Checkmate! Share your CHESS on stamps and covers.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 25 Sep 2014 00:32

Many stamps have been issued to commemorate chess, the "game of kings." So let's show some of them in this thread.

- nethryk

First move: Here is an image of an airmail stamp depicting a rather whimsical chessboard, designed and engraved by René Quillivic, and issued by Mali on March 25, 1974 to publicize the Chess Olympics, held in Nice, France, Scott No. C215.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 25 Sep 2014 00:36

Rook and chessboard, designed by Swiss graphic artist Roger-Virgile Geiser (1923-), printed by photogravure (Courvoisier, S.A.), and issued by Switzerland on March 14, 1968 to publicize the 18th Chess Olympiad, October 17 - November 7, 1968, in Lugano, Scott No. 489.

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 25 Sep 2014 00:38

Chessboard, White Knight and symbols for Black King and Black Queen, designed by Clément Serveau, engraved by Jules Piel, and issued by France on April 2, 1966 to publicize the International Chess Festival in Le Havre, Scott No. 1154, Y&T No. 1480.

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 25 Sep 2014 00:40

Here are images of the two stamps in a set designed by Israeli graphic designers (and brothers) Gabriel Shamir (1909-1992) and Maxim Shamir (1910-1990), printed by photogravure, and issued by Israel on November 2, 1964 to publicize the 16th Chess Olympiad, held in Tel Aviv, Scott Nos. 269 & 270. Fifty national teams participated in the tournament; the top three teams were the USSR, Yugoslavia, and (West) Germany.

- nethryk

Chessboard, knight and Olympiad emblem

Chessboard, rook and Olympiad emblem

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 25 Sep 2014 00:42

Here is an image of a stamp featuring a chess collage, designed by French artist Pierrette Lambert (1928- ), engraved by Michel Monvoisin, and issued by France on June 8, 1974 to publicize the 21th Chess Olympiad in Nice, June 6 to June 30, Scott No. 1413, Y&T No. 1800. Note: World Champion Bobby Fischer refused to play for the USA because the organizers refused to allow him to play his games in a separate building, away from the public and the press. So, who's the fool?

- nethryk

JKA · Post by **JKA** » 25 Sep 2014 01:08

A Dutch miniature sheet Max Euwe, issued 2001.

He was a famous Dutch chess player and world champion in 1935-1937.

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 25 Sep 2014 03:06

Nethryk, nice subject for a new thread

. I don't collect chess on stamps but have several sets in my Laos and Israel stamp collections.

Here is a set of seven stamps and SS issued by Laos on April 13, 1984 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the "International Chess Society". The stamps depict ancient illustrations. Stamps indicated by star (*) depict illustrations from King Alfonso X's book "Book of Chess, Dice and Tabling" (Libro de acedrex, dados e tablas), published in 1283:

"Great Chess"*:

15th century miniature (attributed to Étienne Porchier):

Otto IV of Brandenburg playing chess with his wife, from Codex Manesse c. 1300:

Four men at chess board*:

Two women playing chess*:

Two men playing chess*:

Those 6 stamps issued also in special sheet:

Teaching chess*:

A human chess game, from French copper engraving, 1640:

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 26 Sep 2014 22:02

JKA & Eli - Thanks for your contributions!

Here are images of the two airmail stamps in a chess set depicting, respectively, knights and kings, designed by Claude Andréotto, engraved by Jacques Combet, and issued by Niger on June 3, 1974 to publicize the 21st Chess Olympiad, held in Nice, France, Scott Nos. C235 & C236.

- nethryk

AndrewWalker · Post by **AndrewWalker** » 26 Sep 2014 22:52

Great idea for a thread nethryk! I haven't played a serious game of chess since high school
but still love following what's going on.

Andrew

asmodeus · Post by **asmodeus** » 27 Sep 2014 03:03

Berlin not the complete set Michel.No. 435 and 437

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 27 Sep 2014 17:41

“Two men playing chess”, illustration from King Alfonso X's "Book of Chess, Dice and Tabling", issued by Yemen in 1967 as one of a set of 8 stamps “Moorish Art in Spain”:

asmodeus · Post by **asmodeus** » 27 Sep 2014 20:22

Germany Federal Republic:
Michel: 742- 745

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 28 Sep 2014 21:12

Chess players, printed by photogravure, and issued by Hungary on April 9, 1950 to publicize the World Chess Championship in Budapest, Scott No. 889. Note that the player on the left wearing overalls, the factory in the left background, and the tractor in the right background. I suppose the propaganda message was that the game of kings is a popular pastime in the "workers' paradise."

