Chess.com has launched a new bot allowing users to play chess against Yoko Ono, coinciding with her upcoming 93rd birthday. The feature includes an exclusive all-white chess set inspired by her 1966 artwork "Play It By Trust." It also celebrates the recent premiere of the Academy Award-winning short film "War is Over!", which features chess as a symbol of connection.
Chess.com announced the Yoko Ono bot, enabling players to challenge the iconic musician, artist, and activist in a game of chess. This addition honors Ono's 93rd birthday on February 18 and integrates elements of her artistic legacy. Users can access the bot via the Play Computer page and experience an online version of her "Play It By Trust" artwork from 1966, which features an all-white chess set.
Ono described the artwork on her website: "The white chess set is a sort of life situation. Because the chess pieces on both sides are white, you always have to be aware of which are your pieces." This design emphasizes awareness and trust, themes central to her creative work.
The bot's launch also ties into the online premiere of the short film "War is Over!", which won an Academy Award. Inspired by the music of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, the film depicts two soldiers from opposing sides of a war who connect through a game of chess, facilitated by a carrier pigeon. Chess serves as a metaphor for empathy and communication across divides.
Sean Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and co-creator of the film's story, explained the choice of chess in an interview with Wallpaper: "That was mainly because my parents love chess, and my mom is a big chess fan. And I love chess, too. So it seemed like a nice metaphor."
This initiative blends chess with art and storytelling, inviting users to engage with Ono's influence in a interactive way. More details on the artwork are available on Yoko Ono's website.
