Good morning! It's Sunday, Nov. 9. On this day 40 years ago, Garry Kasparov became the youngest world chess champion to date (India's Gukesh Dommaraju now holds the record, winning at age 18 in 2024). The game's popularity and persistent reputation as a badge of intelligence made us curious about its origins, growth, and impact in the world, so this week, we explored the ancient game.
Scroll down to learn how much the US paid in interest on its debt last year, how F1 pit teams swap a tire in less than three seconds, and more. Or visit 1440 Topics for primers on Microchips, Flannery O'Connor, or 280 others.
Have suggestions? Help us better serve our more than 4.5 million readers by sharing your honest feedback at [email protected]. First time reading? Sign up here or click here to share with friends.
— 1440 Topics Team |
|
|
|
Dear Readers—Our Sunday edition delivers deep dives into interesting and relevant topics, helping you explore new ideas and feed your curiosity.
Instead of the news—which we cover Monday through Saturday—today we’ll bring you deeply researched overviews and the human-curated articles, podcasts, videos, and more that most fascinated us this week. |
|
|
|
What is chess?
Originating around 1,500 years ago in India, chess is one of the most popular games in the world. Played on an 8×8 board, each side commands 16 pieces with distinct movement patterns. Victory is achieved by checkmate—placing the opponent’s king under attack with no possible escape. Today, chess is played by an estimated 600 million people both in person and online.
The game slowly spread around Asia and Europe until the late 1400s, when the modern version emerged (watch history). The industrial era brought standardization, and by the early 20th century, the International Chess Federation, or FIDE, formalized world championship play.
Chess has long carried cultural weight as a symbol of intellect, strategy, and conflict. The digital era transformed it into a mass-participation sport. Online platforms like Chess.com—now with more than 200 million members—allow millions to play instantly. Streaming has amplified the boom, especially among younger audiences. Thousands watch grandmasters like Hikaru Nakamura live on Twitch.
... Read what else we learned about chess here.
Also, check out ...
> IBM’s supercomputer Deep Blue beat Garry Kasparov in 1997. (More)
> There are more chess game variations than observable atoms in the universe. (More)
> The first chess game in space ended in a draw in 1970. (More)
> The longest official chess game lasted 269 moves and over 20 hours. (More) |
|
|
|
|
In partnership with Fisher Investments |
|
Tax-Taming Strategies for Investors With $5M+ |
|
Please support our sponsors! |
|
|
|
|
Fintech, explained
"Fintech” is a broad term that stands for “financial technology” and refers to technological innovations in the financial services sector. The roughly $340B fintech industry encompasses everything from mobile banking apps and robo-advisers to digital payment software.
Examples include buy-now, pay-later apps like Klarna, payment processing technologies for businesses like Stripe, cryptocurrency innovations like crypto exchange Coinbase, and peer-to-peer payment services such as Venmo and PayPal.
Despite the industry’s breadth, fintech companies all have something in common: They aim to make various aspects of financial transactions more efficient and user-friendly. The global fintech industry is growing quickly—it currently employs roughly 300,000 people, and is projected to be worth about $1T by 2032.
... Read our full explainer on the tech here.
Also, check out ...
> The Nasdaq launched in 1971 as the first electronic trading hub. (More)
> Roughly 1.4 billion people lack basic financial services—and AI can help. (More)
> The first ATM—dubbed a "cash dispenser"—debuted in 1967. (More)
> Explore a visual timeline of fintech's growth. (More) |
|
|
|
|
Plate tectonics, 101
The theory of plate tectonics explains that the majority of Earth’s geological features—from mountain ranges to ocean trenches—result from interactions between slabs of rock that make up Earth’s outer shell (watch explainer). The slabs—collectively called tectonic plates—vary in size, composition, and movement, and have been dragged by convection currents in Earth’s mantle for at least 3 billion years (see map).
The theory began with rock, fossil, and climatic records suggesting that all land was once one interconnected supercontinent that had broken apart. Decades later, measurements of the seafloor showed that it continuously moved away from mid-ocean ridges. These movements cause oceanic plates to push into continental ones, resulting in earthquakes and volcanoes.
Mapping the locations of these and other geological features has allowed scientists to outline tectonic plates, identify types of plate boundaries, and model the history of Earth’s surface.
... Read our full write-up on tectonics here.
Also, check out ...
> The San Andreas Fault is an example of tectonic plates sliding past each other. (More)
> View maps of seafloor topography, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. (More)
> Stagnant lids found on Mercury, Mars, and the moon prevent tectonic activity. (More)
> You've likely heard of the supercontinent Pangaea—what about Rodinia? (More) |
|
|
|
|
In partnership with Fisher Investments |
|
It’s Time to Put Your Portfolio to Work |
|
You’ve worked hard to save for retirement, now your portfolio can take over some of theheavy lifting. "The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income" covers ways you can use your portfolio to generate income while you’re busy enjoying the lifestyle you deserve.
While your portfolio is busy producing income, your guide can also provide helpful
insights into understanding your cash flow needs and managing your monthly
expenses. Don’t miss out—request your complimentary guide now. |
|
Please support our sponsors! |
|
|
|
|
1440 Science & Technology |
|
Do you love learning about science but find it daunting and are unsure of where to start? Our weekly newsletter explores the most fascinating topics in an accessible way, curating the best explainers, videos, podcasts, and more for you to go deeper.
This Thursday, we're learning about Biosphere 2, where humans can live in an isolated and controlled environment—simulating what it might be like to colonize other planets. We'll also dig into the history of Apple, which turns 50 next year; explore the current state of self-driving cars; and ask, "Who really invented the light bulb?"
To get all this and more, make sure you're signed up for 1440 Science & Technology here! |
|
|
|
Ever wonder what influenced people like Steven Spielberg or Salvador Dalí? Or how the national parks work? And how did K-pop become mainstream? Our weekly Society & Culture newsletter explores these fascinating topics and more, curating the best explainers, videos, and podcasts for you to go deeper.
This Saturday, we're learning about soap operas, from their 1930s origins to the Hollywood A-listers who began in the melodramas. We're also exploring the history of Napa Valley and the NFL, and asking, "Are delivery apps killing restaurants?"
To get all this and more, make sure you're signed up for 1440 Society & Culture here! |
|
|
|
Want to learn more about the business world, from investments like 401(k) and 529 plans, to the history of Amazon and the Rockefeller family, and much more? Our weekly Business & Finance newsletter explores these fascinating topics and more, curating the best explainers, videos, and podcasts for you to go deeper.
This Thursday, we're looking at the US dollar—from its origins and evolution to a global currency to what it's made of (hint: it's a cotton-linen blend). We're also exploring individual retirement accounts, the rise of Nvidia, and asking, "Where are America's wealthiest suburbs?"
To get all this and more, make sure you're signed up for 1440 Business & Finance here! |
|
|
|
Historybook: Napoleon Bonaparte leads coup and becomes dictator of France (1799); American poet and Pulitzer Prize-winner Anne Sexton born (1928); Astronomer Carl Sagan born (1934); First issue of Rolling Stone published (1967). |
|
|
|
|
"Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another." |
|
|
Behind the Name. In 1440, the printing press sparked a knowledge revolution. We carry that spirit forward, cutting through the noise and algorithm-driven feeds, to bring fact-driven knowledge to everyone.
Send us your feedback at [email protected] and help us stay as unbiased as humanly possible. We’re ready to listen.
Want to connect with 4.5 million insatiably curious minds? Become a 1440 partner here. |
|
1440 Media 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212 Chicago, IL 60654
Copyright © 2025, 1440 Media, All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
