“Battle on the Board: Chess During World War II” highlights artifacts, stories, and imagery related to how chess aided service members as well as how the war affected the world of competitive chess. Though often used as a metaphor for battle, during times of conflict chess was often a source of relaxation, a means of passing long hours, and an aid in recuperation.

Chess Review, Vol. 12, No. 1, January 1944
The cover of this issue of Chess Review illustrates the stakes of World War II using toys sold by F.A.O. Schwarz. Leaders of the Allied powers are depicted: Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill, along with soldiers in various poses.

World War II Themed Chess Set, late 20th century

In this chess set, the leaders of the Allied and Axis powers, supported by members of their militaries, meet over the board. Dr. George Dean, a noted collector of chess sets whose pieces have been exhibited at the World Chess Hall of Fame, commissioned the set from artist David Warther Stevens.

Prisoner of War Chess Set, c 1944

Like other games and sports in POW camps, chess proved a means of fighting boredom and depression and provided a distraction from the fear and monotony of prison life. This prisoner-of-war chess set was carved by 1st Lt. Harold L. Weachter while at Stalag Luft I, a POW camp near Barth, Germany, so that he would have a means of passing time in the camp.

William Howard Chittenden’s Prisoner of War Chess Set and Tea Box, c 1940

Owned by three separate prisoners of war during World War II, this set tells a fascinating story of three different Marines’ experiences in prisoner-of-war camps. It was once owned by Mr. William Chittenden, who served in the Marines during World War II. Captured in China shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Chittenden purchased the set using rationed Red Cross cigarettes while in the Woo Sung POW camp. Separated from his chess set after he was transferred to another camp, Chittenden was reunited with the set 70 years later.

Indian Ivory Chess Set, c 1940s

Made of walrus ivory, this simple but elegant chess set was purchased purchased by Stuart Canning as a souvenir while he was serving in the Merchant Marine in India. The Merchant Marine provided critical support for the war effort during World War II by transporting troops and supplies.

“Paul Sample’s Naval Aviation” in Life Magazine, January 4, 1943

Regionalist artist Paul Sample illustrated scenes of everyday life on a Navy aircraft carrier for civilian audiences. From pilots awaiting action to dramatic rescues of downed pilots, Sample shared vignettes portraying the broad experiences of men at war.

1936 Munich Unofficial Chess Olympiad Sculpture, 1936

This sculpture depicting a knight was created for the 1936 Munich Chess Olympiad, which was considered unofficial due to the German Chess Federation’s expulsion from the International Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs or FIDE). The German Chess Federation’s anti-semitic policies banning participation of Jewish players in its activities led to this policy.

Tak-Tik Wehr-Schach, 1937-1938

Tak-Tik Wehr-Schach was a German board game inspired by the game of chess. The German military, Wehrmacht, distributed the game. Unlike chess, Tak-Tik Wehr-Schach has 121 squares and 18 pieces on each side.

WM. F. Drueke & Sons Pocket Chess Game, 1939-1945

Philanthropic efforts to create connections with civilian life were complemented by the activities of corporations of the era. The Drueke Company began production of pocket games, including chess. These could easily be shipped to soldiers due to their small sizes.

The Coca-Cola Company Advertisement in The National Geographic Magazine, August 1945

As part of an outreach program during World War II, the Coca-Cola Company donated game sets to military camps to boost the morale of soldiers overseas in addition to their shipment of ten complete bottling plants to the European Theater.

The Coca-Cola Company Game Set, c 1941-1945

The Coca-Cola Company’s game sets include a chess/checkers/backgammon board, chess pieces, checkers, playing cards, marbles, and dominoes.

The American Red Cross Chess, Checkers, and TIC-TAC-TOE Pocket Set, c 1944

The Red Cross assisted prisoners of war (POWs) by checking the conditions of camps, sending aid parcels, and facilitating mail between POWs and their families. The Red Cross also provided compact and lightweight pocket sets like this for entertainment.

Chess Review, Vol. 11, No. 7, August 9, 1943

Both the editors of Chess Review and the leaders of the newly-formed United States Chess Federation (USCF) used military chess clubs and aid efforts aimed at injured veterans to promote the game.

Chess Review, Vol. 13, No. 3, March 1945

Die Abdeckung für den März 1945 Ausgabe von Schach Bewertung Merkmale Technischer Sergeant Louis Barry Schach gegen Rot-Kreuz-Assistenten Feld Director Jane C. Sickler, bei der Army Air Force Convalescent Hospital in Pawling, New York zu spielen. Dort wurden Freizeitaktivitäten und Moral Booster so viel von einer Priorität als physische Rehabilitation.

Chess Review, Vol. 13, No. 5, Mai 1945

Die USCF Partnerschaft mit Chess Review die Organisation Schach für das im Jahr 1945 Sie Wounded gefunden Ziel disparaten Krieg Hilfsmaßnahmen durch eine nationale Organisation mit fünf Abschnitten zu vereinen, um die regionale Struktur des Roten Kreuzes reflektiert. 1944 Schach-Meister Gisela Gresser US-Frauen war ein Ausschussmitglied des Schachs für die Wounded. Gresser besuchte mehrere Armee und Marine-Krankenhäuser, die Förderung Moral der Soldaten von ihnen lehren Schach zu spielen.

Schach für die Wounded Postal Chess Recorder 1946

Gegeben durch den Direktor des Schach für die Verwundeten, Herbert Holland, zu HH Krueger, diese Post-Set enthält Schreibweise jedes der Spiele des verletzten Veteran.

Amerikanischer Junior Kreuz-Plakat, c 1940-1945

Gegründet 1917, sammelte das amerikanische Junior Rote Kreuz Komfort und Erholungs Materialien für die Streitkräfte der Vereinigten Staaten sowie für ausländische Flüchtlinge und Kinder leiden aufgrund der Zerstörung des Krieges. Nummerierung über 18,5 Millionen Mitglieder, die von 1945 erlaubte die Organisation die Möglichkeit, Kinder in Hilfsaktionen an der Heimatfront zu beteiligen.

Vitrine Installation View von Schlacht auf dem Brett: Schach im Zweiten Weltkrieg
World Chess Hall of Fame

„Diese Ausstellung ermöglicht es den Besuchern das Thema Schach und Krieg durch die Linse des Zweiten Weltkriegs zu erkunden und bietet einen Einblick, wie während des Krieges auf dem Spiel eine sinnvolle Auswirkungen hatte. Als wir den 70. Jahrestag des Zweiten Weltkriegs zu gedenken, ist diese Ausstellung nicht nur relevant, sondern zeigt, wie ein Spiel – beim Kampf modelliert -. Auch ein Gefühl von Heimat und Gemeinschaft bieten kann“Emily Allred, Assistenz-Kuratorin an der World Chess Hall of Fame