History of stamps and chess

The earliest postmark linked to a chess event was in Kecskemet, Hungary in 1927.

The first postage stamp with a chess theme was issued in Bulgaria in 1947. It was one of five issued to commemorate the 1947 Balkan Games, held in Sofia, Bulgaria on November 2-5, 1947. Chess was one of the sports depicted on the commemorative stamps. The other four stamps portrayed bicycle racing, basketball, soccer, and the flags of the participating nations (Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia). Hungary won the chess competition. The stamp (9 leva, white and orange brown) was issued on September 29, 1947, showing a knight with the inscription ‘Balkan Games 1947’ and ‘Republic of Bulgaria.’ The stamp was designed by St. Kancer and 172,000 were issued. A first day cover was also issued of a brown knight.

On November 20, 1948 three chess stamps were issued in the USSR to commemorate the 18th World Chess Championship match-tournament, held in The Hague, Netherlands, from March 1-25, and in Moscow, from April 10-18, 1948. The inscription on the stamps reads: Tournament Match for the World Chess Championship, Moscow 1948.

On April 9, 1950 three chess stamps were issued in Hungary (Magyar) to commemorate the first Candidates Tournament, held in Budapest, Hungary from April 9 to May 16, 1950.

On July 10, 1950 Germany issued a stamp depicting Leonard Euler and the Knight's Tour.

On August 20, 1950 five chess stamps were issued in Yugoslavia to commemorate the 9th Chess Olympiad, held in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia from August 20 to September 9, 1950. One of the stamps shows incorrectly a position from the game Capablanca-Lasker, New York 1924. Lasker's bishop should be on the g8 square and not the f8 square. The stamp values were 2, 3, 5, 10, and 20 Dinars.

On November 1, 1951 seven stamps were issued in Cuba as part of the 30th anniversary of Jose Capablanca winning the world chess championship from Emanuel Lasker in 1921. This was the first portrayal of a chess player (Capablanca) on a stamp. Two stamps of Capablanca are based on a portrait by the Cuban artist E. Valderrama, and two stamps are from a photograph of Capablanca taken in 1941. One stamp shows the final position of the last game of the world championship match, 1921. There was a print error on one of the stamps (2 cent stamp), spelling “JOSF” instead of “JOSE.” The Capablanca commemorative stamps outsold any previous issue in Cuba’s postal history except for a Roosevelt stamp (Chess Life, August 5, 1955).

On May 15, 1952 the USSR issued a stamp depicting two players playing chess.

On August 10, 1952 a stamp was issued in Finland to commemorate the 10th Chess Olympics, held in Helsinki from August 10-31, 1952.

On April 4, 1953 Hungary issued a chess stamp.

On February 9, 1956 Poland issued two chess stamps to commemorate the first Deaf and Dumb chess championship.

On April 15, 1957 the USSR issued a stamp depicting Leonard Euler (1707-1783) and the Knight's Tour.

On November 30, 1957 Switzerland issued a stamp depicting Euler and the Knight's Tour.

In 1957, David Lawson made an effort to get a Morphy chess stamp to celebrate Morphy’s 100 anniversary winning of the first American Chess Congress. The postal service was not interested.

On July 17, 1958 Bulgaria issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 5th World Students' Team Championships in Varna on July 5-20, 1958. A mistake was made on one of the rooks, depicting an extra window tower.

On August 30, 1958 the USSR issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of M. I. Chigorin's death (1850-1928). Its value was 40 Kopecks.

On September 29, 1959 China issued a stamp depicting Chinese chess.

On September 19, 1960 Germany issued 3 chess stamps to commemorate the 14th Chess Olympiad in Leipzig.

On May 2, 1962 the Netherlands Antilles issued three stamps to commemorate the 5th International Candidates Tournament at Curacao.

On July 7, 1962 Bulgaria issued a set of 5 chess stamps to commemorate the 15th Chess Olympiad in Varna on September 15 to October 10, 1962. The stamps depicted chess pieces except the king.

On July 25, 1962 Cuba issued a chess stamp depicting a boy playing chess.

On November 21, 1962 the USSR issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 30th Soviet Championship in Yerevan, from November 21 to December 20. 1962. The stamp value is 4 kopecs. The stamp depicts 3 chess pieces.

On December 30, 1962 the Philippines issued 2 stamps of Dr. Rizal. One of them is a chess stamp of Dr. Rizal and another player playing chess.

