Club Championship 2010
Ivory chess pieces
Samarkand Uzbekistan, 7th-8th century AD.
Chess was extremely popular from the earliest Islamic period, though there were periodic objections from religious authorities, primarily that it might encourage gambling. Originally an Indian game, it was introduced into the Islamic world via Sassanian Iran; many of the names of the pieces are Persian. Chess was always a game for the educated and wealthy members of society, and there are numerous references to chess in literature and poetry.
The grandest chess sets could be made from luxurious material such as gold, rock crystal and, as here, ivory. The earlier example shown here, from Samarkand, is carved in the shape of a chariot pulled by a pair of horses with two drivers and represents the Rook.
From the collection of the British Museum
Competitors are split into three divisions based upon player strength; it is a double round event.
All games shall be played with clocks. The rate of play shall be 35 moves in 75 minutes with an additional 15 minutes after black's 35th move for the completion of the game, with no adjournments being offered.
The results will be submitted to the SCCU for grading.
Pairings are shown below; the schedule is shown on the Club Calendar.
The tournament controller is Peter Lloyd.