'Chess is a staggering invention, if indeed it was invented. Maybe it just evolved. It is still evolving, now faster than ever, and Peter Doggers has traced and tracked its never-ending development with wit, vigour and insight. Nothing artificial about his intelligence' - Sir Tim Rice 'An entertaining and instructive overview of a game in the throes of reinvention.' - Financial Times How the game of kings became the king of games Throughout history, chess has inspired writers, painters, filmmakers, musicians, mathematicians and scientists. Yet, despite being 1,500 years old, chess has never been more popular than it is today. How did it become the most prominent game in Western culture? In this fascinating book, acclaimed Chess.com journalist Peter Doggers explores chess as a cultural phenomenon from its earliest beginnings in ancient India to its influence on pop culture, the arts and science. He examines its biggest stars and most dramatic moments, the impact of AI, cheating