Chess History, -1799
0531
INDIA; Chess introduced into Persia from India during reign of Khusrau
Nushirwan. (531-578).
0550
Chaturanga, earliest chess precursor, created in the Punjab.
0570
CHINA; Form of chess being played in China with dice.
0570
FABLES OF PILPAY written for Khusraw I Nushirawan (531-578)
0570
Muhammad born in Mecca.
0575
AFFAN; Uthman ibn Affan born. Muhammad's son-in-law.
0581
Umar I (Omar ibn al-Khattab) born. 2nd caliph. (ibn is 'son of')
0590
Chatrang was an accepted noble accomplishment.
0590
Khusraw II Parwiz, Sasanian king of Persia, comes to power
0600
Chaturanga reaches Persia.
0600
KARNAMAK; 1st reference to chess in literature, the Persian romantic
KARNAMAK.
0600
VASAV; Chessmen mentioned in the Sanskrit fantasy romance, Vasavadatta
by Subandhu.
0602
Muawiyah I born. Governor of Syria.
0606
SANSKRIT; Chess mentioned in a Sanskrit romance.
0610
Earliest chess pieces identified.
0610
Muhammad starts to preach.
0619
TALIB; Abu Talib, Muhammad's uncle, died.
0620
EGYPT; Chess introduced in Egypt.
0624
Hasan, Ali's son, born.
0625
Chaturanga mentioned in the Sanskrit, Harshacharita, by Bana.
0626
Husayn, Ali's 2nd son, born.
0628
PARWIZ; Khusraw II Parwiz dies; KARNAMAK written under his reign
0630
Chatrang (old Persian word for chess) developed from chaturanga.
0632
ALLAH; Rasul Allah (successor to the Messenger of God) was new name
for Abu Bakr.
0632
BAKR; Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law, elected in Medina to lead.
1st caliph.
0632.06.08
Muhammad died.
0634
BAKR; Abu Bakr died.
0634
Umar I becomes 2nd caliph.
0638
Islamic conquest of Persia changes chatrang to shatranj.
0638
OMAR; The Caliph Omar sanctions chess among the Islamic people.
0638
PERSIA; start of conquest of Persia.
0640
Buddhists spread chatrang eastward.
0643
Omar b. al-Khattab, father-in-law of Muhammad, asked if chess was
legal.
0644
AFFAN; Uthman ibn Affan becomes 3rd caliph.
0644
Umar I died.
0650
CHATRANG-NAMAK; Short romance written in Persian, Chatrang-namak,
describing chess.
0651
Arabic conquest of Persia completed; shatranj popular.
0655
TALIB; Caliph Ali Ben Abu Talib, son-in-law of Muhammad, disapproves
of chess for Muslims.
0656
AFFAN; Uthman ibn Affan assassinated in Medina by troops from Iraq and
Egypt.
0656
Muawiyah does not recognize Ali. 1st Umayyad caliph.
0656
TALIB; Ali ibn Abu Talib, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad becomes
4th caliph. (Shiite)
0657
Rival parties met to arbitrate dispute of successor.
0661
Hasan claimed caliph, but abdicated later.
0661
Muawiyah, 1st Umayyad (caravan merchants) Caliph, comes to power.
Moves from Medina to Damascas.
0661
TALIB; Ali ibn Abu Talib assassinated.
0665
AL-ASI; Amr ibn al-Asi, Muslim general and conqueror of Egypt died.
Chessplayer.
0665
JUBAIR; Sa'id Bin Jubair born. 1st to play blindfold.
0679
Hasan died.
0680
ALI; Imam Husayn ibn Ali, recognized as caliph by Kufan Shiites.
0680
CANONS; 50th rule of the canons forbids chess.
0680
Husayn assassinated in Iraq by Yazid. Shiite schism.
0680
Muawiyah I died.
0683
Yazid I ibn Muawiya, becomes caliph.
0683
Yazid, son of Muawiyah, died.
0685
Abdal-Malik ibn Marwan reigned. A chessplayer.
0690
JAPAN; Chess prohibited in Japan by the Emperor Jito.
0700
JUBAIR; Sa'id Bin Jubair, a Black judge, plays blindfold chess.
0705
MARWAN; Abdalmalik b. Marwan died. Earliest Umayyad calph associated
with chess.
0705
Walid I ibn Abdalmalik becomes caliph.
0710
Walid I kills chessplayer when the player purposely played bad against
him.
0712
Seville conquered by Arabs. Moorish invaders bring chess to Iberia.
0714
JUBAIR; Sa'id Bin Jubair died.
0714
Waldi I died. Killed a chessplayer who avoided beating the caliph.
0718
Abbasids (descendents of the Phophet's uncle Abbas) try to take the
caliphate.
0720
LITERARY; 1st literary references to chess in Arabic.
0721
Abu al-Abbas born. 1st Abbasid caliph.
0725
Sulaiman ibn Yashar died. Disapproved chess.
0728
AL-FARAZDAQ; Arabic poet al-Farazdaq died. His will mentions pawns of
chess.
0728
al-Ahwas died. Noted poet.
0735
Living chess introduced in Europe by Charles Martel (688-741).
0742
Hisham ibn Abdal-Malik died. Caliph and chessplayer.
0742
az-Zuhi died. Great laywer of the Umayyad period and chessplayer.
0747
Abbasids organize a rebellion in Iran.
0750
ABBASID; start of the Abbasid caliphs. Capital moved to Baghdad.
0750
Abbasid caliphs come to power in Baghdad. Document chess.
0750
Abu al-Abbas, 1st Abbasid caliph, comes to power.
0750
UMAYYAD; end of Umayyad Caliphs.
0763
AR-RASHID; Haran ar-Rashid born. Abbasid caliph of Islam (786-809).
Patron.
0763
Harun ar-Rashid born. Abbasid caliph of Islam 786-809. 1st in his
dynasty to playt chess.
0767
Abu Hanifa died
0770
WOMEN; 1st mention of women chessplayers.
0775
al-Mahdi ibn al-Mansur is 3rd Abbasid caliph.
0775
al-Mansur died. 2nd caliph of the new dynasty (Abbasids).
0776
ABDALAZIZ; Poet Abu Hafs Omar ibn Abdalaziz called ash-Shatranji, the
chessplayer.
0780
Moorish invaders of Spain introduce chess to Western Europe.
0780
al-Mahdi write a letter to Mecca to give up chess, dice, and archery.
