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Chess commonly has the misconception of being originated from Western/European countries when in truth, it originated from Asia. History research has yet to determine for certainty the beginning dates of Chess, but the most influential proof dates back to a game sometime between the third and fifth centuries B.C. in India called “Chaturanga”(Some scholars believe that Chess originated from China.). Chaturanga game plates and pieces are almost the same to the modern chess. however, it was played with four people throwing a dice. Chaturanga soon spread throughout the Middle East, northern Africa and southern Europe by the medieval Persians who had conquered the northern part of India. However, prohibiting gambling and all dice games under the Islamic law changed the game to a dual game without the use of a dice called “Shatranj”. This game then spread to Europe and became modern chess.

Introduction to Korea

Prior to the 1990s, only diplomats and other USFK chess clubs were active and had little interactions with the local people. Only few local chess clubs existed and most of the members were not even aware of the full extent of the rules. In the 1990s, through the development of the Internet, online chess clubs began to multiply and around the same time . the sport gained much popularity amongst children as elementary schools adopted it as their extracurricular activities and cultural centers started to give out chess lessons for them. On a competition front, Korea started to participate in international competitions since 2005, and in 2008 Korean Olympic Committee recognized the Chess Federation. Korea now participates in regular major international chess tournaments.

Top Competitors of Chess

Top chess competing nations are Russia, China, India, Ukraine, Hungary, Armenia, etc.

Republic of Korea Medal Status

No medals

Individual Match

• Matches: 7 rounds (Swiss system)
• Duration: All moves in 90 minutes plus cumulative increments of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1

Rapid Mixed Team

• Matches: 5 preliminary rounds (Swiss system), semi-finals
• Duration: All moves in 3 minutes plus cumulative increments of 2 seconds per move starting from move 1

Blitz Mixed Team

• Matches:5 preliminary rounds (Swiss system), semi-finals/finals
• Duration: All moves in 3 minutes plus cumulative increments of 2 seconds per move starting from move 1

Swiss League :

 Swiss league is a type of tournament which combines the advantages of tournament and league. At each round of the league, players or teams with the same number of wins are paired for a match. Ranking is determined after the final round of the league.

Check :

 Check is the threat to capture the king on the next turn to move. A king so threatened is said to be in check. In the following move, the player whose king is in check must get their king out of check, if it is possible.

Checkmate :

 Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in chess in which one player's king is threatened with capture (in check) and there is no way to meet that threat. Delivering checkmate is the ultimate goal in chess.

Stalemate :

 Stalemate is a situation in the game of chess where the player whose turn to move is not in check but has no legal moves either. A stalemate ends the game in a draw.

Zugzwang :

 The term finds its formal definition in combinatorial game theory, and it describes a situation where one player is put at a disadvantage because he has to make a move when he would prefer to pass and make no move.