chess
UK[tʃɛs]US[tʃɛs]
n
A board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules, with the goal of checkmating the opponent's king.
Etymology
The word 'chess' entered English in the 13th century from the Old French term 'esches', the plural of 'eschec', meaning 'check' in the game. This Old French word derived from the Persian 'shāh', meaning 'king'. The Persian term traveled through Arabic and probably Late Latin before reaching the Romance languages. The game itself originated in ancient India as 'chaturanga', meaning 'four divisions of the military', and its name transformed as it spread westward, with the final focus on the king piece ('shāh') giving the game its modern English title. Thus, the name of the game is a direct reference to its primary objective: attacking the king.
Analysis
The word 'chess' is a loanword borrowed into English as a single, unanalyzable unit from Old French.
Examples
They spent the afternoon playing a long, strategic game of chess.
Learning chess can help develop critical thinking and planning skills.
The chess grandmaster executed a brilliant and unexpected checkmate.