0785
al-Mahdi ibn al-Mansur died. 3rd of the Abbasid caliphs.
0786
al-Mumun born. A caliph.
0786
al-Rashid, Caliph of Islam, comes to power.
0790
CHESS PIECE; Earliest known chess piece dates to this period.
0795
CHINA; 1st reference to Chinese chess in the HUAN KWAI LU (Book of
Marvels).
0795
Malik ibn Anas died.
0800
Al-Rushid, Caliph of Baghdad, 1st caliph to play chess.
0800
Chinese chess (Hsiang ch'i) introduced.
0800
Corr. game by Emperor Nicephorus and Haron Al-Rashid.
0800
Moors bring chess to Spain. Chess reaches Italy.
0800
? al-Adli ar-Rumi born.
0801
Charlemagne (742-814) introduced to chess.
0802
Nicephorus of Byzantium writes to al-Rashid about chess.
0805
Ash-shafi'i, famous muslim lawyer, plays blindfold.
0808
AL AMON; Caliph Al Amon of Baghdad protested at being disturbed while
playing.
0809
Harun ar-Rashid died. Abbasid caliph of Islam 786-809. 1st in his
dynasty to playt chess.
0809
al-Amin ibn ar-Rashid reigns.
0809
ar-Rashid died.
0813
Abdullah al-Mamun, son of Harun ar-Rashid, reigned. Chessplayer.
0813
al-Amin ibn Harun ar-Rashid died. Chessplayer
0818
ALIYAT; Top players were Jabir al-Kufi, Rabrab, and Abu'n-Na'am.
(aliyat)
0819
GM; Caliph Al-Ma'mun gives 4 players the grandmaster title.
0819
al-Mamum watched Rabrab, Jabir al-Kufi, and Abdalghaffar al-Ansari
play chess in Baghdad.
0820
RUSSIA; Chess introduced in Russia thru the Caspian-Volga trade
route..
0820
ash-Shafii died.
0833
Abdullah al-Mamun died.
0840
BILLAH; 1st chess problem composed by the caliph Billah.
0840
al-Aldi is considered the best chessplayer (aliyat)
0842
al-Aldi, authors 'a book of chess.'
0842
al-Mutasim ibn Harun ar-Rashid died. Chess problem attributed to him.
0842
al-Wathiq died.
0845
ar-Razi defeats al-Aldi in the presence of al-Mutawakki.
0847
al-Mutawakkil died.
0849
Reference to chess in Kashmir Haravijaya (Victory of Siva) by
Ratnakara.
0850
Decimal chess invented. Board is 10 x 10. 1st use of dice in chess.
0855
Hanbal, Ahmad ibn died.
0858
al-Hallaj born.
0866
Al-Mutazz was playing chess when the head of his chief arrival was
brought to him.
0869
al-Mutazz died.
0873
al-Ashari born. Philosopher.
0875
knight tour; 1st reference to knight's tour (turaga) in the Sanskrit
Kavyalankara of Rudrata.
0880
AS-SULI; Abu as-Suli b. Author of 1st book on shatranj.
0880
Coordinate notation used in the Arab countries.
0892
al-Mutadid comes to power. Chessplayer.
0895
GREEKS; Chess introduced to the Greeks; call it zatrikion.
0900
EUROPE; Chess introduced into Europe.
0900
INDIA; Chessplayers in india wages their fingers in chess matches.
0902
al-Muktafi reigns; as-Suli is his best chess player.
0902
al-Mutadid died.
0905
AS-SULI; Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Yahya as-Suli, historian and top chess
player.
0905
as-Suli defeats al-Mawardi in front of al-Muktafi.
0908
al-Muktafi died.
0908
al-Muqtadir reigns.
0910
al-lajlaj (the stammerer) is the first to publish openings.
0920
Chess pieces are given Persian names.
0922
al-Hallaj executed in Baghdad.
0932
al-Muqtadir died.
0932
ar-Radi reigns. Taught chess by as-Suli.
0935
al-Ashari died. Philospher.
0940
ar-Radi died.
0946
As-Suli died at Basra; strongest shatranj player in Baghdad.
0947
al-Ma'sudi, writes on the history of chess in India and Byzantine
chess.
0960
CHINA; Further references of Chinese chess in the sung period.
0970
AL LAJLAJ; Abul Faraj Muhammad ibn Obaidallah, or al Lajlaj (the
Stammerer) died. Pupil of as-Suli.
0973
Al-Beruni born. Wrote INDIA, which mentioned chess.
0975
Daqiqi begins the SHAHAMA, national epic of Persia
0980
YACHIA; Rabbi Abu Yachia describes chess in his Hebrew writings.
0988
Ibn an-Nadim writes on a whole succession of leading players and
chessbooks.
0999
EINSIEDELIN; Earlist known literary account of chess in Europe, the
Einsiedeln Verses, Switzerland.
0999
Versus de scachis is a 98-line poem describing the game & its rules.
1000
EUROPE; Chess is widely known throughout Europe.
1000
OTTO II; The daughter of Otto II (955-983) was "won" from a chess
match.
1000
RUSSIA; Chess reaches Russia from Byzantium and from the the Vikings.
1005
AL-HAKIM; Chess is banned in Egypt by al-Hakim; and all chess sets
were burned.
1007
DAMIANI; Petrus Damiani born.
1008.07.28
ERMENGUAD; 1st written reference to chess in Europe, from a will of
Ermengaud I, Count of Urgel.
1011
Firdausi completes Shahnama or Book of Kings. Written in Persian.
References to chess.
1013
ENGLAND; Chess brought to England with the Danish invasion.
1027
Canute, King of Denmark and England, learns to play chess from
pilgrimmage to Rome.
1030
al-Beruni writes of an Indian form of 4-handed chess and dice. - INDIA
1035
Canute died.
1048
Al-Beruni died. Wrote INDIA which mentioned chess.
1050
GERMAN; Earliest reference of chess in the German literature, the
Latin epic Ruodlieb.
1055
POEM; Chess poem, Ludus scacorum or Elgia de Ludo Scachorum, written.
1058
al-Mawardi died. Wrote about chess.
1060
William the Conqueror breaks board over head of Prince of France.
1061.12
DAMIANI; Cardinal Damiani of Ostin forbids the clergy to play chess.
1066
BRITIAN; Chess introduced into Britain.
1070
al-mutamid, Morrish king, regarded as a chess patron.
1072
Damiani died.
1078
ALFONSO; King Alfonso VI of Castile played chess with B. Ammar.
