It is not too often that the intricate, esoteric game of chess grabs the globe’s attention. But on this day 44 years ago, one of the defining contests of the 20th century got under way.

The World Chess Championship 1972 pitted east v west, with the United States’ Bobby Fischer playing defending champion Boris Spassky of the then Soviet Union.

Amid escalating Cold War tensions, the first game was taken by Spassky after some erratic play by his wild card opponent.

But this run was not to last, with his resignation on September 1 seeing the contest end 12 1/2-8 1/2 in Fischer’s favour.

Chess was considered a propaganda tool by the Soviet Union, with the loss firmly felt in Moscow.

Here’s some other memorable events that happened on this day:

1895: The first-ever automobile race begins, with competitors taking nearly 49 hours to drive between Paris and Bordeaux.

1900: Charlotte Cooper beats Helene Prevost in tennis to become first-ever individual female Olympic champion in any discipline.

2010: Midfielder Andres Iniesta strikes in extra-time as Spain beat Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.