Bob

The importance of the magical black chess piece is foreshadowed in the novel’s first chapter as Gran sets out the white chess pieces in hopes of jogging Livy’s memory concerning her initial visit. That Livy wonders where the black pieces are lays the groundwork for the significance of the chipped black pawn. Livy soon learns that she taught Bob to play chess—a game she plays with her father and thus indicates the importance of her friendship with Bob. Through chess, Livy and Bob establish a friendly competition. Further, Bob uses the black chess pieces to help him pass the time while Livy is away, playing imaginary games with the Lego monkey.

The black pawn, however, is magic, and in this way, it symbolizes the magic Bob himself possesses as a well dweller. It is unclear to both Bob and Livy how Livy initially determined that the pawn causes her to remember Bob, but Bob’s memory of Livy pocketing the chess piece during her last visit proves valuable. It is only the chipped pawn that holds magical ability, a detail that is never explained in the novel. Because it is chipped, it is marred and imperfect, and the gaps in the text allow readers to infer that this might be—ironically—what makes it magical.

Bob points out that the pawn’s job is to protect the king piece during the game. In this way, the novel reinforces the way in which Livy protects Bob—keeping him hidden from adult view, providing food for him, and saving him from an attacking cat. The novel suggests that though Livy was unsuccessful in smuggling the chipped chess piece home with her last time, she may be able to do so this time. Indeed, Bob risks both being seen and forgetting his home by returning the piece to Livy after his mother has taken it from her: evidence of just how important Livy has become to him.