The originator of chess - Bo

Any art or technology in the world has its ups and downs, from simple to complex, from elementary to advanced. To study the historical development of chess, it is necessary to carry out appropriate chronological periodization. Liu Daoping and Zhang Feng studied the history of the development of ancient Chinese chess and divided it into seven periods, namely the gestation period, childhood period, contention period, climax period, mid-ebb period, peak period and steady tide. This article begins with a systematic introduction to the ancient history of Chinese chess.

Liubo began in the pre-Qin Dynasty

The "Songs of Chu·Zhuhun" chapter says: "The art of chess is chess, and there are six games. Divide the cao and advance together, chase each other, and become an owl. And Mou, call for five days. "Kun is jade, Liubo is also chess." The term chess is used to refer to Liubo, which was first used here. Of course, the shapes of chess and Liubo are completely different. Liubo is a game of throwing and picking chess to win, while chess is a competitive sport that relies on intelligence, technology, and cultivation. Since Liubo has a certain relationship with later Xiangxi, the birth of the word "Xiangqi" gave birth to the emergence of Xiangqi in the future. Therefore, the time when the term "Xiangqi" was born was recorded in the "Xiang Jing" written by Emperor Wu of the Northern and Southern Zhou Dynasty. 》before, this period of time is called the gestation period of chess.

Liubo has a long history. Xu Shen's "Shuowen" of the Eastern Han Dynasty records: "The ancients and Cao Zuobo." "Shiben Zuopian" also said "Wu Cao Zuobo". Wu Cao was a minister of Xia Jie, more than 3,500 years ago. Sima Qian's "Historical Records: Yin Benji" said that Emperor Wu had become immoral and immoral, so he made a human-shaped idol, called it the "God of Heaven", and then "played with it to make people behave". This happened in the twelfth century BC. "Historical Records: The Huizi Family of the Song Dynasty" also records that in 683 BC, Min Gong of Song Dynasty had a quarrel with the official Nangong Wan over Liubo, and Nangong Wan brought up the Liubo chessboard and smashed him to death. "The Analects of Confucius Yang Huo" contains: "Confucius said: It is difficult to have nothing to do when you are full all day long! Is there no one who plays games? To do so, it is still virtuous." Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC) believed that gaming is a beneficial activity. It is better than those who eat all day long and have nothing to do. Without games, how can one be a virtuous person? Give the game a high rating. The game here refers to Liubo, and the game refers to Go. They are both called games. From the Han Dynasty, the game was officially called Go.

Liubo chess consists of chopsticks, chess pieces, chessboard, chips, cutting knife, cutter and utensils. Guan is also called Jian, Fu, Kui, and Gu. There are six branches in total, so it is called Liubo. It was first made of bamboo and wood, with both ends as long as arrows. Later, it was also made of bone and jade. The chess pieces are called "chess", also known as horses, and there are twelve pieces, half black and white, or half black and red, and each side holds one color. The chessboard is called a wooden game, also known as a curved path. It is made of wood and is approximately square. Different rectangular grooves and dots are engraved on the front of the white or black chessboard, and it is painted with red paint or ivory is embedded in the grooves. Bo Ding is also called Ye Ding, which is made of narrow bamboo slices. It is divided into two types, long and short, in varying quantities. It is used to record the winning and losing of the game. Cutting knives and sharpeners are used to cut and record numbers during gambling. The container is a box containing chess equipment.

During the Warring States Period, Liubo activities were popular in various countries. "Liezi·Shuofu" records that a rich man named Yu in Daliang set up a board on a high-rise building at the intersection to allow pedestrians to go upstairs to play gambling. "Historical Records: Biography of Su Qin" makes it more clear: "Linyi is very rich and practical, and its people are all good at playing poles, drums, harps, building, cockfighting, running dogs, Liubo, and Taju." Here he lists eight For entertainment, there are Liubo but no Go.

The oldest existing Liubo chess game was the Liubo chess game unearthed from an ancient tomb in the late Warring States Period in Yunmengsuihudi, Hubei Province from the end of 1975 to the spring of 1976. The shape is basically consistent with the records in ancient documents. According to research, the relative age of this game is before the 51st year of King Zhao of Qin (256 BC).

