Chess spread to Europe through Spain with the Islamic conquest of Andalusia around the 10th century, and then spread throughout Europe from the 11th century onwards. It is said that chess spread to Europe through southern Italy, specifically Sicily. There is a story that says that King Charlemagne received a set of chess pieces from Caliph Harun al-Rashid. It is believed that the pieces that date back to 1080-1100 AD were manufactured in the Italian city of Salerno by an unknown designer and owner.
Chess remained unpopular for a while until the 12th century, when its popularity began to rise. The pieces were carved into shape and the board was colored (white and red). Many books were written on the subject of chess between the 12th and 15th centuries. Chess became so popular that it became a characteristic of chivalry in Europe. The writer Petrus Alphonsi added it to the seven qualities that a knight should possess in his book “Disciplina Clericalis.” It was played by European kings such as Henry I, Henry II, and Richard I of England, as well as Alfonso X of Castile and Ivan IV of Russia.
Playing chess for money became widespread in the 13th century. Despite a decree by King Louis IX prohibiting gambling with chess in 1254, it was ignored by the people because it was not binding. Even the aristocracy and nobility continued to practice it, as did some bishops, but without money.
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