Chess is considered one of the most intellectual games, because it requires a person to think through moves ahead and try to get around an opponent from a strategic point of view. And sometimes parties resemble real military battles, where each pawn is of great value, and a small advantage becomes a guarantee of victory. And when real grandmasters meet in battle, their confrontation can go on for hours. But how long did the longest chess game last?
A brief history of chess
Chess originated from the Indian chaturanga game, which appeared in the 3rd – 6th centuries AD. From India, it began to spread to neighboring countries, where it underwent changes. On its basis, the Arab shatrange, the Japanese shogi and the Chinese xiangqi were invented.
In the 9th century, the shatrange came to the territory of Europe, which over the next five hundred years was strongly modified. By the 15th century, the game had turned into chess and had the classic rules that are still in use today.
Interesting fact: mathematician Cold Shannon in 1950 calculated the maximum number of possible non-repeating chess games. Their number was 10 in the 120th degree.
Since the 19th century, chess began to rise to the professional sports stage. Competitions for them were held in many countries, and since 1886 there has been a tournament whose winner receives the title of “world champion”. Now all competitions are supervised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), which has existed since 1924.
Despite the well-established backbone of the rules, the process of conducting parties can change and be supplemented by certain features.For example, in some competitions, moves must take place in a fixed time, and their number cannot exceed fifty.
How long did the longest chess game last?
The longest chess match was recorded in 1989. Goran Arsovich and Ivan Nikolic met in Belgrade. Since both were great players, they were not going to give up their opponent so easily.
Their party lasted 20 hours and 15 minutes, and for two the players made 269 moves. This is an absolute record. On average, chess players spent four and a half minutes per action. The match ended in a draw and lasted until both had no options for the move.
The longest chess game lasted 20 hours and 15 minutes. It was played by Goran Arsovich and Ivan Nikolic in 1989.
