Brain Sharpenerzz

Chess, as a structured competitive activity, began to take shape in the 19th century. Although modern chess rules were established around 1475, the first formal chess tournament was held in Leeds in 1841. This was soon followed by a knockout tournament in London in 1849 and a significant event was held Amsterdam in 1851. The first true international chess tournament took place in London in 1851 during the Great Exhibition setting the standard for future global competitions and highlighting the need for time controls in chess. After 1851, international chess tournaments proliferated rapidly with major events in cities like Berlin, Paris, New York and Vienna. By the end of World War II there were 24 international tournaments annually and by 1990 that number had surged to over a thousand. Chess Olympiads and FIDE In 1924, an attempt was made to include chess in the Olympic Games but due to difficulties distinguishing amateurs from professionals it was not included. Instead the first...