Meanings of political chessboard in English

Now it is Hu's turn to move allies from his Youth League days into advantageous positions on the political chessboard.

Follow Peter Apps on Twitter) Source: Commentary: How London's new Muslim mayor is already tilting the world's political chessboard | Reuters

It was at this conjuncture that Mr. Wilson made his appearance and threw all the pieces on the political chessboard into weird confusion.

With the leading delegates thus drifting and the pieces on the political chessboard bewilderingly disposed, outsiders came to look upon the Conference as a lottery.

Why should they be the pawns of the political chessboard, played without any regard for human life by diplomats and war lords and high financiers?