Chess

Hungarian inventor Wolfgang von Kempelen was a huge admirer of the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. In the 1760s, Kempelen was a regular guest at the Empress’ court; there, he witnessed an illusion act performed by a French illusionist named Francois Pelletier. The illusion act impressed the Empress, and Kempelen decided to create his illusion that would capture the Empress’ attention.

Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov called for more law and less politics to enable the judicial reform. He spoke at a chess meeting with investigators and members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), with the participation of Russian chess player and MP Anatoly Karpov, a reporter of FOCUS News Agency said.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has refused to meet with Russian chess player and deputy Anatoly Karpov for his statement that the Cyrillic alphabet comes from Byzantium, the government's press office confirmed, according to FOCUS News Agency.

Turkish children posted great success at the recent "Winners Games" in Moscow for children who have overcome leukemia, Doğan News Agency has reported.  

Ten children who participated in the games under the umbrella of the Foundation of Children with Leukemia (LÖSEV) won three gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the games.  

The Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office on April 21 ruled against trying a Muslim televangelist who said "playing chess is more sinful than gambling," state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

Turkish EU Minister Ömer Çelik has criticized the statement by televangelist Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü, popularly known as "Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca" (Robbed Ahmet Hoca), condemning chess as "sinful," saying he himself plays chess and advises everyone to do so.

The Turkish Chess Federation (TSF) stated on Jan. 3 that it has launched legal proceedings against a Turkish televangelist who recently claimed that playing chess is more sinful than gambling.

Renowned Bulgarian chess player Veselin Topalov has slumped below the world's best 20 players for the first time for more than 16 years.

Global federation FIDE's fresh ranking indicates he is now positioned on the 21st spot, five spots below the previous place which he gained in April.

The ancestor of the game of chess is believed to date back to India in the sixth century.

However, in the ancient Orient, from China to Egypt, several similar games representing a combat between pawns on a kind of draughtboard also existed.

16-year-old Stavroula Tsolakidou is the world champion in the Young Chess Tournament that was held in Khanty-Mansiysk in Russia. Stavroula earned 9 points in 11 matches and was declared the winner in the world tournament. The 16-year- old girl returns to Greece with the whole team and from Wednesday school will be her top priority.