International Chess Day 2026: 5 incredible facts about chess

International Chess Day 2026: 5 incredible facts about chess Haren Sharma Mid-Day Lifestyle By Haren Sharma Published Jul 07, 2026 [{ "selector": ".imaoe-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-309px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

International Chess Day 2026 Every year, International Chess Day is observed on July 20, honouring one of the oldest and most intellectually stimulating games Pexels [{ "selector": ".imaoe-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-309px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Origins of the Day International Chess Day, proposed by UNESCO, started in 1966. The UN General Assembly officially recognised July 20 as World Chess Day in 2019 Pexels [{ "selector": ".imaoe-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-309px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

From Chaturanga to Shatranj to Chess Modern chess evolved from India`s Chaturanga, reached Persia as Shatranj around 600 CE, and spread via the Silk Road to Arabia and Byzantium Pexels [{ "selector": ".imaoe-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-309px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

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