One I like is 
Chess Images
This is a photo I took several years ago when I was literally living one block from the beach. Life was good! =)
Feel free to copy and use for your personal projects. But don't use it for commercial things - thanks!
Rob (barefoot_player)
About 8 years ago, me and some friends started meeting up regularly in bars to enjoy a game of chess. New members joined, new friendships were made. Meeting up doesn't happen as often anymore, but we still get together a couple of times a year to play chess and have a drink. This is a picture (and a painting) from the early days:


Thanks to that beautiful article, I have two favourite images now:
...
I think there is a whole style like it.![]()
This unusual picture was painted by Charles Louis Kratke in 1891.
Kratke, born in Paris in 1848, started out as a painter, exhibiting first in 1867. Some time later he all but abandoned painting and took up etching for which he became best known.
This Windows 3.0 wallpaper turned 30 this year:

And some kind soul made a 4K version. Retro desktop vibes!

This oil painting was done by Thomas Eakins in 1876 during the realism period. I honestly don't know why I like this painting, I just do. Maybe it's all the details on the furniture, the history involved, or maybe it is because you can visually see the frustration on the man with the darker hair (I assume his is losing).
i think its a common drama theme.. in the following, the painter went out of his way to shrink the loser head..
William Roberts, R.A. 1895 - 1980, oil on canvas, 101.5 by 92cm, Executed circa 1929-30
This oil painting, titled The Chess Players, (is it just me, or are all chess paintings titled The Chess Players?) was painted during the realism period in 1867. Also, you have a very good point about the expressions. Even with the different art styles, you can still see the frustration on the loser's face.



Exploring an infinite line of variations.
Dont spoil this thread, please post more chess themed art / paintings / etchings etc . . .