1078
Seville was spared from siege due to a chess game.
1080
Normans name the financial departments exchequer.
1081
ALEXIUS; Emperor Alexius I comes to power. Plays chess with his court.
1082
PERSIA; Regulations of chess in persia are published.
1089
Jayyash leads revolt after disguising himself as indian chessplayer.
1090
Boards with alternating light and dark squares are introduced.
1092
IBN-EZRA; Abraham Ben Ibn-Ezra b. in Tudela, Spain. Author of Hebrew
chess works.
1093
CHURCH; Chess is condemned by the eastern orthodox church.
1097
FRENCH; 1st French reference to chess.
1098
KARBUGA; Turkish General Karbuga was playing chess during the siege of
Antioch.
1100
Abu 'l-Fath Ahmad as-Sinjari writes chess manuscript containing 287
mansubat.
1100
Chess becomes accepted as a regular featue of noble life.
1100
EUROPE; 1st Central European reference to chess.
1100
POLAND; Chess introduced in Poland.
1100
ROLAND; The French Carolingian epic, Song of Roland, mentions chess.
1100
Shogi played in Japan.
1105
KHAYYAM; Omar Khayyam writes the 'rubaiyat,' using a chess game.
1106
Exchequer at Westminster created; referred to as the scaccarium or
chessboard.
1106
Henry I allowed his brother Robert, Duke of Nomandy, to play chess
while imprisoned for 28 years.
1106
KNIGHTLY; Chess included in a list of knightly accomplishments by
Petro Alfonsi.
1108
ar-Raghib died. Wrote that the Medinese refused to give their
daughters in marriage to chessplayers.
1110
ZONARES; John Zonares, Eastern Church monk, excommunicated
chessplayers.
1112
Dauphin throws chess pieces at King Henry I after losing.
1115
BYZANTINE; The emperor of the Byzantine empire is a chess addict.
1119
CORRES; 1st corr game: Henry I (1068-1135) of England & Louis VI
(1081-1137).
1120
LEWIS; Oldest known chess set, the Lewis chessmen, from this period.
1123
Kyayyam wrote the RUBAIYAT with chess references
1125
BYZANTINE; Chess is banned in some byzantine churches.
1128
St. Bernard (1090-1153) forbids the knights templars from chess.
1130
Draughts, a variant of chess, invented in the south of France using
backgammon pieces.
1140
Al-Mubarak writes Arabic manuscript for Abd-al-Hamid (AH manuscript)
1140
IBN-EZRA; 1st chess poems in Hebrew, by Ibn-Ezra.
1140
QUEEN'S LEAP; The fers's (queen')s leap is introduced in Spain by
Ibn-Ezra.
1144
Hyde Abbey, Winchester, destroyed by fire. Chessmen from King Cnut.
1148
Alexiad of Anna Comnena mentions Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus
playing chess.
1150
LEWIS; Bone chessmen were being made. Lewis chessmen dated here.
1150
Draughts (checkers) started in France.
1157
DANISH; A danish king saved himself by using a chessboard as a shield.
1167
IBN-EZRA; Abraham Ibn-Ezra died in London. Wrote several Hebrew works
on chess.
1167
SPAIN; Earliest spanish reference to chess.
1173
ALGEBRAIC; A French manuscript uses algebraic notation.
1180
BRITISH; 1st British reference to chess, by a Winchester monk.
1189
PROBLEMS; 1st European reference to chess problems, by Gerald of
Wales.
1190
NECKAM; Alexander Neckam devotes a chapter to chess in his treatise,
On the Nature of Things.
1190
Neckam condemns chess for being frivolous.
1190
RICHARD I; King Richard I (1157-99) learns chess while on the
crusades.
1195
MAIMONIDES; The rabbi Maimonides includes chess among the forbidden
games.
1197
Abbot of Persigny writes to Countess of Perche warning her against
chess.
1199
LACKLAND; John Lackland, King of England, was a keen chess player.
1200
Courier chess, played on a 12x8 board, introduced.
1200
Great chess, played on a 100 square board, introduced.
1208
SULLY; The bishop of Paris, Odo Sully, bans chess from the clergy.
1210
Morality of chess according to Pope Innocent III (1160-1216) written.
1212
Ferrand of Portugal hit his wife Jeanne over a game of chess.
1213
JOHN; King John was playing chess when his deputies from Rouen arrived
to ask for his help against King Augustus.
1217
KHAN; Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, born.
1220
DICE; Chess is no longer played with dice to determine moves.
1221
Arabic manuscript (V)
1230
Astronomical chess introduced.
1230
Icelandic ST OLAF'S SAGA contains a chess incident. 1st appearance of
chess in the Norse lands.
1240
FORBID; Chess forbidden to the clergy in Worcester, England.
1242
Al-Mustasim, Abbasid caliph, reigned
1250
DENMARK; The king of Denmark was captured while playing chess.
1250
LOUIX; King Louis IX (1214-1270) receives a fine chess set from
Aladdin.
1250
Mabinogion, Welsh epic, attains written form. Chess mentioned.
1250
VETULA; Latin verse romance, the Vetula, by Richard de Fournival.
Mentions chess.
1250
? Cessole, Jacopo da, (Cessolis), born in Italy. Author of the most
famous of chess moralities.
1252
JOHN; THE INNOCENT MORALITY chess allegory written by John of Wales.
1254.08.16
Court case about a chessplayer who stabbed his opponent to death.
1254.12
St Louis IX of France restricts chess to laymen.
1255.05.08
FRANCE; Provincial Council of Beziers in France forbids chess.
1257
Arabic manuscript now in British museum (BM manuscript)
1258
ABBASID; end of Abbasid caliphs.
1258
Al-Mustasim put to death by invading Mongols.
1258
Mongols sacked Baghdad.
1260
HENRY; King Henry III (1207-72) instructs the clergy to leave chess
alone.
1262
Russian word for chess (shakmatny) is introduced.
1264
Quarrel over chess game; man stabs woman to death.
1265
Buzecca played 2 games blindfold, 1 OTB (+2=1) in Florence.
1265
KHAN; Hulagu Khan died.
1268
Conradon was playing chess in prison before being executed.
1271
DALMATION; Ruling dalmation towns of Yugoslavia was determined by a
chess match.
1273
Cotton MS is the earliest English collection of chess problems.
1275
Cessole writes the most important of all moralities and most copied.
1275
PAWN; Option of pawn double move on the 1st move introduced in Italy.
