1. The Shennong clan originated from the legendary era. Nian Chang, a monk from the Yuan Dynasty, said in "Buddha's Chronicles of the Past": "Shennong used the sun, moon and stars as images, and the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty used chariots, horses, soldiers, soldiers and cannons as machines."
2. The Yellow Emperor originated from the legendary era. Huang Bu of the Northern Song Dynasty said in "Guangxiang Opera Style·Preface": "The elephant plays the soldier's play. In the Yellow Emperor's battle, the fierce beasts are driven into the formation. The elephant is the hero of the beast. Therefore, the soldier's play is named after the elephant play."
3. It originated when King Wu of Zhou conquered Zhou. The Ming Dynasty's "Wuzatan" written by Shanxi Dynasty says: "Xiang Opera is said to have been made during the Zhou Dynasty's military expedition. Even if it is not true, it is also the result of the heavy chariot warfare at that time."
4. Originated from the Warring States Period. "Qianqueju Leishu" records: "The Yongmen Zhou Dynasty said to Lord Mengchang: 'If you step down to Yanju, you will play chess, which is also a matter of the Warring States Period.' In addition to the use of troops in the Warring States Period, people at that time used war elephants as chess positions."
5. It originated during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. "Taiping Yulan. Ministry of Crafts Xiangqi" says: "Emperor Wu of Zhou made chess." Luo Xin of the Ming Dynasty also held this view in "Wu Yuan".
Many scholars now believe that, according to reliable records in ancient books, chess was already popular during the Warring States Period. In addition to the "Qian Que Ju Lei Shu" cited above, Han Liu Xiang's "Shuo Yuan·Shan Shuo" also recorded the incident of Lord Mengchang playing chess during the Warring States Period: "Yongmen Zhou transferred Lord Mengchang, and when he moved Yan, he played chess. It was also a battle. "The Warring States Period work "The Songs of Chu: Calling the Soul" also contains the sentence "The chessboard is covered with six pieces, which are thinner". All this shows that "chess" has become a regular activity during the Warring States Period. Therefore, some scholars believe that chess was produced before the Warring States Period. But when is "previous"? Some people think it can be pushed back to the Spring and Autumn Period, and believe that chess was produced by imitating the military system at that time. Their basis is that the "xiang" in chess means "symbol" and has nothing to do with the animal elephant. For example, if dancing is used to symbolize fighting, it is called "Xiang Wu", and if chess is used to symbolize fighting, it is called "Xiangqi". The names of the chess pieces also come from symbolizing different arms. This situation coincides with the military system of the Spring and Autumn Period, including generals, commanders, chariots, horses, soldiers, soldiers, pawns, etc. Therefore, the emergence of chess in the Spring and Autumn Period is in line with the historical situation at that time. However, some scholars disagree with this statement, thinking that it is still an inference after all.
In short, as to the question of when chess originated, it is difficult for the academic community to form a unified opinion because the historical records are not detailed enough and are mixed with many myths and legends.