Chess was only rarely mentioned in mainstream 19th century literature.

Leave it to the wonderful Sam Clemens to be one who mentions Chess on page 235 of his
semi-autobiographical Life on the Mississippi (the first book composed on a typewriter)

"During the brief remainder of the trip, I knew how an emancipated slave feels; for I was an emancipated slave myself. While we lay at landings, I listened to George Ealer's flute; or to his readings from his two bibles, that is to say, Goldsmith and Shakspeare; or I played chess with him--and would have beaten him sometimes, only he always took back his last move and ran the game out differently."