Chess has a long history and is full of fun. For thousands of years, it has been loved by people all over the world because it contains elements of sports, art and science. All chess lovers know that the magic of a fascinating game and a well-conceived arrangement is no less than that of a beautiful piece of music, a wonderful picture or other art. In addition, its combat and competitiveness in ad hoc battles are unmatched by other arts. It is becoming more and more popular among people.

Since chess is widely spread in countries around the world and has a long history, there are many opinions about its origin.

In the past hundred years, there have been roughly four theories about the origin of chess: China, India, Egypt, Greece, Persia and Arabia. Among them, the four theories of China, India, Egypt and Greece are the most popular. According to the Japanese Shibue Yasuo's "The Origin of Things in Western Europe": "Chess was created by a Greek who was one of the Seven Sages of Greece." In 1930, a piece of news was sent from Cairo, Egypt, that shocked the world chess world. It said:

An ancient chessboard with a history of 7,000 years was found in the tomb of a high priest named Qiao Shaooke; in addition, the statues of the high priest and his wife were also found. It can be seen that the game of chess was invented in Egypt at least about five thousand years before the birth of Jesus, and was not invented by the Persians or Chinese. This news immediately shocked the chess world around the world. If it is true, then the endless debate about the origin of chess can be ended. However, it was soon discovered that the news from the Cairo News Agency was untrue - the idea that chess was invented by the Egyptians was denied, and the theory that chess originated from Persia and Greece lacked basis. Therefore, the focus of the debate focused on the origin. The question of India or China comes up.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Soviet chess historians believed that chess originated in India and that Chinese chess was introduced from India. This view is denied by some European chess historians, who question this argument and believe that chess was created by the ancient Chinese people.

As for the origin of Chinese chess, there are also several interesting legends in ancient Chinese documents:

(1) It originated from the Shennong family in the legendary era, such as the Yuan Dynasty monk Nian Chang's " "Buddha's Chronicles" says: "The sun, moon and stars were borrowed from Shen Nong, and the cattle, monks and children of the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty used chariots, horses, generals, soldiers, soldiers and cannons instead as machines." "

(2) The Yellow Emperor originated from the legendary era. For example, Chao Buzhi of the Northern Song Dynasty said in "Guangxiang Opera Ge·Preface": "Elephants play with soldiers, and the Yellow Emperor's battles drive wild beasts into formations. Elephant refers to the majesty of the beast, so the opera soldiers named it after the elephant. "

(3) It originated during the Warring States Period. "Qian Que Ju Lei Shu" said: "Yongmen Zhou called Yichang Jun: once he moved to Yanju, he played chess, which was also a matter of the Warring States Period. In the Warring States period, soldiers were used, so people used war symbols as chess positions. "

(4) It originated during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. "Taiping Yulan" said: "Emperor Wu of Zhou made elephant plays", and Ming Luoqi's "Yuan of Things" said: "Emperor Wu of Zhou made chess. ”

Some of the above-mentioned legends about the origin of chess have certain basis and are worthy of further tracing. However, the germination of ancient chess in my country can be seen from these legends.

Everything in the world gradually develops in the conflict and struggle of opposites, and the same is true for the development of chess. According to a series of historical records, the system of ancient Chinese chess has changed greatly, and its entire development process has evolved from simple to complex. Complex, from easy to difficult, from elementary to advanced, and from quantitative changes to qualitative changes. History has proved that chess is the result of continuous innovation and creation by the ancient Chinese people in long-term practice. It is deeply rooted in the working people of our country and has a profound influence. It is widely circulated. It is known as one of the four major arts along with Qin, calligraphy and painting. It is also a dazzling pearl in the treasure house of ancient Chinese culture.

