Power in Check: Chess and the American Presidency showcases a variety of politically-themed chess sets from the World Chess Hall of Fame’s permanent collection. This redux of 2012’s exhibition offers a look at how the “royal game” of chess has fascinated American presidents for over 200 years.
Chess has influenced the American presidency since the administration of George Washington. While a game replete with Kings and Queens might at first seem antithetical to democratic leadership, commanders-in-chief have continually appreciated chess’ practical benefits and cultural significance, playing to escape the pressures of a stressful job, hosting successful players from around the world, and utilizing the game as a metaphor for larger national and international issues.
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/PiC_WEB_1996%20Presidential%20Election%2C%20Bill%20Clinton%20vs.%20Bob%20Dole%250D.jpg)
Doug Anderson, 1996 Presidential Election, Bill Clinton vs. Bob Dole, 1996, Clay, ceramic, paint, and glitter, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/PiC_WEB_American%20Bicentennial_%201976%20vs.%201776%250D.jpg)
Maker unknown, American Bicentennial: 1976 vs. 1776, Date unknown, Plaster, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Harvey and Teddi Robbins
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/PiC_WEB_President%20Ronald%20Reagan%20and%20the%20National%20Elementary%20School%20Chess%20Champions%20from%20Indianapolis%2C%20Indiana%20.jpg)
Jack Kightlinger, President Ronald Reagan and the National Elementary School Chess Champions from Indianapolis, Indiana, 1983, Photograph, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of John Donaldson
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/PiC_WEB_Civil%20War%20Chess%20Set%250D.jpg)
Lois Harlowe, Civil War Chess Set, c. mid-late 20th century, Ceramic and paint, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Ray Harlowe
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/PiC_WEB_Democrats%20vs.%20Republicans%250D.jpg)
Maker unknown, Democrats vs. Republicans, c. 2000s, Resin, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/PiC_WEB_Polgar%20Tactics_%2077%20Chess%20Combinations%250D.jpg)
László Polgár, Polgar Tactics: 77 Chess Combinations, 1991, Paper, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of John Donaldson
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/PiC_WEB_Russian%20Politicians%20vs.%20American%20Politicians%250D.jpg)
Maker unknown, Russian Politicians vs. American Politicians, c. 1990s, Wood lacquered and painted, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/PiC_WEB_Remember%20to%20Vote%250D.jpg)
Remember to Vote, 1958, Paper, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/200219WCHOF_Artifacts0075.jpg)
Maker unknown, Barack Obama vs. John McCain, 2008, Clay, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/200219WCHOF_Artifacts0086.jpg)
Maker unknown, Barack Obama vs. John McCain, 2008, Clay, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/200219WCHOF_Artifacts0139.jpg)
Maker unknown, Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump, 2016, 3D printed plastic, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarishon
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/200219WCHOF_Artifacts0127.jpg)
Maker unknown, Watergate Chess Set, Date unknown, Ceramic and paint, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarishon
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/200219WCHOF_Artifacts0026.jpg)
Maker unknown, Democrats vs. Republicans, c. 2000s, Resin, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/200219WCHOF_Artifacts0039.jpg)
Maker unknown, Democrats vs. Republicans, c. 2000s, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/200218WCHOF0091.jpg)
Maker unknown, Donald Trump vs. Barack Obama, 2016, 3D printed plastic, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/200220WCHOF_Artifacts0035.jpg)
Maker unknown, American Bicentennial: 1976 vs. 1776, Date unknown, Plaster, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Harvey and Teddi Robbins
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/200220WCHOF_Artifacts0101.jpg)
Manufacturer unknown, Democrats vs. Republicans Chess Set, Date unknown, Wood, felt, canvas, and cardboard, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Harper%27s%20Weekly%20%28front%29.jpg)
A.L. Carroll, Harper’s Weekly, Vol. IX no. 440, June 3, 1865, Paper, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Roosevelt%20good%20vs.%20evil.jpg)
Frank A. Nankivell, Puck, Vol. 68, No. 1758, The Political Janus Cartoon, November 9, 1910, Digital print, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Harper%27s%20Weekly-Russia%27s%20Move%20%28front%29.jpg)
