Through the Featured Chess Set project, the World Chess Hall of Fame showcases a variety of chess sets throughout the year. These include highlights from our own collection as well as chess sets owned by friends and chess lovers who have special stories to accompany their sets. For more information about how to participate in the Featured Chess Set project, please inquire at the front desk.
March’s Featured Chess Set is from the collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame. Since its creation in 1986, the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) has endeavored to highlight the history and cultural significance of the game of chess. The WCHOF’s collection is diverse and includes sets once owned by legendary players, mass-produced sets with lively pop culture themes, antique ivory sets, travel sets, as well as chess computers. Through these artifacts, the WCHOF illustrates how chess has evolved through its over 1500-year history.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Ocean Liner Chess Set
Date unknown
King size: 1 1⁄2 in.
Board: 5⁄16 x 11 13⁄16 x 11 13⁄16 in.
Die cast metal pieces and wood board
Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
Sleek silver ships sail atop stands that resemble waves in this promotional chess set from the collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is a Japanese transportation company. The company was formed through the merger of OSK Lines and Mitsui Steamship Co. in 1964. The pieces resemble their different types of cargo liners and each have a small representation of their piece on their base to aid players in differentiating the pieces.
