Be it just to pass the time or to settle an argument, board games have always been around since time immemorial. These board games were simply developed as means of pleasure. Due to gaining popularity, the rules were altered, leading to modern versions. Among all of the available board games, the game of Chess has gained massive popularity ever since the time it was first played. Played on a 64 checkerboard, the expertise in this game is mainly considered to measure an individual’s intelligence.
But is Chess the most popular board game of all? The answer is Yes. Though not always in the spotlight, the chess community is much larger than any other board game available recently. Chess has a whopping 700 million players globally, according to a survey by YouGov, a polling organization, in 2018. The game serves as entertainment for people of all ages.
Origin And Evolution Of The Game
As Chess’s origin is ancient, it is almost impossible to track it. However, it was believed that it evolved from India, known as Chaturanga, consisting of four players, named infantry, elephants, cavalry, and chariots. This game was used to teach war strategies to the soldiers, also called The Game Of Kings. Since then, the Chess game has spread among Eastern and Western cultures, where the game was adopted and modified into its more modern form.
Chess has become massively popular since the early modern era. Benjamin Franklin, an avid chess player, wrote about the game in the highest regard in his book The Morals Of Chess. He wrote that, according to him, Chess trained an individual’s mind to work at its highest capacity by making the best moves possible.
Why Is Chess So Popular?
Chess is popular because it can be played and enjoyed by people of every age and level. It does not matter if you are a Grandmaster or 800 rated player. There is entertainment and pleasure in Chess for everyone. When two people play Chess, they invest happiness, focus, concentration, and tension in the game. Even if you are a beginner, you can also feel the same emotions as a professional player. A Netflix series called The Queen’s Gambit has also played a leading role in making the game popular in recent times.
Is Chess More Famous Than Monopoly?
Both are entirely different board games, based on different rules. However, Chess still remains more popular because it consists of such minute details, that can’t be even be processed by the most powerful of computers. There is one more reason behind Chess being more famous than monopoly. Chess is a global sport usually broadcasted online and on television, watched by the audience worldwide, with an appropriate governing body called FIDE.
Conclusion
The primary reason for Chess being popular globally
is that it is easy to play and straightforward. The gameplay is nothing more than strategies and tactics to use those few moves to defeat your opponent. Once you master these tricks and techniques, the only factor left is to practice regularly to become a professional in no time!
