Chesstories

Political Chess: The U.S. Presidential Race, 2000
Let's Check Into the Vice-Presidential Chess Match

Frank Pellegrini
July 14, 2000

Throughout history, chess has been used as a metaphor in love, life and, of course, politics. Here is an example of "political chess" from the 2000 Presidential race in the United States. Note the old-fashioned chess notation. Is that a message, in and of itself?

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(TIME.com) -- Pawn to king's rook 4: "I'm not telling you," he told reporters in Pittsburgh clamoring to hear about Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge's chances. Bush, pointing to his dad's 1992 leak-fest, is keeping the lid on until he announces. With the GOP convention kicking off first, on July 31, George W. is playing with the white pieces and keeping mum.

Pawn to queen's bishop 4: Staffers tell the Washington Post that Dick Gephardt is in the running to be running mate. Doubtful, with House Dems moaning and Bushies salivating at an unoccupied center, but the suspense perks up labor leaders everywhere until a real choice gets made. Interesting.

Pawn to queen's knight 3: Bush staffers tell party leaders to expect a 10-point post-convention "bounce" in the polls for the neglected Gore, with only a five-point bounce for their guy coming out of Philly. Nice expectations management from the front-runner.

Pawn to queen's rook 4: Democratic party officials float a new Gore tactic to USA Today and the New York Times, a move in itself. The scenarios:

Announce his veep choice right on the heels of the GOP convention, thereby siphoning off media coverage from the newly anointed Bush ticket. This has the advantage of deflating some of the Bush "bounce," but couldn't be good for Gore's own convention 10 days later, which would then be even more excitement-challenged than it is already. Good-bye 10-point bounce -- or is that just what Bush wants him to think?

Of course, until Bush makes his choice. Which is why Bush ain't talking.

Bush. Tough to have the black pieces in a game like this. Especially when the other guy is making all the right moves.

Copyright © 2000 Time Inc.