On the Explanation of Chess and Backgammon is a Middle Persian text concerned with the earliest story of the invention and rules of the games of chess and backgammon in the sixth century CE, during the rule of the great Sasanian king of kings, Khusro I (531-579 CE). These games along with polo and the hunt were part of princely or courtly education in ancient Iran which continued till the modern times. From Sasanian Iran these games made their way to Spain via the Muslims in the medieval period, and chess and backgammon have now become popular around the world.


This volume was previously published by the Jordan Center for Persian Studies, University of California – Irvine.