1279
Chinese introduce new pieces to Chinese chess (siang ki)
1283
Alfonso manuscript completed. Compiled for Alfonso X, Castile King.
Called Libro del Acedrex.
1283
Alfonso manuscript prescribed the use of a checkered board.
1283
Dice chess explained by King Alfonso X in his manuscript.
1290
Lombard lawyer, Guido de Baysio, formulate rules to govern chess.
1291
PECKMAN; The Archbishop of Cantebury, John Peckman, forbids chess.
1295
BONUS SOCIUS is 1st European MS using a coordinate notation.
1295
Bonus Socius, 1st compilation of chess problems, written in Lombardy.
1299
Priests were forbidden from playing chess.
1300
Cessole writes 'Book of the customs of men and the duties of nobles'.
Chess morales. (liber de moribus)
1300
Gesta Romanorum, a chess morality compiled in England, written.
1309
HUGO; Ponce Hugo, Count of Ampurias, donates chessmen to the cathedral
of Gerona.
1310
FORBID; Chess forbidden to the clergy in Germany (Council of Trier).
1317
Cessole in charge of the inquisition in Genoa.
1320
CARDS; Playing cards introduced.
1322
KALONYMOS; Jewish rabbi, Kalonymos Ben Kalonymos, condemns chess in
his Eben Hohan.
1323
CHATRANG-NAMAK written; oldest of Pahlawi works
1328
ibn Taimiya (a Hanabalite) says chess can be played, but not for
money.
1329
FORBID; Synod of Wurzburg, Germany forbids chess.
1330
Citadel chess invented. Extra square at each corner.
1331
al-jami plays 2 games blindfolded and a 3rd, simultaneously.
1335
Robert, King of Hungary, sent John, King of Bohemia, a chess set.
1336
Timur born. Mongol ruler and chess enthusiast,
1337
Ammenhausen writes about courier chess.
1340
persian 'treasury of sciences' includes 3 chapters on chess.
1347
CESSOLIS; 1st translation of the Cessolis morality into French.
1350
Margiolano of Florence is recognized as the leading blindfold player.
1360
Les Amoureux Eschecs written. Best example of romantic allegory.
1369
Chaucer (1343-1400) writes about chess in his poem The Book of the
Duchess.
1370
ARRANGEMENT; Earlist known chess puzzle called arrangement.
1370
Arabic manuscript written; belonged to Sultan of Egypt; in Cairo; (C
manuscript)
1370
GREGORY; Pope Gregory xi (1329-1378) is an avid chessplayer.
1374
Timur names his son shah-rukh after playing chess
1375
Charles V (1337-80) of France prohibits chess.
1380
William of Wykeleham, founder of Oxford, forbids chess.
1390.10.10
John I of Aragon requested a board and set at his lodging in Valencia.
1391
Charles D'Orleans b. Chess player and father of Louis XII.
1391
Orleans, Charles d' born. French prince and chessplyer.
1392
Charles VI (1368-1422) forbids chess.
1397.02.05
Louis, Duke of Orleans, purchased an elaborate chessboard.
1405
TIMUR; Mongol emperor Timur died.
1407
Louis, Duke of Orleans, died. Chessplayer.
1408
MOHAMMED; The Sultan Mohammed plays live chess in Grenada, Spain.
1410
Martin of Aragon is an avid collector of chess sets and books.
1412
LYDGATE; John Lydgate wrote Reson and sensuallyte, a romantic
allegory.
1416
Jews of Forli banned all games of chance except chess.
1420
German king abandons the prohibition of chess.
1422
Cracow manuscript states that stalemate is a draw.
1422
Cracow poem attributes the invention of chess to Ulysses.
1425
ROYAL; 1st reference to chess as 'the royal game' in Lydgates
translation.
1430
Charles VII (1403-61), King of France, is a chess addict.
1433
Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, born. Strong chessplayer.
1437
JAMES I; King James I of Scotland was playing chess when he was
murdered.
1440
CIVIS BONONIAI, collection of chess problems, incorporated in
Florentine manuscript.
1446
Arabic manuscript (Man.)
1450
Arabic manuscript (H)
1450
PROBLEM; Custom of attaching to each problem an author.
1454
CIVIS; Best copy of Civis Bononiae's manuscript made. Now in Modena.
1454
Living chess played in Morostica, Italy for the hand of a lady.
1457.05
Charles, Duke of Orleans, wins a rare chess manuscript.
1460
Charles the Bold (1433-77) considered the best player of his time.
1464
statute included chessmen in a list of goods which were no onger to be
imported.
1465
Charles D'Orleans d. Chess player and father of Louis XII.
1465
Orleans, Charles d' died. French prince and chessplyer.
1467
BALLET; Colonna's Hypnerotomachia Poliphili describes chess balet.
1470
INNOCENT MORALITY published. 1st printed reference to chess.
1471
Gottingen manuscript published. 1st work devoted to modern chess.
1472
HARDBACK; 1st hardback book dealing with chess published.
1472
MORALITY; 1st printing of the Gesta Romanorum morality, in Latin.
1474
Caxton (1422-1491) publishes 'the game and playe of chesse.'
1474.12
Gottingen manuscript in the hands of King Alfonso V of Portugal.
1475
CHESS; Beginning of modern chess starts in southern Europe.
1475
Fers replaced by the queen and the aufin replaced by the bishop.
1476
CHARLES; At Louvaine, Charles the Bold forbids cards & dice, but not
chess.
1477
Charles the Bold died.
1480
? Damiano, Pedro born in Odemira, Portugal. Wrote 1st chess book in
Italian.
1485
GAME; 1st known modern chess game recorded.
1490
En passant is introduced.
1490
PAINTING; 1st chess painting 'the chess players,' by a Venetian
artist.
1490
VIDA; Marco Girolamo Vida born.
1492
Ferdinand played chess while Columbus negotiated.
1495
BOOK; 1st practical chess book printed, by the Catalan Vicent treatise
on openings.
1495
INQUISITION; During the Inquisition, living chess was played.
1495
Vicent publishes his Catalan chess book, 1st practical chess book to
be printed.
1496
BOOK; Oldest surviving book dealing with practical play printed by
Lucena; Repeticion de Amores.
1497
Lucena writes 1st printed book on chess playing; dedicated to Prince
Juan.
1498
Mennel presents manuscript to Emperor Maximilian I that chess is a
game of skill.
1500
FIRDEWSI; World's longest poem, by Firdewsi, recounts how chess was
invented.
