While a single individual can't be named as chess' inventor, an ancient legend  an old👍 fable that is not to be taken literally  names Grand Vizier Sissa Ben Dahir as the game's originator.

The father of modern chess is👍 generally considered to be Wilhelm Steinitz, who was the first official World Chess Champion in 1886. However, the origins of👍 chess itself can be traced back to ancient India, where it was known as chaturanga.