One of the oldest and most influential games in human history is chess. The board game has been around since the Ancient Indian empire, where it was called by a different name. However, the chess that we recognized today originated in Persia, and was called shatranj.
But, why do we call chess “one of the most important games in human history?” Well, it is quite simple; chess has had a profound influence on human culture, gaming, and even game design.
In this article, we expand on this statement, and share some interesting facts about the game.
Chess Influences Games
The first example we have to look at is how chess has influenced other games. Popular board games like backgammon, checkers, and even Asian variants like xiangqi and shogi have a lot to thank chess for. The strategic thinking and foresight required to play chess plays a huge role in the games that we’ve brought up.
However, board games are not the only ones influenced by chess. The game of kings, as it was once known, has a lot to offer to gambling games as well. In many ways chess is the diametrically opposite of gambling games. Whereas most of them rely on luck, chess is entirely about strategy and thinking ahead. And yet, many have drawn comparisons between poker and chess.
Ultimately, poker is still a luck-based game. However, anyone who has played the game, whether at a land-based casino, or at one of the online poker sites, knows that players will strategize, use trickery, and deceive their opponents.
Usually, in poker, it isn’t the best hand that wins, but the best player. From this point of view, we can draw some major comparisons between chess and poker.
Of course, with online gambling becoming a lot more prominent than it has ever been before, many people are just now discovering some of the best Crash Casino games, and enjoying a brand-new gambling experience. As of now, chess has not been included on a lot of gambling websites. But, with the innovative games being included on these sites, the time may come.
Chess Influences Gaming
Video games are popping off in 2024. The gaming industry is, currently, one of the biggest entertainment industries around, and it is only growing. A lot more people identify as “gamers” than ever before. But, what does chess have to do with gaming? What influences does the ancient game have on the modern industry?
In order to answer the question, we must look at the basic premise of chess. The game is played on a wooden board, with each player taking a turn to move one of their 16 pieces, laid out on said board. Each turn requires a lot of forethought, as it will undoubtedly impact how the opponent moves their own piece, which will impact how you move yours, ad infinitum.
If anyone has played a turn-based strategy game like Civilization, this is already becoming a bit familiar. That is right, the turn-based strategy genre is largely based around chess, and many have drawn some fair comparisons between the two. In fact, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that chess is the very first turn-based strategy game.
Chess Influences eSports
One of the biggest aspects of gaming in 2024 is the eSports community, or competitive gaming. But, what does chess have to do with that? Well, in fact, chess is a pretty competitive game, with a lot of ranks and titles set up to determine who the best players are. Anyone who knows anything about eSports, will find a similar structure in that industry as well.
One of the most obvious examples is the “StarCraft II” ranking system. Star Craft is famous as one of the first games to truly popularize eSports, and remains a fan favorite for many. In order to ensure fairness in tournaments, different players are ranked by different titles. Fans of chess will almost certainly recognize the “Grandmaster” title, as the highest honor a chess master can be awarded.
However, it is also the highest rank in Star Craft II. It doesn’t just end at Star Craft, though. Plenty of other games have taken inspiration from chess rankings, and have adopted them into their own culture. DOTA 2 and League of Legends are just a couple of examples of this.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fred Felton
Content Creator / Editor
Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the wooden arts and crafts space, focussing on innovative wooden product design. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.