On May 18, 1963 the USSR issued three chess stamps to commemorate the 25th World Championship match being played in Moscow from March 22 to May 20. The stamp values ar 4, 6, and 16 kopecks.

On July 5, 1963 Ceylon issued a chess stamp depicting people playing chess.

On December 12, 1963 Nicaragua issued a chess stamp.

On November 2, 1964 Israel issued two chess stamps to commemorate the 16th Chess Olympiad in Tel Aviv.

On August 28, 1965 San Marino issued a chess stamp. It was a chess board with 10 rooks in 5 colors and EUROPA written on the stamp, to commemorate a unified Europe. The design was called Castles on a chessboard. It was the first chess stamp not to honor a chess event or chess player. One sheet of 40 stamps was printed with the red rooks upside down. These inverted red rook stamps are valued at over $12,000.

On December 30, 1965 the Philippines issued a chess stamp of two players playing chess. The words on the stamp says Marcos-Lopez Inauguration

On February 25, 1966 Rumania issued 6 chess stamps to commemorate the 17th Chess Olympiad in Havana.

On April 2, 1966 France issued a chess stamp to commemorate an International Chess Festival at Le Havre. It depicts a chessboard and a knight

On May 31 and July 26, 1966 the USSR issued chess stamps to commemorate the 26th World Championship match in Moscow, from April 11 to June 8, 1966.

On October 18, 1966 Cuba issued 6 chess stamps to commemorate the 17th Chess Olympiad in Havana.

On March 24, 1967 (issued April 28) Monaco issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 1st International Chess Grand Prix in Monaco, under the patronage of Prince Rainier. The stamp depicted a chessboard, a few pieces, and a view of the Monte Carlo harbor. The stamp value was 60 Centimes.

On April 10, 1967 Czechoslovakia issued a chess stamp depicting ceramic chess dolls.

On June 23, 1967 the Dominican Republic issued 2 chess stamps to commemorate the 5th Central American Championship.

On November 4, 1967 Yemen issued a set of 8 stamps commemorating Moorish art. One stamp depicts a miniature painting from the Alfsonso manuscript, published in 1283. The painting is of a chessboard in a tent with two players.

On November 27, 1967 East Germany issued a chess stamp depicting King Drosselbart and his Queen standing on top of a chess board.

On March 14, 1968 Switzerland issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 18th Chess Olympiad in Lugano. It depicts a blue rook.

On July 17, 1968 East Germany issued a chess stamp. It had a picture of Emanuel Lasker (1868-1945) and commemorated his 100th birthday.

On July 29, 1969 East Germany issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 16th World Students Team Championship.

On November 15, 1969 Cuba issued a set of 6 sports stamps. One of them commemorated the 6th Capablanca Memorial Tournament (held in 1968). The stamp depicts a globe and one each of the 6 chess pieces.

On July 7, 1970 the USSR issued a chess stamp depicting the first chess game in outer space.

On July 2, 1972 Iceland issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Championship in Reykjavik between Fischer and Spassky. The issue date of the stamp was intended to coincide with the start of the match, but the match did not start until July 11. Its value was 15 Krona.

On September 18, 1972 Yugoslavia issued two chess stamps to commemorate the 20th Men's Chess Olympiad and 5th Women's Chess Olympiad in Skopje.

On September 25, 1972 Tunisia issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 20th Chess Olympiad in Skopje.

On October 5, 1972 Germany issued several chess stamps with a Knight, Rook, Queen, and King. The stamp with the knight forgot to add the word “deutsche” to the stamp.

On October 17, 1972 Iran issued a chess stamp to commemorate the Olympic Games in Munich.

On February 16, 1973 Niger issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 1972 World Championship match in Reykjavik.

On February 19, 1973 Mali issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 1972 World Championship match in Reykjavik.

On March 5, 1973 Lebanon issued a chess stamp.

On May 9, 1973 Czechoslovakia issued a chess stamp that had a picture from The Game and Playe of Chesse by Caxton.

On August 4, 1973 Indonesia issued a chess stamp depicting a knight.

On October 12, 1973 the Dominican Republic issued a chess stamp.

On November 13, 1973 the Netherlands issued a chess stamp depicting a chess board.

On March 25, 1974 Mali issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice.

