William Shakespeare must have been a chess fanatic. He probably played chess around the Globe. Here are some hints in Shakespeare's works that he was a true chess fan - a bard of the board.
A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse! KING RICHARD Act 5, Scene 4
And I have horse will follow where the game makes way. TITUS ANDRONICUS Act 2, Scene 2
Was that the king that spurred his horse so hard? LOVE'S LABORS LOST, Act 4, Scene 1
I have his horse. TWELFTH NIGHT, Act 3, Scene 4
Give me another horse. KING RICHARD III, Act 5, Scene 3 (must have been playing tandem chess)
Let my horse have his due. KING HENRY V, Act 3, Scene 7
So, the good horse is mine. CORIOLANUS, Act 1, Scene 4
And I have horse will follow where the game makes way. TITUS ANDRONICUS, Act 2, Scene 2
My day's delight is past, my horse is gone. JULIUS CAESAR, Act 5, Scene 3
The rascal hath removed my horse. FIRST PART OF KING HENRY IV, Act 2, Scene 2
O, for a horse with wings. CYMBELINE, Act 3, Scene 2
Are the knights ready to begin their triumph? PERICLE, Act 2, Scene 2
A man of fire-new words, fashions own knight. LOVE'S LABOR'S LOST, Act 1, Scene 1
A wandering knight? A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Act 1, Scene 2
Great shouts within and all cry 'The mean knight!' PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE, Act 2, Scene 2
Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 2, Scene 3
Which God defends a knight should violate. KING RICHARD II, Act 1, Scene 3
I am undone! The knight is here. THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, Act 4, Scene 4
I pawn'd thee none. 2 KING HENRY IV, Act 4, Scene 2
Have I not pawn'd to you my majesty? KING JOHN, Act 3, Scene 1
My life I never held but as a pawn. KING LEAR, Act 1, Scene 1
I dare thereupon pawn... CYMBELINE, Act 1, Scene 4
The bishop will be overborne by thee. I KING HENRY VI, Act 5, Scene 1
I'll send some bishop to entreat. 2 KING HENRY VI, Act 4, Scene 4
What says my bully rook? THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, Act 1, Scene 3
What is this castle call'd that stands hard by? KING HENRY V, Act 4, Scene 7
There stands the castle. KING RICHARD, Act 2, Scene 3
It was his queen, his queen! CYMBELINE, Act 1, Scene 3
Queen of queens, how far dost thou excel? LOVE'S LABORS LOST, Act 4, Scene 3
Come not near our queen. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Act 2, Scene 2
The king and queen there! THE TEMPEST, Act 4, Scene 1
Farewell, sweet queen. TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, Act 3, Scene 1
Will take again your queen. THE WINTER'S TALE, Act 1, Scene 2
That thou mayst be a queen, and check the world! KING JOHN, Act 2, Scene 1
Come hither, come! Come, come, and take a queen. ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, Act 5, Scene 2
Sir, your queen must overboard. PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE, Act 2, Scene 5
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. KING HENRY IV (Part II), Act 3, Scene 1
We're lost a king of so much worth. KING HENRY VI (Part I) Act 1, Scene 1
Take heed you dally not before your king. KING RICHARD III, Act 2, Scene 1
The skipping king, he ambles up and down. KING HENRY IV (Part I).
I'll move the king. CYMBELINE, Act 1, Scene 5
Why, then, we'll make exchange; here, take you this. THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONICA, Act 2, Scene 2
This may gall him with some check. OTHELLO, Act 1, Scene 1
We'll draw. ROMEO AND JULIET, Act 1, Scene 1
Is true as steel; leave you your power to draw. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Act 2, Scene 1
To see him every hour, to sit and draw. ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, Act 1, Scene 1
No mates for you. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Act 1, Scene 1
My mate that's never to be found again. THE WINTER'S TALE, Act 5, Scene 3
To be disgraced by an inkhorn mate. 1 KING HENRY VI, Act 1, Scene 2
Else one self mate. KING LEAR, Act 4, Scene 3
You will draw both friend and foe. HAMLET, Act 4, Scene 5
That thou mayst be a queen, a check the world! KING JOHN, Act 2, Scene 1
What two bishops were those that went on each side of the queen? KING HENRY VIII, Act 4, Scene 1
He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears, As he had seen't, or been an instrument to vice you to't, that you have toucht his queen forbiddenly. THE WINTER's TALE, Act 1, Scene 2
My life I never held but as a pawn to wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, thy safety being the motive. KING LEAR, Act 1, Scene 1
The fashion of these times, where none will sweat but for promotion. AS YOU LIKE IT, Act 2, Scene 3
I would allow him odds. KING RICHARD THE SECOND, Act 1, Scene 1
And check was the reward of valor. KING HENRY IV (Part II), Act 4, Scene 3
Where's the master? Play the men. THE TEMPEST, Act 1, Scene 1
My lord, your son drew my master. CYMBELINE, Act 1, Scene 1
A woman master. LOVE'S LABORS LOST, Act 1, Scene 2
His hour is almost past. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, Act 2, Scene 5
Then with the losers let it sympathize, for nothing can seem foul to those that win. KING HENRY IV (Part I), Act 5, Scene 1
How fares the king? THE TEMPEST, Act 5, Scene 1
Sweet lord, you play me false. For a score of kingdoms you should wrangle, and I would call it, fair play. (Miranda playing Ferdinand in chess) THE TEMPEST, Act 5, Scene 1