Uncover the shocking truth behind the origins of chess! Archaeological discoveries suggest that this timeless game may have roots in a surprising location. Ancient ivory pieces and artifa...

There are numerous legends and theories regarding the origins of chess. However, archaeological discoveries in the region suggest that the true birthplace of this game may be Uzbekistan. Researchers have demonstrated that the chess pieces found in Afrasiab and Dalvarzintepa were created several centuries earlier than those discovered in other parts of the world.

Some sources claim that the oldest chess piece is a statuette discovered by Canadian archaeologists in 1991 in Jordan. This find dates back to the 8th century and is made of sandstone. However, the ivory chess pieces found in the ruins of Afrasiab in Samarkand, dating to the 7th century, are recognized as the most ancient.

The chess pieces from Afrasiab include a king, a vizier, a chariot, an elephant, two armed horsemen, and a foot soldier.

Even older finds were uncovered in 1972 in Dalvarzintepa. The chess pieces excavated by an expedition led by Galina Pugachekova were dated to the 2nd century AD. One of the pieces is shaped like an elephant, and another like a horse, confirming the development of chess during that period.

Currently, this discovery is housed in the rare objects department of the Institute of Art Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Additionally, information about the ancient chess pieces found in our country can be obtained from the exhibitions at the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.