Illustrated International Chess

Author: Gary Williams
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-07-01
Features: Starting from the earliest hand-carved chess pieces, the design has captured the essence and spirit of war, revolution, peace, religion, technology, art, and sports. Exquisite chess pieces and outstanding players permeate every aspect, such as literature, art, film, advertising—from Shakespeare’s elegance to Pepsi-Cola—their expressions are both refined and enigmatic. Voltaire once said, "This is the highest honor of human wisdom." This book showcases the most influential chess pieces in history, spanning over a thousand years, with designs from all over the world. They tell the story of one of the greatest games in the world—chess. From the early 20th century, chess diversity reached its peak, from Max Ernst and Bauhaus’s limited-edition abstract chess pieces to military chess pieces during World War II. Chess games also expanded and grew. With the development of the plastic industry and the leap in science and technology, we can play chess with Bart Simpson-shaped pieces or face a computer chess master—Deep Blue—in a showdown. Of course, the origins of chess are far from the development of the plastic industry. Early chess pieces were influenced by Islam, from the ancient Sanskrit name "Chaturanga" to the medieval Lewis chess pieces, all paving the way for chess to evolve into a modern game. This period also saw the Renaissance and the rapid expansion of chess games. Here, we see early American chess pieces set against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War. We also learn about the formation of European chess clubs and the generations of craftsmen and players. With a joyful and reverent attitude, the author tells us the story of chess, blending historical facts with colorful anecdotes. With the unique perspective of an expert, the author explores the long and rich history of this game. Whether it’s the history of a game or the history of a civilization, this book tells us a vivid and unfinished story.