Chess Public Art: Modern Chess Sculptures

Chess public art collects all those artistic expressions about chess and modern chess sculptures that have been placed in public spaces all over the world.

Below there is a long list of modern chess sculptures that I am expanding as I find a new one. To see the classic chess sculptures you can visit this link: Chess Public Art: Chess Sculptures.

Modern Chess Sculptures
  • Artist: Unknown
  • Title: Chess Player
  • Date: 2007
  • Location: Bat-Yam’s beachfront promenade – Bat Yam (Israel).
  • Description, Modern Chess Sculptures:

Sculpture inspired by the game of chess on the Bat Yam, Israel. Bat-Yam’s beautiful golden beach is perhaps the greatest asset of this city. Beyond the beach, Bat-Yam has some impressive cultural activities including the Bat-Yam Museum for Contemporary Art which features changing international exhibitions, and a permanent display of the Moby sculpture collection.

  • Artist: Leigh Dyer
  • Title: Octopus Playing Chess
  • Date: 2010
  • Location: Chess square at Butler’s Gap in George Street – Hastings (UK).
  • Description, Modern Chess Sculptures:

An octopus captures a black tower in this sculpture by Leigh Dyer located in the place known as Butler’s Gap on George Street, in the old part of the town of Hastings. In this city an old chess tournament is played in which many of the best players in history have participated.

  • Artist: Edmund W. Whiting
  • Title: The Chess Players
  • Date: 1994
  • Location: Clark Alumni House Coe College – Cedar Rapids – Iowa (USA).
  • Description, Modern Chess Sculptures:

Edmund W. Whiting (American sculptor, 1918-1975) taught at Coe College in Iowa and the Art Institute of Chicago. He became professor and chairman of the Franklin and Marshall art department in 1966. The bronze sculpture shows two seated figures playing chess.

  • Artist: Edgardo Carmona
  • Title: Friends playing chess
  • Date: 1999
  • Location: Plaza de San Pedro – Cartagena de Indias – Bolivar (Colombia).
  • Description, Modern Chess Sculptures:

It is a piece of aged steel made by the sculptor Edgardo Carmona from Cartagena and is a part of his artistic exhibition called «Cotidianidad» exhibited permanently since 1999. The sculpture represents two friends playing chess and the set of sculptures has been declared by the Ministry of Culture as cultural heritage of Cartagena in 2004.

  • Artist: Ernő Tóth
  • Title: Chess Players
  • Date: 2010
  • Location: Graphisoft Park – Budapest (Hungary).
  • Description, Modern Chess Sculptures:

This sculpture shows two characters playing chess. It would seem that it is a friendly game, but the chess figures on the ground reveal that we are witnessing a furious fight. It makes you want to pick up the chess pieces from the ground, but unfortunately it is not possible due to a cable. I leave in the following link a photo of the artist behind his work: Ernő Tóth and the chess players sculpture