- nethryk

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 29 Sep 2014 00:39

A 50¢ New Zealand stamp issued in September, 2009 promoting the North Canterbury Chess Club (Christchurch, New Zealand).

warm · Post by **warm** » 29 Sep 2014 00:47

stampmogul wrote:

A 50¢ New Zealand stamp issued in September, 2009 promoting the North Canterbury Chess Club (Christchurch, New Zealand).

Only 1000 printed plus those that were in the PO packs.

Not sure if any are still available from the club.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 30 Sep 2014 22:10

Here is an image of an airmail stamp depicting chess pieces and a chessboard, combined engraved and lithography (Dai Nippon Printing Co., Japan), and issued by Nicaragua on December 12, 1963 as one of a set of 13 "sports" stamps, Scott No. C531. FENANIC is the acronym for the Federación Nacional de Ajedrez de Nicaragua. The Olympic rings seem to be quite out of place on this one.

- nethryk

warm · Post by **warm** » 01 Oct 2014 00:34

warm wrote:
stampmogul wrote:

A 50¢ New Zealand stamp issued in September, 2009 promoting the North Canterbury Chess Club (Christchurch, New Zealand).
Only 1000 printed plus those that were in the PO packs.

Not sure if any are still available from the club.

Just noticed some on eBay at the moment.

items 330539973066 and 390295828305

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 01 Oct 2014 22:44

Chess player, chessboard and pieces, designed by Hungarian-born American artist and illustrator István Bányai (1949- ), printed by lithography, and issued by Hungary on October 28, 1992 to publicize the European Team Chess Championship, held in Debrecen, Scott No. 3376. The Russian team won handily. Bonus: An image of an amusing illustration by István Bányai entitled "Inflation," which appeared in The Atlantic magazine in 2005, showing "stamps" from the USA's "Body Mass Commemorative Series."

- nethryk

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 02 Oct 2014 09:15

A pair of stamps from Malta.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 02 Oct 2014 23:55

Here's an image of stamp featuring a stylized chess knight, printed by typography (letterpress), and issued by Bulgaria on September 29, 1947 to publicize the Balkan Games, Scott No. 580.

- nethryk

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 06 Oct 2014 22:29

.
The middle value of the set, showing a bishop & a pawn.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 07 Oct 2014 22:43

Here is an image of a stamp depicting a chess queen and a pair of knights, designed by Yuri Bronfenbrener, printed by photogravure, and issued by Russia (USSR) on February 25, 1977 to publicize the European Team Chess Championship, held in Moscow, Scott No. 4552, Zagorski No. 4628. The Soviet Union's team won (again).

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 11 Oct 2014 22:50

In the USA, today is National Chess Day! Here is an image of a stamp depicting a knight, rook, pawn, and chessboard, designed and engraved by French artist Pierre Forget (1923-2005), and issued by Niger on February 16, 1973 to commemorate the 1972 Bobby Fischer - Boris Spassky Title Match for the World Chess Championship, held in Reykjavik, Iceland, Scott No. 265.

- nethryk

john6625 · Post by **john6625** » 12 Oct 2014 01:13

One from Finland.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 15 Oct 2014 01:52

john6625 - Nice one! Thanks.

La Partita a scacchi di Marostica ("The Living Chess Game of Marostica") dates back to 1454, when Lord Taddeo Parisio decreed that the two suitors for the hand of his daughter Linora must play a game of chess instead of engaging in the customary sword duel. Their chess match is reenacted for tourists every other September with live chess pieces as part of a weekend festival in Marostica which includes Renaissance period music and dances, parades and fireworks. Here is an image of a stamp depicting the Partita a scacchi, designed by Italian artist and engraver Antonio Ciaburro (1951- ), printed by photogravure, and issued by Italy on May 4, 1981, Scott No. 1455, plus a link to a YouTube tourism video about this chess match festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO-PP781-kw

- nethryk

Canada stamper · Post by **Canada stamper** » 15 Oct 2014 04:25

Great thread, thanks nethryk! This is not a stamp, but an interesting chess card in my collection that is franked with a blood donation stamp. The card was used to make a move in a letter chess game played between 2 players in Finland and Denmark. Hard to imagine having that much patience these days!

