 |
|
|
| Belarus | Belarus | Belarus |
| Czech Republic | Czech Republic | Czech Republic |
| France | France | France |
| Germany | Germany | Germany |
| Greece | Greece | Greece |
| Italy | Italy | Italy |
| Poland | Poland | Poland |
| Portugal | Portugal | Portugal |
| Russia | Russia | Russia |
| Turkey | Turkey | Turkey |
| Ukraine | Ukraine | Ukraine |
| Yugoslavia | Yugoslavia | Yugoslavia |
The game of chess spread to Europe from Asia. Spain was under Arab rule
after its conquest in the early 8th century. Chess probably traveled to
Europe through this Arabian influence in Spain in the 9th or 10th century.
The game spread to Italy and Rome through similar means. Chess was also
brought to Europe by Scandinavian merchants who traded with the Arabs.
These merchants carried chess to Russia and Estonia. From this beginning,
chess expanded throughout Europe as various countries engaged in trade
and other activities that resulted in contact between different cultures. 
Europe is currently the center of chess popularity, with Spain holding
many of the top tournaments. The strongest chess players have traditionally
come from the former Soviet Republics, especially Russia and Georgia.