How to Play and Win Chess & Backgammon | How to Master Board games of the Ancient World | The Rules Of Playing Chess

Chess, draughts, and backgammon, or games resembling these, have been played in all civilized countries, and at all times. In some instances there is little or no variation of the same game in different countries : in others the difference is such as to constitute a new game, and very frequently a game of great interest. It is the object of this book to show some of these varieties, and what is more, by giving examples of these games to enable anyone to learn the games and play them. We have not as yet found them in Nineveh or Babylon, though we are convinced they were played there ; but we see them depicted on the walls of Egypt ; and the most ancient of all the games of chess, the details of which are known to us, comes from India. Kings and princes, bishops and laymen, are depicted on ancient monuments and in medieval MSS., playing at these games. Learned men in all ages have sought relaxation in such pursuits, after hours of severe study; and to all of us as we advance in years a game at whist or backgammon relieves the eyes and keeps us awake, when the faculties of the mind and body have become enfeebled. The invalid also, and the afflicted, forget their troubles when absorbed in the intricacies and difficulties and the excitement of the game. The remembrance of our friends is often associated with the games we have played together ; sometimes even when we have played only a single game, and have never met again.