Blaise Pascal called this game gymnastics for the brain, and Gary Kasparov – the torment of the mind. And today, on Chess Day in Ukraine, together with congratulations for all chess players, we have prepared some interesting facts about one of the oldest sports

Chess Day was founded in 1996 by the decision of the World Chess Federation. It is believed that chess is derived from the popular ancient Indian game «chaturanga», which was loved in the VI century. Researchers believe that the name translates as «four units of the army»: infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots. These chess pieces turned into pawns, horses, elephants and a tour, but the story did not end there. In the VII century the game spread in Persia, only there it was called «shatrang».
The shortest and longest game in the world has been established in the history of chess. The shortest was the party, which was called «stupid mat». Why? Because the party consisted of only two moves. The longest party lasted 20 hours and 15 minutes. 269 moves were made during the game, and despite a fierce confrontation, it ended in a draw.
Psychologists claim that playing chess improves memory and makes you look for ideas of moves, solve complex problems. Some doctors even advise becoming chess players to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
For a long time, chess was considered a «male» sport for some time, but today many women and girls play chess in a joint ranking with men and win competitions of various levels. This year at the chess championship of Ukraine among girls till 12 years which took place in Nikolaiv, the bronze medal and the honorary Cup of the championship was won by Marina Petrenko from Zhytomyr. This is just the beginning! We are sure that the victories of Zhytomyr men and women will repeatedly impress the world.
Chess is not just a game or a sport. It is a way of thinking progressively, an opportunity to develop, produce new ideas and find unique moves.

We wish all connoisseurs of intellectual game good games and new victories!