The lack of chess would be a deal-breaker. 
Only kidding. The book sounds interesting! How long did it take you to write it?
Plug for my epic fantasy kindle ebook
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Well, five years of thinking, "Hmm, this would be a decent plot;" then a year to actually write it. Then a week searching for a good public-domain painting to rip off for my cover art, which was supplied by Jakob Isaakszoon van Ruisdael, died 1682, may he rest in peace, truly.
Tis but a scratch? Possibly, but a rather disarming scratch at that.
No chess in this novel, but there are kings, queens, castles, and lots of horses. Also woolly mammoths, blowguns, and hungover wizards.
Excerpt, and link to amazon listing: http://timcrairebooks.wordpress.com