Chess Originated In Africa

[Im The Truth]

Chess Originated In Africa
Joseph A. Bailey, II, M.D.
Thursday, 14 February 2008

In Ancient Egypt, games were part of religious life. Their most popular game was Senat in which counters, or markers, were moved around a game board. Winning the game came by one player removing all of his/her pieces before the opponent did (Hawass,Tutankhamun, p235). A wall painting on the tomb of the Egyptian queen Nefretari, wife of Ramses II (1304-1237 BC), shows her playing Senat. It symbolizes the struggle between good and evil as well as stands magically for rebirth and resurrection. The African games known as Mancala or Wari are among the oldest games, dating back at least to 5000 BC. In these games, beans, seeds, and other small objects were moved around a playing board with hollowed out cups. A player tried to capture as many objects as possible. Both Senat and Mancala games and four other types were discovered when the tomb of Tutankhamen -- an Egyptian king who reigned from 1348-1339 BC -- was discovered. An Egyptian board game of primitive "checkers" from 1000 BC is in the British Museum. Another type -- called Nine Men's Morris, Mill, Morelles, or Morels -- has been found carved in the roofing slabs of an Egyptian temple and dating between 1400 and 1300 BC. The object of the game, of which there are many versions, is for each player to try to capture an opponent's piece and to prevent the opponent from moving any pieces. Note how closely this resembles Chess as we know it today.

But Western literature admits that the origin of Chess is uncertain. Whenever such a statement is made, experience has taught me that the uncertainty most likely indicates it originated in Africa. Many Western scholars believe chess started in Pakistan as an offspring of a Hindu game under the Sanskrit name "Chaturanga" about 500 AD. Others say it is from India or China. Then the game spread to Persia where it was given the name "Shah" (which means "king") and "Shah mat" ('the king is dead'). The Arabs learned the game when they conquered Persia in the 600's and they introduced it into Europe by way of Spain, Sicily, and Constantinople. The pieces were named for roles in the courts of kings during the Middle Ages-king, queen, knight, and bishop. Chess' strategy and play are modeled on how wars were fought in the Middle Ages. By the 16th century chess moves had assumed their modern form.

Chess is a board game consisting of a miniature battlefield whereby the opponents engage in organized attacks and defense, each conducted with the definite objective of protecting ones king from being trapped or "checkmated" (i.e. where the king is unable to escape capture). Every new game is a different battle and the players are the generals who plan the battle. Chess is one of the oldest of all games of pure mental skill as well as one of the most interesting and mind focusing and challenging of all board games. Every game of chess can be recorded in the form of a code so that after the game is over it can be studied to learn what was done properly and improperly. "After-study" is fundamental to any thinking process that calls for choices, decisions and solutions.


Source: Black Voice News Online - Volume 35 Number 124 Thursday, September 25, 2008

[Sourakhata]

Very interesting article.
I really must learn how to play chess..!

[Godssoulja]

Excellent posting,

I have as part of my mentorship and tutoring been teaching chess since 1990.

[Langalibalele]

My chess game is kinda rusty, but I kno some brothers who can roll hard wit it.

[Fenix]

This is great motivation to do better at chess. Thanks for the article!

[Im The Truth]

For those intereseted in chess but sure to check out Mwalimu K. Bomani's book on chess.

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CHESS PRIMER An Introduction to the Game of Chess (Revised Second Edition)
Akoben House :: Chess Primer

Our children are special. Of this fact there is no doubt. And, without question, the game of chess helps them realize their potential. This is because it helps improve their ability to think more independently and critically about whatever they encounter in the streets, schools and homes of our community. It causes them to think about consequences...Furthermore, chess is math. It is a game that requires the constant calculation and recalculation of multiple numerical problems at the same time. The leap in thinking that occurs in a child when s/he is required to simultaneously consider the present and possible moves of 32 uniquely moving pieces continuously traversing a 64 square board is truly amazing to witness...[Chess Primer] has been specifically designed to help simplify many of the concepts and ideas fundamental to the game of chess so that they can immediately begin to play and test their skills out on each other.

In that this is a revised edition, it should be noted that I have made a number of changes that should improve on the original’s quality. The reader should first notice a change in the presentation. The size of the book has been reduced, making it more practical as a portable reading tool. The text and graphics (tables, charts and figures) are clearer and of a much better professional quality. Within the introductory chapter more historical and culturally centered analysis has been provided for those to whom this was written. More practice and playing tips have been inserted at appropriate points and a list of “Rules to Learn to Win By” is found at the end of Chapter 6. Of equal importance, sets of one- move and two-move checkmate problems have been placed at the end of the text so that novices can begin to systematically practice the art of mating. And last, but not least, a short, selected bibliography has been added for those who wish to take their game to the next level.

[BlackQueen]

I love chess,but I haven't played in quite some time,because I can't find anyone who actually plays. Even though I'm a beginner,I see chess as a very strong and intelligent game. I also see the strategy of chess as a form of manipulation against the enemy.

[Jacuma]

Be sure to visit our Arcade, to get your weight up..