What did chess evolve from?

Chess evolved from earlier games that featured strategic board play, most notably Chaturanga, which originated in India around the 6th century. Chaturanga spread to Persia, where it became known as Shatranj, and later made its way to the Islamic world and Europe. Over centuries, the rules and pieces of chess underwent various changes, leading to the modern version we know today, characterized by its distinctive pieces and gameplay.