Firdewsi; world’s longest poem, by Firdewsi, recounts how Chess was invented.

Jews; Chess becomes a recognized pastime for Jews on the Sabbath.

Scachs; the Catalan ‘Scachs d'amor’ Chess poem written.

Arabic manuscript (F).

Firdewsi completes a Chess book which includes Dilaram’s mate.

Java; the first Portuguese expedition off Malacca. The Javans recognized Chess.

Vida writes his poem, ‘Scacchia Ludus’, the first mention of a goddess of Chess.

Book; the first Chess book to be published in Italy, by Damiano in Rome. The second extant Chess book.

Damiano doesn’t mention medieval Chess.

Damiano says Axedrez was invented by Xerxes (Axedrez is Spanish for Chess).

Manuscript copied by Guarini at Rome was last Italian collection of medieval Chess.

Vida writes Chess poem ‘Scacchia Ludus’.

Castiglione; ‘Book of the Courtier’ written by Castiglione. Mentions Chess.

Damiano; the second printing of Damiano’s book, Questo Libro, printed in Rome.

Leyden; Lucas von Leyden paints ‘The Chessplayers’, showing Courier Chess.

Vassili; clergy ordered not to play Chess by Vassili III.

Damiano; the third printing of Damiano’s book.

Scacchorum; unauthorized version of Scacchorum Liber published in Florence.

Vida; ‘Scacchia ludus’ by Vida published in Lyons; pirate version.

Vida published Scacchia Ludus, a famous poem on Chess, Rome.

Boi, Paolo born in Syracuse, Italy. 16th century leading player.

Ruy Lopez born in Zafra, Spain. Spanish priest and leading player.

Atahualpa, Inca emperor of Peru, imprisoned and learns to play Chess.

Ceron, Alfonso born in Granada.

Egenolff publishes updated ‘Schachzabel’ by Mennel in Frankfort.

Egenolff; Cessole morality by Egenolff at Frankfurt mentions new Chess.

French pamphlet containing medieval Chess problems; last medieval reference.

Leonardo; Giovanni Leonardo born in Calaria. Nicknamed Il Puttino (The Boy).

Damiano, Pedro died in Portugal. Wrote the first Chess book in Italian.

Polerio; Giulio Polerio born in Lanciano, Italy.

Boi defeats Pope Paul III in a Chess match.

Valladolid; Cessole’s ‘Morality’published at Valladolid. Last Spanish version.

Arabic manuscript (Q).

Arabic manuscript (RAS).

Club; the first Chess club, organized in Italy.

Sylvester; Protohierarch Sylvester denounces Chess.

Valdiviesco, Don Antonio de, Bishop of Nicaragua, assassinated while playing Chess in his palace at Leon.

Cessole’s morality in Dutch published at Louvain - the last version.

Ivan IV of Russia bans Chess. Civil code called ‘Hundred Chapters’.

Castling is introduced.

Damiano; French version of Damiano’s book published in Paris by Gruget.

Ruy Lopez visits Rome and defeats all the players.

Castling; last time castling was two separate moves.

Ruy Lopez proposes the 50-move rule to claim a draw.

Ruy Lopez writes his book on Chess. Introduces the word gambit. (Alcala, 1561).

Book; the first instructional book, Damiano translation, published in London.

St Teresa, a Spanish reformer, includes Chess in her writings.

Damiano’s book reprinted in Venice.

Mantia; Orazio Gianutio Della Mantia, Chess author, born in Turin.

Vida; Marcus Vida died. Chess poet and Bishop of Alba.

Damianio’s book reprinted in English.

Salvio; Alessandro Salvio born. Neapolitan author. Best analyst of his time.

Gianutto della Mantia, Horatio born in Italy. Author of Italian Chess book.

Arabic manuscript (S).

Ruy Lopez defeats several eminent players in Rome.

07/12 Carrera, Pietro born in Militello, Sicily. Player and author.

Boi and Leonardo beat Lopez and Ceron in presence of King Phillip II.

Polerio records the important opening variations of his time.

Tournament; the first documented Chess competition, played in Madrid.

Arabic manuscript (R).

Leonardo beats Ruy Lopez in Madrid.

Plague; after the plague of Cremona, all games except Chess were banned.

08/22 Boi; King of Spain writes letter of recommendation for Boi.

Boi taken prisoner, but wins his freedom playing Chess.

Selenus, Gustavus born.

Sukaikir is the last writer on the older Muslim game of Chess.

04/10 August der Jungere, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg (Gustavus Selenus) born in Dannenberg, Germany.

Catherine de Medici of France is a keen Chess player.

Ruy Lopez died.

Russia; letter from Poland says that Russians are strong players.

Wilcox writes ‘A Glasse for Gamesters’, defending Chess.

Actius writes that Chess is a game of skill, not gambling.

Queen; Italian lawyer recommends notifying player when Queen is attacked.

Ivan the Terrible dies while starting a game of Chess.

Lopez’s book translated into Italian by Tarsia and published in Venice.

Polerio writes about Lopez, Boi, and Leonardo from Madrid.

Leonardo poisoned.

Shogi; Japanese Chess (shogi) played.

Polerio plays the first recorded King’s gambit.

Polerio’s manuscript mentions Caro Kann and Greco counter gambit .

Russian book on regulations forbade Chess in Russia.

Poleriop dedicates Chess treatise to Duke of Sora.

Book published by Gianutio dealing with openings and problems. Published in Turin.

Vida; the first English version of Vida’s ‘Scacchia ludus’.

Boi, Paolo poisoned in Naples, Italy and died.

James VI of Scotland writes ‘Basilikon Doron’ and mentions Chess.