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Museum makes first move with exhibition
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| Curator Rachael Anderton with museum and art gallery assistant, Mike Bowers |
YOUR move, I think ...
Chess pieces from many periods and a multitude of styles being exhibited by Newport's Museum and Art gallery are expected to appeal not just to budding Kasparovs.
"The pieces in ivory and ceramic and even cast-iron are stunning" said social history curator Rachael Anderton.
"We have some 30 chess sets loaned by a local collector who has over 250 sets on his collection.
"Those with an interest in chess will want to come and see the exhibition which runs until June 10 but we expect the sheer beauty of these pieces to attract a wider audience."
The idea for the exhibition came from within the museum itself.
Museum and art gallery assistant Mike Bowers, 63, of Beaufort Road, Newport has been playing chess since the age of 11.
"We've got a little lunch time chess school going at the museum" he said.
"Because of my total absorption in the game I'd heard of the collector, Mr Gareth Williams, who loaned us 30 of his sets and very beautiful many of them are."
Chess is thought to have originated in Persia or India in the 6th century AD with moves based upon the manouevres of the cavalry, infantry, chariot and elephant formations of an an army.
By the 10th or 11th century it had expanded into Europe, the most significant change coming when new rules allowed the Queen to move anywhere on the board thus making games quicker and more appealing to those with less leisure than the game's originally aristocratic patrons.
Curator Robin Hawkins said "I don't play chess largely because my father was so good and kept beating me but there is a great deal for the non-chess player to admire.
"We have had tremendous support from Newport and County Chess Club and enthusiasts generally.
"Many of these pieces are works of art in themselves. There are modernistic designs and portable sets and one miniature set you could put in a matchbox."
Miss Anderton said arrangements were being made for chess club volunteers to play with visiting members of the public.
There was also a chess trail for young people and 'fiendish' chess problems set out on some of the boards for aficionados to solve.
Some of the sets from the East have ivory pieces which soar like minarets.
Other, much more basic sets printed on wooden discs were designed for troops on active service during the Second World War.
An only slightly more elaborate version was designed for issue to German WW2 troops.
Mr Bowers who wrote the notes and captions for the exhibition which is entitled Checkmate said it was designed to reflect the game's timeless appeal.
"I love it as a game of pure skill.
"Even bridge which is a sort of equivalent has an element of luck.
'It's a war game."
6:41am Friday 28th March 2008
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