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.
Taiwan
Hand-carved Wooden Chess Set
1968
King size: 5 in.
Board: 2 5⁄8 x 18 x 18 in.
Wood
Collection of the Senger Family
June’s Featured Chess Set is on loan to the World Chess Hall of Fame from the Senger family. Andrew Senger received this hand carved chess set as a gift from his grandfather, who had purchased it while stationed at CCK Air Force Base in Taiwan. The set includes pagodas, or tiered towers, as rooks and dragons as the knights. The pawns are individualized, each in a different pose and holding a different instrument.