The origin of chess is still
a controversial subject in many aspects. Historians differ in their views on the
country of origin and the inventor of the game. However, it is largely accepted
that chess descended from chaturanga, a game believed to have originated in
India in the 6th century. This first precursor may be related to a much older
Chinese game. Chaturanga is a Sanskrit word that refers to the battle formation
of an Indian army – namely elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry
– which inspired the four different types of pieces in the game.