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Chess in the Arts

Three short lessons on chess as writers, filmmakers and artists have used it: a story written in exile, a knight playing for time, and an artist who left painting for the board.

For grown-ups, from what GambitTales teaches children at Spark & Anvil.

  1. Lesson 1A game in a cell
  2. Lesson 2Playing for time
  3. Lesson 3The artist at the board
At the table · two or more, 12 or older

A chess evening with a story

You'll need: a chess set and a copy of one of the works (or a short summary read aloud).

  1. Read or tell one of the three stories aloud.
  2. Play a game, and stop at the middle to ask: what is this game standing for tonight?
  3. Finish the game.
  4. Each person names a book, film or picture where a game means more than a game.

Print the guidebook (all lessons + the table activity) →