On June 3, 1974 Niger issued two chess stamps to commemorate the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice.

On June 8, 1974 France issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice.

On June 14, 1974 Dahomey issued two chess stamps to commemorate the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice. They depicted a Persian Bishop and a Siamese Queen.

On June 18, 1974 Hungary issued 7 chess stamps to commemorate the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice and the 50th anniversary of FIDE. The 40 filler stamp depicts chess players from the Alfonso manuscript in the 13th century. The 60 filler stamp depicts chess players from a woodcut in Caxton's book. The 80 filler stamp depicts a royal chess party from Miscomini's book of the 15th century. The 1.2 forints stamp depicts chess players from engravings by Selenus. The 2 forints stamp depicts "The Turk" playing chess. The 4 forints stamp depicts Geza Maroczy (1870-1951). The 6 forints stamp depicts a view of Nice, France and the 1974 chess olympiad emblem.

On July 15, 1974 Poland issued two chess stamps to commemorate the International Chess Festival. They depict players and a chessboard.

On October 14, 1974 El Salvador issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 12th Tournament for Central America and the Caribbean.

On November 3, 1974 Cameroon issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice.

On November 23, 1974 Syria issued two chess stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of FIDE.

On June 17, 1975 Israel issued a chess stamp depicting a family playing chess.

On September 11, 1975 Ecuador issued a chess stamp depicting chess pieces.

On October 22, 1975 Equatorial Guinea issued a chess stamp depicting Benjamin Franklin playing chess.

On January 1, 1976 Nicaragua issued a 11 chess stamps and 2 souvenir sheets. The 1c stamp depicts a painting called "The Chess Players" by Carracci. The 2c stamp depicts a painting called "Arabs Playing Chess" by Delacroix. The 3c stamp depicts a painting called "Cardinals Playing Chess" by Marais-Milton. The 4c stamp depicts a painting called "Duke Albrecht Playing Chess" by Muelich. The 5c stamp depicts a chess poem by Firdausi. The 10c stamp depicts the origins of chess from India. The 15c stamp depicts a painting called "Napoleon vs The Turk" by Uniechowski. The 20c stamp depicts a painting called "Game of Chess at the Palias Voss" by Hummel. The 40c stamp depicts a painting called "The Chess Players" by Eakins. The 2C stamp depicts a photograph of Fischer and Spassky by Chester Fox. The 5C stamp depicts a painting called "Ben Johnson and William Shakespeare at Chess" by Van Mander.

On March 15, 1976 Cuba issued several chess stamps with pictures of Ruy Lopez, Philidor, Steinitz, Lasker, and Capablanca.

On May 1, 1976 Staffa, a Scottish island, issued eight stamps depicting Boy Scouts and chess.

In May 1976, two souvenir sheets commemorating Max Euwe's 75th birthday (born on May 20, 1901), were released. The sheets contain two "stamps" in conjunction with an overall design of a chessboard and pieces.

On September 29, 1976 Great Britain issued four stamps to honor William Caxton on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of publishing in England, beginning in 1476. One of the stamps shows a Caxton woodcut of a chess player from the second edition of his 1483 book "The Game and Playe of Chesse." The value of the stamp was 11 pence. On some of the stamps, a mistake was printed, shifting the head of the queen towards the center of the stamp.

On September 29, 1976 Surinam issued a chess stamp with a chess painting.

On October 19, 1976 Israel issued two chess stamps to commemorate the 22nd Chess Olympiad in Haifa.

On October 24, 1976 Libya issued a chess stamp to commemorate the Arab Olympiad held in Tripoli.

On February 25, 1977 the USSR issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 6th European Team Championship in Moscow, from April 13-23, 1977.

On June 27, 1977 Mali issued three chess stamps to commemorate the 22nd Chess Olympiad in Haifa.

On October 20, 1977 El Salvador issued 2 chess stamps to commemorate their victory at the 1976 Arab Olympiad in Tripoli, played from October 24 to November 15, 1976.

On January 2, 1978 Lebanon issued a stamp with a chess board depicted in the background.