"SUOMEN KIRJESHAKKILIITTO" = Finland Letter Chess Association

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 17 Oct 2014 05:25

Canada stamper - Thanks! Your interesting post reminded me that my dad played chess by mail with one of his friends some decades ago. I don't know if I have any examples of his postcards lurking around in my boxes of family memorabilia, but now I feel motivated to have a look for them.

Castle, knight and "oval chessboard" globe, printed by photogravure, and issued by Bulgaria on July 18, 1958 to publicize the 5th World Student Team Chess Championship in Varna, July 5th - 20th, Scott No. 1015. Out of the 16 national teams competing, the Bulgarians finished impressively in second place, behind the title-defending Soviet Union crew.

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 25 Oct 2014 00:38

Here are images of the three stamps in a set depicting chess pieces, designed by Lev Mikhailovich Sharov, printed by lithogravure, and issued by Russia (USSR) on May 22, 1963 to publicize the 25th Championship Chess Match, Moscow, Scott Nos. 2742-44, Zagorski Nos. 2777-79. In the match, Soviet-Armenian grandmaster Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian (1929-1984) defeated Soviet-Russian grandmaster Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, Ph.D. (1911-1995), and remained World Chess Champion from 1963 to 1969.

- nethryk

King & Pawn

Queen & Bishop

Rook & Knight

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 01 Nov 2014 00:53

Here are images of the three airmail stamps in a chess set, printed by lithography in Portugal, and issued by Paraguay on June 18, 1984 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the World Chess Federation, founded in Paris, France on July 20, 1924, Scott Nos. C568-C570.

- nethryk

Chess pieces, designed by Ma. C. Mullin.

Woman holding a chess King, designed by Ma. C. Mullin.

Chess Bishop and Knight, designed by Barmaimol.

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 02 Nov 2014 04:07

Here is a set of two stamps issued by Israel in 1976 to publicize the "Chess Olympiad 1976" held in Haifa, Israel. Note the Latin inscription in the stamp tabs "Gens Una Sumus" means "We are one people", the World Chess Federation motto:

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 04 Nov 2014 01:51

Chessboard and Monte Carlo harbor, designed by Bernard Minne, engraved by Michel Monvoisin, and issued by Monaco on April 28, 1967 to publicize the Grand Prix International d'Echecs tournament held in Monte Carlo, which was won by American Grandmaster Bobby Fischer, Scott No. 664.

- nethryk

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 11 Nov 2014 06:51

Chess computer game, issued by Israel on December 12, 1990 as one of a set of three stamps depicting computer games:

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 14 Nov 2014 00:05

Here are images of the two airmail stamps in a set depicting a Mayan figure and white and black rooks and pawns, designed by Mexican artist Carlos Encinas González (1907-1997), printed by photogravure, and issued by Mexico on August 19, 1978 to publicize the First World Youth U26 Chess Team Championship, held in Mexico City, August 19 to September 7, Scott Nos. C577 & C578.

- nethryk

outremer · Post by **outremer** » 15 Nov 2014 09:31

from Kenya:

SMSSLT · Post by **SMSSLT** » 20 Nov 2014 19:38

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 23 Nov 2014 04:03

Juniors chess match, printed by lithography, and issued by Barbados on August 8, 1984 to publicize the 60th anniversary of the World Chess Federation, Scott No. 632.

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 01 Feb 2015 00:51

Here is an image of a stamp depicting a queen, a rook and a knight, designed by Russian graphic artist Lev Nikolaevich Sharov, printed by photogravure, and issued by Russia (USSR) on November 24, 1962 to publicize the 30th Russian Chess Championship, Scott No. 2676, Zagorski No. 2693.

- nethryk

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 12 Feb 2015 06:42

The following stamp depicting Chessboard in a shape of Magen David (Star of David), issued by Israel on February 10, 2015 to publicize the European Individual Chess Championship 2015 which will be held in Jerusalem:

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 26 Feb 2015 01:46

Here is an image of a se-tenant pair of stamps depicting antique chessmen (King and Queen) carved by Pol i Buo, designed and engraved by Czesław Słania after a photograph by O. Wich, and issued by Faroe Islands on May 2, 1983, Scott No. 94b, Facit Nos. 84 & 85.

