New-York tribune., 1912-04-21
THE LESSONS OF CHESS
An Ancient Game That Typihes
Life Itself.

1t is impossible to state Just when and
the ages. but We still find it existing. We
see 1t painted on Egyptian vases. and We
find 1t in the Chinese Books OF Wisdom.
1t has been ascribed to all kinds OF birth
places, Its creator having been at times a
man, at times god. Nothing positive Is
known about II, yet tho greatest probable
tiles seem to point to it's having come from
the East. 1t may be interesting to note
just few Of the hypothesis surrounding
its obscure birth.
John de Vigney assigned the invention TO
a Babylonian philosopher. Xerxes. Leneur
attributes its origin to Chilo the Spartan
one OF the seven sages of Greece. Sir Will
lam Jones ascribes the invention OF chess
TO Mars, and feels sure II originated from
India. Gibbon says: ITO sdmonish kings
that they are strong only in the strength OF
their subjects, the same Indians invented
the game OF chess. which was likewise in
troduced into Persia during the reign Of
Nushirvan"
An Indian philosopher thus describes
chess: 1T is a representative contest, a
bloodless combat, an image not only of
actual military operation. but Of that great
er warfare, which every son Of the earth,
from the cradle to the grave. is continually
waging-the battle OF life" One sees clear
ly that, even going back to its birth, the
parallelsm between chess and men exists,
for does anybody know just when, where
and how the first man appeared on earth
Also, is II not fact that mans attributes
and nature have remained unchanged
throughout centuries, and that chess was
played much in the same way, each chess
man moving in its allotted manner even
five thousand years ago?
SOME ELABORATE cHESSMEN.
Chessmen now have conventional aspects;
convention has coaked men with great
outward sameness also, but IL was not ell
ways so. Ancient sets Of chessmen exist
In which each piece was carved with great
skill and artistic conception by artists of
renown. One OF the most beautiful OF
these sets was carved by John Flaxman,
r. A. The kings and queens are statues
OF about three and one-half inches. stand
ing on circular pedestals; the postures OF
the black king and queen being bold and
striking, thase Of the white king and queen
simple and dignifed. The bishops have
spirit OF religion and meekness In their
countenance, their attitude and the fall or
the draperies being very beautiful. The
knights, being men OF horseback, have ac-
ton and spirit in their pose. The castles
represent a square "donjon keep" with
n turret and a watch tower The paWns
are men-at-arms in different postures.
Every figure in this set Of chessmen Is
modelled with anatomical correctness.
Here is a description Of a set Of chessmen
taken from Cations Description OK the
Pieces and Pawns': The king must De
thus made: he must sit in chair clothed
in purple, crown on his head; In his right
hand an apple of gold. Thus ought the
queen 10 be made: she ought 10 be fair
lady. sitting in a chair, and crowned with
n crown. clad with cloth OF gold and q
mantle above furred with ermine; and che
should cit on the left side OF the king.
The Alphyns (bishops) ought TO be
made and formed I'm manner OF judges cit
ting I'm a chair with book open before
their eyes: and that is because that some
causes be criminal and some civil. The
knight ought to be made all armed upon
horse. in such wise that he have helmet
on his head and spear I'm his right hand
and covered with his shield. clad with an
ha wberk. and plates before his breast, leg
harness on his legs. spurs on his heels, on
his hands his gauntlets The rocks
which be Wears and legates to the King
ought TO be made like knight upon q
horse. and a mantle and hood furred with
menenyer, holding a staff in his hand
Each OF the eight pawns Is also described
as having typical character. such as
footman smith. clerk. merchant physl-
clan taberner. guard courier.
LESSONS OF THE GAME.
Ehnssmnn IL taken To REPRESENT real