Morro Bay Chess Board
Posted by: 
Oreo Pony
N 35° 21.957 W 120° 51.191
10S E 695039 N 3915742
On the Embarcadero in Morro Bay is one of the world's largest chess sets.
Waymark Code: WMBY8
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 05/04/2006
Views: 212
Conceived in 1970-71 to commemorate the centennial celebration, it was dedicated on December 6, 1975. Mayor Dale Mitchell officially opened the project, and the first game of chess was under way in an hour between two of the chessboard’s main creators, Wachtang ‘Botso’ Korisheli and Wayne Bickford.
The chess pieces were designed by Korisheli based on the Staunton pattern universally used by chess players in tournament competition. The wood for the pieces came from two redwood water tanks which had served the city for 50 years atop Morro Bay Boulevard. Two 6’ x 12’ timbers were glued together and then cut and lathed into 22 inch pawns, 33 inch kings and 31 inch queens. The lathe was especially rigged for this job by Wayne Bickford.
The chess pieces each weigh from 18 to 30 pounds. It has been calculated that in an average game a player will lift more than 1,000 pounds.
The concrete chessboard is made up of alternate black and white 2 foot squares giving an overall dimension of 16 feet by 16 feet.
The Chessboard is public property available for use with a nominal fee. The Morro Bay Recreation Department administers the use of the chessboard. At the present time, use is limited from 8 am to 5 pm and reservations must be made before noon at least one day in advance. Weekend reservations must be made by noon Friday. Telephone 805-772-1214 or visit the Recreation Department office at 535 Harbor Street.
