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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Chris Osuh

Check mates: analysis of medieval chess sets reveals vision of equality and mutual respect

detail from a chess set
A Black chess player about to win against a light-skinned cleric. Chess problem 88 in the Libro de axedrez, dados e tablas (Seville, 1283). Photograph: Patrimonio Nacional

On the chessboard, black and white pieces are lined up against each other for an unrelenting battle.

But in the middle ages, the game was not a metaphor for racial tension – but often a vehicle for equality and mutual respect, research has found.

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