Dominoes, a descendant of dice, were invented in China in the 12th century (some believe a variation of the game may have started in Ancient Egypt even earlier). In the middle of the 18th century it was introduced to Europe where it became the most popular game played in homes and pubs.

France and Great Britain had been fighting each other on and off for years (In fact, one of Napoleon's main reasons for selling Louisiana to America was to continue his wars with Great Britain). Ironically, it is thought that French prisoners of war were the first to introduce the game of dominoes to their British captors in the late 1700's. Imagine that- some of the most brutally hated enemies of all time sitting over a table enjoying a friendly game of dominoes. The word "Domino" is French for a black and white hood worn by Christian priests in winter. That may be where the game got its' name.

Chess is held to have begun in India around 600 A. D. It came to Europe a little before 1,000 A. D. The game was revamped and the modern game of chess began near the end of the 15th century. For almost a century, from the mid 18th century to the mid 19th century French chess players were known as the best in the world. It was considered by many to be a game for royalty.

Napoleon Bonaparte I, constantly strategizing world conquest, was also known to be a fairly good chess player. Just as in military campaigns Napoleon hated to lose, he also dreaded defeat in chess. Sometimes when losing, he would replace his fallen pieces back on the board. Napoleon once played a famous mechanical invention called "The Turk". It was a box next to a mannequin dressed as a Turkish person. Somehow, the invention was able to defeat chess players all over Europe. Napoleon lost his first two games. Before the third game, Napoleon placed a shawl over the mannequin's face- suspecting a person was hidden inside it. But, the Turk beat him again. Napoleon responded by sweeping the pieces off the board and walking out of the room. In the documentary "America's Louisiana Purchase: Noble Bargain, Difficult Journey" a reenactment scene shows Napoleon swiping chess pieces from the board when he learns of his soldiers' defeat on the island of San Domingue.

While a prisoner in exile on the island of St. Helena, Napoleon played chess every day. Said Napoleon, "If the game of chess had not already attained high nobility, it would be ennobled by giving a few moments of happy diversion to the greatest of prisoners and exiles." (Le Palamede, 1836). The Governor of the Indies had a giant chess set made for Napoleon. The letter N topped by the Imperial crown was on each piece. The Prison guard said Napoleon could only have the set if the 'N' and the imperial crown were taken off the pieces. Napoleon responded, "Is the despatch of this chessboard an affair of state? Does this man fear that I shall give check to all the kings of Europe? Poor man."
An escape plan had been hatched whereby a French soldier would bring a chess set to Napoleon. Inside one of the pieces were hidden plans to help him escape. The soldier never made it to St. Helena, dying of a heart attack while the ship was enroute.