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

Similarly, in a chess match, players must plan several steps ahead and adjust their strategies based on evolving circumstances. —Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Research has found evidence that playing chess may result in improved brain function, memory, cognitive abilities, and strategic thinking. —Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025

With his tongue-in-cheek portrayal of himself, outlandish costumes (a wedding veil and a hair band adorned with chess pieces are among his more subtle accessories) and unabating love of drama, the Scottish multihyphenate has subverted the norms of TV host. —Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025

Most chess books, software and classes are in English. —Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 8 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English chesse, ches, esches, borrowed from Anglo-French escheks, eschez "game of chess" — more at check entry 2

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

Rhymes for chess

• bless
• cress
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse
• mess

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