Chess and Shakespeare « ChessManiac

William Shakespeare was born on April 26, 1564.

Shakespeare probably started writing plays around 1592. His first plays were Richard III and the three parts of Henry VI.

Around 1611, Shakespeare wrote The Tempest. The Tempest is considered Shakespeare’s last major play. It may a have been written as part of the celebration surrounding the marriage of Princess Elizabeth (a chess player), the daughter of King James I. At the time, chess was considered a royal game. The play may have been based on a ship, called the Sea-Venture, which was supposedly lost in a hurricane in 1609, on its way to Virginia. The battered ship actually survived and ran aground on Bermuda. A new ship was built to carry them to Jamestown, Virginia. The survivors later returned to England. The news of their survival caused another public sensation that Shakespeare’s audience would be familiar with. Also, Shakespeare had connections to the Virginia Company. Pamphlets were written on the accounts of the wreck in 1610. Shakespeare read these pamphlets and used them in writing The Tempest. He added the chess scene in the final scene.

It is the only play that he wrote which mentions chess (Act V, Scene 1). The term chess was used only once in all his plays, and it was for a state direction in the final act of The Tempest. The direction was: Here Prospero discovers Ferdinand and Miranda playing chess.

Alonso, the king of Naples, thought his son, Ferdinand, was dead, only to discover he is playing chess with Miranda (Alonso thought he was dreaming when he saw his son alive and playing chess). Prospero allows Ferdinand to take his daughter as his wife as long as Ferdinand promises to be chaste until his wedding day.

As the play concludes, Miranda, the daughter of Prospero (former Duke of Milan), and Ferdinand, the prince of Naples and the son of Alonso, are playing chess.

MIRANDA Sweet lord, you play me false.
FERDINAND No, my dear’st love,
I would not for the world.
MIRANDA Yes, for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle,
And I would call it, fair play.

ALONSO If this prove
A vision of the Island, one dear son
Shall I twice lose.
SEBASTIAN A most high miracle!
FERDINAND
Though the seas threaten, they are merciful;
I have cursed them without cause.
.

Shakespeare wrote this chess scene composed of 64 words (like 64 squares on a chess board) in 8 line verse lines (8 rows and 8 files, just like a chess board). Each section is arranged in two equal parts of 32 words (like 32 pieces in a chess game).

Shakespeare picked the right person to play chess. Ferdinand is from Naples, and at the time of Shakespeare, Naples was the center of chess activity in Europe. Alessandro Salvio was born in Naples in 1570, and was the best chess analyst of his time. He was considered the unofficial world champion in the early 1600s. He started an Italian chess academy in Naples. Earlier, Giovanni Leonardo Di Bona (1542-1587) went to Naples to study and practice chess. He became the chess master for the Prince of Bisignano. Paolo Boi (1528-1598) was one of the greatest chess players of the 16th century and died in Naples.

In the Tempest, chess is being used as a metaphor for romantic pursuits. Miranda accuses Ferdinand of cheating, which he denies (was he throwing the game to her?). However, she calls it fair play, and even if he cheats, she is more than happy to believe it for the love she has for him.

It is possible that Shakespeare knew about chess and made allusions and chess puns throughout his other plays. Here are a few examples.

