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A brief history of chess - Alex Gendler

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TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

The attacking infantry advances, their elephants already having broken the defensive line. The king tries to retreat, but the enemy flanks him from the rear. Escape is impossible. This isn’t a real war— nor is it just a game. Over the 1,500 years of its existence, chess has been known as a military strategy tool, a metaphor for human affairs and a measure of genius. Alex Gendler shares its history.

What piece was replaced by the queen?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alex Gendler
  • Director Remus Buznea, Kyriaki Kyriakou
  • Narrator Adrian Dannatt
  • Animator Remus Buznea, Kyra Kupetsky
  • Art Director Remus Buznea, Kyra Kupetsky
  • Sound Designer Stephen Eugene Larosa
  • Composer Stephen Eugene Larosa
  • Music Stephen Eugene Larosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Fact-Checker Brian Gutierrez

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