Germany Maker unknown Selenus Chess Set c. mid-19th century King size: 4 ¾ in. Bone Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn Photo by Sam Watkins Park
Pawns & Passports: Chess Sets from Around the Globe In September of 2021, the WCHOF will celebrate our tenth anniversary in Saint Louis. When the institution moved from Miami to Saint Louis, it already boasted a collection of over 163 chess sets. However, through the generosity of numerous donors as well as some purchases, it has increased to include over 1200 sets from over 65 countries. Since Emily Allred, Curator our opening, we have hosted numerous exhibitions blending chess with art, history, and popular culture. Among these have been many shows featuring chess sets from our collection and those from lenders around the United States and the world. Pawns & Passports: Chess Sets from Around the Globe includes highlights from the diverse chess set collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF). Through this display, we hope to give visitors the opportunity to “travel” around the world from our gallery. We also would like to highlight the stories these sets tell, both through their imagery and the stories of how they traveled from their places of origin to our location in Saint Louis.
Chess History Since chess’s creation, people of different regions have transformed the pieces to reflect their own cultures and history. While the pieces originally reflected units in the Indian military, replete with chariots, cavalry, elephants, and military advisors, European chess set creators later included pieces like bishops and queens, reflective of their own political structures. In 1849, the Staunton-style chess set was introduced to the public. Though it has since become the standard set for tournament play around the world, people still create sets with unique imagery. Some are meant more for display rather than for play and their appearances draw from stories, history, or local artistic traditions. The sets on view in Pawns & Passports have diverse stories. Many are local variations on playing sets, while others are pieces produced as souvenirs. We invite you to learn more about them through this selection of activities.
Mozambique Maker unknown Makonde Carved Wood Chess Set c. 1965 King size: 3 ¾in. Mphingo and white hardwood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Austin Fuller
China Maker unknown Figural Ivory Chess Set Mid-20th century King size: 8 in. Board: 32 x 32 in. Ivory and wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn Photo by Austin Fuller
King and Queen The king is the most important piece on the chessboard. The king can move one space in any direction. The queen is the most powerful piece because she can move any number of squares vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Staunton-style pieces, which you can see in the picture at the left, were introduced in 1849 and are the standard for tournament play. They are abstract representations of royalty, topped by crowns. Other sets in this exhibition feature figural representations of a royal court. Austria Maker unknown Hand-carved Chess Set c. 1953 King size: 3 ¼ in. Board size: 13 3/8 x 13 3/8 in. Ivory Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Margaret Whitting Hall Photo by Austin Fuller
Imagine the king as the most important person you know. Draw that person on top of the standard Staunton-style base.
Imagine the queen as the most powerful person you know. Draw their image on top of one of the bases, or find a photograph of that person and use it to create a collage. Look for photographs or drawings of objects that represent power. Add those to your collage.
The Bishop was an elephant! Chess evolved from chaturanga, a game of war in ancient India. The chess pieces included chariots, elephants, and military advisors. As the game traveled through the Middle East and into Europe, the chess pieces evolved in ways that represented the countries and cultures that adopted the game. Around 1200 CE in Europe, the bishop replaced the elephant on the chessboard. The bishop is considered the third most powerful chess piece. It can move across the board on a diagonal, and represents an important leader in the Christian church. Bishops wear a uniquely shaped hat, called a “mitre." Some sets created today, like this one from Sri Lanka, still feature elephants as chess pieces (in this case as the knight).
Sri Lanka Maker unknown Chess Set 1997 King size: 4 1/8 in. Wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn
Can you think of other professions or occupations that are immediately identifiable by their headgear? What do those individuals wear on their head? What purpose does it serve? Is it protective, decorative, or symbolic? Design a hat or headpiece. Look at the chess sets in the exhibition and this activity book and collect ideas for your unique hat!
Germany Kati Zorn Manufactured by Elder Volkstedt Porcelain Factory Frog Chess Set c 1982-1999 King size: 4 in. Board: 1 ¼ x 21 ½ x 21 ½ in. Porcelain Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn Photo by Sam Watkins Park
Kenya Artist unknown Kisii Stone Chess Set c. 1980 King size: 4 ¼ in. Stone Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn Photo by Austin Fuller
Possibly Germany or Austria Mark of Elzholz Chess Set Late 19th-early 20th century King size: 3 ¼ in. Board: 1 ¾ x 15 ½ x 15 ½ in Parcel gilt silver Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of the Jacqueline Piatigorsky Estate Photo by Sam Watkins Park
Knight The knight is the piece that looks like a horse, moves in the shape of an L, and is the only piece that can jump over other pieces! From mermaids to unicorns, many of the sets in the World Chess Hall of Fame’s collection feature figures taken from the imaginations of their creators. Russia Nikolai Timoshuk Richard the Lion-Hearted and Saladin 2008 King size: 3 5/8 in. Mammoth ivory and wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Nikolai Timoshuk Photo by Austin Fuller
Sketch a knight piece, typically depicted as a horse, as a creature from your imagination instead!
Rook The rook can move horizontally or vertically through any number of squares if no piece is in its way! The rook typically resembles a castle, but in this exhibit you will see rooks that look like pagodas, ships, and other structures specific to the local landscape.