So thou…hast no unkind mate. COMEDY OF ERRORS, Act 2, Scene 1.
Not mad, but mated. COMEDY OF ERRORS, Act 3, Scene 2.
I think you are all mated. COMEDY OF ERRORS, Act 5, Scene 1.
Ne’er lost a king of so much worth. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
To be disgraced by an inkhorn mate. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 2
If thou receives me for thy warlike mate. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 2
Transported shall be at high festivals before the kings and queens. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 6
Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 3
The king is not quite exempt from envious malice. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 1
The presence of a king engenders love. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 1
Ay, see the bishop be not overborne. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 1
An uproar, I dare warrant, begun through malice of the bishop’s men. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 1
Sweet king! The bishop hath a kindly gird. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 1
Cowardly knight! Ill fortune follow thee! 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 2
The king himself is to be feared as the lion. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 3
Much more a knight. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 1
Be packing, therefore, thou that wast a knight. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 1
The bishop will be overborne by thee. I KING HENRY VI, Act 5, Scene 1
My king! tush! That’s a wooden thing. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 5, Scene 3
Deliver up my title in the queen. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
We thank you all for the great favor done, in entertainment to my princely queen. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
Am I a queen in title and in style? 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
I prithee, peace, good queen. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
Where as the king and queen do mean to hawk. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
Come to the king. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 1
Stand by, my masters: bring him near the king. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 1
How I have loved my king. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 1
Farewell, good king. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 3
The king will labor still to save his life. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 1
Be poisonous too and kill thy forlorn queen. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 2
Cease, gentle queen, these execrations. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 2
The king and all the peers are here at hand. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 2
Help, lords! The king is dead. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 2
An answer from my king. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 2
Now get thee hence: the king, thou know’st, is coming. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 2
Save to the God of heaven and to my king. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 1
He is but a knight. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 2
I’ll send some bishop to entreat. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 4
God save the king! God save the king! 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 8
Rise up a knight. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 5, Scene 1
The king hath yielded unto thy demand. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 5, Scene 1
This is my king. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 5, Scene 1
Make him oppose himself against his king. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 5, Scene 1
For, as I hear, the king is fled. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 5, Scene 3
I wonder how the king escaped our hands. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
Here comes the queen. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
And when the king comes, offer no violence. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
Sound drums and trumpets, and the king will fly. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 1
The queen…intend to besiege you. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 2
The queen is coming with a puissant host. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 1
So that we fled; the king unto the queen. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 2
I am a king and privileged. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 2
Arise a knight; and learn this lesson. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 2
Here sits a king more woeful than you are. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 5
Whither the queen intends. Forward; away! 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 5
