'Checkmate' was choreographed by Ninette de Valois in 1937 to music composed by Arthur Bliss. It was created for the Vic-Wells Ballet.
The original cast was comprised of:
• June Brae (Black Queen)
• Harold Turner (Red Knight)
• Michael Somes (Black Knight)
• Frederick Ashton (Death)
• Robert Helpmann (Red King)
• Pamela May (Red Queen)
• Margot Fonteyn (leader of the Black Pawns)
• Annabel Farjeon (a pawn)