What is National Chess Day?
National Chess Day is a special day dedicated to chess, celebrated on the second Saturday of October. It is focused on a game that has challenged minds and brought players together for years. Chess is more than just a pastime; it is a universal language that has been breaking barriers for centuries.
So, whether you are a seasoned player or just curious about what this day is about, wondering: ‘when Is National Chess Day?’, read on and see why National Chess Day is such an ageless and celebrated tradition.
History of Chess
Chess has a long and fascinating history that began in India during the fifth century. Originally, the game was called Chaturanga, and was designed as a strategy tool that mirrors the four divisions of the military: the infantry, cavalry, elephantry, and chariotry. However, it evolved and spread across the continents into ‘Chess’, the game we recognize today.
Chess then traveled through Persia and into the Islamic world, where the pieces and rules began to change. The Persians called the game ‘Shatranj’, and from there, it moved to Europe, where further modifications were made. The modern pieces, like those at the House of Staunton, namely the King, Queen, Rooks, Knights, Bishops, and Pawns, took shape during this period.
[product skus="MENPLEW-RN-P,MENWLRD375,MENPMED-P"]Initially, chess was a game for the upper class. Nobility would play it to pass the time and demonstrate their strategic thinking abilities. However, the game’s appeal broadened, thanks to merchants and traders who introduced it to different cultures during their travels. By the medieval period, chess had become popular among all social classes.
The history of chess is not just the game’s evolution but also includes how it has shaped society. It has always been a bridge between cultures and a universal language of strategy and intellect.
When is National Chess Day in 2024?
So, when is National Chess Day? National Chess Day is celebrated every year on the second Saturday in October. In 2024, it falls on 12th October. Here are the National Chess Day dates for the next few years:
- 2025 - October 11
- 2026 - October 10
- 2027 - October 9
- 2028 - October 14
- 2029 - October 13
Importance of National Chess Day
National Chess Day holds significance for multiple reasons, contributing to the broader appreciation and recognition of chess in the United States. A few reasons demonstrating why this day is important are:
Raises Awareness
National Chess Day aims to increase awareness of the benefits of playing chess. These include improved concentration, honing problem-solving skills, and enabling strategic thinking. The game is perfect for children and adults, not to mention the elderly who are fighting issues such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia or depleted cognitive abilities. If you are in school or a chess club, look at these Club Chess Sets from House of Staunton. A new set is great way to celebrate National Chess Day, either for yourself or as a great gift to a fellow player or someone brand new to the game.
Honoring Achievements
This day honors the accomplishments of American chess players, from legendary grandmasters to local chess club champions. It provides an opportunity to celebrate dedication, skills, and contributions to the game, ultimately inspiring new players to pursue their ambitions.
Encourage Participation
National Chess Day encourages people of all ages to participate in chess activities. Additionally, schools, clubs, and community centers often host events, tournaments, and workshops to make them accessible to a wider audience.
[product skus="ROYLECOMBO2,AMERICANCOMBO2,LIBCOMBO2"]Celebrating History and Culture
National Chess Day celebrates the rich history and cultural importance of chess. It recognizes the journey of this game, from its origin to its modern form, highlighting how it bridges cultural and social divides. Moreover, this day and its celebration remind us of its legacy and power to connect people across generations.
Timeline of National Chess Day
Gerald Ford declared October 9th as National Chess Day through a presidential proclamation, designating it as a day to celebrate this game. Since then, National Chess Day has been observed every second Saturday of October. However, before that, let’s look at this day’s history and its most significant milestones.
1575: The First Chess Tournament
Italians Leonardo da Cutri and Paolo Boi traveled to Philip the Second’s court in Madrid. They competed against Spanish players Ruy Lopez and Alfonso Ceron, marking the first informal international Chess Tournament.
1939: United States Chess Federation Formed
The American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation merged to create the United States Chess Federation, establishing a unified body to promote chess nationwide.
1972: Bobby Fischer Wins World Chess Championship
Bobby Fischer, a chess prodigy, became the first and only American-born player to win the World Chess Championship, defeating Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in a match that had the world enthralled.
1976: First National Chess Day Celebrated
Gerald Ford, the American President, declared that the second Saturday of every October would be observed as National Chess Day. This encouraged Americans to engage with the game and develop critical thinking skills.
