From its ancient origins to computers and AI, a new digital exhibition by FIDE and Google celebrates chess and its history, with a particular focus on world championship matches.
Curated with the help of Women Grandmaster Anna Burtasova, the “Beyond the Board” digital exhibition will explore the history of chess from its origin to the modern era, highlighting key events, people, and cultures that have shaped the black-and-white game.
Featured on the Google Arts & Culture platform, the online exhibition opens with ten surprising facts about chess and then splits into two themes—history and Artificial Intelligence. Visitors are taken on a journey from the game’s ancient origins to the rise of supercomputers and the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in chess.
“The exhibition is designed and presented in a way that gives visitors a rounded picture of this ancient game. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to work with Google on this project, which will bring chess closer to millions of people globally,” said Anna Burtasova.
Google is the Title Sponsor of the FIDE World Championship 2024, which starts today, November 25, at Resorts World Sentosa. Chess represents a profound intersection of human ingenuity and technological potential, and has always been a proving ground for AI innovation. In fact, some of our earliest AI breakthroughs came from mastering chess as a proof-of-concept. Through Search, YouTube, and AI, Google is enhancing the Championship experience for chess fans globally, celebrating the beauty of the game that continues to inspire and challenge people.
Check it out here: artsandculture.google.com/project/chess
About FIDE: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the global governing body for chess, overseeing international competitions. It encompasses 201 countries as affiliate members. Founded in Paris in 1924 under the motto “Gens una sumus” (“We are one family”), FIDE was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, FIDE promotes chess worldwide, reflecting its status as a truly global sport.
About Google Arts & Culture: Google Arts & Culture is an online platform developed by Google in collaboration with over 2,000 museums, galleries, and cultural institutions worldwide. It offers users the ability to explore high-resolution images and videos of artworks and cultural artifacts, providing virtual tours of galleries and detailed information about various art pieces.