The line for this ride has some of the best scenery. Part of the line includes a peek-down view into a dungeon cell where two skeletons were playing chess. Rumors were that they were at a stalemate in their game of chess - a funny joke that they died unable to finish the game. We scoured the net to find out if this rumor were true or not, but with little success. A few sites mentioned the rumor, though each offered totally different placement for the chess pieces and no conclusive photos. So on August 27, 2003 we took a friend's camera with us to the Magic Kingdom in WDW, Orlando Florida to find out once and for all. 
Update: I've been photographing the board for FIVE YEARS NOW just for you guys. See the changes here 
Also, I've had a chance to take pics of the ride itself. See those here.

First off, this is what the outside of the ride looks like



The ride is located in the "Adventureland" portion of the park. It's a fun ride even if it's a bit silly. It's become more well known in 2003, for the major motion picture release of the same name and owing it's origins to this very ride.

This is the dungeon seen from above. 
You have to look down through iron bars to see the room below.



As you can see, the skeletons are about a story down and are chained up in a very dingy cell. 
It's obvious they've been there awhile! 
Despite the brightness of this picture (thanks to the flash), the small little lantern you see is the only source of light down there, making a dark, flickering room - and hard to photograph!

At last! The board itself...



About a dozen shots later (aiming a camera in the dark's not easy), I finally managed to snag a shot that showed the unobstructed board close enough for critical inspection. As this room is supposed to be dirty and dusty, I doubt the pieces are moved often (if ever) and the board itself certainly looks dated. But it does offer a final and clear view of the situation: 
Despite the white pawn not actually standing on any one square, the game is sadly not in stalemate.
(so sayeth my boyfriend who is the chess fiend and the one determined to know the answer and for whom I made this page!)

Update! The pieces do in fact move! 
Though it seems that it's movement from cleaning more then actual game play. Still, it's neat and I've been tracking it for five years now.
(Sadly, they never wind up at a stalemate.)
You can see the progression of the pieces here.

Update #2 (August 2006)
There was a rumor going around that once the ride re-opened after the rehab (in which they added Captain Jack Sparrow into the attraction), the board was going to return to it's original, intended stalemate. However, I'm sorry to say that upon riding it in August 2006, the board is still NOT at a stalemate.
 

 
Update! Photos of the Ride Itself!
I've also had a chance to take some photos of the ride itself over the last year. So, if you just want pictures of the ride and don't really care about the chess game, you can find them here.
*Note: These photos are PRE rehab and therefore show the ride before the Jack Sparrow AA's were added!
 

So...that's the story.

Anyone with any further back story, or information on how the rumor began, or any cast members of WDW in general or the Pirates ride in particular are also welcome to contact me.

pirates (at) giveneyestosee (dot) com