Chess has appeared long ago, in epoch which can be hardly seen through the myst of passed centuries. Historians claim it originated in India and its first form was entitled "Chatur-Anga". Later on, chess was subject to certain modifications and thus "Shatranj" was created.
But debates regarding its true origin are still ongoing and historians and chess chroniclers are often resorting to historical anecdotes and legends. However, the fact remains continent of origin is Asia, most likely ancient Persia or India.
The first recorded historical reference regarding chess is dated 600 A.D. and are found in poem "The Karnamak" which depicts life of Persian ruler Artaxerxes. The first chess book was published in Arabia, 9th century A.D. and the first recorded chess match took place in India in 10th century A.D.
Chess is best described as specific intellectual activity which is comprised of sport, art and science. Besides that, it can be regarded as a game, amusement and recreation. It best reflects one's temper and character. It's both mathematics and geometry. It is unique battle skill which must be planned and considered in details, in which better strategist wins. In other words, chess is a representation of life in small.
It is well known fact that blind and partially sighted persons are often playing this ancient game and some of them have even accomplished distinguished results competing not only among themselves but with persons having normal sight as well.
Chessboard is adapted to blind chess players. This practically means some black squares are slightly elevated over the white ones and each figure has certain physical marking so as to make it distinguishable. However, since chess is predominantly a mindgame, most of the blind create game scheme and combinations within their mind so the chessboard is practically used as a battle front on which previously carefully considered and studied move is carried out.
History of chess amongst blind since 1960 till present days is reach and famous. Twelve chess olympics of the blind has been played so far and team of Union of the Blind of Serbia and Montenegro(formerly Yugoslavia) has participated in each one of them. On the first two they won a gold medals and on seven successive ones silver medals were won. The moist distinguished chess players, among the others, are: Milenko Čabarkapa, from Belgrade who has been participating on eleven olympics. He has also been on the first and the second world championship of the blind in Germany and Holland in 1966 and 1970 winning first place and on the third one in Germany, 1975 he took bronze medal. In 1960, he won master tournament in Italy(La Specia) being a single blind contestant. On the open grand master champioship in Opatia, Yugoslavia in 1985 he won 13th place among 205 players. Mr Milenko Čabarkapa is the only blind chess player from former Yugoslavia who has earned chess title international master. Blind chess player FIDE master Dragoljub Baretić from Novi Sad won a bronze medal in Bruges, Belgium where third world championship for the blind took place in 1978. He was also champion of Vojvodina in competition with players whose sight is normal. Participating as the only blind player in chess tournament in Imperia(Italy), he won consecutively in 1961 and 1962. We are nearly reminscing their greatest achievements, a small part of their rich chess careers.
In accordance with such tradition i.e. big interest young are showing towards chess RSBU has invested and is still investing a great deal of effort to maintain and improve chess activity. In spite of many difficulties we have been facing during postconflict period their have been several encounters between our and chess team of the blind union of Serbia and Vojvodina. Our team has won the first place in the chess tournament in Kladovo, Serbia in year 2000.
We, in RSBU, are promoting chess activity through organizing of competitions, participating in tournaments and friendly chess meetings. RSBU has, so far, organized seven republic single championships for men, one team championship, four championships for women and one national championship and also participated in the second one in Mostar where our chess players were successful. RSBU has also provided medals, cup for winner and money rewards for the most successful competitors.