Elsa’s Chessboard

Growing up in early-1900s Vienna, Elsa insists on learning chess despite her brothers’ claim that it is not for girls. When she turns ten, they give her a wooden chessboard that remains important throughout her life. As an adult, chess helps connect her with her future husband. When World War II forces Elsa’s Jewish family to flee Europe, they bring the board to the United States. Later, chess becomes a shared language with Elsa’s English-speaking coworkers and women learning the game.