1500
JEWS; Chess becomes a recognized pastime for Jews on the Sabbath.
1500
SCACHS; The Catalan Scachs d'amor chess poem written.
1503
Arabic manuscript (F)
1503
Firdewsi completes a chess book which includes Dilaram's mate.
1509
JAVA; 1st Portuguese expedition off Malacca. The Javans recognized
chess
1510
Vida writes his poem, Scacchia Ludus, the 1st mention of a goddess of
chess.
1512
BOOK; 1st chess book to be published in Italy, by Damiano in Rome. 2nd
extant chess book.
1512
Damiano doesn't mention medieval chess.
1512
Damiano says chess was invented by Xerxes (Axedrez is Sp for chess).
1512
Manuscript copied by Guarini at Rome was last Italian collection of
medieval chess.
1513
Vida writes chess poem Scacchia Ludus.
1516
CASTIGLIONE; Book of the Courtier written by Castiglione. Mentions
chess.
1518
DAMIANO; 2nd printing of Damiano's book, Questo libro, printed in
Rome.
1520
LEYDEN; Lucas von Leyden paints THE CHESSPLAYERS, showing Courier
chess.
1522
VASSILI; Clergy ordered not to play chess by Vassili III.
1524
DAMIANO; 3rd printing of Damiano's book.
1525
SCACCHORUM; Unauthorized version of SCACCHORUM LIBER published in
Florence.
1525
VIDA; Scacchia ludus by Vida published in Lyons; pirate version.
1527
Vida published SCACCHIA LUDUS, a famous poem on chess, Rome.
1528
Boi, Paolo born in Syracuse, Italy. 16th century leading player.
1530
Ruy Lopez b. in Zafra, Spain. Spanish priest & leading player.
1533
Atahualpa, inca emperor of peru, imprisoned and learns chess.
1535
? Ceron, Alfonso born in Granada.
1536
Egenolff publishes updated SCHACHZABEL by Mennel in Franfort.
1536
Egenolff; Cessole morality by Egenolff at Franfurt mentions new chess.
1537
French pamphlet containing medieval chess problems; last medieval
reference.
1542
LEONARDO; Giovanni Leonardo born in Calaria. Nicknamed Il Puttino (The
Boy).
1544
Damiano, Pedro died in Portugal. Wrote 1st chess book in Italian.
1548
POLERIO; Giulio Polerio born in Lanciano, Italy.
1549
Boi defeats Pope Paul III in a chess match.
1549
Valladolid; Cessole's morality published at Valladolid. Last Spanish
version.
1550
Arabic manuscript (Q)
1550
Arabic manuscript (RAS)
1550
CLUB; 1st chess club, organized in Italy.
1550
SYLVESTER; Protohierarch Sylvester denounces chess.
1550
Valdiviesco, Don Antonio de, Bishop of Nicaragua, assassinated while
playing chess in his palace at Leon.
1551
Cessole's morality in dutch published at Louvain the last version.
1551
Ivan IV of Russia bans chess. Civil code called Hundred Chapters.
1555
Castling is introduced.
1560
DAMIANO; French version of Damiano's book published in Paris by
Gruget.
1560
Ruy Lopez visits Rome and defeats all the players.
1561
CASTLING; Last time castling was 2 separate moves.
1561
Ruy Lopez proposes the 50-move rule to claim a draw.
1561
Ruy Lopez writes his book on chess. Introduces the word gambit.
(Alcala, 1561)
1562
BOOK; 1st instructional book, Damiano translation, published in
London.
1562
St Teresa, a Spanish reformer, includes chess in her writings.
1564
Damiano's book reprinted in Venice.
1565
? MANTIA; Orazio Gianutio Della Mantia, chess author, born in Turin.
1566
VIDA; Marcus Vida died. Chess poet and Bishop of Alba.
1569
Damianio's book reprinted in English.
1570
SALVIO; Alessandro Salvio b. Neapolitan author. Best analyst of his
time.
1570
? Gianutto della Mantia, Horatio born in Italy. Author of Italian
chess book.
1571
Arabic manuscript (S)
1572
Ruy lopez defeats several eminent players in Rome.
1573.07.12
Carrera, Pietro born in Militello, Sicily. Player and author.
1574
Boi and Leonardo beat Lopez and Ceron in presence of King Phillip II.
1574
Polerio records the important opening variations of his time.
1574
TOURNAMENT; 1st documented chess competion, played in Madrid.
1575
Arabic manuscript (R)
1575
Leonardo beats Ruy Lopez in Madrid.
1575
PLAGUE; After the Plaque of Cremona, all games except chess were
banned.
1575.08.22
BOI; King of Spain writes letter of recommendation for Boi.
1576
Boi taken prisoner, but wins his freedom playing chess.
1579
Selenus, Gustavus born.
1579
Sukaikir is the last write on the older muslim game of chess.
1579.04.10
August der Jungere, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg (Gustavus Selenus) born
in Dannenberg, Germany.
1580
Catherine de Medici of France is a keen chess player.
1580
Ruy lopez died.
1581
RUSSIA; Letter from Poland says that Russians are strong players.
1581
Wilcox writes A Glasse for Gamesters, defending chess.
1583
Actius writes that chess is a game of skill, not gambling.
1583
QUEEN; Italian lawyer recommends notifying player when queen is
attacked.
1584
Ivan the Terrible dies while starting a game of chess.
1584
Lopez's book translated into Italian by Tarsia and published in
Venice.
1584
Polerio writes about Lopez, Boi, and Leonardo from Madrid.
1586
Leonardo poisoned.
1587
SHOGI; Japanese chess (shogi) played
1590
Polerio plays the 1st recorded King's Gambit.
1590
Polerio's manuscript mentions Caro Kann and Greco Counter Gambit.
1590
Russian book on regulations forbade chess in Russia.
1594
Poleriop dedicates chess treatise to duke of Sora.
1597
Book published by Gianutio dealing with openings and problems.
Published in Turin.
1597
VIDA; 1st English version of Vida's Scacchia ludus.
1598
Boi, Paolo poisoned in Naples, Italy and died.
1598
James VI of Scotland writes Basilikon Doron and mentions chess.
1600
Castling established as a single move; still regional variations.
1600
Greco, Gioacchino born in Celico, Italy. Great 17th century Italian
player.
1600
Nilakantha writes the BHAGAVANTABHASKARA, which has a chess section
1600
PRO; Appearance of professional players who made their living at
chess.
