Kings & Pawns: Board Games from India to Spain

Tracing the rich tapestry that is the story of chess, from Mysore to Madrid, Kings & Pawns provides an authoritative account of the origins, development and adaptations of the game - and their relation to Islamic Art.

Replete with stunning photography of historic objects from the Museum of Islamic Art collection, this book also sheds light on other, equally venerable board games: backgammon, pachisi (ludo) and gyan chaupar (snakes and ladders). With a variety of game pieces, boards, chess manuals and illustrated manuscripts, it brings to life the vibrant artistic production associated with the games we all love. Published to accompany the Kings and Pawns exhibition, 2014.