James Madison loved a good chess match. In fact, says Beth Morrill, media relations manager at Montpelier, evidence exists that Madison and friend Thomas Jefferson often engaged in “epic four-hour chess duels.” Today, thanks to a recent discovery at Montpelier, visitors can see what Madison’s ivory chess set may have looked like. In February, archeologists pulled portions of two ivory chess pawns from the south yard and determined they were probably from the same set that Madison used. The discovery gave researchers enough information to be able to purchase an identical, authentic 18th-century ivory chess set and put it on display in the Drawing Room at Montpelier. Montpelier.org