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 04 Apr 2015 00:14

The "Against Chess Olympiad" was arranged as an alternative to the official 22nd Chess Olympiad, held in Haifa, Israel, almost simultaneously. This unofficial Olympiad was arranged by Arab states boycotting Israel, and it took place in Tripoli, Libya from October 24 to November 15, 1976. None of the big chess nations (Eastern or Western) came to Libya, so the field consisted of the Arab states, a number of minor chess nations, and some that were not even members of FIDE; not a single Grandmaster participated. Here are images of the two similar airmail stamps featuring a chessboard motif and the event's emblem, printed by lithography, and issued by El Salvador on October 29, 1977 to commemorate its team's surprising victory in the Against Chess Olympiad, Scott Nos. C408 & C409.

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 24 May 2015 00:16

Here are images of the two airmail stamps in a set depicting Malayan animal chess pieces, designed by French artist and engraver Jean Chesnot, printed by lithography (EDILA), and issued by Djibouti on October 13, 1986 to commemorate the World Chess Championship between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, Scott Nos. C225 & C226. Note: Despite the dates inscribed on these stamps, the match was actually played in London and Leningrad (Saint Petersburg) from July 28 to October 8, 1986 (Kasparov won).

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 20 Jul 2015 23:08

Here is an image of a stamp depicting chess pieces and the FIDE logo, printed by photogravure, and issued by Russia (USSR) on September 2, 1985 to publicize the World Championship Chess Match between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, held in Moscow, Scott No. 5398.

- nethryk

Jose Paulo · Post by **Jose Paulo** » 31 Jul 2015 00:59

Brazil
Date: 18 November 1980
Correspondence chess is chess played by various forms of long-distance correspondence, usually through a correspondence chess server, through email or by the postal system; less common methods which have been employed include fax and homing pigeon. It is in contrast to over-the-board (OTB) chess, where the players sit at a chessboard at the same time (or perhaps play at the same time remotely). (wikipedia)

Jose Paulo · Post by **Jose Paulo** » 04 Oct 2015 08:11

Slovenia
Date: 28 September 2012
World Youth Chess Championship 2012

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 12 Nov 2015 00:26

Jose Paulo - Nice ones. Thanks!

Here are images of the three semi-postal (charity) stamps in a set depicting chess pieces (Rook, Knight and Bishop) and an emblem, designed by German artist Heinrich Ilgenfritz (1899-1969), engraved by Oswin Volkhamer (1930- ) (two stamps) and Margot Sachs-Bitzer (one stamp), and issued by East Germany (DDR) on September 19, 1960 to publicize the 14th Chess Olympiad, held in Leipzig, Scott Nos. B67-B69, Michel Nos. 786-88.

- nethryk

mari · Post by **mari** » 12 Nov 2015 01:57

Thank you all for the posts! I am especially happy by the picture uploaded by SMSSLT. The stamp shows an illustration from an old Italian chessbook, it was issued for the 50th anniversary of the World Chess Federation. I have another one from the same set (which shows another page

)

I didn't know before that my stamp was part of a set, I am very glad.

outremer · Post by **outremer** » 14 Nov 2015 23:09

From the United Arab Emirates, two stamps issued 10 Sept 1985 (Mi 181/2 SG182/3):

outremer · Post by **outremer** » 14 Nov 2015 23:10

Again from the U.A.E., issued 14 Nov 1986 (Mi 210/2, SG210/2):

outremer · Post by **outremer** » 14 Nov 2015 23:17

There were also two MS issued by the U.A.E.:

perf -

and imperf -

Two of the stamps were also available in strips of 10 in booklets.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 25 Nov 2015 00:57

Here are images of the two stamps (the second of which is airmail) in a set depicting chess pieces (respectively, rook & knight; pawn & bishop), printed by lithography, and issued by Dominican Republic on June 23, 1967 to commemorate the 5th Central American Chess Series, held in Santo Domingo, Scott Nos. 636 & C152. Note: I have no idea why there is a cowled swordsman also depicted on the airmail stamp!

- nethryk