Chess for a Gift: How to Choose and Where to Buy?

A game of chess for the soul and brain 

If someone were to make a rating of the most intellectual activities of humanity, with maximum probability at the top of the list would be the game of chess. After all, it is difficult to imagine a better illustration of the use of all our brain than the sight two focused players at the sight and the game probably gained its elegant look behind which may hide expensive wood figures precious and precious metals in decoration  

So chess covers several functions– an interesting educational activity, an aesthetic look for interior decoration, and a gift chess set will be a wonderful present for an important occasion.

History of the Royal Game

How to play chess was invented by the Indians in an ancient version of this game called "chaturanga." From there, they traveled to Persia, where chess became a mandatory element of education for the children of the royal family. This fascinating game also traveled with numerous conquerors. The North African Moors brought it to Spain and then to Europe, and chess came to Russia from the Middle East. Thus, by the 10th century, the game of chess had already won the favor of Europeans and had become a favorite pastime.

Until about the 16th century, the actual tactics and strategy of the game developed very slowly and were more like chess for beginners. One of the first masters of chess theory was the Spanish bishop Ruy Lopez, who wrote a book on this topic. But the level of the game at that time was such that the bishop recommended that a winning strategy be to position oneself behind the board so that the sun would blind the opponent.

It is ironic that the church considered chess to be as sinful as gambling, and therefore actively banned it, while many clergymen were ardent fans of the game. By the way, the folding chessboard was also invented by a priest - he was forbidden to play chess, so he made a board that folded in half and looked like the spines of two books on a shelf.

From the 17th century, chess began to develop actively as a serious business and even a professional sport, which continues to this day. Chess pieces and rules were standardized, competitions among grandmasters were launched, and there was even an official victory of a computer over a world champion.

Advantages of playing chess

People have been playing chess for more than 1,500 years and don't plan to stop. Obviously, in addition to an exciting hobby and professional sport, this game has other benefits. What benefits can it bring, should we buy chess? The list can be very long, but let's focus on the most interesting points.

Chess develops skills in analysis, planning and risk prediction. Everyone knows that this game trains logic, and if you look more closely, chess can help with very useful business skills. Players assess the arrangement of pieces on the board, plan their actions many moves ahead, and at the same time predict the opponent's possible actions, thinking through their response to each scenario, and if necessary choose which piece to sacrifice to advance on the chessboard more. What is this not project management in action? 

Improve memory. Chess players constantly keep a huge number of moves in their heads – own, opponent, previous, possible next, as well as learned combinations from tournaments. Obviously, such intensive training is not in vain, because studies have shown that the visual and auditory memory of master chess players is significantly better than that of ordinary people.

Chess develops the ability to put yourself in another person's shoes. The technical skill of assessing the arrangement of pieces on the chessboard from the opponent's position is very helpful in the game, and will be no less useful in everyday life. What is a win-win situation for us may be a complete failure for others. Such empathy training for both children and adults will be absolutely indispensable in the modern world.

Increase creativity. Pattern thinking in chess – not the quality that will lead to victory. Constant search for new combinations, attempts to outdo your opponent develop brain flexibility and stimulate non-standard approaches. This is another bonus that will be useful in everyday life.

If you no longer need to be convinced of the benefits of this game, in the online store of elite gifts Fama you can buy original chess sets as a gift or for yourself in any style and design. Choose the set that you like and immerse yourself in the thousand-year-old game of kings.