The word “games,” from the Latin gamus, means “play.” A game is basically a structured form of interactive play, normally undertaken for fun or amusement, and occasionally used as an academic tool. Games are very different from work, which frequently is conducted for remuneration, and also from literature, that is more often a pure expression of philosophical or artistic elements. A game can be both of these things, but it always involves some kind of skill in order to master it.
One of the earliest forms of games were card games like Charades, which were based on the ancient Greek game of dice. Another early game was the battle game referred to as Badugi. Christopher Columbus, finding the coast of Brazil containing a large variety of game birds, came up with the name “gunboat” for his ship, while the name “Christopher Columbus” itself suggests that this game may have been known to him even before he set sail for his voyage. In any case, Christopher Columbus may have taken the idea of building guns from the local plants in Barbados, or of using bamboo shoots to construct cannons from reed fibers, that he later used in his quest for worldwide dominance.
Chess, the classic game of chess, developed from its roots in the Middle Ages, when the ideas of chess playing spread all over Europe and inspired many scholars and philosophers, including the French Revolution’s Marquis de Pompadour. It was de Pompadour who invented the game in the fourteenth century to be played competitively, on a field, with tiles, rather than the customary pieces. He believed that the game’s structure – four basic squares with various other hidden squares around them, with important pieces at the center – provided a clear path for strategy and tactics. It has remained popular ever since, even as computers and more sophisticated techniques have made it possible for players to play without even a board.
The most famous game in the world is chess. It is the most popular leisure activity in the entire world. And the reason is not hard to find: chess works! A game of chess can provide a brilliant tactical experience, challenge your intellect, teach you patience, set you ablaze with desire and let you discover your hidden talents. But if you do not play the game yourself, you will miss the fun of seeing how your strategies build on each other, how your choices bring you closer to your opponent’s goals and aspirations, while deepening your own understanding of the game.
Some games allow you to try out different strategies in a single session. This allows you to practice a certain strategy till you are perfectly sure about it, before you apply it in a game. This is especially good for people who do not wish to risk their money in a game which might change drastically once they start playing. You can do one thing while practicing, so that you will not be so frustrated: play as many games as you can. Playing a different strategy every time increases your chances of discovering new insights about the game.
When you play a game of strategy, you get to see the evolution of your rivals’ strategies as well as yours. Thus, you can easily work out what mistakes to avoid in the future, while learning from your mistakes. The best strategy games reward you with points and let you see your progress in the World Wide Web.