SOLVED. YA Fantasy. A book with a coming of age theme that is probably a lesser known series that features a young man (orphaned, I believe) that features magical chess pieces as a key part of the plot. [s]

[Aric]

I read this book or series in the mid 80’s, probably around 1985. I don’t recall it being a popular or well-known series. The key plot points I can remember are as follows:

1. Standard coming of age story featuring a young orphaned boy.
2. The boy gets sent to a special school for (as I recall) the magically inclined.
3. The boy struggles to find his magic.
4. The boy finds or is given a set of magical chess pieces.
5. The boy discovers that the chess pieces aid him in his magic and make him somewhat special compared to others at the school.
6. Although these carved chess pieces figure rather prominently in the story, I don’t recall anyone playing chess games. The pieces just granted or helped focus magical power. It is possible I’m mis-remembering the pieces and they might have just been a set of small carved figurines about the size of chess pieces. I do remember that at points one or more pieces were kept by the boy in a pouch and sometimes in a box or other solid container. The pouch was about the size of a medieval coin purse.
7. There were strength or skill rankings at the school.
8. It is possible the school or magical society followed certain magical strictures. Specifically the word “strictures” is used frequently. Possibly as “the seven strictures” or some such. I clearly remember “strictures” being part of this series, but honestly, it has been so long I may be conflating this point from another series. However all searches I have done with “strictures” or “seven strictures” has not turned up the series I am thinking of.
9. While I know there was evil threatening the boy, I do not remember the ending or any other major plot points.
10. I do recall the book having an appendix with a list of the chess pieces or figurines and listing what each was capable of.

I realize this isn’t a lot to go on, so I may need to just accept I’ll never find the name of the book or series, but I thought I’d post here just in case. My own searches have been completely fruitless so far.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

[Genesistrine]

Sounds like it might be Sheri Tepper's True Game trilogy - the first book is King's Blood Four or there's an omnibus edition: The True Game

[Aric]

That does sound familiar. I’m going to go check it out and see. Thanks!

[Aric]

Yeah, that sounds like what I was thinking of, thanks for having a better memory than I do. :)

[Kris]

Glad you found your book series, Aric. Link for book 1 - King's Blood Four by Sheri S. Tepper - Genesistrine's find.