Chess in Europe
Chess reached Europe via Iberia in the 9th or 10th century.
The game of chess, in the form of its immediate precursor shatranj, entered Europe from the Islamic world, most likely through Iberia, during the 9th or 10th century. The earliest known reference in Middle Latin is a poem called de scachis, preserved at Einsiedeln Abbey. In medieval Europe, chess was played in monasteries and at feudal courts, though an early exception was the village of Ströbeck, where farmers took up the game in the early 11th century.
Quick Facts
- Earliest known reference
- De scachis poem at Einsiedeln Abbey
- Introduction period
- 9th or 10th century (possibly early 9th, certainly by mid to late 10th)
- Region of introduction
- Iberia (modern Spain)
- Early popular location
- Ströbeck, known as the 'chess village'
- Date of ströbeck popularity
- Early 11th century
Facts from the source article.
Modern chess in the UK
England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Jersey and Guernsey each have their own national chess federations and send separate teams to international competitions. The English Chess Federation, which succeeded the long established British Chess Federation in 2005, oversees chess in England and organizes the annual British Chess Championship on behalf of all UK federations. Tournament organizers and clubs submit game results and fees to the ECF, which compiles ratings measuring player strength. The rating system is based on the principle that the rating difference equals half the difference in percentage scores; for example, if player A beats player B 8 to 2 (a 60% difference), the expected grade difference is about 30 points. Grades are calculated by averaging points gained or lost against opponents with known grades. Separate grades exist for rapidplay games (30 minutes per player per game) and standard games (two minutes or more average per move). In addition to club games, leagues such as the Four Nations Chess League (4NCL) attract many British and world elite players. The Hastings International Chess Congress, held from late December to early January, is probably the most famous tournament in Britain. Tournaments typically award prizes for the top three or four places and for top scorers within specific grade ranges, though most participants play for recreation.
More in History of Chess
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