Magical Chessboards
Introduction Magical chessboards appear in several Arthurian romances, serving as both marvels of enchantment and tests of knightly patience, skill, and destiny. These enchanted boards, whose pieces move of their...
Introduction#
Magical chessboards appear in several Arthurian romances, serving as both marvels of enchantment and tests of knightly patience, skill, and destiny. These enchanted boards, whose pieces move of their own accord, frequently frustrate even the most accomplished knights and ladies, and often symbolize the limits of human mastery in the face of magic.
Perceval and the Chessboard Castle#
In the Second Continuation of Chrétien’s Perceval and in the Didot-Perceval, Perceval visits the Chessboard Castle. There he encounters a magic chessboard, its pieces moving by themselves. Perceval plays three games and loses each time. Furious, he nearly hurls the board out the window, but a maiden intervenes and persuades him not to.
Perceval falls in love with the maiden, who asks him to hunt down a white stag. Distracted by other adventures, he delays, and upon returning must ask for her forgiveness. Though she wishes to make him lord of the castles, Perceval remains bound to the Grail Quest and departs. The chessboard itself is said to have been a gift from Morgan le Fay.
Peredur and the Talking Chessmen#
A similar episode occurs in the Welsh tale of Peredur. Here, Peredur plays against a magical chessboard where the pieces not only move themselves but also mock him when he loses. Enraged, Peredur flings the board away. A dark maiden commands him to retrieve it, echoing the theme of restraint and humility in the face of failure.
Other Mentions#
In Perlesvaus, Gawain is also said to have encountered a magical chessboard, showing how widespread the motif became in Arthurian storytelling.
In some accounts, a fairy or a lady of the waters instructs Perceval to recover the board he cast aside, adding a further magical dimension.
The Golden Chessboard of Gwenbaus#
Another tradition attributes a magical chessboard to Gwenbaus, who crafted it for his princess. Its pieces, made of gold and silver, moved automatically and always defeated the mortal player – except for one destined knight.
The board’s legend claimed it would never lose until the death of “the most graceful and best beloved knight.” Even Queen Guenevere, an accomplished player, was defeated. But Lancelot played, he triumphed, fulfilling the prophecy and winning the board, which was later awarded to him.
Sources#
Second Continuation of Chrétien’s Perceval | Attributed to Wauchier of Denain (c. 1200)
Didot-Perceval | (c. 1220-1230)
Peredur
Perlesvaus
Later traditions concerning Gwenbaus, Lancelot, and Guenevere