On January 23, 1978 Paraguay issued a set of 8 chess stamps to commemorate the Chess Olympiad in Argentina. The 1g (guarini) stamp depicts a painting called "The Chess Players" by Cremona. The 2g stamp depicts a painting called "The Messengers Game" by can Leyden. The 3g stamp depicts a painting called "Duke Albert of Bavaria playing chess with his wife" by Muelich. The 4g stamp features an Arabian sheik playing against a Christian opponent. The 5g stamp depicts a painting called "Lady Howe beats Benjamin Franklin" by Edward May. The 10g stamp depicts a painting called "The Chess Game" by Cruickshank. The 15g stamp depicts two chess players on a 17th century tapestry. The 20g stamp depicts a lithograph called "Napoleon Playing Chess" by Laillot.

On June 1, 1978 the Netherlands issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 18th International IBM chess tournament. It depicts a horse and a woman on a chessboard.

On July 17, 1978 the Philippines issued 2 chess stamps to commemorate the World Championship match between Karpov and Korchnoi in Baguio City.

On August 20, 1978 Mexico issued 2 chess stamps to commemorate the World Students' Team Championships.

On October 7, 1978 Argentina issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 23rd Chess Olympiad in Buenos Aires. The value of the stamp was 200 pesos.

On October 31, 1978 Israel issued a chess stamp depicting a Persian rook.

On January 15, 1979 Guinea-Bissau issued a chess stamp of children playing chess.

On February 19, 1979 Comores issued three chess stamps.

On April 29, 1979 Uruguay issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 23rd Chess Olympiad in Buenos Aires.

On May 12, 1979 Hungary (Magyar) issued a chess stamp (3 forint value)to commemorate the 23rd Chess Olympiad (Sakkolimpa) in Buenos Aires in 1978 and Hungary's victory. Pictured on the stamp are a few chess pieces and a board, the golden olympic cup, the 5-ring olympic emblem, with the flag of Argentina as well as the Hungarian tricolor.

On October 29, 1979 Hungary issued a stamp depicting a painting by Vasarely. It is a painting of a chess board. (Scott 2609)

On November 30, 1979 the Republic of Mali issued chess stamps to depict four great chess masters. The masters were Alekhine, Bogoljubow, Janowski, and Wili Schlage. Who? Schlage was a minor German player.

On February 21, 1980 Lebanon issued 5 chess stamps to commemorate 50 years of FIDE.

On June 9, 1980 Djibouti issued two chess stamps to celebrate the founding of FIDE. One stamp showed an illustration of Saemisch and Romanovsky. Another stamp showed a 15th century illustration of chess.

On October 1, 1980 Rumania issued 4 chess stamps to commemorate the 24th Chess Olympiad in Malta.

On November 18, 1980 Brazil issued a chess stamp commemorating postal chess.

On November 20, 1980 Malta issued three chess stamps to commemorate the 1980 FIDE Congress and the 24th Chess Olympiad in Valletta, Malta. The Olympiad was held from November 20 to December 8, 1980.

On December 15, 1980 Paraguay issued 9 chess stamps commemorating the World Chess Championship. The stamps are illustrated with miniatures from the Alfonso manuscript. The 3g (guaranis) stamp depicts "The Great Chess Game." The 4g stamp depicts King Alfonso presiding over the game of Squares. The 5g stamp depicts chess being played according to the four seasons. The 6g stamp depicts King Alfonso dictating the Books of Chess. The 7g stamp depicts a man and a Moorish woman playing chess. The 8g stamp depicts two Moorish women playing chess. The 10g stamp depicts two knights playing chess. The 20g stamp depicts a nun showing a novice how to play chess. The 25g stamp depicts players and a board with Arabic chess symbols.

On December 28, 1980 North Korea issued two chess stamps to commemorate the World Chess Championship between Karpov and Korchnoi in Merano and the World Chess Championship between Fischer and Spassky in Reykjavik.

On May 4, 1981 Italy issued a chess stamp depicting Living Chess.

On May 4, 1981 Luxembourg issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Luxembourg Chess Federation.

On September 30, 1981 Mongolia issued 7 chess stamps depicting chess pieces.

On October 15, 1981 Djibouti issued two chess stamps showing Swedish and Chinese chess pieces.

In December, 1981 Djibouti issued two chess stamps to commemorate the World Championship match in Merano.

On December 31, 1981 Mali issued two chess stamps to commemorate the World Championship match in Merano.

On January 30, 1982 Mali issued two stamps to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll. The stamps had a chess board in the background with Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland.

On April 8, 1982 Djibouti issued two chess stamps to commemorate the World Championship match in Merano.

