Today, July 20, is International Chess Day. The first International Chess Day was celebrated on July 20, 1966, at the initiative of UNESCO to promote and promote the game. Every year the World Chess Organization organizes various programs to mark the day. Chess is a very popular game since ancient times. In ancient India, the game was known as ‘Chaturanga’.
From India, the game spread first to Persia, then to Arab countries, and later to Europe. Gradually various rules have been developed in this game. A game of chess is usually played between two parties or between two people.
There is a total of 64 rooms in this game. Each side has 16 knots. Each side consists of two boats, two yards, two horses, a king, a minister, and eight bodes. The opponent’s goal is to take out the other side’s king with a series of strategic moves.
Initially, chess was the game of kings. After that, this game was generally restricted to upper-class people. But in the modern age, this game has spread to the masses. The first modern chess tournament was organized in London in 1851.
German chess player Adolph Andersen won this competition. Every year the World Chess Federation FIDE (FIDE) celebrates this day through various programs. On International Chess Day, 181-member chess organizations of the World Chess Organization organize chess competitions at local, national, and international levels.
History of International Chess Day
Some days are celebrated on certain days of each month every year. These days are celebrated to commemorate an important event of the past or to create public awareness of an important issue. International Chess Day is one of those days celebrated in the world.
International Chess Day is observed on 20th July all over the world to promote and promote the game of chess. The first ‘International Chess Day’ was celebrated on July 20, 1966, under the initiative of UNESCO. This day has been marked as International Chess Day on the occasion of the foundation day of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) on 20 July 1924 in Paris, the capital of France.
There are about 181 chess organizations under FIDE. FEED is headquartered in Athens, Greece, and is the first organization in the world to bring together chess organizations from different countries. Alexander Rueb, the first president of FEED, was a lawyer.
In 2013, 178 countries celebrated International Chess Day, according to data provided by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. Recently, on December 12, 2019, this day was recognized as a day to be observed by the United Nations in the General Assembly of the United Nations. The first modern chess tournament was organized in London in 1851. German chess player Adolf Andersen won this competition.
A 2012 YouGov poll found that nearly 70 percent of adults in America, Germany, Russia, and India have played chess at some point in their lives. Various measures are taken to popularize the game of chess on this special day.
Why do people celebrate International Chess Day?
Initially, chess was the game of kings. After that, the game was generally restricted to upper-class people. But in the modern era, this game has spread to the masses. Because chess is a game that overcomes national boundaries, and social and caste barriers. Chess increases mental strength and concentration. Many people learn chess by playing chess at home from their elders. But reaching the competitive level requires special skills.
One of the reasons for the popularity of chess is that the game requires nothing but a chess board and chess pieces in that sense. Many players of other sports also play chess specifically to improve concentration. This is probably the point of chess. For ages, people have wanted to hear their own intelligence praised. Chess but in this case can be said to be a measure of intelligence for many people in society.
Chess is an affordable game that helps to improve intellectual ability and promotes inclusion and tolerance, mutual respect, and fairness among people. It has an important role in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as mentioned on the United Nations website.
The day is celebrated to encourage people to play chess, to teach the correct rules of chess, and to interest both men and women in the game.
How do celebrate International Chess Day?
Chess can be our easiest and greatest tool to defend ourselves and snatch victory. There is no cost to play chess. No field is needed. Just start playing. Now you don’t even need a human companion to play chess on the computer. All our children and teenagers should learn to play chess, and practice playing chess.
Then we will have an intelligent generation. At the same time, I will get the joy of winning in games or battles. If I lose, I will learn to lose. The game is not just about winning. Also, to learn to accept defeat.
The history of chess in the world is ancient. Some think that it is a game of BC. The most popular view is that chess was invented in this subcontinent. But chess is also believed to have been played in the ancient Egyptian civilization. International Chess Day is celebrated every year to highlight the benefits of playing chess and to encourage people to learn the game of chess. Let us now know how the day is celebrated.
On this day various organizations organize chess competitions, in which numerous chess players participate and prizes are also arranged for the winning candidates. International Chess Day is celebrated in most countries of the world. On this day various seminars are organized about the benefits of playing chess where training is given to teaching free chess techniques.
Chess competitions are organized in schools where students participate in the game of chess and those who do not know how to play chess show their interest in playing chess. By doing this, there is a possibility of getting various benefits from this competition in the future. And chess became popular with the new generation.
The children learn to be good thinkers with intelligent powers and these competitions produce internationally renowned chess players who bring fame to the country. Also, many families organize chess games on International Chess Day. And celebrate the day with joy.
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Benefits of playing chess
Have a smartphone at hand? Then download the game of chess quickly! You must be wondering why I am saying such a thing suddenly, so that? Science says that if the brain is strong, then the lifespan is also increased visibly. But what is the relationship between the brain and life expectancy? The brain is the central control system of our body.
Therefore, if this part of the body is super active, then the overall performance of the body also increases. Also, it is possible to survive the ill effects of several diseases. And there is no alternative to chess when it comes to increase brain power! So, doctors advise playing chess daily to stay healthy.
