The pieces or board used in playing; the chessmen, n. Obsolete.

A chessman. rare. Obsolete.

The pieces (eight ‘pieces’ proper and eight pawns on each side) with which chess is played.

Chess. Any of the figures used in playing chess; esp. (more fully piece of honour, dignified piece) any of the more valuable figures, such as the…

Other concrete uses. A chess piece. Obsolete.

Hence chess man, one whose duty it is to lay the chesses in making a pontoon-bridge.