This is the quondam king; let’s seize upon him. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 1
And why not queen? 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 3, Scene 3
Here comes the king. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 1
Bishop, farewell. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 5
Our king…is prisoner to the bishop. 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 5
Away, away, to meet the queen’s great power! 3 KING HENRY VI, Act 5, Scene 2
That thou mayst be a queen, and check the world! KING JOHN, Act 2, Scene 1
Have I not pawn’d to you my majesty? KING JOHN, Act 3, Scene 1
The king is moved. KING JOHN, Act 3, Scene 1
To lie like pawns lock’d up in chests and trunks. KING JOHN, Act V, Scene 2
A man of fire-new words, fashions own knight. LOVE’S LABOR’S LOST, Act 1, Scene 1
A woman master. LOVE’S LABORS LOST, Act 1, Scene 2
Was that the king that spurred his horse so hard? LOVE’S LABORS LOST, Act 4, Scene 1
Away! The gentles are at their game and we will to our recreation. LOVE’S LABORS LOST, Act 4, Scene 2
O queen of queens! How far dost thou excel. No thought can think, nor tongue of mortal tell. LOVE’S LABORS LOST, Act 4, Scene 3
The king he is hunting. LOVE’S LABORS LOST, Act 4, Scene 3
God bless the king! LOVE’S LABORS LOST, Act 4, Scene 3
The worthy knight. LOVE’S LABORS LOST, Act 5, Scene 1
I would allow him odds. KING RICHARD II, Act 1, Scene 1
Which God defend a knight should violate. KING RICHARD II, Act 1, Scene 3
Strong as a tower. KING RICHARD II, Act 1, Scene 3
The king is come. KING RICHARD II, Act 2, Scene 1
Most degenerate king! KING RICHARD II, Act 2, Scene 1
Why, foolish boy, the king is left behind. KING RICHARD II, Act 2, Scene 3
The queen is at your house. KING RICHARD II, Act 3, Scene 1
Bores through his castle. KING RICHARD II, Act 3, Scene 2
What must the king do now; must he submit? KING RICHARD II, Act 3, Scene 3
It is the bishop. KING RICHARD II, Act 3, Scene 3
Poor queen! KING RICHARD II, Act 3, Scene 4
I have a king here. KING RICHARD II, Act 4, Scene 1
There is my honour’s pawn. KING RICHARD II, Act 4, Scene 1
This way the king will come; this is the way. KING RICHARD II, Act 5, Scene 1
Didst thou not kill the king? KING RICHARD III, Act 1, Scene 1
Take heed you dally not before your king. KING RICHARD III, Act 1, Scene 1
What! Threat you me with telling of the king? KING RICHARD III, Act 1, Scene 3
A little joy enjoys the queen. KING RICHARD III, Act 1, Scene 3
The king, provoked by the queen. KING RICHARD III, Act 2, Scene 2
Ay, …the king is dead. KING RICHARD III, Act 2, Scene 3
There stands the castle. KING RICHARD III, Act 2, Scene 3
You will take horse. KING RICHARD III, Act 3, Scene 2
Well-learned bishops. KING RICHARD III, Act 3, Scene 3
God save the queen! KING RICHARD III, Act 4, Scene 1
Then fiery expedition by my wing, Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king! KING RICHARD III, Act 4, Scene 3
She shall be a high and mighty queen. KING RICHARD III, Act 4, Scene 4
A happy race of kings! KING RICHARD III, Act 5, Scene 3
Give me another horse. KING RICHARD III, Act 5, Scene 3 (must have been playing tandem chess)
A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse! KING RICHARD Act 5, Scene 4
We’ll draw. ROMEO AND JULIET, Act 1, Scene 1
Draw if you be men. ROMEO AND JULIET, Act 1, Scene 1
What drawn and talk of peace. ROMEO AND JULIET, Act 1, Scene 1
I cannot move. ROMEO AND JULIET, Act 1, Scene 4
Enrich the hand of yonder knight. ROMEO AND JULIET, Act 1, Scene 5
I pray you, sir, is it your will to make a stale of me amongst these mates? THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Act 1, Scene 1
I had given him the best horse. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Act 1, Scene 1
Mates? No mates for you. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Act 1, Scene 1
Thy horses shall be trapped. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Act 1, Scene 2
I say his horse comes. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Act 3, Scene 2
Why, a horse. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Act 4, Scene 1
Her horse fell. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Act 4, Scene 1
Take my horse! THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Act 4, Scene 1
This distressed queen. TITUS ANDRONICUS Act 1, Scene 1
And I have horse will follow where the game makes way. TITUS ANDRONICUS Act 2, Scene 2
Give the king this fatal plotted scroll. TITUS ANDRONICUS Act 2, Scene 3
Good king, to be so mightily abused. TITUS ANDRONICUS Act 2, Scene 3
I will entreat the king. TITUS ANDRONICUS Act 2, Scene 3
I think you’ll hardly win. THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, Act 1, Scene 1
A knight well-spoken, neat and fine; but, were I you, he never should be mine. THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, Act 1, Scene 2
Why, then, we’ll make exchange; here, take you this. THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, Act 2, Scene 2
Her honour’s pawn. THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, Act 1, Scene 3
