Chess in Art and History
Who is Caissa?
Caissa (ka-EE-suh) is the "patron goddess" of chess players. She was created in 1763 by Sir William Jones in a poem called Caissa. Inspired by Vida's Scacchia Ludus (pictured above), the poem tells of the invention of chess by Mars. At the end of the poem, Mars
. . . fram'd a tablet of celestial mold
Inlay'd with squares of silver and gold;
Then of two metals form's the warlike band.
That here compact in show of battle stand;
He taught the rules that guide the pensive game,
And call'd it Caissa from the dryad's name.
Whence Albion's sons, who most its praise confess,
Approved the play and named it thoughtful Chess.
detail of The Chess Game
by Sophanisba Anguissola
Links to the Goddess Chess website:
Great Women in Chess History
The First Human Chess Game
The Oldest Chess Pieces in Europe