Kings and generals once played it to sharpen their thinking. Today, it's played in schools, parks, cafes, and digital arenas by everyone from grandmasters to six-year-olds with big dreams. Chess became a universal language; a board of 64 squares, understood by millions, respected by all. It sparked rivalries that crossed borders, carried tension through silent rooms, and made legends out of those who saw the game not as a pastime, but as a purpose.

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