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- lordgigaice
Hello Conclave. I have a proposal for the origins of Chess in Eras.
Chess is first recorded in written records in descriptions of the court of Malik (King) Ahaziah IV of Iraelia in the year 654 CE, though the records seem to indicate that the game was well established by that point. Legends from 7th century Iraelia indicate that the game dated back a century earlier to the reign of Rehoboam IX.
Legend has it that Rehoboam XI's eldest son Ahaz devised the game to break the news of his younger brother Josiah's death in battle to his father.
Regardless of the historicity of that legend the game had achieved a recognizable form by the 7th century. It was played in the Kingly court on an eight by eight board, and contained the pieces Elephants (who could move an unlimited number of spaces in a straight line), Cohens (who could move an unlimited number of spaces in a diagonal line), Chariots (who could move in an L shaped pattern), and the Malik, or King. The Malik piece could move one space in any direction, and its fate dictated the game, which was known by the Yihuddi name "shachmat."
The game was renowned in the court of Yihuddi Maliks. Court historian Tzuk Yitshal in the 12th century court of Malik Ahav V considered the game a celebration of human free will as proscribed by Shaddai, in comparison to games of chance.
Shachmat would spread across southern Iteria. It was in Astragon where, perhaps inspired by courtly political drama, the Advisor piece was created. Shavians introduces the Footman pieces, who could only move one space forward at a time. Skandan shachmat involved placing the pieces at intersections as opposed to placing them within squares.
It would be medieval Astrongese and Skandan trade with Demescia and Naizerre that would bring shachmat out of Iteria. Shachmat would make its way north into Saintonge and Predice, where its Yihuddi name was reworked as "chess."
It was in Predice and Saintonge that chess would take on its current form. Elephants were replaced with the "rook" piece. The Canaanitic chariots were replaced by knights on horseback. The original Cohen pieces- named after Yihuddi priests and which had undergone a number of reinterpretations- achieved their lasting form as Bishops. The footman pieces would evolve into pawns.
Chess became an essential subject of a well rounded education in both Saintonge and Predice, seen as a courtly game that taught its players the essentials of military and political strategy.
The most important development, however, came in 15th century Saintonge. The Advisor piece, who could only move a single space in a diagonal direction, was replaced by the Queen. Which could move an unlimited number of spaces in any direction, straight or diagonal. This innovation lead to the game developing a faster pace. Chess had already made its way up to Gothis through trade and courtly relations, but the advent of the Queen piece made the game incredibly popular on the northern continent.
Trade and religion spread chess further, with the game arriving in Prydania as a result of Andrennian Laurenist preachers in the 16th century (early Shaddiast communities has brought shachmat to Craviter earlier but there's little evidence it spread beyond those Shaddaist communities).
Chess theory erupted across Meterra, Gothis, and Craviter as the 17th century dawned, with a number of competing schools of play developing across the world.
"Iterian chess," which would spread to Syrixia after the colonization of Iraelia, valued patience and contemplation.
"Predician chess" was known for dramatic movements and sacrifices in pursuit of victory.
"Santonian chess" was a more strategic and calculating style of play.
"Nordic chess" was a school of the game that developed from Predician chess, favouring bold moves, particularly in the opening gambits. Derogatorily refereed to as "viking chess."
These schools and theories on the game remained informal even as the game's popularity grew. The first "recognized" world champion of chess was Predician Gervasio Tolomeo, who defeated Iraelian grand master Rami Saref in 1892.
In time standardized international competition saw more methodical and strategic forms of play dominate. This is the style that still pervades the world over, as the game continues to emphasize skill, strategic thinking, foresight, and free will.
So that's my proposal. Obviously parallel development would be a thing. IRL chess developed in India, but existing strategy games existed in East Asia, for example. So just because this is how "chess" developed it wouldn't preclude other games from developing in other nations independently.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I am happy to listen to all concerns and answer all questions.
Chess is first recorded in written records in descriptions of the court of Malik (King) Ahaziah IV of Iraelia in the year 654 CE, though the records seem to indicate that the game was well established by that point. Legends from 7th century Iraelia indicate that the game dated back a century earlier to the reign of Rehoboam IX.
Legend has it that Rehoboam XI's eldest son Ahaz devised the game to break the news of his younger brother Josiah's death in battle to his father.
Regardless of the historicity of that legend the game had achieved a recognizable form by the 7th century. It was played in the Kingly court on an eight by eight board, and contained the pieces Elephants (who could move an unlimited number of spaces in a straight line), Cohens (who could move an unlimited number of spaces in a diagonal line), Chariots (who could move in an L shaped pattern), and the Malik, or King. The Malik piece could move one space in any direction, and its fate dictated the game, which was known by the Yihuddi name "shachmat."
The game was renowned in the court of Yihuddi Maliks. Court historian Tzuk Yitshal in the 12th century court of Malik Ahav V considered the game a celebration of human free will as proscribed by Shaddai, in comparison to games of chance.
Shachmat would spread across southern Iteria. It was in Astragon where, perhaps inspired by courtly political drama, the Advisor piece was created. Shavians introduces the Footman pieces, who could only move one space forward at a time. Skandan shachmat involved placing the pieces at intersections as opposed to placing them within squares.
It would be medieval Astrongese and Skandan trade with Demescia and Naizerre that would bring shachmat out of Iteria. Shachmat would make its way north into Saintonge and Predice, where its Yihuddi name was reworked as "chess."
It was in Predice and Saintonge that chess would take on its current form. Elephants were replaced with the "rook" piece. The Canaanitic chariots were replaced by knights on horseback. The original Cohen pieces- named after Yihuddi priests and which had undergone a number of reinterpretations- achieved their lasting form as Bishops. The footman pieces would evolve into pawns.
Chess became an essential subject of a well rounded education in both Saintonge and Predice, seen as a courtly game that taught its players the essentials of military and political strategy.
The most important development, however, came in 15th century Saintonge. The Advisor piece, who could only move a single space in a diagonal direction, was replaced by the Queen. Which could move an unlimited number of spaces in any direction, straight or diagonal. This innovation lead to the game developing a faster pace. Chess had already made its way up to Gothis through trade and courtly relations, but the advent of the Queen piece made the game incredibly popular on the northern continent.
Trade and religion spread chess further, with the game arriving in Prydania as a result of Andrennian Laurenist preachers in the 16th century (early Shaddiast communities has brought shachmat to Craviter earlier but there's little evidence it spread beyond those Shaddaist communities).
Chess theory erupted across Meterra, Gothis, and Craviter as the 17th century dawned, with a number of competing schools of play developing across the world.
"Iterian chess," which would spread to Syrixia after the colonization of Iraelia, valued patience and contemplation.
"Predician chess" was known for dramatic movements and sacrifices in pursuit of victory.
"Santonian chess" was a more strategic and calculating style of play.
"Nordic chess" was a school of the game that developed from Predician chess, favouring bold moves, particularly in the opening gambits. Derogatorily refereed to as "viking chess."
These schools and theories on the game remained informal even as the game's popularity grew. The first "recognized" world champion of chess was Predician Gervasio Tolomeo, who defeated Iraelian grand master Rami Saref in 1892.
In time standardized international competition saw more methodical and strategic forms of play dominate. This is the style that still pervades the world over, as the game continues to emphasize skill, strategic thinking, foresight, and free will.
So that's my proposal. Obviously parallel development would be a thing. IRL chess developed in India, but existing strategy games existed in East Asia, for example. So just because this is how "chess" developed it wouldn't preclude other games from developing in other nations independently.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I am happy to listen to all concerns and answer all questions.
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