Someone who is not very familiar with the game of chess or has only played one or two games in their entire life may easily think that all chess sets are basically the same. Of course, the pieces have to be exactly the same in that there is always the king, the queen, the bishops, the knights, the rooks and the pawns.
However, the appearance of these pieces is not always the same as some people think. Quite the contrary, the look of the pieces can actually be very distinct depending on what particular style is used.
One of the most popular styles used today is the Staunton. Anyone who has played chess professionally or even joined amateur chess tournaments knows this particular designs because it is the only that is accepted in official matches. If you want to join a tournament and use your own chess set for the game, it has to conform with the Staunton design if you want to be able to play.
Staunton chess sets are very recognizable even in an instant, which makes them the best for official games. This design is the international standard and is recognized by all chess players from any part of the world. Different kinds of materials are used these days to create Staunton pieces but the most popular ones are metal and wood. The chess board that comes with a Staunton set is typically made either of wood or pressed leather.
Now, if you are not going to be using the chess set in competitions, you can enjoy a wide variety of more unique and more artistic designs, such as the Berliner chess set. The pieces of this set are weighted and made of boxwood. This is one of the unique chess pieces that look very simple at first but when you look closely, you will certainly be able to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into the creation of each piece, especially when you realize that each piece is made painstakingly by hand.
There are also some chess sets that are valuable not only because of their excellent design or the expensive materials used in creating the pieces but also because the manufacturer has already stopped producing these sets. Such vintage chess sets make great collector’s items and decorative elements for any home.
One such type of chess set is the Lardy, a French chess set manufacturer that ceased production in the late 1980s. You can most easily distinguish a Lardy chess set by examining the knight. It has bulging eyes and defined striatures on the neck and the head.
An Indian company called Checkmate has actually tried to imitate the designs of the Lardy, and they have done so with relative success because their imitations can definitely fool a lot of people, even those who are familiar with the original Lardy design.
Checkmate is the leading chess set manufacturer based in India. They also produce other replicas of antique chess designs, as well as their own varieties of traditional and nontraditional sets. Among their more unique sets are those that are made from camel bone.
If you are looking for a chess set that has a classic look but that will still stand out as a great work of art, then the Taj design would work very well for you. Made from a combination of boxwood and golden rosewood, the pieces of this set all have a rich and vibrant look to them, making them ideal for display and actual games. The wood comes from Brazil and is quite heavy and very durable, ensuring that the set will last for several years.
Knowing the different designs is definitely important if you want to pick the right set. But aside from the design, there are certainly many other factors that you have to consider such as the material used on the pieces, the size of the pieces and of the board and of course, the cost of the set.
Sets can cost anywhere from less than $10 to several thousands of dollars. Your choice will depend on how much you are willing to spend on the set. Once you have determined your budget, it will be easier to look for a good set that falls within your price range.
The best place to look for a chess set these days would be the Internet. With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can quickly see dozens of different sets from all over the world, all without having to get up from your desk. Just make sure that you order from a reputable online store that is duly licensed and that offers a money-back guarantee in case the product falls short of your expectations in any way. If you choose your chess set carefully, you will be able to enjoy the most value for your money and maybe even be able to enjoy the game more.
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