Welcome to Chess & Toys Resources

"All I want to do, ever, is just play chess." - Bobby Fischer

The fantastic game of chess first originated in it's simplest form, according to modern chess scholars and historians, in Persia and/or China around the sixth century (6AD). Chess is an ancient game, and the thought and rules that have shaped the modern game are steeped in mathematics and academic tradition, and developed by admirers and masters of the game over the centuries.

From these old and humble beginnings, the beautiful and endlessly fascinating game of chess, subtly relating white and black, light and dark, has come to symbolize a game of war (as well as being the most intellectually challenging sport) and chess has the educational and rare quality of being able to reflect much of the conflicts of human life.

Chess - An Essential Part of Children's Education

Traditional Chess will always be however a wonderful game for children; it's strategy requires mental skills and critical reasoning processes that are now widely recognized by educationalists. Such are the extensive intellecutal benefits to kids playing chess, the game of chess has been legally incorporated as a compulsory part of child education in many of the world's countries. Chess is a mandatory part of the school syllabuses throughout European countries and the developing world. This site intends to explore the rudiments of chess, from basis theory to advanced chess tactics and provide an argument for why chess should be a mainstay of US education due to the emotional, mental and intellectual benefits it can give any child.

Chess In The United States

Today chess clubs can be found in every US state, from New York to Alabama and California, enabling both amateur and professional chess players across the United States where chess is also loved, to enjoy the game (both offline and online). Did you know that almost every major hollywood movie and toy franchise from Harry Potter to Toy Story eventually finds it's way in some character representation onto a chess board.

Given the history and appeal of chess, it is not surprising that despite other major game successes like Monopoly, Checkers and Backgammon, chess remains the oldest, most loved, and most recognized boardgame in American households. Interestingly, Chess also has the most literary references for any game in the history of human literature, from Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland to modern thrillers, Chess continues to inspire and find new generations of fans.

• Learn more about Toys, Educational Toys and the Impact of Chess Games