. Chess sets are
made almost any imaginable theme, including battles, sports, statesmen,
authors, and countless others.
Of
course, basic rules have been kept intact, even though the traditional pieces
have changed in size and appearance.
As you
can imagine, because the game date back to the 6th century, there
are not only new sets available to collectors, but also vintage ones.
Generally, the more vintage and ornate, the more valuable a set is.
Here
are a few examples of chess items that have been auctioned. A Japanese chess
set made of ivory from the 1900s was auctioned for nearly $2500. However, a
Mexican made set from the 1860s sold for over $5000, and depicted Archduke
Emperor Maximilian of the Austrian Navy.
Another
chess set was given by President Nixon and Postmaster General Winton Blount to
NASA advocate Michael Moran for $5500. A ruby chess set of “The Frog Prince”
sold in 2014 for $50,000.
Granted,
it is unclear whether the chess set are actually used. If nothing else, they
make for great conversational pieces.
Once,
when I was at a furniture store in Lithuania, I couldn’t pass up the
opportunity to buy a chess set depicting Lithuanian workers and family. My wife
tried to persuade me not to buy it, but I prevailed. I must admit that we have
not used the set, but nonetheless, it is beautifully carved.
But
what I paid for it pales in comparison to the set that sold for $260,000 by
Phillips Auctions. Yes. That’s right. Over a quarter million dollars for the
chess set titled “Good Versus Evil”. The pieces were painted by Maurizio
Cattelan, and naturally, depict historical figures who have been regarded as
either good or evil. For some reason there is not a consensus on Sigmund Freud,
who is actually on both sides.
Everyone
seems to have gotten into the action of chess set themes. There are baseball
themes, with one team against another. There are pirate themes. There are, of
course, battle themes, with the Union Forces, for example, against the
Confederates.
Sometimes
you need to keep your mind on the game, and not on which pieces are for which
side, or even on which pieces represent what.
So, for
a novice chess player like myself, adding another more and more challenges only
tends to make the game more difficult.
But I
do have to admit that I admire the creativity of the chess set designers. That
is a skill in itself.
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