77

1999

Lileev, Nikolai Ivanovich

Chess board and pieces

1952, Pechorlag, Komi ASSR

Wood, metal, cloth

When opened out – 38.7cm x 38.7cm Height when closed – 4.8cm

Wooden chessboard in the form of a box that opens out. The squares of the board are made of different toned (light and dark) wood veneers. The letter and number co-ordinates are written in black and red indian ink. The surface of the board is lacquered. The halves of the board move freely on loops (a hinge). In its closed position, the box is fastened with two flat metal catches, which couple onto small, specially positioned brass pins. The pieces (a full set of 32) are wooden and filled with lead for stability. Circles of leatherette are glued to the bottom of the pieces. The inside of the box is lined with silky dark-blue cloth and there is a small rectangular metal plate engraved with the words: "И.С.Л. 1.XI. 1952" ["I.S.L. 1. XI. 1952"].

Cloth lining soiled, some of the pieces are scratched.

Given by N.I. Lileev. According to the owner's testimony, the chess board was made by him and his friend Vadim Stepanovich Solovev during imprisonment, as a present for his father- Nikolai Sergeevich Lileev- and were sent out of the camp to him. The catches and the lead weights for the pieces were made in the mechanics workshop.