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This exhibit aims to explore the ways in which a different culture in a different time period, this being the Islamic Period around the late millennium from 7th-10th century. Within the period, the game of chess started in India from the 6th century, then going worldwide with many versions going all across Europe, to the Persian and eventually to the islamic boundaries. To see a game as well known and understood by most depicted in other cultures in different times is truly a wonder that anyone would want to see what they could spot the similarities and the differences, some would be obvious but others not as much.

The first piece of the exhibition is the King, in size, it remains rather true to many characteristics of royalty, such as with a crown. The king piece is made of wood but it could also be made of ivory, or bone, and is often intricately carved and decorated with geometric patterns and calligraphy but it’s not shown in this one. In some cases, the king may be adorned with precious metals and stones, reflecting the high status and importance of the king in Islamic society. In Islamic chess, the king moves in the same way as in Western chess, with the ability to move one square in any direction. However, the shah is not allowed to move into check or to be left in a position where it is threatened with capture. This reflects the Islamic value of caution and careful planning in decision-making, as well as the importance of protecting one's leader and maintaining order and stability in society.

The bishop piece is typically represented as a small, cylindrical tower with a pointed roof, similar to a rook or castle piece in Western chess. However, the bishop is depicted, Islamic tradition, as the powerful war elephants that were used in battle in ancient times.adorned with intricate designs  reflecting the importance of art and beauty in Islamic culture. In the game itself, the bishop moves diagonally across the board, with the ability to move any number of squares in a straight line, as long as there are no other pieces in its path. Like the king, the bishop is not allowed to move into check or be left in a position where it is threatened with capture. The bishop's diagonal movement on the board reflects the elephants' ability to move swiftly and decisively across the battlefield, while its strategic position on the board reflects the importance of planning and positioning in warfare.

The rook piece is decorated with intricate designs of a chariot and in many other designs.The rook on display was made entirely of wood but the rook may be adorned with precious metals and stones, further emphasizing its significance on the board. To have used The rook would move horizontally and vertically across the board, with the ability to move any number of squares in a straight line, as long as there are no other pieces in its path. Like the shah and bishop, the rook is not allowed to move into check or be left in a position where it is threatened with capture.

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Artist Unknown

8th–10th century

Attributed to Western Islamic Lands

Ivory

Ht. 1 15/16 in. (5 cm)
L. 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm)
W. 1 5/16 in. (3.3 cm)

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/451937?deptids=14&amp;when=A.D.+500-1000&amp;ao=on&amp;ft=Islamic&amp;offset=0&amp;rpp=40&amp;pos=24

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Artist Unknown

7th–8th century

Attributed to Western Islamic Lands

Ivory

H. 2 3/16 in. (5.5 cm)
L. 1 15/16 in. (5 cm)

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/451770?deptids=14&amp;when=A.D.+500-1000&amp;ao=on&amp;ft=Islamic&amp;offset=0&amp;rpp=40&amp;pos=15

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Artist Unknown

7th–8th century

Attributed to Western Islamic Lands

Ivory

H. 2 5/16 in. (5.8 cm)
L. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
W. 1 in. (2.5 cm)

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/451771?deptids=14&amp;when=A.D.+500-1000&amp;what=Chess+sets&amp;ao=on&amp;ft=Islamic&amp;offset=0&amp;rpp=40&amp;pos=1