Chess Trivia
October 27th, 2005· There are 318, 979, 564, 000 possible ways to play the first four moves of a chess game on each side of the board.
· The first chess champion of the world was Wilhelm Steinitz. He defeated Johannes Zukertort in 1886.
· American chess champion, Bobby Fischer, played his last match against Boris Spassky in 1992. He won the match after disappearing for 20 years.
· In 1891, a group in Dublin, Ireland formed the “Club of Living Chess,” where live players were used as the pieces. The group performed for charity events.
· The USSR banned blind chess in 1930. Authorities felt that a player’s mental health was in danger when they played without being able to see the board.
· In September 1976, Edward Lasker, then 90 years old, took part in the tetex chess match between New York and London. It’s believed he is the oldest person to participate in an international tournament.
· The shortest chess game recorded lasted fro only one move. It was played between Rogoff and Huber in 1972.
· The youngest Grandmaster was Bacrot was only fourteen years, 2 months old in 1977 when he received the title.
by Mary M. Alward
October 27th, 2005 at 11:29 am
I know that Bobby Fischer went into hiding for a long time. I think that he was residing in Iceland. Does anyone know if this is a fact or a rumor?
October 27th, 2005 at 3:24 pm
I know that Fischer was arrested in Tokyo, but am not sure if that is where he was for the 20 years. I do know he is anti semetic. How he could feel like this is unclear to me, as his mother was Jewish. Fischer is a narcissist. It’s all about him. However, I did enjoy these facts. Thanks for fulfilling my request. That was quick and I appreciate it.
October 27th, 2005 at 10:17 pm
Now I know why I never could learn to play chess. That first bit of trivia is overwhelming. LOL
October 28th, 2005 at 9:39 pm
Chess is a game of strategy and the trivia about the youngest Grandmaster is awesome. How one so young could become one is beyond me. The other thing that interested me was how a match could only last one move. That seems almost impossible.
October 29th, 2005 at 7:33 pm
Chess is the game of Kings. Interesting trivia.
October 29th, 2005 at 10:12 pm
I love a good game of chess but it’s getting harder to find people that can play. I do know that many schools are offering chess clubs to help students learn and that is a great idea.
October 30th, 2005 at 8:42 pm
I never got the hang of the game. I know how to set up the board and how to move the pieces, but the strategy has me baffled. I always lose.
November 1st, 2005 at 11:17 pm
I would love to see a living chess game. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
March 22nd, 2006 at 1:52 am
This is the greatest game of all time, and to think its origins share commonalities with that of trig and calc.
March 28th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
bobby fischer does live in iceland. he was arrested in tokyo for trying to use a revoked US passport. he is engaged to miyoko watai, who is a japanese chess official. during the time he was hiding he was living in japan and the bahamas ( i think) and traveling back and forth.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:02 am
chess is areal great game.any one who plays chess deserves to be called a champion of great minds.*****************************its stars for all chess players.