Neither Ben Franklin nor Donald Trump have ever been president.
http://en.chessbase.com/post/which-us-presidents-played-the-royal-game--1
Did any US Presidents play chess ?
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maybe chess was not invented in the 1700s
Correct Gomer-Pyle. And lets keep it that way!!!
lets try that again. did any US presidents play chess as a past-time like current media superstar donald trump, the envy of the chess world, does ?
Abraham Lincoln was a formidable chess player,I think Obama also plays chess
The World Chess Hall of Fame did a 2012-2013 exhibition on "Power in Check: Chess and the American Presidency." The details are on their web site under the Exhibition Archive.
Mar 19, 2016
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#8
greenibex wrote:
maybe chess was not invented in the 1700s
Chess is several thousand years old. Purlease....
Mar 19, 2016
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#9
"In 1962 John F Kennedy received a handsome chess set for his birthday from “a very close friend.”"
Marilyn Monroe played chess??? 
Mar 19, 2016
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#10
greenibex wrote:
maybe chess was not invented in the 1700s
Sofonisba Anguissola's painting "The Chess Game" painted in 1555
wayne_thomas wrote:
greenibex wrote:
maybe chess was not invented in the 1700s
Sofonisba Anguissola's painting "The Chess Game" painted in 1555
they don't look very happy
Mar 20, 2016
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#13
greenibex wrote:
wayne_thomas wrote:
greenibex wrote:
maybe chess was not invented in the 1700s
Sofonisba Anguissola's painting "The Chess Game" painted in 1555
they don't look very happy.
They are unhappy because chess hasn't been invented yet, and they're not sure what this board thing is.
Mar 20, 2016
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#14
Depends what you mean by "play" chess. I don't doubt they all knew how to play chess but not everyone played it regularly. I've read that most presidents up to 20th century have occasionally played chess.
I doubt most of them who "played" it would let it occupy a lot of their spare time since they are always busy. Like they literally have daily schedules made for them in advance and have almost no free time.
Move read FDR played chess. Who knows to what extent.
I know that if the current candidates for president only Sanders has played it more or less seriously. I found photos and comments that he took his kids and grandkids to tournaments and played in tournaments himself. It makes sense since he is from New York and went to Brooklyn High school. I often hear that schools name when I hear mention of school chess programs.
the girl in the background of the painting is the only one smiling and she is not playing chess
Apr 9, 2016
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#16
Most presidents play golf. It's more conducive to wheeling and dealing and schmoozing than is chess.
And they've set up the board incorrectly.
why did they set it up incorrectly
does trump play chess
Hi
Did any US Presidents play chess as a pastime like Ben Franklin or Donald Trump ?