European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 8, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse A huge cast of costumed characters a Nobles soldiers pages jesters and musicians a participate in the festivities for a amps Todd Gavin human chess pieces act out age old drama two Stern faced men play on a smaller Board. For a amps Todd Gavin by j. Kin Cruger Northern Italy Bureau the human chess came at Marostica in Northern Italy sounds horribly Hokey but those who have attended the. Pageant claim that it s one of the most impressive and colourful events staged in Europe. The event is traditionally held every other year on the second weekend of september a this year from sept. 9 to 11. It commemorates a chess match played on the same Board a a giant Square in front of Marostica s Castle a More than 500 years ago. The match was played in 1454 by two noblemen who had fallen in love with the Lovely Leonara daughter of the lord of Marostica. The rivals made a pact to Duel with the Winner to get Leonara s hand in marriage. Not wishing harm to come to either Man one of whom Leonara secretly pined for Leonara s proud papa declared that the men would match wits instead of brawn in a chess game. Not any old chess game mind you but a pull out All the stops extravaganza with the chess pieces played by people. A huge cast of costumed characters a Nobles soldiers pages jesters and musicians a surround the Board. Continued on Page 4 september 8, 1994 stripes Magazine 3