On April 14, 1982 Gibralter issued a stamp called HMS Rooke with a picture of a rook.

On May 1, 1982 Libya issued several chess stamps to commemorate the World Championship match in Moscow.

On June 9, 1982 Guinea-Bissau issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 75th anniversary of scouting. It depicted scouts playing chess.

On September 6, 1982 the USSR issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Championship match in Moscow.

On September 22, 1982 the USSR issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Championship match in Moscow, celebrating Karpov's victory.

On December 24, 1982 Chad issued 7 chess stamps depicting Philidor, Morphy, Staunton, Capablanca, Spassky, and Karpov.

On December 29, 1982 Cuba issued 4 chess stamps commemorating the 40th anniversary of Capablanca's death.

On January 15, 1983 Central Africa issued 7 chess stamps depicting Steinitz, Nimzovich, Alekhine, Botvinnik, Spassky, and Fischer. Each stamp also had a chess position. The Botvinnik position is from Botvinnik-Capablanca, AVRO 1938. The Fischer position is from Fischer-Benko, New York 1963. The Alekhine position is from Alekhine-Rubinstein, The Hague 1921. The Nimzovich position is from Johner-Nimzovich, Dresden 1926. The Steinitz position is not from a Steinitz game at all. It is from Spassky-Smyslov, Bucharest 1953. The Spassky position is from Steinitz-Zukertort, 1886. The positions for Steinitz and Spassky were on the wrong stamps.

On February 26, 1983 Congo issued a chess stamp depicting African chess pieces.

On May 2, 1983 the Faroe Islands issued two chess stamps depicting a king and a queen.

On May 9, 1983 Vietnam issued 8 chess stamps showing older chess pieces.

On June 13, 1983 Guinea-Bissau issued 8 chess stamps depicting chess pieces through the ages.

On June 20, 1983 Albania issued a chess stamp depicting an individual playing chess and using a chess clock.

On June 20, 1983 Bulgaria issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 8th European Team Championship in Plovdiv. It depicted chess pieces on a map of Europe.

On August 20, 1983 Nicaragua issued 7 chess stamps depicting chess pieces.

On October 24, 1983 Mali issued 4 chess stamps depicting drawn chess pieces.

On December 27, 1983 Chad issued 9 chess stamps to commemorate the 60th anniversary of FIDE (1924-1984).

On February 20, 1984 the British Virgin Islands issued a set of 4 chess stamps to commemorate the 24th Chess Olympiad in Malta and the 60th anniversary of FIDE.

On February 20, 1984 Rumania issued a series of chess stamps to commemorate the 15th Balkan Championship.

On April 13, 1984 Laos issued 8 chess stamps to commemorate the 60th anniversary of FIDE.

On April 26, 1984 Mauritania issued a stamp with a globe and chess pieces on it.

On May 21, 1984 Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) issued a chess stamp depicting Karpov.

On July 20, 1984 Guyana issued a series of chess stamps to commemorate the 60th anniversary of FIDE.

On July 27, 1984 Madagascar issued 6 chess stamps to commemorate the 60th anniversary of FIDE. They depicted Steinitz, Menchik, Karpov, and Gaprindashvili.

On August 8, 1984 Barbados issued 4 chess stamps to commemorate the 60th anniversary of FIDE. The 25c stamp depicts a local junior match. The 45c stamp depicts and Staunton knight and a 19th Century Knight. The 65c stamp depicts a Staunton Queen and an 18th century Queen. The $2 stamp depicts a Staunton Rook and a 17th century Rook.

On August 20, 1984 Taiwan issued a chess stamp.

On August 30, 1984 Guinea issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Championship match in Baguio City.

On September 7, 1984 the USSR issued two chess stamps to commemorate the World Chess Championships. One stamp honors the women's championship in Volvograd. The other commemorates the men's championship in Moscow.

On September 14, 1984 Trinidad and Tobago issued 4 chess stamps to commemorate the 60th anniversary of FIDE.

On October 10, 1984 Surinam issued 6 chess stamps to commemorate the World Championship match in Moscow. It included pictures of Karpov and Kasparov.

On December 21, 1984 Kenya issued 5 chess stamps to commemorate the 60th anniversary of FIDE.

On December 22, 1984 Central Africa issued a chess stamp depicting Karpov.

On February 23, 1985 Djibouti issued a chess stamp commemorating the UK vs US Championship.

