Chess is considered to be one of the oldest board games in the world, with its early versions dating to the 7th century. Still, it continues to be immensely popular and actively played by hundreds of millions of people. Let’s check out some facts about chess you probably didn’t know.
Longest Official Chess Game Lasted for 20 Hours
Depending on the players’ expertise, chess can either be a really quick or a really long game. The longest official match took place in 1989 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and lasted for 20 hours. The players exchanged 269 moves before the match finished in a draw.
Chess is a Compulsory Subject in Armenian Schools
Since 2011, Armenia has introduced chess as a class in schools. It is mandatory for all students in public schools who attend second, third, and fourth grade.
A Priest Invented Folding Chess Board
For a long time, priests were forbidden to play chess. This didn’t stop one priest from secretly enjoying the game, and in order to hide his activity, he designed a folding chess board. When folded, this board looked similar to a book and could be hidden on a book shelve.
Book About Chess Was Second-Ever to be Printed in English
The second book to ever be printed in English was William Caxton’s The Game and Playe of the Chesse. Published in 1476, it was based on a chess-inspired morality book by Italian author Jacobus de Cessolis.