1600
Stalemate in England is a win for the side whose King is stalemated
1604
Salvio publishes the 1st comprehensive chess book, in Naples;
Trattato.
1605
Ohashi-Sokei appointed chief shogi player in Japan.
1612
Arabic manuscript (Y)
1612
Buoncompagno, Duke of Sora and illegitimate son of Pope Gregory XIII,
leading Italian chess patron.
1612
Polerio died.
1612
Salvio wrote a chess tragedy in verse (La Scaccaide).
1613
SHAKESPEARE; Chess on stage in Shakespeare's The Tempest (Miranda
playing Ferdinand).
1614
Don Quixote published; refers to chess.
1614
SAUL; Arthur Saul's FAMOUS GAME OF CHESSE PLAY published. Thought
Xerxes invented chess.
1614
Stalemate was a loss according to A. Saul of England.
1616
Selenius publishes the earliest German book on openings, in Leipzig.
(Lopez's book)
1617
Carrera prints a book on all aspects of chess (Gioco Degli Scacchi).
1617
Carrera suggests enlarging the chessboard to 10 x 8.
1617
Carrera suggests new piece, the champion (combines rook and knight).
1619
Greco compiles a manuscript on openings to a patron in Rome.
1620
CASTLING; Modern version of castling established in France.
1621
Burton writes Anatomy of Melancholy and mentions chess.
1621
Greco wins 5,000 crowns at the Court of the Duke of Lorraine, Paris.
1622
Greco went to London where he was robbed of his 5,000 crowns.
1622
PLAY; Chess used in a play caled THE SPANISH CURATE.
1623
Greco began the practice of giving complete games.
1623
Greco presents chess manuscript to Nicholas Montstephen.
1624
Greco defeats all opponents at the court of Philip IV.
1624
Middleton's play suppressed by James I & Middleton went to prison.
1624
PLAY; A play, "A Game of Chess" by Thomas Middleton, written.
Anti-Spanish.
1625
History of St Demys Abbey saying Charlegmane gave them a chess set.
1630
Charles I is a chess addict, spending all his time at chess.
1633
Ecclesiastical lawyers declare chess as legal.
1634
Greco, Gioacchino died in the West Indies; strongest player of his
day.
1634
Salvio publishes an account of Leonardo da Cutri, IL PUTTINO.
1634
Salvio republishes his Trattato; attacked Carrera.
1634
Salvio starts a chess academy in Naples.
1635
Louis XIII was a chess addict.
1636.06.29
Hyde, Thomas, chess historian, born in Billingsley, England.
1640
CASTLING; Modern version of castling established in England.
1640
CHARLES; King Charles I of England is a keen chessplayer.
1640
MATE; 1st mention of Scholar's mate in 2nd edition of Saul's chess
book.
1640
Salvio died.
1641
AMERICA; 1st mention of chess in America, in a history of Dutch
settlers.
1643
Civil War pamphlet called The Game at Chess published.
1647
Charles I was playing chess when the Scots surrendered.
1647.09.18
Carrera, Pietro died in Messina, Italy. Sicilian historian &
antiquarian.
1649
ALEXEI; The Tsar Alexei punished chessplayers by whipping and prison.
1650
CORRES; Venetian merchant conducts a corr. game against Slovenia
player.
1651.05.13
STROBECK; Frederick William I of Prussia gives chess board to town of
Strobeck.
1652
COFFEE HOUSE; 1st coffee house opened in London. Chess was played
there.
1654
Cunningham, Alexander born in Scotland. Diplomat and historian.
Cunningham gambit.
1655
Cunningham, Alexander born in Scotland. Classical scholar.
1656
BEALE; ROYALL GAME OF CHESS PLAYE, by Beale, 1st published smothered
mate.
1656
GRECO; Earliest edition of Greco's work published, in English.
1658
Khalifa writes Arabic bibliography; has catalog of chess books
1660
JEHAN; The Shah Jehan builds a chess palace.
1663.04.23
TSAR; Chess sets presented to the Tsar.
1665
ABU; Earlist dating of Abu 'l-fath manuscript.
1666
Selenus died.
1666.09.17
August der Jungere, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg (Gustavus Selenus) died
in Wolfenbuttel, Germany.
1667
SACCHERI; Giovanni Girolamo Saccheri born. Played 3 games blindfold.
1669
Greco's manuscripts published in Paris.
1669
MIKHAILOVITCH; Tsar Alexei Mikhailovitch orders 10 sets of chessmen.
1670
Cafe de la Regence opened in Paris. Closed in 1916.
1672
BOOK; Next English book since 1656, a re-issue of Saul and Barbier.
1675
Leibniz, the german philosopher, played chess.
1680
ACADEMY; A chess academy was conducted at Fountainbleau.
1683
Piacenza writes book describing flank openings as fianchetti.
1685
RUSSIA; Muscovite embassy to Louis XIV defeated French players in
Paris.
1686
Tsar liberates man from confinement whose crime was playing chess and
swearing.
1687
SIAM; 1st account of chess in Siam by La Loubere, envoy to Louis XIV
1689
Peter the Great born.
1690
ASPERLING; 'Traite de Lausanne' written by B. Asperling.
1690
Books on the origin of chess published in Naples by Marco Severino.
1690
KING'S LEAP; The medieval's king leap makes its last appearance in the
'Traite'.
1690
OPENINGS; 1st time openings are classified in an orderly way.
1692
Slaughter's coffee house in London founded for chessplayers.
1694
Hyde publishes the 1st scholarly attempt of oriental chess origins, De
Ludis Orientalibus.
1695
? Bertin, Joseph born at Castelmoron-sur-Lot. Chess author.
1697
Herbelot's BIBLIOTHEQUE ORIENTALE, gives some chess history.
1698
GENTIL; TRAITE DES LAUSANNE by Gentil published. 1st appearance of
QGCG.
1698
LOLLI; Giambattista Lolli born in Nonantola. Chess author.
1700
Payagunda writes CHATURANGAVINODA (The Game of Chess)
1700
Peter the Great cancels a ban on chess.
1700
Slaugter's Coffee House was center of London until 1770.
1702
LEGAL; M. de Kermar, Sire de Legal, born. Philidor's teacher.
1702.02.18
Hyde, Thomas died in Oxford, England. Oriental scholar. Establised
Indian origin of chess.
1705
Liebniz takes interest in chess.
1705
STAMMA; Phillip Stamma born. Chess player from Aleppo. Interpreter of
Oriental languages.