W.A. Rogers, Harper’s Weekly, Vol. XLVIII, No. 2468, April 9, 1904, Paper, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Puck.jpg)
Frederick Burr Opper, Puck, Vol. 38, No. 970, October 9, 1895, Paper, Courtesy of the Library of Congress
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Chess%20Moves.jpg)
Ingram Pinn, Chess Moves to Transform World Politics, December 8, 2014, Paper, Courtesy of the Financial Times
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/937259__Garland%20Cartoon.jpg)
Nicholas Garland, Obama’s Impossible Chess Game, 2009, Paper, Courtesy of The Telegraph, © Garland / Telegraph Media Group Limited 2020
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/los%20guardaespaldas%20%281%29.jpg)
Wadalupe, Secret Service, 2016, Paper, Courtesy of Andrés Guadalupe
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Roosevelt.jpg)
Frank A. Nankivell, Impossible Pictures of Roosevelt, August 21, 1907, Paper, Courtesy of the Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Polgars%20with%20George%20and%20Barbara%20Bush.jpg)
Photographer unknown, László Polgár and the Polgar Sisters with President George and First Lady Barbara Bush, 1989, Photograph, Collection of the World Chess Hall of fame, gift of John Donaldson
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Reshevsky_0.jpg)
Harris & Ewing, Samuel Reshevsky participates in a Simul with Congressmen Meyer London, Roy Fitzgerald and James W. Collier, April 6, 1922, Photograph, Courtesy of the Library of Congress
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Rex-Jeanne-Mike%20Pence_Corrected%20%284%29.jpg)
Unknown photographer, Rex Sinquefield, Vice President Mike Pence, and Dr. Jeanne Cairn Sinquefield, Date, Photograph, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Trump%20Gulko-Short%20Game-Bill%20Hook.jpg)
Bill Hook, Donald Trump about to Make the First Move of the Boris Gulko-Nigel Short Game in the 1994 Candidates Tournament, 1994, Photograph, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Raquel Browne
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Trump%2C%20Melania%2C%20and%20Karpov%20landscape.jpg)
Bill Hook, Donald and Melania Trump with GM Anatoly Karpov, 1994, Photograph, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Raquel Browne
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Trump%2C%20Melania%2C%20and%20Karpov%20landscape_0.jpg)
Bill Hook, Donald and Melania Trump with GM Anatoly Karpov, 1994, Photograph, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Raquel Browne
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Camp%20David.jpg)
Unknown photographer, for the Executive Office of the President of the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin Engages U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski in a Game of Chess at Camp David, 1978, Photograph, Courtesy of The Jimmy Carter Library
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Fischer%20for%20Prez%20Pin.jpeg)
Maker unknown, Bobby Fischer for President Pin, c. 1970s, Plastic and metal, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Civil%20War%20envelope.jpeg)
New York Union Envelope Depot, Brown & Ryan, New York, Envelope with Confederate President Jefferson Davis Playing Chess Against General Winfield Scott, c. 1861-1865, Paper envelope, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/President%20George%20Bush%201990%20U.S.%20Chess%20Federation%20Letter.jpg)
President George Bush’s National Chess Week Letter, 1990, Paper, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/President%20Ford%20Official%20National%20Chess%20Day%20greeting.jpg)
President Gerald R. Ford’s National Chess Day Letter, 1976, Paper, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/President%20George%20Bush%20Letter%20to%20US%20Chess%20Federation.jpg)
President George Bush’s National Chess Week Letter, 1991, Paper, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/Vice%20President%20Walter%20Mondale%20National%20Chess%20Day%20Letter.jpg)
Vice President Walter F. Mondale’s National Chess Day Letter, 1978, Paper, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
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![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/styles/wchof_slide_thumb/public/Puck.jpg?itok=1lrvR6LA)
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![](https://worldchesshof.org/sites/default/files/styles/wchof_slide_thumb/public/President%20George%20Bush%201990%20U.S.%20Chess%20Federation%20Letter.jpg?itok=miQ_5krS)
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Press
08/25/2020: St. Louis Post-Dispatch — Three exhibits at World Chess Hall of Fame entertain and inform using a universal language