King Charles’s former Cambridge roommate, now a Chess Grandmaster, teams up with an acclaimed artist to co-author a book on the strategy and art of chess.
On Tuesday, 13th May, The Snail Club at L’Escargot in Soho will host the launch of Chess Through the Looking Glass, a thought-provoking new work co-authored by Raymond Keene OBE, Britain’s most prolific chess writer and a Grandmaster of international acclaim, and Barry Martin, a celebrated kinetic artist whose work has explored the philosophical intersections of chess and creativity for decades.
This cultural evening will spotlight a rare collaboration between two figures who have shaped their respective fields — one through the logic of the board, the other through the language of visual abstraction.
The book, which is 390 pages long and is the 208th book for Keene, presents a curated collection of his widely-read columns from The Article and Eye on London, reimagined as a kaleidoscopic journey through the game’s social, historical, and satirical dimensions. Evoking the spirit of Lewis Carroll, the work abandons arcane game analysis in favour of broader cultural commentary — examining the roles of Kings, Queens, Knights and Pawns both on and off the board.
“Chess isn’t just a game of kings – it’s a reflection of the kingdom itself,” says Keene. “When I was sharing quarters with HM King Charles III at Trinity, we’d often discuss how the movements on the board mirror the machinations of power in real life. That’s what Barry and I have captured in this book – the hidden interaction between art and strategy that governs everything in our lives. The knight’s move has always been the politician’s favourite, you know – seemingly irrational yet ultimately tactical.”
The second half features a visual and conceptual counterpoint from Barry Martin, known for his kinetic sculptures, conceptual installations, and experimental interpretations of chess. Martin served as official match artist for Garry Kasparov’s World Championship matches in both 1993 and 2000. His work is represented in major public collections including The Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, The Government Art Collection, The Henry Moore Institute and the British Council.
The event takes place at The Snail Club at L’Escargot, Soho, on Tuesday, 13th May at 6pm.
Following the reception and Q&A, guests will be treated to a whimsical three-course dinner inspired by the game itself. Diners will begin with the delicate “Pawn and lobster bisque”, followed by the hearty “Ray’s Rook pie with Castle of May Royals” – a nod to both author and chess defence. The gastronomic journey will continue with a classic “Queen of puddings” served “en passant”, concluding triumphantly with “The Stin-King Bishop rarebit” as the evening’s endgame. Each dish artfully balances culinary technique with chess metaphor, creating a fitting tribute to a book that explores the rich intersections between strategic thought and artistic expression, and is accompanied by specially chosen wines.
Members of the press are cordially invited to attend, with opportunities for exclusive interviews with both Keene and Martin, places are limited, so the earliest confirmation of attendance is essential.
The launch is expected to draw attention from literary circles, the fine art community, and the competitive chess world.
