Information about it:

There are several interesting legends about the origin of China's chess in ancient China literature:

(1) Shennong, which originated in the legendary era, said in Nianchang's Annals of the Buddhas of Past Dynasties in the Yuan Dynasty:' Take Shennong as an image, and the cattle, monks and sons in the Tang Dynasty were replaced by cars, horses, generals, scholars and soldiers with guns. "

(2) The Yellow Emperor originated from the legendary era. For example, Chao's "Preface to Guangxiang Opera" in the Northern Song Dynasty said: "The battle of the Yellow Emperor is like playing soldiers, driving away animals and thinking about the array. Elephants are also the males of beasts, so soldiers are named after elephants. "

(3) Originated in the Warring States Period, The Book of Hidden Dwelling said: Zhou means to benefit from Pinjun: when you step into Yanju, you will play chess, which is also a matter of the Warring States Period. Gai Warring States used soldiers, so the old man took the image of war as the chess potential. "

(4) Originated from Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Taiping Yulan said, "Emperor Wu of Zhou made an elephant play", and Wuyuan of Luo Qi in Ming Dynasty said, "Emperor Wu of Zhou played chess."

Some of the above legends about the origin of chess also have certain basis, which is worth further research. But from these legends, we can see the sprout of ancient chess in China.

Everything in the world develops gradually in the struggle of opposites, so does the development of chess. According to a series of historical records, the system of ancient Chinese chess in China changed greatly, and its whole development process was from simple to complex, from easy to difficult, from elementary to advanced, from quantitative to qualitative. History has proved that chess is the result of continuous creation and innovation by ancient Chinese people in long-term practice. It is deeply rooted and widely spread among the working people in China. It is known as one of the four great arts, and it is also a bright pearl in China's ancient cultural treasure house.