Chess can be traced back to the year 1500. It was invented in India and originated from a game known as Chaturanga, which translates into “four divisions,” referring to the four divisions of the military. Chess then spread to Persia. Following the Islamic conquest, chess spread to the Arab world and Muslim Spain, which then spread throughout southern Europe. The rules of chess were mostly developed in Persia, but were slightly changed by the Arabs. Because of a Dutch sailor, chess reached the United States in 1641. Benjamin Franklin published the book “The Morals of Chess” in 1786. Competitive chess started in the United States and Europe during this time, with many tournaments being held in England. The game is incredibly popular today, with it mainly being played on a computer instead of an actual chess board. Chess has existed for five centuries, and has remained popular since its inception.