On April 13, 1985 Czechoslovakia issued a chess stamp commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Czech Chess Organization.

On April 15, 1985 Grenada issued a chess stamp depicting children playing chess.

On May 25, 1985 Chad issued a chess stamp depicting Philidor, Lasker, Alekhine, and Karpov.

On August 20, 1985 South Korea issued a stamp depicting Korean chess.

On August 28, 1985 Austria issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Chess Congress in Graz. It depicted a chess globe.

On September 2, 1985 the USSR issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Championship between Kasparov and Karpov in Moscow.

On September 10, 1985 the United Arab Emirates issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Junior Championship.

On October 12, 1985 Sweden issued a chess stamp.

On November 9, 1985 Surinam issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Championship between Kasparov and Karpov in Moscow. It depicted Kasparov's victory.

On February 3, 1986 the Faroe Islands issued 4 chess stamps that depicted chess pieces.

On February 5, 1986 North Korea issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Championship between Kasparov and Karpov in Moscow.

On March 17, 1986 Tanzania issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Championship in London and Leningrad.

On March 19, 1986 Tuvalu issued a chess stamp depicting a knight.

On June 16, 1986 Mali issued two chess stamps to commemorate the World Championship in London and Leningrad. One stamp depicted floating chess pieces.

On August 28, 1986 Kampuchea issued a series of chess stamps depicting Ruy Lopez, Philidor, Anderssen, Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, and Alekhine.

On October 13, 1986 Djibouti issued a chess stamp to commemorate the World Championship in London and Leningrad.

On November 14, 1986 the United Arab Emirates issued a series of chess stamps to commemorate the 27th Chess Olympiad in Dubai.

On November 20, 1986 Mongolia issued a series of chess stamps depicting world champions Steinitz, Lasker, Alekhine, Botvinnik, Karpov, Gaprindashvili, and Chiburdanidze.

On December 10, 1986 Yugoslavia issued a stamp depicting a knight, drawn by Vasarely.

On May 15, 1987 Mozambique issued a stamp of the Korean Olympic Games.

On November 1, 1987 Guinea issued a chess stamp depicting Kasparov. A position on the stamp is from Karpov-Kasparov, match game 22, 1986.

On November 2, 1987 Surinam issued a chess stamp.

On February 8, 1988 Malawi issued a series of chess stamps depicting chess pieces.

On February 15, 1988 Central Africa issued a chess stamp depicting Kasparov.

On March 25, 1988 Benin issued a stamp with a chess piece.

On June 1, 1988 Guinea-Bissau issued a series of chess stamps depicting Philidor, Staunton, Anderssen, Morphy, Steinitz, Lasker, and Capablanca.

On July 13, 1988 Libya issued a stamp depicting Gaddafi playing chess.

On July 15, 1988 Cuba issued a series of chess stamps depicting Capablanca and his 100th birthday.

On August 25, 1988 the British Virgin Islands issued two chess stamps commemorating the first annual British Virgin Island tournament.

On September 18, 1988 North Korea issued a chess stamp depicting a chess painting by Lucas van Leyden.

On November 22, 1988 Laos issued a series of chess stamps depicting Ruy Lopez, Anderssen, Morphy, Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, and Alekhine. Each stamp had a chess position. The Anderssen position came from Kolisch-Anderssen, London 1861. The Morphy position came from Morphy-Harrwitz, Paris 1858. The Steinitz position came from Anderssen-Steinitz, Vienna 1873. The Lasker position came from Ilyln Zhenevsky-Lasker, 1925. The Capablanca position came from Capablanca-Lasker, Havana 1921. The Alekhine position came from Bogoljubov-Alekhine, Hastings 1922.

On December 6, 1988 Comores issued a chess stamp depicting Kasparov.

On February 2, 1989 Afghanistan issued seven chess stamps depicting boards and players.

On April 17, 1989 Morocco issued a stamp commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Morocco Chess Federation.

On May 16, 1989 Great Britain issued a stamp depicting a chess board, and parts of other games.

On July 31, 1989 Macau issued a stamp depicting Chinese chess.

On October 18, 1990 Yugoslavia issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 29th Chess Olympiad in Novi Sad.

On November 15, 1990 Cambodia issued a chess stamp depicting chess pieces.

On January 7, 1991 the USSR issued a chess stamp depicting Paul Keres.

