he Chessmasters are the stage combat troupe of the Renaissance Historical Society. We perform staged combat, including swordfighting with rapier and broadsword, use of quarterstaff and unarmed combat, practicing throughout the year. At the Italian Renaissance Festival in March, our Living Chessgame® combines an exciting display of these skills with an entertaining theatrical production, performed by 32 living chess pieces reenacting some of the greatest chess games in history!

he theme for the ChessGame 2004 is "Love Or Marriage". The Duke of the city is tired of the constant warfare between the Manatesta and Balmini families. To stop the feud, he orders that the eldest son of Don Balmini must marry the eldest daughter of Don Manatesta. Unbeknownst to all, the daughter of Don Manatesta, Julia, is conducting a secret love affair with the younger son of Don Balmini, Gigino. At the engagement feast, the eldest son of Don Balmini is slain. To stop further bloodshed, the Duke orders that the families play a game of chess. Should Balmini win then the Manatesat family will pay blood price, but should Manatesta win, they will forever be absolved of the crime.