The Eight by katherine Neville is a fasinating davince code style book that centers around a mysterious chess board from the days of charlamagne. Besides revolving around chess the book touts historical tid bits that are just as fun as the plot.

I am currently reading the book, it's pretty cool.

Does it actually have correct history in it, as opposed to the DaVinci Code?

I just read that book, that's what got my interested in chess again after not playing for 20 years or so.  good thing I saw that ad in Parabola magazine for the sequel, Fire.  I've really enjoyed playing chess the last month or so.  good times.