The art

In Melbourne, I met with another chess enthusiast who not only plays and teaches chess but also collects chess boards from all around the world - and across time, as he began collecting sets more than 40 years ago. He shared countless stories about how he discovered these 'gems,' which I’ll share later on.

I have always loved art, and the 'art of chess' is a beautiful combination of artistry and strategy. Chess has a history that stretches back over a thousand years, into the realm of legends. While the rules have evolved, we can trace today’s version of the game back to its origins. The board holds 64 squares, and the pieces—the king, queen, bishop, knight, rook, and pawn—are named in English.

Despite its common history, the names of chess pieces vary across languages and cultures. In some languages, direct translations for pieces didn’t exist; for example, the bishop became an elephant in India. Some pieces, like the camel, princess, or amazon, have disappeared over time and are no longer found on ‘official’ chess boards.

And what about the art? The beauty of chess lies in its creative freedom—there are no limits in art. Chess pieces can represent different cultures or take advantage of the materials used, allowing endless possibilities for artistic expression.

To be continued...