Early Chess Pieces from the Crossroads of Asia

Showcases previously unpublished early chess pieces, from the 7th to the 12th century CE, with insights from a leading expert.

This book presents an extraordinary collection of previously unpublished chess pieces dating from the 7th to 12th century CE, many gathered from regions surrounding Afghanistan. Chess, originating in north India, was adopted and developed by the Persian Sasanians, whose empire shaped Afghanistan and Central Asia until the 8th century Arab Muslim invasions. The area became a cultural crossroads, reflected in the diverse artistic traditions of the pieces.

Among the highlights are early figural works, such as a dramatic wooden King or ‘Queen’ portrayed as a war elephant trampling figures, and a miniature ivory elephant, likely representing a bishop, decorated with classic Sasanian motifs. The collection also features abstract chessmen, typical of Islamic lands from the 8th to 15th centuries, with several carved from ivory, including unusually large examples and partial sets paired with ebony.

Striking finds include two rare red-stone chessmen, dating to around the 8th century, alongside pawns and gaming pieces crafted from lapis lazuli, jade and chalcedony. Together, these pieces illuminate ancient craftsmanship, cultural exchange, and the sculptural artistry within the evolution of chess.

Deborah Freeman Fahid is an independent art historian and former Assistant Curator of the al-Sabah Collection, Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, Kuwait. She is the author of Chess and Other Games Pieces from Islamic Lands as well as numerous other articles and catalogue contributions.