China Maker unknown Figural Ivory Chess Set c. 1950s-1970s King size: 8 in. Board: 3 3/8 x 32 x 32 in. Ivory and wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn Photo by Austin Fuller
If you were to design a rook piece based on a building that is important to you, like your home or a familiar building where you are from, what would it look like? Draw or describe it below!
Germany Maker unknown Hand-Carved Wooden Chess Set c. 1945 King size: 3 ¾ in. Wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Don and Lillian Seese Photo by Sam Watkins Park
El Salvador Maker unknown El Salvador Hand Carved Chess Set c. late 19th-early 20th century King size: 3 ¼ in. Board size: 13 3/8 x 13 3/8 in. Wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Austin Fuller
Peru M. Holgado Rainbow Set 1987 King size: 2 3/8 in. Terracotta and metal Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Harvey and Teddi Robbins Photo by Sam Watkins Park
Pawn Pawns represent foot soldiers in chess. If one can make it across the chessboard, it can be promoted to a rook, knight, bishop, or queen! Take a trip through the Galapagos Islands!
In this set featured in Pawns & Passports, animals from the Galapagos Islands take the place of military units seen in some other sets. Can you help this pawn make it through the maze and promote to a queen?
Ecuador Maker unknown Ecuadorian Animals Chess Set King size: 3 1/16 in. Board: 1 5/16 x 9 7/8 x 9 7/8 in. Tagua nut and wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Austin Fuller
Start
Finish
Color the King! Did you know that the World’s Largest Chess Piece (WLCP) is located in Saint Louis? The WLCP measures 20 feet tall (6.096 m) and 9 feet, 2 inches (2.79 m) in diameter at the base and weighs a whopping 10,860 pounds (4,926 kg). The piece is 53 times larger than its model—the “Championship Staunton” king custom-designed by The House of Staunton in 2013 for use in the first Sinquefield Cup—and is made of African sapele mahogany.
Austin Fuller World Chess Hall of Fame 2019 Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
Many chess sets in Pawns & Passports feature chess pieces dressed in garments specific to their place of origin. Color some clothes for this pawn piece to be dressed like you.
Scavenger Hunt In this scavenger hunt, we invite you to take a “grand tour” of our gallery. The Grand Tour refers to a 17th and 18th century custom of travelling throughout Europe to learn about the cultures of different areas. Often travellers would sketch landmarks and landscapes in the regions where they travelled. Find the chess sets described in the clues below, and enjoy the activities inspired by them!
Australia Maker unknown Australian Animals Chess Set c. late 19th century-early 20th century King size: 3 ½ in. Ceramic Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Harvey and Teddi Robbins Photo by Austin Fuller
1.
Find a set that features amphibians. Describe what you see.
2. Find the chess set in the exhibition is made from items you might find on your clothing. When you get home from this exhibition, can you design a chess set made from items you might find around the house?
3. Several of the chess sets are made from wood. Find the Kokeshi Chess Set. Use these shape templates to design six chess pieces inspired by these dolls.
4. A case of European chess sets contains several examples of sets intended for play. Find the case. If you could redesign tournament-style chess sets, what would yours look like?
Japan Maker unknown Ivory Chess Set c. mid-20th century Ivory Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn Photo By Austin Fuller
Pawns & Passports: Chess Sets from Around the Globe June 3, 2021-January 30, 2022 Curated by Emily Allred, Curator, World Chess Hall of Fame The World Chess Hall of Fame acknowledges Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield, whose generous support makes our exhibitions possible. Special Thanks to: The World Chess Hall of Fame would like to thank all of the talented and generous people who contributed to this exhibition, including: Donors: Bonnie and Jordan Aibel, Dr. George and Vivian Dean, Geri Ruth Diop and the Estate of Albert A. Diop, IM John Donaldson, Bill and Barbara Fordney, Larry B. Good, Margaret Whitting Hall, the Traci L. and Dr. Arthur B. Laffer family, Teru Osato Lundsten, the Jacqueline Piatigorsky Estate, David Roderer, Harvey and Teddy Robbins, the Russian Chess Federation, Kent Samul, Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn, Don and Lillian Seese, Nina Tsypina and Matvey Solovyev, and Nikolai Timoshuk The Saint Louis Chess Campus: Tony Rich, Rebecca Buffington, and the staff of the Saint Louis Chess Club MIND. ART. EXPERIENCE. Related programming and a pdf of this brochure are available for download at worldchesshof.org. Donations support our exhibitions, education, outreach, and events. World Chess Hall of Fame 4652 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108 (314) 367-WCHF (9243) | worldchesshof.org @WorldChessHOF #PawnsAndPassports The mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame is to educate visitors, fans, players, and scholars by collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting the game of chess and its continuing cultural and artistic significance. The Museum does not discriminate or permit harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, national and ethnic origin in the treatment of individuals with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities. WCHOF STAFF General Manager Joy Bray Chief Curator Shannon Bailey Curator Emily Allred Assistant Manager James Knapp Curatorial Assistant and Program Manager Brittany Mosier Development Lauren Stewart Ryan Chester
Education, Outreach & Events Rebecca Buffington Brittany Mosier Tara Meyer Kathryn Adamchick Exhibitions Manager Nick Schleicher Finance Norah Friel Cathy Gallaher
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