I would put this one firmly under that catchall "poetic license" [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
By the way, I have seen elsewhere on these boards definitive references to Tolkien's conception of ME specifically as our earth, with, I think, The Shire geographically equivalent to Oxfordshire. Scroll back in The Books and I think you'll soon find some relevant threads.
The origins (and indeed the nature) of chess in 'our' world are also fascinating, and as has been pointed out early references do seem to occur in Irish folklore. However, I think Tolkien simply made reference as a figure of speech, and I can't remember anything so precise as the Blue Wizards being responsible for its inception.
Peace [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Kalessin
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