FIDE World Chess Championship 2024: A Game of Strategy and Skill

The FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 is set to begin on Monday, November 25, and will run until Sunday, December 15 in Singapore. This prestigious event brings together the best chess players from around the world to compete for the title of World Chess Champion.

Chess is a game that requires immense skill, strategy, and concentration. Each piece on the board moves in a unique way, and players must carefully plan their moves to outsmart their opponent. The ultimate goal is to protect the king while trying to trap the opponent’s king in a move called ‘checkmate.’

In honor of the World Chess Championship, Google has unveiled a special doodle to celebrate the event. As the competition kicks off, here are some fun facts about the game:

1. Chess is believed to have originated in India in the 6th century and was initially called ‘Chaturanga,’ which means four divisions of the military.

2. Chess is recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee, despite not being a part of the Olympic games.

3. The longest game of chess in history lasted over 20 hours and 269 moves, ending in a draw between Ivan Nikolic and Goran Arsovic in 1989.

4. The word ‘checkmate’ is derived from the Persian words ‘Shah Mat,’ meaning the king is dead or helpless.

5. The queen was not always the most powerful piece in chess, as it could only move one square diagonally in previous versions of the game.

6. The knight is the only chess piece that can ‘jump’ over others on the board, moving in an L shape.

7. In 1997, the supercomputer Deep Blue became the first machine to defeat a reigning world champion, Garry Kasparov, in a chess match.

8. The fastest way to win a game of chess is through ‘fool’s mate,’ which can happen in just two moves if the opponent makes mistakes.

9. There are over 8 million different ways for the first four moves in a chess game to unfold.

10. Chess is one of the most popular games globally, played by millions of people in over 150 countries, regardless of age, gender, culture, or background.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, there is always something new to learn and appreciate about the game of chess. As we eagerly await the conclusion of the World Chess Championship 2024 and the crowning of a new World Chess Champion, let’s continue to enjoy this timeless game, challenge ourselves on the board, and explore the many facets of chess.