Playing chess in concentration camps – an immaterial and material practice of stabilization

The article views playing chess as a manifestation of material culture and a social practice in concentration camps. In the majority of concentration camps, playing chess was possible despite many restrictions, but it was a privilege of a small group of prisoners. The detainees themselves saw playing chess as an expression of resistance against oppressive and brutal camp conditions. In post-war testimonies, prisoners often emphasised the significance of playing chess as a practice which enabled them to forget the inhumane living conditions and gave them the strength to survive. Historians agree with such an interpretation. The paper broadens this perspective. Analysing the material remains of chess sets and prisoners’ descriptions of chess figures and boards, the author posits that creating and possessing chess sets had a positive impact on the prisoners’ living conditions. Personal possessions stabilised human life, probably even more so in conditions in which it was endangered. Possessing chess figures gave the detainees an ounce of such stabilisation. They were proud of the figures they owned, especially if they were well-crafted. The figures also attested to the owner’s status among other prisoners. Not only playing chess, but also the privilege of owning chess figures and boards, contributed to the sense that the prisoners were able to survive the horrifying camp conditions, and also that they differed from other detainees in terms of personal belongings.