+Dada inspired Chess set

30 March 2020 ● 1 min read ● 4 images

Recently learned chess and have been addicted since. Decided I'd try to make a set without the class based European symbolism in favor of something more intuitive representing the actual movement of the pieces. I got an L screw for the Knight since it moves that way, an eye screw for the Queen since a circle represents the infinite amount of moves she can make, a slotted screw for the rook because it can only move straight, a Philips head for the bishop since it moves in diagonals, and a Roberson screw since it can only move one square. The pawns are smaller blocks with nails and all can be moved by lifting the screw heads. Found a board in the basement and sanded it down and painted the black squares, it folds and all the pieces fit inside. Added the glove as an ode to Marcel Duchamp's Pocket Chess installation he did in 1945 since I had an idea if it didn't work to glue a few pieces on in a Nimzowitsch or Capablanca end game and hang it on the wall as an art piece...but glad it turned out functional~


Very cool use of different screw types etc to represent the movement of the pieces! 💯

Thanks man~! Do you play?...Was talking to Ben, whenever I get back, would bring it to the house in Shizouka for a trip~

Yeah I used to play a bit when I was younger, and still remember the rules. Would be up for a game when things are back to normal!

Trent McBride - Web / Mobile Designer in Tokyo, Japan Trent McBride Web / Mobile Designer 4 April 2020

Very cool! Love the idea of the different screws too!

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About Jesse

Jesse Freeman

I'm an artist in Tokyo, Japan

nothing in particular...bit of everything.

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