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The Dictionary of Chess History: Eras, Schools & Legendary Events
Chess has evolved over 1,500 years. Styles of play that were considered "correct" in 1850 are considered "losing" today. This glossary defines the major eras and schools of thought that shaped the modern game.
1. The Timeline of Style
Romantic Era 1800-1880
A style prioritizing attack, sacrifice, and "beauty" over defense. Declining a gambit was considered cowardly. Games were sharp, tactical, and often scientifically unsound.
Icons: Adolf Anderssen, Paul Morphy.
Scientific (Classical) Era 1880-1920
Wilhelm Steinitz introduced the theory that attacks must be prepared. Players focused on accumulating small advantages (weak squares, bishop pair) rather than wild sacrifices.
Icons: Steinitz, Lasker, Tarrasch, Capablanca.
Hypermodern Era 1920-1940
A revolution that challenged the rule "occupy the center with pawns." Hypermoderns believed in controlling the center from a distance with pieces (fianchetto) and allowing the opponent to over-extend.
Icons: Nimzowitsch, Réti, Alekhine.
New Dynamism 1950-1990
Led by the Soviet School, this era accepted that static weaknesses (like doubled pawns) were acceptable if they provided dynamic compensation (activity/attack).
Icons: Tal, Fischer, Kasparov.
The Silicon (Computer) Era 1997-Present
The age of engines. Defense became perfect. Concrete calculation replaced general principles. "Ugly" moves are played simply because the computer says they work.
Icons: Deep Blue, Stockfish, Magnus Carlsen.
2. Schools of Thought
The Soviet School Dominance
A state-sponsored system of training in the USSR that treated chess as a sport and science. It emphasized physical fitness, opening preparation, and psychological toughness. It produced every World Champion from 1948 to 1972.
Botvinnik (The Patriarch) was the founder.
Coffeehouse Chess Slang
A derogatory term for a style of play found in casual clubs (coffeehouses). It relies on tricky, risky moves and "hope chess" rather than sound strategy.
The English School 1980s
A surge of British talent in the 70s and 80s characterized by creative, aggressive, and slightly unorthodox play.
Icons: Tony Miles, Nigel Short, Michael Adams.
3. Events That Changed Chess
Match of the Century 1972
Bobby Fischer (USA) vs. Boris Spassky (USSR) in Reykjavik. It was a Cold War battle played on a chessboard. Fischer's victory ended 24 years of Soviet dominance and sparked a global chess boom.
Deep Blue vs. Kasparov 1997
The moment humanity lost. IBM's supercomputer Deep Blue defeated World Champion Garry Kasparov in a 6-game match, marking the arrival of superhuman AI.
The PCA Split 1993
Kasparov broke away from FIDE to form the Professional Chess Association (PCA). For 13 years, there were two rival World Champions (Classical vs FIDE) until the unification match in 2006.