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Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Giant Chess

Saturday, 17th December 2005 by James

On the even years in the month of September, the locals of Marostica, North Italy play human chess on this Giant Chess Board.

The event dates back to 1454 when a Lord decided to marry off his two daughters to the winner (and loser) of the giant chess game. The pieces dressed in full costume (the knights are of course on real horses) and the two suitors commanded the moves. The winner of the game was to marry the elder sister while the loser got to marry the younger (I bet she was thrilled with the idea).

More info and pictures on the official website.

Thanks: Alessandro G.

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7 Responses to 'Giant Chess'

  1. 1. Slugs On Toast says: December 17th, 2005 at 10:25 pm

    Was anybody else’s first thought of the chess scene from “History Of The World Part I”? :D

  2. 2. Luke Sleeman says: December 19th, 2005 at 12:00 am

    Actually I was thinking of the chess scene from harry potter :-)

  3. 3. Luke says: December 19th, 2005 at 6:57 am

    I’ve actually been in that very square when I was in Italy. I’ve seen some pictures of the actual human chess game it is looks soooo cool. They have everything all set up including actual horses. It looks amazing.

  4. 4. Luke says: December 19th, 2005 at 6:59 am

    Oh yah, if you go a little north you see that building with the graval area and apparently on a clear day you can see all the way to Venice. When we went it was kinda foggy and visibilty was limited, however you could still see for miles.

  5. 5. Edward says: December 19th, 2005 at 4:53 pm

    So, who won?

  6. 6. mananjara says: December 20th, 2005 at 5:12 am

    i need to submit

  7. 7. minne mouse says: February 15th, 2007 at 3:03 am

    lol i thought of Harry Potter right away
    soz im a big fan
    but human chess sounds cool!

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