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Aiwendil · 12-06-2002, 10:58 AM

Chess (actually, its earlier form, "Shatranj") was definitely known in Europe as early as the fifteenth century. In 1495, the rules took on their modern form, starting in Italy I believe. That's still well out of the Tolkien time-frame, of course. Your theory about the blue wizards is interesting. Certainly if Gandalf could pick up the habit of smoking pipeweed, Alatar and Pallando could pick up the habit of playing chess.

[ September 23, 2003: Message edited by: Aiwendil ]

12-06-2002, 10:58 AM	#2
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	Chess (actually, its earlier form, "Shatranj") was definitely known in Europe as early as the fifteenth century. In 1495, the rules took on their modern form, starting in Italy I believe. That's still well out of the Tolkien time-frame, of course. Your theory about the blue wizards is interesting. Certainly if Gandalf could pick up the habit of smoking pipeweed, Alatar and Pallando could pick up the habit of playing chess. [ September 23, 2003: Message edited by: Aiwendil ] Last edited by Aiwendil; 07-03-2021 at 03:38 PM.