How does a Chess Player’s Manual end up at a military Museum? When it belonged to the man the building is named after and has his handwritten notes in it! 

In the Kippenberger Research Library we have a locked display cabinet full of books. As unassuming as it looks (in a library full of books), it is in fact a very special part of our Museum collection. It holds books from Major General Sir Howard Kippenberger’s personal library. Mainly military books (with his own personal notes and annotations included), there are a few other titles, like this Chess Player’s Manual.

 

Chess is well known as a game that develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. It requires the player to think strategically, planning and anticipating multiple moves ahead, and adapting their strategies as their opponent responds. No doubt, Sir Kippenberger’s knowledge of chess helped with battle strategy, although the stakes were much, much higher in real life.