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Brief notes on the History of Chess title Brief notes on the History of Chess title


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1500 to 1598
1500

Firdewsi; world’s longest poem, by Firdewsi, recounts how Chess was invented.

1500

Jews; Chess becomes a recognized pastime for Jews on the Sabbath.

1500

Scachs; the Catalan ‘Scachs d'amor’ Chess poem written.

1503

Arabic manuscript (F).

1503

Firdewsi completes a Chess book which includes Dilaram’s mate.

1509

Java; the first Portuguese expedition off Malacca. The Javans recognized Chess.

1510

Vida writes his poem, ‘Scacchia Ludus’, the first mention of a goddess of Chess.

1512

Book; the first Chess book to be published in Italy, by Damiano in Rome. The second extant Chess book.

1512

Damiano doesn’t mention medieval Chess.

1512

Damiano says Axedrez was invented by Xerxes (Axedrez is Spanish for Chess).

1512

Manuscript copied by Guarini at Rome was last Italian collection of medieval Chess.

1513

Vida writes Chess poem ‘Scacchia Ludus’.

1516

Castiglione; ‘Book of the Courtier’ written by Castiglione. Mentions Chess.

1518

Damiano; the second printing of Damiano’s book, Questo Libro, printed in Rome.

1520

Leyden; Lucas von Leyden paints ‘The Chessplayers’, showing Courier Chess.

1522

Vassili; clergy ordered not to play Chess by Vassili III.

1524

Damiano; the third printing of Damiano’s book.

1525

Scacchorum; unauthorized version of Scacchorum Liber published in Florence.

1525

Vida; ‘Scacchia ludus’ by Vida published in Lyons; pirate version.

1527

Vida published Scacchia Ludus, a famous poem on Chess, Rome.

1528

Boi, Paolo born in Syracuse, Italy. 16th century leading player.

1530

Ruy Lopez born in Zafra, Spain. Spanish priest and leading player.

1533

Atahualpa, Inca emperor of Peru, imprisoned and learns to play Chess.

1535

Ceron, Alfonso born in Granada.

1536

Egenolff publishes updated ‘Schachzabel’ by Mennel in Frankfort.

1536

Egenolff; Cessole morality by Egenolff at Frankfurt mentions new Chess.

1537

French pamphlet containing medieval Chess problems; last medieval reference.

1542

Leonardo; Giovanni Leonardo born in Calaria. Nicknamed Il Puttino (The Boy).

1544

Damiano, Pedro died in Portugal. Wrote the first Chess book in Italian.

1548

Polerio; Giulio Polerio born in Lanciano, Italy.

1549

Boi defeats Pope Paul III in a Chess match.

1549

Valladolid; Cessole’s ‘Morality’published at Valladolid. Last Spanish version.

1550

Arabic manuscript (Q).

1550

Arabic manuscript (RAS).

1550

Club; the first Chess club, organized in Italy.

1550

Sylvester; Protohierarch Sylvester denounces Chess.

1550

Valdiviesco, Don Antonio de, Bishop of Nicaragua, assassinated while playing Chess in his palace at Leon.

1551

Cessole’s morality in Dutch published at Louvain - the last version.

1551

Ivan IV of Russia bans Chess. Civil code called ‘Hundred Chapters’.

1555

Castling is introduced.

1560

Damiano; French version of Damiano’s book published in Paris by Gruget.

1560

Ruy Lopez visits Rome and defeats all the players.

1561

Castling; last time castling was two separate moves.

1561

Ruy Lopez proposes the 50-move rule to claim a draw.

1561

Ruy Lopez writes his book on Chess. Introduces the word gambit. (Alcala, 1561).

1562

Book; the first instructional book, Damiano translation, published in London.

1562

St Teresa, a Spanish reformer, includes Chess in her writings.

1564

Damiano’s book reprinted in Venice.

1565

Mantia; Orazio Gianutio Della Mantia, Chess author, born in Turin.

1566

Vida; Marcus Vida died. Chess poet and Bishop of Alba.

1569

Damianio’s book reprinted in English.

1570

Salvio; Alessandro Salvio born. Neapolitan author. Best analyst of his time.

1570

Gianutto della Mantia, Horatio born in Italy. Author of Italian Chess book.

1571

Arabic manuscript (S).

1572

Ruy Lopez defeats several eminent players in Rome.

1573

07/12 Carrera, Pietro born in Militello, Sicily. Player and author.

1574

Boi and Leonardo beat Lopez and Ceron in presence of King Phillip II.

1574

Polerio records the important opening variations of his time.

1574

Tournament; the first documented Chess competition, played in Madrid.

1575

Arabic manuscript (R).

1575

Leonardo beats Ruy Lopez in Madrid.

1575

Plague; after the plague of Cremona, all games except Chess were banned.

1575

08/22 Boi; King of Spain writes letter of recommendation for Boi.

1576

Boi taken prisoner, but wins his freedom playing Chess.

1579

Selenus, Gustavus born.

1579

Sukaikir is the last writer on the older Muslim game of Chess.

1579

04/10 August der Jungere, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg (Gustavus Selenus) born in Dannenberg, Germany.

1580

Catherine de Medici of France is a keen Chess player.

1580

Ruy Lopez died.

1581

Russia; letter from Poland says that Russians are strong players.

1581

Wilcox writes ‘A Glasse for Gamesters’, defending Chess.

1583

Actius writes that Chess is a game of skill, not gambling.

1583

Queen; Italian lawyer recommends notifying player when Queen is attacked.

1584

Ivan the Terrible dies while starting a game of Chess.

1584

Lopez’s book translated into Italian by Tarsia and published in Venice.

1584

Polerio writes about Lopez, Boi, and Leonardo from Madrid.

1586

Leonardo poisoned.

1587

Shogi; Japanese Chess (shogi) played.

1590

Polerio plays the first recorded King’s gambit.

1590

Polerio’s manuscript mentions Caro Kann and Greco counter gambit .

1590

Russian book on regulations forbade Chess in Russia.

1594

Poleriop dedicates Chess treatise to Duke of Sora.

1597

Book published by Gianutio dealing with openings and problems. Published in Turin.

1597

Vida; the first English version of Vida’s ‘Scacchia ludus’.

1598

Boi, Paolo poisoned in Naples, Italy and died.

1598

James VI of Scotland writes ‘Basilikon Doron’ and mentions Chess.


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