Chess players assume many postures during a tournament game, but certain themes do arise.


Text and photos by BETSY CARINA DYNAKO | Additional photos (marked with an *) by CHRIS ROBERTS


like to think I bring a unique eye to my chess photography because of my love for the game and my genuine interest


in people. My father taught me the game when I was five years old, which also happens to be the same year I first


picked up a camera. I weaved my way through the chess world from player to teacher, ultimately settling in as a National Tournament Director and FIDE Arbiter. Professionally, I pursued photography and eight years ago the two intersected.


Capturing the outer reflection of an individual’s inner thoughts is one reason why I love photographing chess players. Many players start a chess game with a “poker face,” but as the game progresses players tend to lose themselves in the task at hand. Whether the


36 February 2014 | Chess Life


goal is to win, to wiggle out a draw, or if the situation has deterio- rated to just trying to save face, a player’s body language and facial expressions eventually give “tells.” In the end the individual’s thoughts about the game and the position they are in are no longer hidden. Instead they are written all over his or her face.


This collection of photographs was compiled by the Chess Life editors in only a partly tongue-in-cheek way to categorize some of the most common expressions captured over the board. Maybe you will spot a pose you thought a friend made famous, perhaps you will be inclined to call a pose by a different name, or maybe you will be able to identify directly with one or more of the emotions revealed and see yourself.


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