Chess in the Spring and Autumn Period, Warring States Period and Qin and Han Dynasties<. /p>

The Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period were the era when the slave society in our country declined and the feudal society just emerged. This was a period of great change in our country's history, and it was also a period of great cultural development in our country's ancient history. , military science, sports arts, etc., have developed considerably. Chess was considered by scholars at that time to be an integral part of mathematics, and it was open in this garden. In fact, chess was related to astronomy, mathematics, and military at that time. It can also be said that. , it was formed and developed on the basis of these sciences, and became an integral part of ancient Chinese culture. The chess skills of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods are collectively referred to as "Bo Qi" or written in ancient documents, also called "Xiangqi". "Yan Ze fights chess" and so on. The origin of the word "Chinese chess" should come from here, and it is definitely not an imported product.

During the Qin and Han Dynasties, with the development of production and the unification of political power, the connections between various regions and ethnic groups were strengthened, and their cultural undertakings also flourished. For example, the emergence of the famous "Nine Chapters on Arithmetic", the invention of papermaking, Zhang Heng's seismograph, and Hua Xin's medicine were all outstanding contributions to mankind during this period. As far as chess is concerned, at that time it did not specifically refer to a single kind of chess. In addition to Go, several other chess games such as Liubo and Tanqi were all called chess.

Xiangqi during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties

During the Three Kingdoms, the Two Jins, and the Southern and Northern Dynasties, due to the great integration of the various ethnic groups in the motherland and the hard work of the people of all ethnic groups, social production has developed Some improvements have been made, and our country's science and culture have also achieved new developments accordingly. It is not accidental that Xiang Opera appeared in the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Because people felt that the chess games at that time, such as Liubo and Saixi, were simple and too uninteresting, while Go was too time-consuming, while Xiangxi was right in between the two and was suitable for cultural and sports activities for the general public. Chinese chess from the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the late Northern Song Dynasty was named "Xiang Opera" in ancient literature.

Chess during the Sui and Tang Dynasties

During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the north and south of my country were unified, with a vast territory, a developed economy, and frequent cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. Therefore, people of all ethnic groups jointly created a splendid culture, such as the Tang poems of Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Wu Daozi, etc. Yan Liben's paintings and other scientific arts became one of the largest cultural treasures in the world at that time, profoundly reflecting the outstanding talents of the ancient Chinese people. The chess skills of this period were like Go. Xiangqi, Shuanglu, Tanqi, etc. have also seen new developments.

Wu Zetian plays chess in a dream

With the attention of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, chess gradually became more popular. According to "Liang Gong's Nine Remonstrances", Emperor Taizong's daughter-in-law Wu Zetian was a chess fan. "Liang Gong's Nine Admonitions" said:

Zitian slept until the third watch, and he had another dream. The dream was to play chess with Daluo Tiannu. Sleep. The next day I will receive the imperial court and ask the ministers what their dreams are like...

Bai Juyi and chess

Bai Juyi (772-846) was a great poet who loved chess. "Bings clash with elephants and carts" is his famous line about chess. Bai's wife is the sister of Yang Yingshi, an important figure in the Niu Sengru Party. Niu's "Baoguai Lu" once wrote about the chess system of the Tang Dynasty in the form of a novel. It complements Bai Juyi's poems and adds luster to the history of chess in the Tang Dynasty.

Ju Zhongxi

There is an article "Baqiong Man" in "Xuanguailu" written by Tang Niu Sengru, which tells the mythical story of chess. The general saying is that there is a Baqiong man whose family has an orange orchard. The oranges have been harvested due to frost, but there are two big oranges left. When he picked them and cut them open, he found that there were two old men playing chess on each orange. Juzhong Opera is not only the subject of novels and operas of later generations, but also the subject of many poets. The famous chess scores of the Ming Dynasty, such as "Secret in Orange" and "Music in Orange", should be derived from it.

Chess in the Northern Song Dynasty

The Northern Song Dynasty was a period of great innovation for chess in ancient China. In 960, the general Zhao Kuangyin of the Later Zhou Dynasty seized the throne and established his capital in Kaifeng, Henan, which was known as the Northern Song Dynasty in history. The Northern Song Dynasty was an era of great innovation in the history of Chinese chess. This chess innovation movement lasted for more than 160 years before finally shaping into today's Chinese chess.