1706
CAZE; M. Caze writes an unpublished manuscript on the King's Gambit.
1706
FRANKLIN; Benjamin Franklin born. Wrote 'Morals of chess'.
1707
Cunningham, Alexander originates the Bertin Gambit, published by
Bertin in 1735.
1709
Charles XII, King of Sweden, plays chess.
1711
PROHIBITED; chess is prohibitted in Frankfort for 14 years after the
Great Fire.
1715
CLUB; 1st chess club in England at Slaughter's in London.
1715
Cozio, Carlo born in Italy. Count of Montiglio and chess author.
1718
Charles XII died. King of Sweden who played chess.
1718
Grotto beat English Admiral Byng in Naples.
1718
RIO; Domenico del Rio, the anonymous modenese, born.
1718
del Rio, Ercole born in Guiglia, Italy. Author.
1719
Feret, in a paper to the French Academy, supports Indian origin of
chess.
1719.11.09
PONZIANI; Domenico Ponziani born in Modena, Italy. Prof. of Civil Law,
Canon of the Cathedral, vicar.
1722
Three-handed chess and board invented by Marinelli in Naples.
1723
GROTTO; D. Scipone del Grotto died. Leading player of Naples. Priest
from Salerno.
1723
Sicilian Defense played in Naples by Severino.
1726.09.07
Philidor born at Dreux near Paris. 18th century master. Wrote 23
operas.
1728
BEUMONT; Charles Chevalier d'Eon de Beumont born. Fr. diplomat &
chessplayer.
1728
Eon de Beaumont, Charles born. (d'eon) Transvestite.
1730.12
Cunningham, Alexander died at the Hague. Classical scholar.
1733
Rousseau becomes interested in chess. Writes about it in his
Confessions.
1733.09.15
Short Essay on the Game of Chess appears in the Craftsman.
1734
KEMPELEN; Wolfgang von Kempelen, inventor of the first automaton,
born.
1735
BERTIN; THE NOBLE GAME OF CHESS by Bertin is 1st worthwhile English
book.
1736
Philidor learns how to play chess.
1736.12.19
Bruhl, John (Hans) born in Wiederau, Germany. Gave support to
Philidor. Minister of Saxony.
1736
? Bertin, Joseph died. Author of THE NOBLE GAME OF CHESS.
1737
Cunningham, Alexander died in London; Diplomat and historian.
Cunningham gambit.
1737
Stamma publishes a chess book in Paris. 1st book using standard
notation. Essai. (Murray, 847)
1738
Philidor writes opera, performed at Versailles.
1740
Legall teaches chess to Philidor. Legal starts with Rook odds.
1740
Philidor leave choir of Chapel Royal.
1741
Stamma's book published in French at The Hague.
1742
Rousseau meets Legal and Philidor at the Cafe Maugis.
1743
BOARD; Chess played on a board 14 by 10 in London. Invented by the
Duke of Rutland.
1743
Philidor and Legal playing on even level.
1744
Philidor plays 2 opponents blindfold in Paris at age 18.
1745
Atwood, George born in England. Played many games with Philidor.
Distinguished mathematician.
1745
HOYLE; 1st edition of Hoyles games published, with a chess section.
1745
Stamma publishes 'the noble game of chess' in algebraic notation.
Published in London.
1745.12
Philidor earns a living by teaching and playing chess at The Hague.
1746
JONES; Sir William Jones born. Translated 1st Sanskrit reference to
chess
1746.02.15
Heinse, Wilhelm born in Ilmenau, Germany. Wrote about Anastasia's
mate.
1747
Philidor defeats Stamma in a match at Slaughter's in London. 10 games.
1747
Philidor visits England under the auspices of Sir Janssen, strongest
English player.
1747
Twiss, Richard born. Chess author.
1748
Philidor introduces the modern rule of numbering each move and its
reply with the same number.
1748
Philidor writes L'ANALYSE DU JEU DES ESCHECS. Lord Sandwich orders 10
copies.
1748
Stein, Elias born. Chess tutor of Dutch royalty.
1748
Voltaire and Emperor Frederick II of Prussia play chess.
1749
Philidor publishes ANALYZE DES ESCHECS in London, most important chess
book to date.
1750
Arabic manuscript (Z)
1750
Del Rio publishes a chess book. 1st on the Scotch opening.
1750
GRECO; CHESS MADE EASY, an English edition of Greco's work, published.
1750
Legal's mate introduced by Legal against Saint Brie.
1750
PHILIDOR; English editon of Philidor's book published. Called Chess
Analyzed.
1750
Philidor gives chess exhibitions for Frederick the Great.
1750
Philidor plays 3 games blindfold in Berlin, winning all 3.
1750
king leap ended in Spain and Portugal.
1751
Philidor plays 3 blindfold games simultaneously in Berlin.
1752
Chess manuscript presented to Gottingen University by F. Borner.
1754
Battilor, Stefano died.
1754.09
Philidor returns to France after an absence of 9 years.
1755
Article on chess in Diderot's ENCYCLOPEDIE.
1755
Philidor defeats Legall in France at the Cafe de la Regence.
1755
Stamma died.
1760
Rousseau plays Prince de Conti, winning 2 games.
1761
Hoyle publishes essay on chess (Murray 850).
1762
Franklin plays Bartram (game - CR 1/62,18)
1763
Caissa, the muse or goddess of chess, created by Sir William Jones.
1763
FIANCHETTO; Modern usage of fianchetto 1st described by Lolli.
1763
JONES; Sir William Jones writes the poem Caissa.
1763
Lolli publishes a 632 page compendium of chess.
1763.06.19
Allgaier, Johann born in Schussenried, Germany. Tutored the Emperor's
sons.
1764
LAMBE; HISTORY OF CHESS by Lambe published in London.
1766
Alexandre, Aaron born in Hohenfeld, Bavaria.
1766
COZIO; 4-part 2-volume IL GIUOCO DEGLI SCACCHI by Cozio completed.
1767
Hyde's Latin work on the history of chess reprinted as 2nd volume.
1769
Automaton, first was the Turk.
1769
Hoyle dies.
1769
Lolli died.
1769
Ponziani publishes a practical chess guide to chess.
1769
Von Kempelen's The Turk is the 1st great cabinet illusion.
1770
Cochrane, James born in England. Wrote a book on the Muzio Gambit in
1829.
1770
Pratt, Peter born. Chess author.
1770
Turk 1st exhibited in Vienna at the court of Maria Theresa at Vienna.
