Historical clue formulations

• Beat in chess — 2026-02-12
• Beat at chess — 2025-07-24
• Like some socks and chess players — 2025-04-24
• Like unsuccessful chess players — 2020-12-11
• Got together — 2018-01-25
• Beat, in a way — 2017-09-15
• Out of moves, in chess — 2015-05-13
• Out of the game, in chess — 2011-11-04
• Like shoes and socks — 2009-03-28
• Defeated, in a way — 2006-04-16
• Dovetailed — 1995-12-31
• Coupled — 1995-05-29
• Became hitched — 1994-02-21