For most of history, chess did not exist. Finally, in around the 6th century, it was realised that this situation was unnatural and that it was time something was done about it.

So the first step to actual Chess was taken in India with the invention of Chaturunga. This proved popular and spread into Persia (Chatrang) and then into the growing Islamic Empire (Shatranj) and finally, via the Crusades, into Europe. After some experimentation the rules of the game settled down during the 16th Century to become Chess.

Aside, I should point out that Chaturunga also spread east, to become Xiangqi and Shogi, but that's another story. One incident during the 'Shatranj period' deserves mention: It seems that one Sultan was playing a game of Shatranj during a siege when a messenger arrived to say that the situation was critical, he responded to the effect that he wasn't to be bothered now as he was about to win (anticipating Drake's Bowls game by some years). It didn't turn out very well though, as the city fell and he was executed.

Now that Chess was with us at last, some players gained enough mastery of the game to enter their names onto the record books: Ruy Lopez in particular gave his name to the most famous Chess Opening.

In 1755 Philidor began his 40 year dominance of the Chess world, his famous book 'The Analysis of Chess' was still in print in the 1870'S. He is also notable for being just as famous as a musician, writing over 20 operas (some are still performed) .

In 1834 the marathon La Bourdonnais - McDonnell match took place. Even today, beginners can learn from playing over these games. The final score: 45-27 to La Bourdonnais with 13 draws.

In 1843 Staunton reached the top of the chess world and also left an enduring legacy. His 'Handbook' was the best since Philidor's 'Analysis' and remains useful even today, he fixed the design of chess pieces to the standard that we all use and he organized the first international chess tournament in 1851. He then retired from chess to write a study of Shakespeare's plays, which he hoped would be his masterpiece. Alas, this has been mostly forgotten.

The winner of the 1851 International was Anderssen, Famous for his sacrificial attacks, he gave the world both the 'Evergreen Game' and the 'Immortal Game' which are still amazing to play over - no matter how many times you've done so.

'The Pride and Sorrow of Chess',  Morphy stunned the chess world in 1858 raising the bar quite a bit and creating a legend in the process.

In 1886, Steinitz won a match against Zukertort and claimed the World Championship title. A women's title was added in 1927, with a international team event (The Chess Olympiads) started in 1927.

List of World Chess Champions
1886-1894 Steinitz
1894-1921 Lasker
1921-1927 Capablanca
1927-1935 Alekhine
1935-1937 Euwe
1937-1946 Alekhine
1948-1956 Botvinnik
1956-1957 Smylov
1957-1960 Botvinnik
1960-1961 Tal
1961-1963 Botvinnik
1963-1969 Petrosian
1969-1972 Spassky
1972-1975 Fischer
1975-1985 Karpov
1985-1993 Kasparov*
1993-1999 Karpov
1999-2000 Khalifman
2000-2002 Anand
2002-2004 Ponomariov
2004-2005 Kasimdzhanov
2005-2006 Topalov
2006-2007 Kramnik
2007-2013 Anand
2013-           Carlsen

*In 1993, Kasparov broke from Fide and organized his own championship matches, remaining undefeated til 2000 when he lost to Kramnik and retired. In 2006 Kramnik won the FIDE title, ending the split.

World Women's Champions
1927-1944 Vera Menchik
1950-1953 Lyudmila Rudenko
1953-1956 Elisaveta Bykova
1956-1958 Olga Rubtsova
1958-1962 Elizaveta Bykova
1962-1978 Nona Gaprindishvilli
1978-1991 Maia Chiburdanidze
1991-1996 Xie Jun
1996-1999 Susan Polgar
1999-2001 Xie Jun
2001-2004 Zhu Chen
2004-2006 Antoaneta Stefanova
2006-2008 Xu Yubua
2008-2010 Alexandra Kosteniuk
2010-2012 Hou Yifan
2012-2013 Anna Ushenina
2013-2015 Hou Yifan
2015-2016 Mariya Muzychuk
2916-2017 Hou Yifan
2017-2018 Tan Zhongyi
2018-           Ju Wenjun

Chess Olympiads (every two years)
1927               Hungary
1928.              Hungary (an extra)
1929.              Poland
1931 - 1937. USA
1939.              Germany
1950.              Yugoslavia
1952 - 1974.  USSR
1976.               USA
1978.               Hungary
1980 - 1990.   USSR
1992 - 2002.   Russia
2004.                Ukraine
2006 - 2008.   Armenia
2010.               Ukraine
2012.               Armenia
2014.               China
2016.               USA
2018.               China