Chess In Islamic History

HISTORY OF CULTURE | Chess In Islamic History  | In Indonesia, chess, including a fairly popular sport. In every corner of our region can find people playing chess. Whether to fill the time, either to strengthen friendships. At independence day celebrations, chess is also almost certainly follow competed. In addition to easy preparation, low cost, can be applied in the RT / RW, chess can also be played by anyone. Even for some people, exercise the brain has its own prestige. The picture above is different from the first time playing this sport. Previously, only chess played by the king in the palace. So, at that chess is often referred to as the royal game. 

Problem country of origin of chess, there is still disagreement. According to H. J. R.Murray, author of History of Chess (1913), chess originated in India and started there in the 6th century. There chaturanga known chess, which means four separate elements. Initially, the chess pieces are only four types. According to ancient Indian mysticism, chess is considered to represent the universe, so often associated with the four elements of life, namely fire, air, soil and water because in his game, chess symbolizes the ways of human life. 

In his game, chess rely on analysis and perspicacity players, accompanied by skill in determining step strategy, plans, risks, and determine when to make sacrifices to win. However, Murray's opinion was contradicted Muhammad Ismail Sloan, a lot of studying the history of chess. According to Sloan, if chess is found in India, should the game was mentioned in Sanskrit literature. In fact, none of Sanskrit literature in India, which mentions about the game of chess before the 6th century. In contrast, Chinese poets have already mentioned this game greeting their poems, 800 years earlier. 

So, according to Ismail Sloan, in Cinalah chess first played. But at that time did not form the chess arena boxes, but are round. Fruit chess also only consist of four types, namely the king, castle, knight (horse), and bishop (elephant). 

New in the 6th century, chess was brought Muslims from India and Persia all over the world. Perhaps, at the time of Caliph Ali ibn Abu Tholib, chess is a popular game played. Even possibly also by Hazrat Ali himself. There is a mention that the warlord Mohammed, Khalid bin Walid was also fond of chess. Perhaps it has something to do with kelihayannya regulate war strategy. 

There's also a companion of the Prophet namely the famous Said bin Jubair can play blindfold (blind chess, played without looking at the chess board.) In an era of Islamic Caliphate that followed, like the Caliph Harun al-Rashid had been known to award a chess board to a king in Europe, the founder of the dynasty Carolia, namely Charlemagne. 

In the 8th century when the Moors spread Islam to Spain, chess started to spread to mainland Europe to reach the German, Italian, Dutch, English, Irish, and Russian. In the archipelago, this brain exercise is carried by the Dutch at the time of first occupation. Initially, only the Dutch people who play chess, but leading up to independence, start many natives who play it. 

In the history of chess has many developed European nations this chess game, for example by making the chess board of black and white. This occurred about the 10th century. Previously, the boxes the same color. In fact, often people make this chess game arena in the sand or anywhere else that can be given a line. From Europe also made a rule that allowed a pawn forward two squares on the first step and ministers (queens) can move more freely either move forward or diagonally. Slowly chess experienced growth. From the name, shape, and the regulation game.All of them represent a symbol of civilization changes.