chess

¹

[ ches ]

noun

1. a game played on a chessboard by two people who maneuver sixteen pieces each according to rules governing movement of the six kinds of pieces (pawn, rook, knight, bishop, queen, king), the object being to bring the opponent's king into checkmate.

chess

²

[ ches ]

noun

, plural chess·es.

1. any of several weedy species of bromegrass, especially Bromus secalinus.

chess

³

[ ches ]

noun

, plural chess, chess·es.

1. one of the planks forming the roadway of a floating bridge.

chess

¹

/ tʃɛs /

noun

1. a floorboard of the deck of a pontoon bridge

chess

²

/ tʃɛs /

noun

1. a game of skill for two players using a chessboard on which chessmen are moved. Initially each player has one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns, which have different types of moves according to kind. The object is to checkmate the opponent's king

chess

³

/ tʃɛs /

noun

1. a less common name for rye-brome

Word History and Origins

Origin of chess¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English che(e)s, chesse, echesse, esches, from Old French esches, plural of eschec check ¹

Origin of chess²

First recorded in 1735–40; origin unknown

Origin of chess³

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English ches “tier, layer,” possibly alteration of Middle French chasse “frame”

Word History and Origins

Origin of chess¹

C15 (in the sense: layer, tier): from Old French chasse frame, from Latin capsa box

Origin of chess²

C13: from Old French esches, plural of eschec check (at chess); see check

Origin of chess³

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Other hobbies include reading, playing chess, working out, and pretending I can cook.

From Washington Blade

You have to play that chess match with the defensive coordinator and the defensive players out there on the field on how they want to defend you.

From Washington Post

A virtual robot arm has learned to solve a wide range of different puzzles—stacking blocks, setting the table, arranging chess pieces—without having to be retrained for each task.

From MIT Technology Review

If he had only played that one game, he would be famous in chess.

From Washington Post

This approach has led to algorithms that have independently learned to play chess at a superhuman level and prove mathematical theorems without any human guidance.

From Singularity Hub 

In late April or early May 1955, Chuck approached Muddy Waters about recording, and Muddy sent him to Leonard Chess.

From The Daily Beast

We thought this season it would be more fun to just start the chess game right away.

From The Daily Beast

One of his most entertaining books is about Chess Records, the legendary Blues record label.

From The Daily Beast

“I never during all those Chess years looked upon my father or my uncle or myself as artists,” Marshall Chess told me.

From The Daily Beast

Argentina and Belgium, earlier in the day, had fought out a fascinating duel, not unlike chess on turf.

From The Daily Beast

This other by what seems a congenial activity, fascinating as a game of chess, acquires uncounted millions.

From Project Gutenberg

I dont know that I care for chess; I can not concentrate my attention as I could a year ago.

From Project Gutenberg

She came to the table, set the candlestick down and looked over the chess-board.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he goes in to dine and play chess with the parson, and leaves me here to watch and wait.

From Project Gutenberg

She felt like a chess player who, by the clever handling of his pieces, sees the game taking the course intended.

From Project Gutenberg