#ThomasJefferson was, in addition to being the third U.S. president, a slaveholder, and the writer of the Declaration of Independence, an avid #chess player.

Fragments of an #ivory #barleycorn-style chess set were discovered by archeologists examining the #Monticello midden heap. The black pieces are "stained red with #cochineal, a dye commonly used in the 18th and 19th centuries which is derived from the dried bodies of females of the scale insect Dactylopius coccus." https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/chess-set-english

Jefferson's granddaughter, Ellen Wayles Coolidge, recalled that Jefferson would play marathon four hour games against his friend and ally, #JamesMadison. http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/9660

Image sources: monticello.org and chessantiques.com