A new version of this game now in 3D. Chess is a recreational and competitive game for two players. The current form of the game emerged in Southern Europe in the second half of the 15th century after evolving from similar, much older games of Indian origin. Today, chess is one of the world's most popular games, played by an estimated 605 million people worldwide in clubs, online, in tournaments and informally. Aspects of art and science are found in chess composition and theory. Chess is also advocated as a way of enhancing mental power.