Audioguida Venafro's early medieval chess

Chess, produced in the sixth century in India, spread in the West around the year 1000, thanks to the Islamic world. In the transition from the East to Europe, some transformations of the game took place.

The checkerboard boxes, previously all of the same color, were progressively made using two colors, usually black and white. Kings, horses and pedestrians remained essentially unchanged, while other pieces underwent deeper changes, starting from the meaning.

For example, what was originally the war chariot became the current tower, while the ancient fighting elephant was transformed into a standard bearer. Another typically European figure is the queen, who replaced the piece representing the prime minister.

Translation and voice by dr. Lia Montereale, Funzionario per la Promozione e Comunicazione, Segretariato Regionale MIBACT per il Molise.