The Art of Chess Book

The game of chess is unlike any other game. It has been played from time immemorial across landscapes and cultures both foreign and exotic to modern eyes. Its legends and stories tell of rising and falling nations, battles and intrigue, heroes and lovers, cowards and thieves. Of all the games that have been invented, few if any can claim its allure, drama, mystery, and romance. Even its origin is shrouded in the mists of the distant past; to take hold and understand its ancient history is like grasping wispy tendrils of fog. Seemingly solid, they quickly evaporate into the night air.The history of chess is a story of transformation. As various societies took possession of the game, they altered it according to their own interests and needs. Rules were bent or completely changed before it was passed on to another group of people. Numerous variants flared up, to fade away while others thrived and still exist in one part of the world or another. Over the centuries, chess gradually transformed from an ancient game of war into one of intellectual pursuit. It became civilized.In many ways, it is the playing pieces themselves that tell us the story of chess. Outwardly they imply the hostilities of battle, one side against the other. But they are much more than that. Chess sets are cultural icons reflecting layers of meaning both deliberately and unintentionally imposed on the pieces by the individuals who made themÑpeople working under the influence of their society, time, and place. Thus, the pieces have become tangible, evocative remains of the past. As chess moved from culture to culture, the pieces were molded into new shapes and images reflecting fresh surroundings.At the same time, the names of the pieces were translated into other languages and sometimes given new meanings. Chess pieces have frequently taken on political, cultural, or artistic significance beyond their practical value. Look behind the superficial appearance of individual pieces. Chess sets are like mirrors reflecting human history and culture. On the more pragmatic side are the artistic problems and solutions related to the design of a superior chess set. The maker must answer many questions and choose from seemingly endless options when creating thirty-two pieces based on a central theme intended to stimulate interest, and even excitement. Is the setÕs purpose simply functional, ornamental, or some combination of the two? Should the images be representational, symbolic, or abstract? What are the available materials: ivory, wood, bone, glass, precious metal, or plastic? Should the set be hand-carved, lathed, molded, or assembled?Indeed, the game of chess has occupied the time and stirred the passions of untold generations. People from all walks of life, from royal courts to inner cities, have been drawn to itÑplaying the game, making the sets, studying the theories and the history, speculating on the future, and even helping to shape that future by creating new variations. Hold a chess piece in your hand and you grasp a world, representing a myriad of ideas and cultures going back well over a thousand years. Few man-made objects can claim such distinction.