Commissioned by King Alfonso X of Castile in 1283, the Libro de los Juegos (Book of Games) is considered the most significant medieval European treatise on games. The manuscript serves as a vital historical record, documenting the rules and aesthetics of chess through detailed illustrations of abstract piece designs. By presenting chess as a shared intellectual challenge, Alfonso’s work highlights the board as a universal arena of logic and a crucial bridge in the international history of the game.
The treatise contains over 100 chess problems and endgames, meticulously illustrated to show players analyzing complex tactical maneuvers. Beyond standard chess, the book describes rare variants such as astronomical chess and Great Chess, which was played on a 12×12 grid with additional pieces. It also includes sections on dice and tables, the medieval ancestors of modern backgammon, making it a comprehensive encyclopedia of 13th-century strategy and social culture.
The Dilaram Mate: A Saga of Sacrifice and Rescue
According to the legend, a nobleman and passionate chess player lost everything in a high-stakes match and, in desperation, bet his favorite wife, Dilaram, on the final game. As the match reached its climax, the nobleman fell into a seemingly hopeless position. However, Dilaram, who had been watching the game, spotted a brilliant combination that no one else saw and whispered to her husband: “Sacrifice your two Rooks, but do not sacrifice me!” Reinvigorated by her insight, the nobleman sacrificed both his rooks in succession to deliver a stunning checkmate using a knight and a bishop (the historical Alfil).
Strategic Brilliance
The Dilaram Mate is one of the oldest and most aesthetically pleasing examples of the “double rook sacrifice” in chess history. This mansuba (problem) demonstrates how the sacrifice of heavy material (rooks) can lead to absolute victory through the perfect coordination of minor pieces (knight and bishop). The name Dilaram means “Heart’s Ease” in Persian, and for centuries, this mate has served as proof that chess is not just a game of calculation, but one of art, emotion, and profound intuition.