[product skus="VARNACOMBO2,FS2375COMBO2,CAPACHESSCOMB-BR"]1986: World Chess Hall of Fame
The World Chess Hall of Fame opened in the basement of the Chess Federation H.Q. in New York. Over the years, it moved to Washington D.C., Florida, and finally settled in St. Louis, Missouri, becoming a major attraction to chess enthusiasts.
Chess Gameplay
This National Chess Day, let’s go back to the basics. Chess consists of pure strategy, played by two opponents on a checkerboard. Each player starts with sixteen pieces; the objective is straightforward: capture the opponent’s King.
Players and Pieces:
Each player begins with sixteen pieces:
- 8 Pawns
- 2 Rooks
- 2 Knights
- 2 Bishops
- 1 King
- 1 Queen
National Chess Day is also the perfect time to re-learn each piece’s unique way of moving, making the game a more complex strategic battle. If you haven’t played in a while and want to know how the pieces move, here you go:
| Pieces | Moves |
| Pawn | Moves forward one square but captures diagonally. Can move two squares forward in the first move. |
| Rook | Moves horizontally and vertically over any number of squares |
| Knight | Moves in an L-Shape: two squares in one direction and then one square in perpendicular. |
| Bishop | Moves diagonally in any number of squares |
| Queen | Moves horizontally, vertically or diagonally on any number of squares |
| King | Moves one square in any direction |
Pro Tip: Buy themed chess pieces from House of Staunton to give the game a regal look.
Chess Facts
Chess’ history is full of details that make the game even more intriguing. Some facts about chess to celebrate National Chess Day:
Fool’s Mate
A chess game can end in as few as two moves. This quick checkmate is known as Fool’s Mate and can only occur if White commits an extraordinary blunder where they expose a diagonal path to the King, leaving it undefended and limited by its own pieces.
Longest Official Chess Game
The longest chess game ever recorded took place in 1989, between Ivan Nikolic and Goran Arsovic in Belgrade. The game lasted two hundred and sixty-nine moves, lasted twenty hours, and ended in a draw.
[product skus="MENPALC-BN-P,MENPSTN-BN-P,MENPROM-RN-P"]Checkmate Origin
The term ‘checkmate’ originated in Persia and comes from the phrase Sah Mat, which is a warning to the other player that the game will end. The direct translation is ‘the King is Dead’.
The Oldest Known Chess Piece
The oldest known chess pieces were discovered at Afrasiab near Samarkand in Uzbekistan, despite some debate about their origin. The set included seven pieces: a king, chariot, vizier, horse, elephant, and two soldiers. It should be noted that all of these were made of ivory and dated back to 760 A.D.
The First Chess Computer Program
In 1957, an IBM engineer named Alex Bernstein developed the world’s first, fully automated chess engine. This engine, designed for the IBM 704 Mainframe, took eight minutes per move and could play an entire game.
The First Female Grandmaster
Nona Gaprindashvili was the first woman to be awarded the title of Grandmaster in 1978. She earned this title from FIDE, and the achievement came after her outstanding performance at the 1977 Lone Pine International Tournament, where she made history.
Chess was Played in Space
On June 9th, 1970, cosmonauts Adrian Nikolayev and Vitaly Sevastyanov paused their space-flight duties aboard the spacecraft Soyuz 9 to play the first match between Earth and Space.
[product skus="BRDWSIG25-WBMB-P,BRDWCCII-WBRBEM,BRDWSUP-ELMBM"]Staunton did Not Create the Staunton Set
Contrary to what people think, Howard Staunton did not design the iconic Staunton set, despite its name. According to the accepted origin story, it was Nathan Cook, an architect, who took inspiration from the city around him to make the timeless chess board we all see.
Celebrity Chess Players
Humphrey Bogart, Stanley Kubrick, and Peter Theil are among the best celebrity chess players and enthusiasts. Kubrick has a rating of 2000, and Thiel achieved the National Master title.
Longest Possible Chess Game
Theoretically and controlled by the 50-Move Rule, the longest game of chess can reach up to 5898.5 moves. The calculation accounts for the resets of the 50-Move Rule, which are initiated by a pawn move or capture.
Final thoughts
National Chess Day is a celebration of a game that has fascinated players for centuries. The rich history, strategic gameplay of the Grandmasters, and bringing people together to practice and improve their skills - all contribute to the game’s popularity. You can celebrate the day in many ways - learn more about the game, gift yourself (or a friend) a unique chess set, or play online. Visit House of Staunton for high-quality chess sets, accessories, and more to honor the legacy of this timeless game.