On November 3, 1991 Czechoslovakia issued a chess stamp depicting a chess flower.

On September 14, 1992 Yugoslavia issued a chess stamp to commemorate the Spassky-Fischer match of 1992.

On October 28, 1992 Hungary issued a chess stamp commemorating the 10th European Chess Championship in Debrecen.

On January 26, 1993 Tonga issued a chess stamp depicting women playing chess.

On February 28, 1995 Yugoslavia issued a set of 8 chess stamps depicting chess champions of the world.

On September 25, 1995 Andorra issued a chess stamp depicting a chess butterfly.

On February 14, 1996 Czechoslovakia issued a chess stamp depicting Vera Menchik, a former world’s women chess champion.

On March 15, 1996 Yugoslavia issued 9 chess stamps depicting chess champions of the world.

On June 8, 1996 Lettonia issued a stamp depicting chess and children's games.

On June 12, 1996 Algeria issued a chess stamp depicting a chess butterfly.

On September 15, 1996 Armenia issued a series of chess stamps to commemorate the 32nd Chess Olympiad.

On September 15, 1996 Buriatia issued a chess stamp depicting Karpov.

On September 20, 1996 Armenia issued a chess stamp depicting Petrosian.

On December 8, 1997 Gambia issued a chess stamp.

In 1999 Turkmenstan issued a series of stamps depicting chess pieces and chess boards.

In 1999 Central Africa issued several stamps on scouting. One of them depicts scouts playing chess.

On March 15, 2000 Russia issued a chess stamp depicting Mikhail Botvinnik.

On June 8, 2000 Macao issued a series of stamps of board games, including chess.

On September 23, 2000 Bosnia Hercegovinia issued two chess stamps to commemorate the 16th European Chess Club Cup.

On December 23, 2000 Armenia issued a series of stamps commemorating great Armenians. Included is a stamp showing Petrosian.

On January 3, 2001 Hungary issued a chess stamp commemorating the Peter Leko-Kramnik match.

On January 5, 2001 North Korea issued a series of chess stamps depicting the world champions of the 20th century.

On January 13, 2001 Yugoslavia issued a series of stamps commemorating Emanual Lasker's 60th anniversary of his death,

On March 8, 2001 Yugoslavia issued a set of 8 chess stamps depicting women chess champions of the world.

On April 3, 2001 the Netherlands issued a series of stamps depicting Max Euwe (1901-1981).

On June 11, 2001 Liberia issued a series of chess stamps depicting Karpov.

On May 29, 2001 Tajikstan issued a series of chess stamps depicting Steinitz, Capablanca, Lasker, and Alekhine.

On August 18, 2001 Latvia issued a chess stamp commemorating Mikhail Tal.

On October 19, 2001 Spain issued a series of stamps on the history of Spain. One stamp included Ruy Lopez.

In 2001, Guinea Bissau isseud several chess stamps, depicting Karpov, Kasparov, and world women’s champion Xie Jun.

On February 9, 2002 Romania issued a series of chess stamps commemorating the Costantin Radulescu memorial tournament.

On March 13, 2002 Germany issued a chess stamp commemorating the 12th Seniors Chess Championship

On March 29, 2002, Ukraine issued a chess stamp to celebrate the victory of Rustan Ponomariov, the 16th FIDE World Champion.

On May 18, 2002 Germany issued a chess stamp commemorating the 48th German meeting of correspondence chess players.

On May 27, 2002, Bulgaria issued two stamps with Bishop and Pawn motifs.

On June 6, 2002 Germany issued a chess stamp depicting chess pieces and dedicated it for the youth.

On July 23, 2002, the Republic of Central Africa issued three stamps featuring FIDE world champions Kasparov, Anand, and Ponomariov. Each stamp includes a position of one of their games (Kasparov - Anand, Anand - Shirov, and Ponomariov - Manchuk).

From September 8 to 11, 2002, Tajikstan issued six stamps to commemorate the match between Russia and the Rest of the World, played in Moscow. The stamps depicted Steinitz, Capablanca, Lasker, Alekhine, and two demonstration chess boards.

On September 18, 2002, Azerbaijan issued four stamps commemorating the World Junior Championship held in Baku. The stamps are a drawing of a game of live chess, with the city of Baku in the background.

On September 19, 2002, Slovenia issued two stamps to commemorate the 35th Chess Olympiad in Bled, Slovenia.

