National Chess Day was on October 14th. This holiday was established in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, who was a big fan of chess. National Chess Day now takes place on the second Saturday in October each year. Chess has its roots in the seventh century, when it originated from a similar game known as chaturanga. Chess as we know it today, with its current rules, emerged at the end of the 19th century. The fact that chess has existed through hundreds of years is a testament to its fierce popularity. Chess continues to grow in popularity even now, and there are no signs of its popularity slowing. Currently, it is estimated that 600 million people play chess globally.
Chess appears to have exploded in popularity since the pandemic; factors for its increased popularity include online chess attracting millions at home through popular websites like Chess.com and Lichess.com, where games with people around the world can be started with the tap of a button. In addition, more chess players are streaming on sites like Twitch. Lastly, the hit Netflix show The Queen’s Gambit and even the recent Hans Niemann cheating scandal have kept chess on the forefront of people’s minds and on the front pages of newspapers.
Chess deserves all its current acclaim. This is because it is an activity that is not only engaging and challenging, but is also known to have innumerable positive benefits. It is a game that appears deceptively simple, requiring only a board composed of 64 squares and some opposite colored pieces. However, chess can allow players to form instant bonds and connections. In addition, there are innumerable lessons that can be derived from chess including time management, perseverance, concentration, creativity, resilience and goal-setting. Chess is a creative activity, with the opportunity to create unique moves and positions. Chess players can also benefit from higher self-esteem and sportsmanship. Furthermore, there is always an opportunity to learn from one’s chess games, especially losses. Reviewing both one’s wins and losses can help players analyze their moves, helping them to prepare better for future games.
In honor of National Chess Day, there are many recommended ways to go out and play chess!
- Come to the Mountain Lakes High School Chess Club which meets once weekly at lunch. Come play a game with one of the enthusiastic and talented club members.
- Play an online game at Chess.com or Lichess.com. You can join these websites for free.
- Play a game at home. For minimal cost, you can purchase a chess set which you can derive many years of benefit from. It may be worthwhile to invest in a portable chess set so that you can always be ready for a game, whether on vacation or at home.
- Participate in a local tournament. These can be found posted online.
Chess is one of the most popular games in the world for a reason. It is a deceptively simple game which can provide many positive benefits. Chess can challenge us and can improve concentration and goal-setting. The best way to get started is simply by following one of the above recommendations. Get out and play chess!!
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