August 1, 2016
August’s Featured Chess Set is part of the collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF). Since its creation in 1986, the WCHOF has endeavored to highlight the history and cultural significance of the game of chess. The WCHOF collection is diverse, including sets once owned by legendary players, mass-produced sets with lively pop culture themes, antique ivory sets, travel sets, as well as early computer chess sets. Through these artifacts, the WCHOF illustrates how chess has evolved through the course of its over 1500-year history.
Rooks represented by umbrellas evoke the sun and heat of summer, while the soda bottles offer the promise of refreshment in this fun set produced by The Coca-Cola Company. In it, Coca-Cola opposes Coca-Cola Light (Diet Coke). The latter beverage was launched in the United States on July 9, 1982. This chess set is one of several produced by The Coca-Cola Company in the collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame. Others include a simple wooden set created for members of the military during World War II and a holiday-themed chess set featuring Santa Claus and polar bears.