The Clinton Library

This summer, I took a trip into Little Rock to see the Clinton Library. When I asked, I was informed that the presidential library had three chess sets on display. One that was particularly interesting was a decorative chess set with caricatures commemorating the Belfast peace accords. I remember that news announcement, sometime during 1997 I think it was. I was working for a British fellow in those days, a short guy with an oversized ego. I think everyone has met at least one of those in their lives.

This set (called “The Northern Ireland Political Chess Piece Process.") was designed by Belfast sculptor Anto Brennan and produced by his company Open Windows Productions. As it was a gift to the library from President Clinton, the staff did not know any of the details whether this was given to the President or by whom, but furnished me with this photo. The photo may be a little difficult to read; on the Nationalist / Irish side: King is Bernie Ahern, the Irish Prime Minister; Queen is Mary McAleese, President of Ireland; Bishop is Sean Brady; Knights are John Hume and Seamus Mallon; Rooks are Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams; with paramilitary pawns. On the Loyalist / UK side: King is Tony Blair, British Prime Minister; Queen is Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of England; Bishop is Robin Eames; Knights are Dr. Ian Paisley and David Trimble; Rooks are David Irvine and Dr. Mo Mowlam; with pawns depicting the R.U.C.

Enlarge picture: Belfast Chess Set

Please note: the center column, entitled “Rules of the Game of Chess,” has been left blank.

I found another chess set on the top floor of the exhibit and was able to snap this photo somewhat surreptitiously (I’m pretty sure the security people said no photos were allowed) so the photo quality isn't so very good:

Enlarge photo: Rulers of the Sea

This set is called “Rulers of the Sea” with a nautical theme. It was a gift to the President and the First Lady from the artist, Alexander C. "Doc" Cullison of Washington, D.C., on the occasion of President Clinton's first Inauguration in 1993.

New Chess Image

I have been working with my new digital camera and my Paint Shop software. I would say that the results have been tasty, but the play on the words is too much even for me. But you can zoom off to the chess shop in a twinkling if you click on this link: www.ChessRight.com (I put the image on the shipping page. No reason. Can't figure out where else it should go ...)

What are the benefits of membership in the US Chess Federation?

The U.S. Chess Federation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the study of the game of chess in a number of ways. The group strives to provide information, knowledge and support to all chess players regardless of age or skill level, from novices to professional players. They view chess as an enjoyable pastime, as an art form, and as a means of improving society.
The USCF supervises a number of chess tournaments every year, including the US Chess Championship and other national events. The group also participates in international events, linking US chess players with players from around the world.
One of the most visible benefits of membership in the U.S. Chess Federation is a subscription to their monthly magazine, “Chess Life.” The organization also publishes a bi-monthly magazine called “Chess for Kids.” In both publications, the USCF offers current articles and information which are of interest to chess players. The 110th US Open was held in Indianapolis in early August; so the current edition of “Chess Life” contains stories about the competition, the players, and the winners as well as upcoming events and articles about improving your own chess play.
According to the organization’s website, there are over 80,000 current memberships, and about half of their members attend some kind of school. So the USCF is very interested in supporting chess programs in schools, from pre-school programs to college level. The group encourages the proliferation of the game, with thousands of affiliated local clubs and organizations across the U.S. The USCF website offers official rules of the game, a glossary of chess terms and a brief chess history available to all, as well as various books and services for their members.
The organization also offers to pair members for correspondence chess matches, either by mail or email. To get started, players are asked to rate themselves into the following scale:
Class D / Novice (rating of 1399 and below)
Class C / Intermediate (rating of 1400 to 1599)
Class B / Strong (rating of 1600 - 1799)
Class A / Very Strong (rating of 1800 - 1999)
Of course, the more honest the self-assessment, the better the group can match up an opponent of similar skill levels. Through playing in rated matches, a chess player may increase his rating to:
Candidate Master (rating of 2000 - 2199)
Master (rating of 2200 - 2399)
Senior Master (rating of 2400 or higher)

Chess Right Chess Store is offering a number of free memberships in the USCF with qualifying purchases. Please look for these great premium offers on selected chess sets in our store. We are also offering a great price on the US Chess Federation Official Rule Book (look in category “Books, etc.” for the yellow king piece on the cover).

Chess Quote

Avoid the crowd. Do your own thinking independently. Be the Chess player, not the Chess piece.

** Ralph Charell **

Beautiful designer chess set!

This is the "Alice" set by designer Yasmin Sethi.

See more about this chess set on the designer's website.

It does not appear to be available for sale. My guess is it is just a prototype. So admire it from the pictures ... then cruise over to www.ChessRight.com to find a beautiful chess set to own.

Here's another chess reference

For those of you who aren't familiar with the "Have Gun Will Travel" classic 1958 TV series, the lead character is Palladin, played by a young Richard Boone; not really a bad guy, or let's just say he is working for the good team, mostly. The chess symbol on his holster is also on his calling card - the knight.

Richard Boone is best loved around here for his role as Smaug the Dragon in the animated movie of "The Hobbit." More on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien here!

Chess, like classic TV, can be enjoyed year after year. Visit www.ChessRight.com for your heirloom chess set!

The Chess Pieces

What do the chess pieces mean? Is there some sort of symbolism?
There are thirty-two pieces in a chess set; eight pawns, two castles or “rooks,” two knights, two bishops, one queen and one king of each color. Their meanings refer back to the Middle Ages when the game was brought into Europe by the Muslim Moors.
The king and queen are the monarchy, exactly as they appear. The bishops were the representatives of the Church, very much a part of everyone’s life in the Middle Ages. The knights were mounted warriors, thus the use of the horse’s head to represent this piece. These are the only professional soldiers in the game. The castles refer to the king’s home. The pawns are the peasants, the foot soldiers, and like every society there are more of them than any of the other pieces.
Interestingly, the term “freelance” comes from this same period. Originally, the term referred to any knight who was not sworn to any army, but was “free” to carry his own “lance” (weapon) for anyone who would pay him.

If the chess pieces came from the Moors, why is there a cross on top of the king? And why would the queen be so powerful in a Muslim game?
The Europeans put the cross on the king’s head as something of a modification in defiance of their Moorish neighbors. It was their way of taking this game and making it their own. But relations between Christians and Muslims in the Moorish occupation of Spain were not as hostile as this may sound. See our new poster on our website for an historic chess game in the Spanish court. (www.ChessRight.com  Books, etc.  POSTER: King Alfonse X)
As for the queen, when the game first came into Spain, that piece was originally the king’s vizier, his most trusted counselor. Many scholars believe that the powerful queen that served as the inspiration for the modern chess piece was Queen Isabella of Spain, although in those days the piece did not move quite like the modern game piece.