World Chess Hall of Fame to Unveil Exhibition “Paws and Pawns: Exploring Animal Chess Sets” in January 2025

New Exhibition to Offer a Whimsical Celebration of Wildlife and Artistry Through the Lens of Chess

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF), the leading chess cultural center in the country, is proud to announce “Paws and Pawns: Exploring Animal Chess Sets,” a whimsical and engaging exhibition that showcases more than 50 animal-themed chess sets from around the globe. Opening on January 30, 2025, and running through August 31, 2025, this family-friendly exhibition invites visitors to explore the imaginative ways artists have drawn inspiration from the natural world to reinterpret the familiar chess board.

“‘Paws and Pawns’ celebrates the creativity of chess artists and the enduring connection between chess and the animal kingdom,” said Emily Allred, Curator of the World Chess Hall of Fame. “This exhibition invites visitors to see chess through a new lens while highlighting the incredible diversity of wildlife and artistic traditions worldwide.”

For centuries, artists have reimagined chess pieces by drawing on the beauty, diversity, and symbolism of animals. Regal lions and mighty Tyrannosaurus Rexes, often seen as kings of the jungle and prehistoric rulers, appear as commanding kings in some chess sets. In other cases, artists subvert expectations by elevating meek or delicate creatures like frogs and mice to positions of power on the chessboard. Whether showcasing the humor of beloved pets or celebrating the splendor of wildlife from diverse ecosystems, these chess sets offer a playful and thought-provoking perspective on the animal kingdom.

“Paws and Pawns” will feature a menagerie of artifacts from the WCHOF collection, alongside special loans from Chess Collectors International members, local collectors, and talented artists. Highlights include:

• A Dinosaur-themed Sculpture by Justin King, a Saint Louis-based artist celebrated for his intricate cardboard creations.
• Rare Antique Bronze Chess Sets by Austrian artist Franz Bergman, featuring anthropomorphic dogs and pigs.
• Ocean and Bug-themed Chess Sets by Texas artist Laura Sturtz
• Wood-burned Chess Set and Board by Saint Louis artist Sophie Binder.
• The Madwoman of Chess, or Autonomous was a Woman, a sculpture by Donna Dodson that honors the strength of the chess queen and powerful women.

“Chess sets have long served as canvases for artists to share their perspectives on the world around us,” said Allred. “We’re excited to highlight the ingenuity and humor with which artists have depicted animals in chess, transforming familiar creatures into powerful kings, queens and pawns while celebrating the beauty and diversity of the natural world.”

Visitors of all ages will enjoy interactive activities, workshops, and events designed to inspire curiosity about the natural world and the artistry of chess.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information about the exhibition and programming, please visit our website at worldchesshof.org.

About the World Chess Hall of Fame

The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to building awareness of the cultural and artistic significance of chess. It opened on September 9, 2011, in the Central West End after moving from previous locations in New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami. Housed in a historic 15,900 square-foot residence-turned-business in Saint Louis' Central West End neighborhood, the WCHOF features World Chess Hall of Fame inductees, the United States Chess Hall of Fame inductees selected by the U.S. Chess Trust, artifacts from the permanent collection and exhibitions highlighting the great players, historic games and rich cultural history of chess. The WCHOF partners with the Saint Louis Chess Club to provide innovative programming and outreach to local, national and international audiences. For more information, visit worldchesshof.org and on social: Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube channels.

WCHOF does not discriminate or permit harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, national and ethnic origin in the treatment of individuals with respect to employment, or admission or access to WCHOF facilities, programs or activities.