In this list we approach some of the most interesting areas and facts relating to chess which makes it one of the most popular board games in the world. Its long history and dynamic nature have produced many chess players and approximately 605 million people worldwide know how to play chess. Here are seven interesting facts about chess.

1. History Of Chess
Chess is believed to have originated from India during the Gupta Empire, and subsequently made its way to the West in the 9th century. There have been many different advancements that have made chess what it is today. For instance, allowing pawns to advance two squares only from its original position was introduced in 1280 in Spain and now a pawn may be promoted to a knight, bishop, rook, or queen.

2. Short & Long Games
In chess it is amazing to consider how short or long a game may be. To the former the quickest mate is known as Fool's Mate and there are other variations of this mate. The longest tournament game of chess lasted for 269 moves (20 hours, 15 minutes), which ended in a draw.

3. The Dynamic Queen
There could be a huge list just on the queen, which has undergone a number of changes over history.
Starting out as being able to move only one square diagonally, it was later able to move two squares – and further along the road, able to move like a knight. Of course now, thankfully, the queen is able to move diagonally, horizontally, and vertically to the scope of another piece.

4. Blindfolded Chess
Blindfold chess is real and documented in world records. A player makes all of his or her moves without looking at a board. Usually there is a 'middle man' to give and receive moves for the game. The record was set in 1960 in Budapest by Hungarian Janos Flesch, who played 52 opponents simultaneously while blindfolded – he won 31 of those games.

5. Endless Possibilities
After three moves, that is three moves by each side, there are over nine million possible positions. The possibilities in chess add to its beauty. In other words, you have to think, when at the board – it's definitely not all the same.

6. Chess Computers
Today chess programs are easily available to chess players that are essential in analysing games and improving. They commonly rate within the same strength of grandmasters.

7. Chess & Your Brain
Chess is often cited by psychologists as an effective way to improve memory function. Also allowing the mind to solve complex problems and work through ideas, it is no wonder that chess is recommended in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Some contend that it can increase one's intelligence. The effects of chess on young individuals has led to chess being introduced in school districts and various countries. It has been shown to improve children's grades and other positive effects as well.

Cool Tools
Inflatable Anchor

An anchor is intended to sink, and all inflatable things are intended to float. We're absolutely, 100 per cent confident that no one could ever figure out a way to make this idea work, but that is not the case. Not only do they work, but under certain conditions, inflatable anchors can be more effective than regular ones. Real inflatable anchors are widely used as anchoring methods for sea areas with a bottom composed of sand or soft clay, where ordinary anchors struggle to find hold. So how do they work? It's simple logic: If you fill the anchor with air before sinking it, it will be completely useless, but if you bury it deep in the soil and then inflate it, it will lodge so hard into the ground that its pullout resistance will be superior to that of a regular anchor. Not only that, they're also easier to retrieve, since all you have to do is take the air out and suddenly that impressive pullout resistance disappears. The anchor is able to come out as easily as it went in. This system is impractical for the average fishing boat and is mainly used for less-exciting stuff, like securing giant offshore structures and remote-controlled science robots.