The chess pieces Control uses in the film are:
Karla as a white queen; Alleline (Tinker) as a white rook; Haydon (Tailor) as a white bishop; Bland (Soldier) as a black king; Esterhase (Poorman) as a black knight; and Smiley (Beggarman) as a black queen. Later on, Smiley uses Polyakov as a black bishop. Using the same piece for Smiley and Karla hints at their mastermind status and rivalry (the queen is the most powerful piece in chess); using the same piece for Haydon and Polyakov hints at their connection.