The inspiration comes from Juan Gris' 1917 painting "Chessboard, Glass, and Dish". Gris was a master in using light, shadow and layer effect to create geometric patterns. He was a genius at showing two-dimensional objects in 3-D style. For "Chess and cup & saucer", space and time seem to solidify on the vase which looks like pieces of broken mirror with the collage of geometric patterns piling up. The cup & saucer and chessboard look as if they were going to fall from the vase. However, the painter created a harmonious balance with simple and plain colors.