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However, Han Sing was effaced as a possible originator of chess in 1930 by the discovery of a crude chess board, chess men and markers in the tomb of King Tut-Ankh-Amen of Egypt, who died more than 1,200 years before the birth of the Chinese Mandarin. That gave temporary honors to Tut and his Egyptians, but the Speiser findings place their laurels in jeopardy.

Chess now is almost the universal name of the game. But it has had many others through its long existence. The Hindus called it "Chaturanga"; the ancient Persians named it "Shatranj." The Romans referred to it as "Ludus Latrun Culorum" and the Chinese name for it was "Chong Ki." In early Ireland it was "Fifth Cheall," the Welsh named it "Tawlbwrdd." In Italy it was "Sacci Alla Rabiosa," while the Spaniards called it "Axedrez de La Drama." The old English name was "Check." The French called it "Echecs," and there is some dispute as to whether "chess" was derived from the English or the French.

The first writings on the game now known as chess were in 1200 A.D. (some fix the date as 1300 A.D.) by Jacobus de Cessolis, a Dominican Friar of Italy. He called his treatise "Liber De Moribus Hominum et Officiis Nobilium Super Ludo Scacorum." This later was translated into French by Jehan De Vignay, and in 1474 William Caxton, an Englishman, translated De Vignay's work into English.

Caxton's translation was not published until 1479. It was printed that year in Cologne (Germany) and appeared under the title of The Game and Playe of Chesse. There was such a demand for the book that late in 1479 Caxton decided upon a second printing. His intent was to have the work done in Cologne, but there was a print shop in London-just organized-which assured Caxton it could duplicate the printing of Cologne in metal type. Caxton gave that shop the order, and it is believed that the book was the first ever printed from metal type in England.

Caxton's treatise standardized play for a while but his basic rules did not endure. The Italians soon deviated from Caxton's regulations. In the 16th Century, Spain and other countries adopted the rules of Italy. So did England-eventually. This resulted in international play, with the greatest players being Italians and Spaniards.

Perhaps more books have been written on chess than deal with any other game that has been played. The hobby of many wealthy chess enthusiasts throughout the world has been the accumulation of volumes dealing with chess. The result has been several vast libraries devoted entirely to the game.

Ruy Lopez of Spain was the first player to gain recognition as a great master of the method of blindfold play. His system was copied by other Spaniards in the period from 1550 to about 1570. Meanwhile, Italy was developing some wizards and soon made championship claims.

The first tournament of consequence was in 1562 A.D., when two famous Italian players, Paolo Boi and Giovanni Leonardo da Cutri, went to Spain, met Santa Maria, Lopez, Busnardo and Ciron, a brilliant quartet-and defeated them all.

Giacchino Greco of Italy was ranked as the greatest chess player in the 17th Century and Francois Andre Danican, famous French musical composer, known as "Philidor" in chess circles, was the champion of the 18th Century. He defeated the best in his own country, the champions of Spain, the finest players in England and then, while in London in 1744, when he was only 21 years of age, met Philip Stamma, a marvelous Syrian, and, in a match of 10 games, won 8 and lost 1, the other being a draw.

Philidor long was credited with being the first man ever to play-and to win-at chess while blindfolded. He imposed that handicap upon himself so that in games with other players the competition might be more equal. But Philidor, who died in 1795, was not the creator of blindfold chess. Lopez had played it 2 centuries earlier. Nor was Lopez the originator. The Arabs and Persians, as early as the 11th Century, had blindfolded themselves in matches with inferior players, so as to minimize their advantage in skill.