Unveiling “Reading Between the Lines”: The Enduring Saga of Chess in Literature at the World Chess Hall of Fame

Saint Louis, a city increasingly recognized as a global hub for chess culture, is poised to host another landmark event. The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF), a beacon for the game`s rich history and cultural impact, proudly announces its newest exhibition: “Reading Between the Lines: Chess & Literature.” This unique showcase, opening its doors on September 18, 2025, and running until April 12, 2026, promises a deep dive into the fascinating, often profound, interplay between the sixty-four squares and the countless stories they`ve inspired.

For centuries, the game of kings has been more than just a contest of intellect; it`s been a profound metaphor for life itself. Struggles for power, the relentless march of fate, the intricate dance of morality, and the boundless reaches of imagination – all have found their narrative parallel on the chessboard. The WCHOF`s new exhibition meticulously explores how authors, poets, and artists have consistently drawn upon chess to construct worlds and characters that resonate far beyond the confines of a game board.

Where Pawns Become Protagonists: Literary Giants and Their Chess-Inspired Tales

Emily Allred, Curator at WCHOF, eloquently states, “Kings and pawns, struggles for power, and tales of transformation – chess has always been more than a game. It is a language for telling human stories.” Indeed, the exhibition highlights a diverse array of literary masterpieces where chess serves as a pivotal element. From Lewis Carroll’s whimsical journey in Through the Looking-Glass, where Alice herself becomes a pawn, to Vladimir Nabokov’s haunting psychological study in The Defense, and Walter Tevis’s modern sensation, The Queen’s Gambit, visitors will discover the multifaceted ways chess has shaped narratives.

It appears authors, much like ambitious pawns, have long found fertile ground in the 64 squares, transforming simple wooden pieces into complex characters and their moves into destinies. The exhibition aims to illustrate this by featuring:

• Personal Connections: Glimpse into the private lives of literary giants through treasured artifacts. This includes a chess set once owned by Henry Ware Eliot, father of T. S. Eliot, and later inherited by the Saint Louis poet himself. Additionally, loans from the family of Walter Tevis offer an intimate look, featuring photos, a proof copy of The Queen’s Gambit, an inscribed edition, and even the chess table where the writer penned his iconic work.
• Iconic Literary Worlds: Explore rare illustrated editions of Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass, showcasing the artistic interpretations of renowned illustrators like Barry Moser and Angel Domínguez, sourced from esteemed collections.
• Life and Death Games: Witness the high stakes through paintings from the Vinson Collection, depicting scenes from Edgar Rice Burroughs’s pulp classic The Chessmen of Mars. Further artistic interpretations delve into Ambrose Bierce’s `Moxon’s Master` and Kurt Vonnegut’s All the King’s Men, where the battle on the board often mirrors a fight for survival.
• Players and Prodigies: The internal struggles of chess players—against their opponents and their own minds—are illuminated through works such as Nabokov’s The Defense, Tevis’s The Queen’s Gambit, and German artist Elke Rehder’s woodcuts inspired by Stefan Zweig’s Chess Story. Modern narratives are also represented, including artifacts related to Kyla Zhao’s May the Best Player Win, exploring the journey of a young female chess prodigy.
• Literary Chess Artwork: Marvel at how artists translate classic tales through the lens of chess, with examples like Alessandro Gallo’s Animal Farm, Jessica DeStefano’s Moby-Dick, and a set of Wedgwood Flaxman chessmen inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

A Timeless Narrative: From Ancient Sermons to Modern Sci-Fi

While the world often sees chess as a silent battle of wits, this exhibition reminds us that its true voice has echoed through centuries of written word, often revealing more about human nature than any grandmaster`s post-game analysis ever could. The exhibition bridges historical and contemporary works, demonstrating chess’s enduring appeal across eras. Modern entries include N.K. Jemisin’s Far Sector, Nkosi Nkululeko’s `Square Poem: The Bishop,` and Oz Hukalowicz’s Psychosphere, affirming that contemporary writers and artists continue to find the game a fertile ground for narratives exploring identity, struggle, and human connection.

“Since its invention in the 6th century, chess has been a mirror of human experience,” Allred emphasizes. “Reading Between the Lines invites visitors to see how stories across time—from medieval sermons to modern science fiction—have used the game to grapple with power, morality, and imagination.”