Q: Is it true that chess is a Jewish game? What does it represent?
The chess game is attributed to King Solomon. (See the "Otzar Yisrael" on chess.)This game represents the 8 sefirot from Understanding to Kingdom. Each of these sefirot includes all the other sefirot: 8 squared equals 64. From Understanding and down through the other seven sefirot there is a "war" between the two sides; 64 = 2 to the sixth power, while 8 = 2 cubed. The 2 is the king and queen. This is explained at length in the midrash.