1770
club formed at the Salopian Coffee House in England.
1771
Philidor plays chess at the Salopian Coffee-house.
1771
THEATRE; Chess is used in the theater in LE BOURRU BIENFAISSANT.
1772
Coxe sees 4-handed chess in Russia. 1st reference to 4-handed chess.
1772
Jones, Sir William publishes his Poems (Oxford), including Caissa.
1772
Maelzel, John Nepomucene born in Ratisbon, Bavaria. Turk owner.
1772
Parsloe's, a chess club in London, founded. Closed in 1825.
1772
Philidor returns to London.
1772
SARRATT; Jacob Sarratt born. 1st professional to teach chess in
England.
1773
PLAY; Chess used in Goethe's 1st play.
1774
BOOK; Oldest Danish chess book (Murray, 854).
1774
Parsloe's CC founded in England. Limited to 100 members. (Murray 863)
1775
CATHERINE; Prince Potemkin and Catherine the Great play chess.
1775
TRAITES DES AMATEURS published by Bernard, Carlier, Leger, Verdoni.
1775.02
Philidor gives chess lessons at Parsole's for 1 crown.
1776.12.26
RALL; British General Rall died in Battle of Trenton. Was playing
chess.
1777
Gauss born. Chessplayer. Solved the 8 queens problem.
1777
PHILIDOR; 2nd edition of Philidor's book, ANALYZE, in French and
English.
1777.06
d'Eon de Beaumont subscribes to Philidor's new book edition.
1779
ROGET; Peter Roget b. Devised 1st poecket set. Wrote the Thesaurus.
1779
RUTLAND; Duke of Rutland's chess invented using a 14 x 10 board.
1780
Cotter of England 1st plays the Allgaier Gambit of the KGA.
1780
Cozio, Carlo died in Italy. Author.
1780.03.07
Deschapelles, Alexandre born in Ville d'Avray, France.. Lost his right
arm in a war.
1781
RECORD; 1st recording of games systematically, by Atwood.
1781
Vezin, Charles born in Hanover. Philadelphia's best chess player.
1782
Ponziani writes IL GUICO INCOMPARABILE DEGLI SCACCI, Modena
1782.03.07
Butrimov, Ivan born in St Petersburg. Published 1st Russian chess book
in 1821,
1782.05.28
Philidor plays Count Bruhl and Bowdler blindfold, simultaneously.
1783
CLUB; Paris starts chess club under patronage of Louis XVIII.
1783
Franklin plays the Turk in Paris.
1783
TURK; 2nd performance of the Turk, in Vienna for Emperor Joseph II.
1783.05.08
Philidor plays 3 games simultaneously, blindfolded. Age 57. (won 2,
drew 1)
1784
BOOK; Oldest Swedish book, Kort Afhandling, is published by
Konigstedt.
1784
O-O; Moses Hirschel introduces the o-o and o-o-o symbol. (Murray,
848).
1784
Kempelen brings The Turk to Britain.
1784
Thicknesse; 'The automaton chessplayer, exposed' by Thicknesse,
published in London.
1785
Frederick the Great plays the Turk.
1786.12
Frankin publishes his 'Morals of Chess' in COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE.
1787
Barrington write An Historical Disquisition on the Game of Chess.
1787
MOURET; Jacques Mouret born. Turk operator. Nephew of Philidor.
1787
Twiss writes book called Chess (volume 1) anonymously.
1787.10.09
LEWIS; William Lewis, English player, b. in Birmingham. Operated the
Turk.
1788
Philidor playing at 62 giving knight odds.
1789
Racknitz builds a duplicate turk. Publishes book exposing the Turk.
1789
Stein publishes opening book; analyzes the Dutch defense.
1789
Twiss writes Chess (vol 2).
1790
JONES; Sir William Jones writes On the Indian Game of Chess.
1790
PHILIDOR; 3rd edition of Philidor's book published.
1790
Philidor plays at age 64 blindfold, simultaneously at pawn odds.
1790
ROOK; 1st known double rook sac made by Bowdler against Conway,
London.
1790.01.27
Evans, William, inventor of the Evans gambit, born in Pembroke, Wales.
1791
BOOK, RUSSIA; 1st chess book published in Russia.
1792
Legall died. Philidor's teacher.
1793
Irwin writes Account of the Chinese Game of Chess.
1794
Douce writes EUROPEAN NAMES OF CHESSMEN in Archaeologia, London
1794
JONES; Sir William Jones died. Sanskrit translater
1794.02.12
PETROFF; Alexander Petroff b. in Viserovo, Russia. 1st strong Russian
player.
1794.02.23
Philidor plays several blindfold, simultaneously at age 68.
1795
ALLGAIER; 1st German chess manual, published by Allgaier, in Vienna.
1795
BURMA; 1st account of Burmese chess in Syme's ACCOUNT OF AN EMBASSY TO
THE KINGDOM OF AVA.
1795
Turkish chess manuscript with 128 chess problems; now in Berlin
1795.06.20
Philidor's last blindfold performance.
1795.07.27
Bledow, Ludwig, founder of the Pleiades, born in Berlin.
1795.08.05
PHILIDOR; Last known game of Philidor. Still winning at age 69 with
pawn odds.
1795.08.31
Philidor died in London. Age 69.
1796
Atwood plays chess against Verdoni.
1796
Muhammad-khan, Shir wrote SARDARNAMA.
1796
NEWHAM; Samuel Newham, England's leading provincial player, born.
1796.07.15
Ponziani died.
1797
Bourdonnais, Louis Charles de la, born in Reunion Island.
1797
Morosi makes an automaton for Ferdinand III, Duke of Tuscany.
1797
automaton is a center in a play.
1797
de Labourdonnais, Louis born in La Reunion.
1797.01.21
Calvi, Iganzio born in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Italian player and
composer.
1798
Morosi makes an automaton and displays it in Paris.
1798
PRETI; Jean-Loius Preti b. Chess writer. Started LA STRATEGIE.
1798.02.04
Cochrane, John, born in England. Scottish player. Founder of the
romantic style.
1798.04.28
Forbes, Duncan born in Kinnaird, Scotland. Scottish writer on chess
history.
1798.05.21
McDonnell, Alexander b. Belfast. Best player in England around 1830.
1799
Cox publishes book on Burma Game of chess.
1799
Durand, Philippe born in Fresnay-la-Mere. Wrote 1st book devoted to
the practical endgame.
1799.11.25
Agnel, Hyacinth born in NY City. Author.