Chess is a two-player strategy board game played on a checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an 8×8 grid. Each player begins with 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. The objective is to checkmate the opponent's king, whereby the king is under immediate attack (in 'check') and there is no way for it to escape. Chess requires deep strategic thinking, foresight, and the ability to anticipate your opponent's moves. With origins dating back to the 6th century in India, chess has evolved into one of the world's most popular games, played by millions and recognized as both a sport and an art form.