Several studies have shown that there are special changes in the brain while playing chess. The effect of this has multiple benefits in the body, such as-
- Helps in faster recovery:
Multiple studies have shown that chess is second to none in improving overall brain and body performance after recovering from a stroke, fatal accident, or a critical illness. The motor skills of the brain increase drastically while playing this game. As a result, the body naturally becomes stronger.
- Reading skills improve:
A 1991 study found that if children started playing chess regularly, their attention span increased. And just by doing this, reading skills naturally improve. And increasing the desire of children to study reduces the risk of any obstacle to their progress.
- Reduces Chances of Alzheimer’s disease:
People with a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease should start playing chess regularly today. Because recently Albert Einstein College of Medicine doctors conducted a study on 488 elderly people.
It was found that playing chess regularly increases the blood flow to the brain. At the same time, due to the improvement of signal exchange, the possibility of suffering from diseases like dementia is significantly reduced. Incidentally, the less you work the brain, the more it begins to deteriorate. So, start taking care of your brain while you still have time. You will see benefits in old age.
- Improves Problem-Solving Ability:
Several case studies have observed that children who play chess from an early age improve academically. Because of the increased brain speed, such children can easily figure out the solution to any complex task. As a result, they are naturally far ahead of the rest of the children in maths, science, and even life-related fields. Incidentally, according to experts, if children can be admitted to chess classes immediately after the completion of class 2 exams, then the next day will be of great benefit.
- Dendrite power increases:
These dendrites are responsible for transmitting signals between the millions of neurons inside our brains. Therefore, if the number of dendrites increases, neural communication or signal exchange also improves. As a result, brain power increases naturally. Along with this, intelligence, attention, and memory also started to improve. Incidentally, several studies have shown that practicing chess increases the number of dendrites in a short amount of time. That’s why doctors are asking so much in favor of playing chess.
- Increases creativity:
Several studies have shown that starting to play chess regularly increases the activity of the right side of the brain. And since this part of the brain controls our creative power. So, the thought takes no time to develop.
- Increases Confidence:
Whether you win or lose on the chess board, it all depends on your intelligence. Therefore, if you play this game regularly, on the one hand, your intelligence increases, on the other hand, your confidence also increases. If there is the strength of mind, it is possible to get out of any situation, and this fact increases the strength of mind so much that nothing can stand in the way of life.
- Both sides of the brain are enhanced:
It has been observed that most people use either the right or left side of the brain on any given day. Because in that case, the brain power increases so much that no task seems difficult anymore. So if you also want to use both sides of the brain equally, then start playing chess today. You will see benefits.
Because the left side of the brain is needed to recognize each piece on the chess board. And the right side part helps us to give proper donations. In this way, two parts of the brain work at the same time, and the brain power increases so much that success in any field, be it work, or study does not take time.
- Useful in the treatment of schizophrenia:
Doctors at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, a famous neuro institute in Bron, France, have observed that people with schizophrenia have great benefits if they practice playing chess regularly. In this case, due to the increase in brain power, the incidence of the disease is gradually reduced, as well as the concentration, thinking power, and analytical ability.
International Chess Day Quotes
Once upon a time, it was very popular to play chess from house to house or neighborhood. Those who played would have excitement, the surrounding people would also be excited about the game. Today that trend is largely gone. But thanks to technology, chess can now be played on different devices. But wherever it is played, it is good to keep the habit of playing chess. By doing this we will get various benefits. Let’s look at some quotes on International Chess Day today that will inspire you to play chess-
- “Unlike other games in which lucre is the end and aim, [chess] recommends itself to the wise by the fact that its mimic battles are fought for no prize but honor. It is eminently and emphatically the philosopher’s game.” – Paul Morphy
- “The beauty of chess is it can be whatever you want it to be. It transcends language, age, race, religion, politics, gender, and socioeconomic background. Whatever your circumstances, anyone can enjoy a good fight to the death over the chess board.” – Simon Williams
- “Chess is the gymnasium of the mind.” – Blaise Pascal
- “Chess holds its master in its own bonds, shackling the mind and brain so that the inner freedom of the very strongest must suffer.” – Albert Einstein
- “Chess is a war over the board. The object is to crush the opponent’s mind.” – Bobby Fischer
International Chess Day Status
Playing chess helps a lot in improving quick memory. To be good at chess, you need to remember at least several previous moves of your own and the opponent’s. And this information is analyzed to move the game forward. Much of the game of chess depends on it. A great game that will improve your mind. Let’s encourage others to play chess by sharing everyone’s status on International Chess Day-
- Chess is a game that cheers up my mind in my free time and helps to relieve mental anxiety. Start playing chess today on International Chess Day
- Of all the sports I enjoy playing chess the most because it creates a great bond between me and my partner. Happy International Chess Day to all.
- Let us encourage our children to play chess as it will increase their intelligence. Happy International Chess Day.
FAQ about International Chess Day
What is the date of International Chess Day?
30 July. Source-Wikipedia.
Which country invented chess for the first time?
India.
Who is the father of chess?
Wilhelm Steinitz.
Hope you are already aware and got all information about International Chess Day. If you have any more questions, feel free to do so we will try to answer them as soon as possible. Thank you so much for being with us.
