2015 BOTB Brochure3.Indd

Though chess is often perceived as a game of charge. Concerned not only with the physical of war, it also serves as a means of passing well being of captured troops, but also their long hours, a reminder of home, or as an aid mental and emotional needs, the Red Cross’ in recuperation for members of the military. original list of items that could be sent Battle on the Board: Chess during World War II to POWs of European Axis powers included includes artifacts related to aid efforts and food, clothing, and toiletries as well as how the war changed the game. Chess often recreational items like books, footballs, played a part in philanthropic efforts that playing cards, and chess and checkers sets. aimed to assist members of the military, In 1942, the list of materials that could be whether in the United States, on the front, mailed was greatly expanded, with baseball held in prisoner of war camps, or convalescing and softball equipment added to the list of in hospitals. Chess played just one role in the permitted sporting goods. larger aid efforts undertaken by American citizens, who according to a 1946 report of Like other games and sports in POW camps, the President’s War Relief Committee, would chess proved a means of fighting boredom ultimately donate over $1 billion to war and depression and provided a distraction charities between 1939 and 1945. from the fear and monotony of prison life. In November 1942, the New York Times In 1929, the Geneva Convention Relative reported that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Treatment of Prisoners of War visited St. James’s Palace, where the established new regulations that aimed to Red Cross’ Prisoner of War Department ensure humane treatment of prisoners assembled parcels for captive troops. of war. These included rules about camp Upon learning that the favorite gifts of British conditions, the rights of prisoners, and POWs were chess and mahjong sets, she medical treatment. Among these articles purchased a number of packages to send was a stipulation that when possible, to them. In some camps, POWs organized their “belligerents shall encourage intellectual own chess tournaments as a means of diversions and sports organized by POWs.” passing time. At Stalag IIIB, the June 25, 1943, issue of the camp’s newsletter, titled The International Committee of the Red Cross POW-WOW, advertised a chess and checker acted to enforce these regulations by tournament as a means of staving off inspecting POW camps to evaluate adherence becoming “Stalag-happy.” While captive at to these standards, keeping records of Stalag Luft I, 1st Lt. Harold L. Weachter, the locations of POWs, and facilitating the a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Forces, exchange of letters and packages between carved his own chess set. He even composed POWs and their families. In an August 7, 1940, a poem about the experience, lamenting that New York Times article, the Red Cross after spending so much time and care in announced that relatives of POWs in European creating the set, the Red Cross sent camps could send packages to them free Christmas care parcels with numerous sets. William Chittenden’s Prisoner of War Harold Weachter Chess Set and Tea Box Prisoner of War Chess Set 1940 c 1944 Collection of the National Museum of the Marine Corps Collection of the National Museum of the United States Air Force Efforts to aid in recreation for troops also included future 1992 U.S. Chess Hall of Fame extended to camps in the United States inductees Arnold Denker and Gisela Gresser. and the European and Pacific Theaters. The activities of the new organization were In 1941, the United Services Organization reported in chess periodicals of the time as (USO) was formed in response to a call by well as the USCF’s annual yearbook. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The USO coordinated the recreation and aid efforts of The May 1945 issue of Chess Review six organizations: the Jewish Welfare Board, announced the new organization with an National Catholic Community Service, the article illustrating how the game assisted National Travelers Aid Association, Salvation wounded veterans in their recovery. During Army, Young Men’s Christian Association the war, it had reported stories about (YMCA), and Young Women’s Christian chess tournaments organized by members of Association (YWCA). As part of their aid work, the military and chess-related aid efforts. many of these organizations made gift kits Though many players assisted in the project, for outgoing soldiers and those in hospitals, Gisela Gresser’s work earned the attention of some of which included simple pocket both the chess periodicals and national press. chess sets stamped with the groups’ names. Gresser used her talents as the 1944 U.S. Women’s Chess Champion to organize Philanthropic efforts to create connections simultaneous exhibitions for the benefit of with civilian life were complemented by the Red Cross and the American Society the activities of corporations of the era. The for Russian Relief, Inc., which provided Drueke Company, a renowned American humanitarian aid to Soviet citizens affected manufacturer of games, began production by the war. She also taught chess in hospitals of pocket games, including chess. These through the Red Cross and in the hall of could easily be shipped to soldiers due to the National Maritime Union as a volunteer Coca-Cola Game Set c 1941-1945 their small sizes. The Coca-Cola Company for the United Seamen’s Service. Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame donated game sets to military camps in addition to their shipment of ten complete While some aid efforts ended with the The Stuttgart USO Chess, Checkers, and TIC -TAC- TOE Pocket Set bottling plants to the European Theater. September 1945 conclusion of the war, many c 1940 -1944 others that focused upon assisting wounded Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Unlike many federations in occupied territories veterans and war refugees continued. The American Red Cross Chess, abroad, the United States Chess Federation Chess for the Wounded sustained its work Checkers, and TIC- TAC -TOE Pocket Set (USCF) was able to continue to conduct through at least 1948, and some of its c 1944 national chess championships through the volunteers maintained or renewed their efforts Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, Gift of Margaret Martin course of the war. However, many of the after the outbreak of the Korean War. Their nation’s top chess talents also chose to turn endeavors showed the human side of a game The Victory Kits Workroom Chess, energies to aid efforts on the homefront. often associated with pure logic or Checkers, and TIC -TAC -TOE Pocket Set c 1940 -1944 Observing that the Red Cross provided chess competition, revealing how it could be used Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame sets at its recreation halls and hospitals and as a comfort in difficult times. that members of many individual chess clubs across the country had initiated efforts to play —Emily Allred, Assistant Curator chess with veterans in hospitals, the USCF partnered with the periodical Chess Review to found the organization Chess for the Wounded Above: Opposite: in 1945. They aimed to unite these disparate Advertisement for the Marshall Chess Club David Parker c 1940 Royal Air Force Pilots Playing Chess Whilst on Standby efforts through a national organization with John G. White Chess Collection at the Cleveland Public Library March 20, 1940 five sections reflecting the regional structure Image Courtesy of Getty Images of the Red Cross. Future U.S. Women’s Chess Toni Frisell Champion Mary Bain was the Southeast’s Officers in 332nd Fighter Group Playing Chess in Officers’ Club at Area Director, and the group’s board Air Base in Southern Italy 1945 Image Courtesy of the Library of Congress Spotter Cards Schach-Dame und Müehle Tak-Tik Wehr-schach Army-Issued Pocket-Sized “Roll Up” Checkers Set Jeep Board by Geo. S. Carrington Co. WM. F. Drueke & Sons Pocket Chess Game 1942-1945 1940-1945 1937-1938 c 1941-1945 c 1941-1945 1939-1945 Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame In Memory of Frank H. Braunlich Jr. Private Collection Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame team, Miguel Najdorf of Poland, and Gideon World War II and Ståhlberg of Sweden, among others. Soon Buenos Aires was bustling with chess activity, the Rise of Soviet Chess which continued throughout the war. New arrivals Najdorf and Erich Eliskases led Few events have impacted the chess world Argentina to a golden period during the as dramatically as World War II. The years 1950s and early 1960s, when they won five 1939 to 1945 witnessed a substantial decline team medals in Olympiads. in the number of important competitions, including the World Chess Championship While chess in Argentina thrived, Poland and Chess Olympiad, both of which were suffered tragic losses. Najdorf and the suspended. Many prominent players were other Jewish members of the Polish Olympiad killed, while others were forced to flee their team avoided the fates of many of their homelands and settle elsewhere, profoundly compatriots whom the Germans killed. altering the balance of chess strength around The noted master problemist, organizer, and the world. Although the general public often sponsor Dawid Przepiórka was executed views chess as a “war game,” its practitioners by the Nazis, who also destroyed his are rarely seen as real life warriors. However, magnificient and irreplaceable library. Nazi during World War II, chess players served bombing raids also obliterated the British with honor and distinction in a variety of roles, National Chess Centre in London including from combat soldiers to intelligence officers.

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