* The word “Checkmate” in Chess comes from the Arabic language. The original form is “Shah Mat,” which means “the King is dead.” 
 

* From the starting position, there are eight different ways to Mate in two moves and 355 different ways to Mate in three moves.
 
* The folding Chess board was invented by a priest in 1125. It was intended to make the board look like two books laying together when it was folded, thus concealing the board. This was done because the church forbid priests to play chess.

 
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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