The Bride and the Bachelors is an impressive exhibition of the work of Marcel Duchamp, John Cage and related artists which is on at London’s Barbican Centre until 9 June. Cage learnt chess in order to communicate with Duchamp without asking crass questions. Other artists, notably Max Ernst, Picabia, Calder and Man Ray also took up chess, impressed by Duchamp’s abilities. Duchamp was a master player at chess whereas the others were mere dabblers in comparison.
Marcel Duchamp was arguably the most influential artist of the 20th century, more so than Dalí, Picasso or Matisse. In 1923 he began to concentrate on chess rather than art and he came close to achieving master status. He competed in the French Championships and also in the Olympiads from 1928-1933.
In 1925 he had his chance to become France’s chess champion.
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