Caïssa

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An early illustration of Jones' Caïssa
An early illustration of Jones' Caïssa

Caïssa is a mythical Thracian dryad portrayed as the goddess of chess.

Contents

[edit] History

Caïssa originated in a poem called Caïssa, written in 1763 in latin hexameters by orientalist Sir William Jones.[1] The poem is based on Scacchia ludus ('The Game of Chess') written in 1510 by Marco Girolamo Vida – an Italian poet and later Bishop of Alba – where the nymph is called Scacchis.[2][3][4] Jones also published an English language version of the poem.[5][6]

In the poem, Caïssa initially repels the advances of the god of war, Mars. Spurned, Mars seeks the aid of the god of sport – Euphron, brother of Venus/Aphrodite – who creates the game of chess as a gift for Mars to win Caissa's favor.

[edit] Modern use

Caïssa is referred to in chess commentary. Garry Kasparov uses this reference now and again, especially in his epic volume My Great Predecessors. It is used as a substitute for being lucky – "Caïssa was with me" – especially in unclear situations, for example in sacrifices.[7] Caïssa as a concept has also been explored by some who seek the evidence of the sacred feminine in chess.

The first (Russian) computer program that won the World Computer Chess Championship (in 1974) was also named Kaissa.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Edward R. Brace, An Illustrated Dictionary of Chess, Hamlyn, 1979, ISBN 0-600-32920-8 p 52
  2. ^ About chess: Caissa
  3. ^ Brief notes on the history of chess 1500 chess-poster.com
  4. ^ Caissa chessworld.org
  5. ^ Philidor, A.D (1777), Systematic introduction to the game and the analysis of chess (L’analyze des échecs) (Fifth ed.), London, pp. 12–20 
  6. ^ English verse translation of the poem
  7. ^ Kasparov, Garry (2003), Garry Kasparov on My Great Predecessors, Part 1 (First ed.), Everyman Chess, ISBN 1857443306 

[edit] References

  • Dr Johnson, Samuel (1810), The works of English Poets from Chaucer to Cowper (Reprint ed.), London, p. 450 

[edit] External links