World’s Largest Chess Queen Unveiled in Río Ceballos, Argentina
A towering chess queen now stands tall in Río Ceballos, Argentina. At 7.62 meters high, this sculpture may soon be named the largest chess queen piece in the world, as an application has been sent to Guinness World Records.
It all began when Yanina Pepino showed her father, Enrique Pepino, a photo of a giant king chess piece in St. Louis, USA. That moment sparked a bold idea in Enrique’s mind—why not build a giant queen, even bigger?
The Man Behind the Queen
Enrique, a businessman and graphic designer, lives in Río Ceballos. Inspired by the King statue in St. Louis (which stands 6.09 meters tall), he set out to create a chess queen that breaks records.
He chose the Staunton design, the classic style used in chess tournaments, and planned the sculpture to blend with the landscape. He sketched it by hand, aiming for a structure that was tall yet visually light.
Rather than wood, Enrique selected iron for the material. He teamed up with iron craftsman José Strasorier and Fernando Rotania to bring the giant piece to life through skilled, handcrafted work.
A White Queen That Lights Up the Night
The queen was painted white, making it more visible, especially in the dark. It was privately funded and built on private property, directly across from the Chess School founded by Pepino in downtown Río Ceballos.
“This sculpture will promote chess in Córdoba and make our city known as a chess destination,” Enrique shared proudly.
National Recognition and Support
During the grand unveiling, Mario Petrucci, Executive Director of the Argentine Chess Federation (FADA), proposed naming Río Ceballos the chess capital of Argentina.
He also shared a message from FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who praised the monument as a tribute to Argentina’s rich chess legacy. He mentioned past legends like Julio Bolbochán and Oscar Panno, and rising young talents like 11-year-old Faustino Oro.
Dvorkovich expressed hope that this landmark would inspire more support for chess in Argentina and Latin America.
Celebrating 100 Years
The event also marked three big anniversaries:
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100 years of FADA (1922–2022)
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100 years of the Argentine Olympic Committee (1923–2023)
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100 years of FIDE (1924–2024)
Emotional Moments and Historic Declarations
Enrique gave a heartfelt speech, thanking his family and remembering his late mother and grandmothers.
Several important guests attended, including:
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Vice Governor Myrian Prunotto
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Mayor Ezequiel Lemos
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Guillermo Soppe, President of the Córdoba Provincial Chess Federation
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International Masters María José Campos and Liliana Burijovich
Vice Governor Prunotto honored Enrique’s work, calling the giant queen a symbol of women’s strength and struggle. She also supported the idea of turning Río Ceballos into a provincial chess hub, including an international tournament in honor of the sculpture.
Chess Comes to Life in the Streets
To celebrate the occasion, a giant-piece chess match was played at Paseo Humberto Francia. Masters Campos and Burijovich faced off using oversized chess pieces. Later, María José Campos hosted a simultaneous chess event on 25 boards.
This incredible chess queen now stands not only as a record-breaking sculpture but also as a powerful symbol for the chess community in Argentina and beyond.
Photos: Federación Argentina de Ajedrez, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
