Chess has a history spanning nearly 1500 years, originating from the Indian game chaturanga before spreading through Persia, the Muslim world, and into Europe, evolving to its current form by 1500 CE. The game, played on an 8x8 board, involves two players controlling pieces with the objective of checkmating the opponent's king, and has seen the establishment of organized competitions and the development of chess theory. Today, chess enjoys global popularity, with professional governance by FIDE and advancements through technology influencing its strategic depth.