In 2002, Benin issued eight stamnps depicting Philidor, Staunton, Morphy, Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, and Botvinnik.

On October 12, 2002, Hong Kong issued a chess stamp depicting a King and a Queen in one frame, and Chinese chess pieces in another frame.

On October 23, 2002, Rumania issued three stamps to commemorate the 35th Chess Olympiad in Bled, Slovenia.

In 2002, Equatorial Guinea issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 35th Chess Olympiad in Bled, Slovenia.

In 2002, Angola issued a chess stamp depicting Bobby Fischer with the theme being great people of the 20th century.

On June 7, 2003, Kazakhstan issued a stamp with chess art from the 17th century.

On July 9, 2003, Portugal issued a stamp to commemorate the 50th birthday of the Ricardo Espirito Santo Foundation. The stamp consists of a table with a chess board in the middle.

In October, 2003, Bulgaria issued a stamp to commemorate the European Chess Championship in Plovdiv.

On December 4, 2003, Angola issued two stamps with chess pieces.

In 2003, Guinea Bissau issued two chess stamps with the pictures of several grandmasters, including Kasparov.

On January 2, 2004, Jersey issued six stamps to commemorate the Centenary year of the British Chess Federation and the Jersey Chess Club. Each stamp has a different chess piece (rook, knight, bishop, pawn, queen, and king) as a motif.

On January 5, 2004, Peru issued a stamp depicting chess pieces and the chess board.

On March 18, 2004, Spain issued a stamp to commemorate the 36th Chess Olympiad in Calvia (Mallorca), Spain.

In 2004, Austria issued a stamp to commemorate the victory of Di Tung Hamarat as the 16th Correspondence World Chess Champion. They issued another stamp to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Baden Chess Club.

On July 20, 2004, Algeria issued a stamp to commemorate the 80th anniversary of FIDE.

In 2004, Cuba issued three stamps to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Cuban Chess Federation. The stamps depicted Capablanca, Ernesto Che Guevara, and Maria Teresa Mora.

In 2004, seven official postal stamps were issued during Telabul-2004, the World Philatelic Exhibition in Israel.

On September 24, 2004, Hungary issued a series of stamps depicting a chess board and the opening moves of the Hungarian Defense ( 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7).

In 2005, the Israel Postal Authority issued a chess stamp for the World Chess Team Championship that was held in Israel. A special cancel cover showed Albert Einstein and a chess game.

In 2005, Ecuador issued a chess stamp to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the Ecuador Chess Federation.

In 2005, Estonia issued a chess postcard that showed two dogs playing chess.

In 2005, Guinea Bissau issued a stamp with a chess theme, depicting several chess pieces.

In 2005, Moldova issued a chess stamp to commemorate the European Women Championship.

In 2006, Estonia issued a postal stationary card with the picture of grandmaster Paul Keres (1916-1975) and a chess king. They also released a postal card with the postmark “International Chess Tournament in memoriam Paul Keres.”

In 2006, Guinea Bissau issued a few sports stamps which included chess champions.

In 2007, Guinea Bissau issued four chess stamps with four famous chess paintings.

In 2008, Guinea Bissau issued several chess stamps depicting Alekhine, Euwe, Botvinnik, Smyslov, Morphy, Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, Tal, Petrosian, Spassky, and Fischer.

On September 18, 2008, Iceland issued a first day cover, depicting grandmaster Fridrik Olafsson.

In 2009, Guinea Bissau issued a chess stamp on chess stamps (Xadrez em selos postais).

In 2010, Nepal issued its first chess commemorative cover and postmark, commemorating the 1^st Lalitpur Cup International Open Rating Chess Tournament in July, 2010.

Armenia recently issued a chess stamp commemorating Genrikh Kasparian (1910-1995). He was one of the greatest composers of endgame studies. In 1972, he became the first chess composer to receive the title of Grandmaster of Chess Composition. The stamp becomes the first to portray an endgame study.

Lithuania recently issued a commemorative chess stamp in honor of Vladas Mikenas (1910-1992). He was an International Master and chess journalist.

There have been fraudulent stamps with chess motifs from Afghanistan, South Ossetia, Mali, Myanmar, Rwanda, Sahara Republic, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

Over 140 nations have issued stamps with a chess motif. The United States has not issued any stamp with any chess motif.