Chesspionage

On a recent visit to the International Spy Museum, I was surprised by the overlaps between chess and reconnaissance.

In chess, there’s a move referred to as “hidden check,” where a player moves a piece—which had been blocking a threat to the opponent’s king—exposing a check. This often buys the attacker a free move, as the opponent must attend to protecting the king and cannot necessarily account for the other attacking piece.

Just as strategies may be hidden in the board game, chess sets have been used to mask information which spies pass along, and secret agents have met and exchanged information at chess tournaments. My story on the subject appears in Chess Life Kids, a publication of the U.S. Chess Federation. (I have another feature on the matter in Chess Life, and I’ll share that if/when I get permission from that editor.)

I’m including a PDF of the piece, but since the publication is otherwise behind a paywall, I would like to direct those who are interested to subscribe to Chess Life or Chess Life Kids via the website of the U.S. Chess Federation. (Here’s how to join.)

My article is accessible in PDF format here via my website.

The beautiful cover image of Chess Life Kids

I am indebted to Frankie Butler, creative director at U.S. Chess, for coining “Chesspionage.”