CHESSES

Noun

chesses

plural of chess

Source: Wiktionary

Chess"es, n. pl. Etym: [Cf. F. chassis a framework of carpenty.] (Mil.)

Definition: The platforms, consisting of two or more planks doweled together, for the flooring of a temporary military bridge. Wilhelm. A singular, chess, is sometimes used. "Each chess consists of three planks." Farrow.

CHESS

Chess, n. Etym: [OE. ches, F. échecs, prop. pl. of échec check. See 1st Check.]

Definition: A game played on a chessboard, by two persons, with two differently colored sets of men, sixteen in each set. Each player has a king, a queen, two bishops, two knights, two castles or rooks, and eight pawns.

Chess, n. (Bot.)

Definition: A species of brome grass (Bromus secalinus) which is a troublesome weed in wheat flelds, and is often erroneously regarded as degenerate or changed wheat; it bears a very slight resemblance to oats, and if reaped and ground up with wheat, so as to be used for food, is said to produce narcotic effects; -- called also cheat and Willard's bromus. [U. S.]

Note: Other species of brome grass are called upright chess, soft chess, etc.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition