chess

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈches 

: a game for 2 players each of whom moves 16 pieces according to fixed rules across a checkerboard and tries to checkmate the opponent's king

Illustration of chess

• chessboard with chess pieces arranged as at the beginning of a game

chess

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: a weedy annual European bromegrass (Bromus secalinus) widely naturalized in North America as a weed especially in grain

2

: any of several weedy bromegrasses related to chess

Examples of chess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Officials recruit retirees playing chess outdoors as extra eyes and ears. —Vivian Wang, New York Times, 25 May 2024

The pocket parks, where play equipment, benches, and games like chess are added to vacant land, are throughout the neighborhood, including one on 34th and Center streets named Metcalfe Park Rising. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 20 May 2024

Back in 2022, world champion chess player Magnus Carlsen quit the Sinquefield Cup pro tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, after a surprising loss to a 19-year-old, Hans Niemann. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2024

How can the president ensure a favorable outcome in this complicated chess match? —Michael J. Green, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English ches, from Anglo-French escheks, eschés, plural of eschec check at chess — more at check

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chess

• chess pie

Kids Definition

chess

noun

ˈches

: a game for two players each of whom plays with 16 pieces on a checkerboard

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ches "game of chess," from early French eschés (same meaning), literally, "checks," from eschec "check" — related to check, checker