Why, a horse can do no more. THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, Act 3, Scene 1
A wandering knight? A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Act 1, Scene 2
Is true as steel; leave you your power to draw. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Act 2, Scene 1
Our queen…come here. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Act 2, Scene 1
Come not near our queen. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Act 2, Scene 2
Wake you, my sweet queen. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Act 4, Scene 1
His hour is almost past. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, Act 2, Scene 5
The rascal hath removed my horse. 1 KING HENRY IV, Act 2, Scene 2
The skipping king, he ambles up and down. 1 KING HENRY IV.
Then with the losers let it sympathize, for nothing can seem foul to those that win. 1 KING HENRY IV, Act 5, Scene 1
The king will bid you battle. 1 KING HENRY IV, Act 5, Scene 2
All’s done, all’s won; here breathless lies the king. 1 KING HENRY IV, Act 5, Scene 3
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. KING HENRY IV (Part II), Act 3, Scene 1
I pawn’d thee none. 2 KING HENRY IV, Act 4, Scene 2
And check was the reward of valor. KING HENRY IV (Part II), Act 4, Scene 3
Let my horse have his due. KING HENRY V, Act 3, Scene 7
What watch the king keeps to maintain the peace. KING HENRY V, Act 4, Scene 1
What is this castle call’d that stands hard by? KING HENRY V, Act 4, Scene 7
My day’s delight is past, my horse is gone. JULIUS CAESAR, Act 5, Scene 3
The fashion of these times, where none will sweat but for promotion. AS YOU LIKE IT, Act 2, Scene 3
I have his horse. TWELFTH NIGHT, Act 3, Scene 4
Come, go with me: I will go seek the king. HAMLET, Act 2, Scene 1
The adventurous knight shall…target. HAMLET, Act 2, Scene 2
A combination…indeed. HAMLET, Act 3, Scene 4
You will draw both friend and foe. HAMLET, Act 4, Scene 5
What says my bully rook? THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, Act 1, Scene 3
I am undone! The knight is here. THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, Act 4, Scene 4
Farewell, sweet queen. TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, Act 3, Scene 1
Go, gentle knight. TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, Act 4, Scene 5
A true knight. TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, Act 4, Scene 5
To see him every hour, to sit and draw. ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, Act 1, Scene 1
Save you, fair queen! And you, monarch! ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, Act 1, Scene 1
This may gall him with some check. OTHELLO, Act 1, Scene 1
My life I never held but as a pawn to wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, thy safety being the motive. KING LEAR, Act 1, Scene 1
Else one self-mate. KING LEAR, Act 4, Scene 3
The queen…is dead. MACBEATH, Act 5, Scene 5
O, never was there a queen so mightily betray’d! ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, Act 1, Scene 3.
Most sweet queen. ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, Act 1, Scene 3
She’s dead, my queen. ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, Act 1, Scene 3
My precious queen, forbear. ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, Act 1, Scene 3
Come hither, come! Come, come, and take a queen. ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, Act 5, Scene 2
Adieu, good queen. ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, Act 5, Scene 2
So, the good horse is mine. CORIOLANUS, Act 1, Scene 4
Are the knights ready to begin their triumph? PERICLES, Act 2, Scene 2
Great shouts within and all cry ‘The mean knight!’ PERICLES, Act 2, Scene 2
Sir, your queen must overboard. PERICLES, Act 2, Scene 5
Greet the king. PERICLES, Act 5, Scene 2
My lord, your son drew my master. CYMBELINE, Act 1, Scene 1
It was his queen, his queen! CYMBELINE, Act 1, Scene 3
I dare thereupon pawn… CYMBELINE, Act 1, Scene 4
I’ll move the king. CYMBELINE, Act 1, Scene 5
O, for a horse with wings. CYMBELINE, Act 3, Scene 2
Will take again your queen. THE WINTER’S TALE, Act 1, Scene 2
He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears, As he had seen’t, or been an instrument to vice you to’t, that you have toucht his queen forbiddenly. THE WINTER’s TALE, Act 1, Scene 2
So thou, that hast no unkind mate. THE WINTER’S TALE, Act 2, Scene 1.
It is his highness’ pleasure that the queen appear. THE WINTER’S TALE, Act 3, Scene 2.
Loss of his most precious queen. THE WINTER’S TALE, Act 4, Scene 2.
My mate that’s never to be found again. THE WINTER’S TALE, Act 5, Scene 3
Where’s the master? Play the men. THE TEMPEST, Act 1, Scene 1
The king and queen there! THE TEMPEST, Act 4, Scene 1
How fares the king? THE TEMPEST, Act 5, Scene 1
Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted forthwith for what you come. KING HENRY VIII, Act 2, Scene 2
What two bishops were those that went on each side of the queen? KING HENRY VIII, Act 4, Scene 1
Stand close, the queen is coming. KING HENRY VIII, Act 4, Scene 1