ChessSetsGuide V6 2015

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Chess House 2007-2015

Hello :-) ................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Artists .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Choosing a chess set ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Standards ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
A first chess set ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Size and style .................................................................................................................................................. 7
Travel .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
For blind or visually impaired ..................................................................................................................... 11
Giant Outdoor Yard Chess ........................................................................................................................ 11
Electronic Chess Sets .................................................................................................................................. 13
Unique Chess Sets........................................................................................................................................ 14
Wooden Chess Sets..................................................................................................................................... 15
Starter sets ................................................................................................................................................. 15
Unique and decorative .......................................................................................................................... 16
Heirloom Collection................................................................................................................................. 16
Luxury Sets ................................................................................................................................................. 17
How are wood chess sets made? ........................................................................................................ 18
Pairing Chess Pieces and Boards ............................................................................................................. 19
What makes a good fit?......................................................................................................................... 20
Wood chess pieces ................................................................................................................................. 22
Wood Chess Boards ................................................................................................................................ 23
Coordinates .............................................................................................................................................. 25
Ideas for Parents .............................................................................................................................................. 26
School and learning .................................................................................................................................... 26
Kid's chess set ............................................................................................................................................... 26
Ideas for Players ............................................................................................................................................... 27
Tournament chess sets ............................................................................................................................... 27
Upgrading your set ...................................................................................................................................... 27
Ideas for Home ................................................................................................................................................ 30
Theme chess sets ......................................................................................................................................... 32
Answers to common questions..................................................................................................................... 34
Your turn! ........................................................................................................................................................... 37
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H ELLO :-)
This guide helps you explore, become reacquainted, and find answers to key questions on chess
sets for the home, class, club, business, or nearly any purpose.
It's packed with tips to help you understand and clarify your interest in chess sets and offer you
advice and assistance along the way. You’ll discover new ideas and concepts, become familiar
with key standards and be informed, saving you time and money.
In making a concerted effort to rid the marketplace of shabby products, we deepen

relationships with artists and manufacturers who take pride in their finished goods. Of course we
also offer the inexpensive boards and pieces that are sourced with care.
I’m quite confident ChessHouse will be your favorite online store and most valued resource while
you find the perfect chess set for your home or wherever you will enjoy the game. If I haven’t
answered your questions in a great way as you go through the guide, please do write me at
raphael@chesshouse.com
And thanks to Josh who has shot many of the photos in this guide!
Raphael Neff, co-founder
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A RTISTS
Artists such as Carolyn Cavanaugh have created a wonderful product and have been able to
reach a wider audience through Chess House.
Carolyn’s dream of turning her art into a chess set became a reality with the distinctive, original
House of Hauteville chessmen.
These chessmen are then paired with the signature chessboard crafted and finished entirely in
Pennsylvania by another wonderful artist who makes a living and supports his family with fine
wood products. We have an Artists page where you can view the various works featured.
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C HOOSING A CHESS SET
S TANDARDS
Chess is an art and you have the freedom to be creative. However, knowing widely accepted
standards can help when playing chess with others. Over the years, these have been
developed and published by the US Chess Federation and the worldwide governing body
known as FIDE.
A “Regulation” size chess set is suitable for many uses - tournaments, clubs, scholastic chess,
home-study, and personal use. It is recognized anywhere and saves you from the embarrassing
situation of bringing Kmart pieces or a Civil War set to do battle at your first chess club visit.
This “club” chess set has a King 3 ¾” tall, a chessboard with a square size of 2 ¼”, and is usually
20” square overall. Most often the pieces will be plastic, with or without extra weight, and the
chess board green and white. Although you can choose from an array of board colors, green is
relaxing to the mind, enables better concentration, and is most widely used.
The club chess set is perfect for families, casual, or series tournament players. This all-purpose set
is used in chess instruction, scholastic, club, and high level tournaments including official US
Chess Federation rated events.
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Wood sets of similar “Staunton” design also meet regulation standards, but are not as common
at events, except of course at the higher levels. Many players like to bring a wooden set to their
chess club, provided it is of a standard size and design.
The Timeless design has been played on the international scene for decades. Nearly 4” tall, it’s a
robust design ideal for chess players seeking a wooden chess set for casual and club chess
games.
A FIRST CHESS SET

While you may own chess sets for a variety of purposes, multi-purpose club chess sets are the
primary go-to sets for every day play. These inexpensive, rugged sets are better than most
cheap, hollow plastic sets that a local store might offer. You can sometimes find them at board
game shops in a mall, however the easiest is online.
There are many reasons the club style chess set is the ideal first set for all ages, in particular
young players. They fit the hand well with some weight and plenty of arm movement providing
the tactile feedback the brain needs to reinforce learning.
The basic club chess set is also designed to store easily with a special vinyl rollup board. This
saves time and space, and becomes very portable with a specially made chess bag.
The great news is that if you ever lose a piece you can easily obtain replacements from Chess
House – not really feasible when you buy at Amazon or a store not specializing in chess.
Most importantly if you ever plan to take this chess board to a club or event, or just play with
someone who is familiar with chess, you’ll be using the standard setup already.
I recommend the US printed vinyl board and club pieces combo together in the Quality
Regulation Chess Set. Your experience with it will be enjoyable for game after game. The vinyl is
odor free, resists curl memory fairly well, and will last for many years. And the best part – the
investment is so reasonable.
Here’s a tip. Roll-up vinyl boards with the squares outward. The board will lay more flat next time.
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S IZE AND STYLE
Chess sets vary in king size from less than 1/2" to over 2 feet tall!
A chess set's size is the dimensions of the chessboard and the height of the King piece. Both
together help you estimate the size. Here are some sizes and their purpose.
Pocket chess sets you can take anywhere with 3-6” chessboards such as this Checkbook size,
are usually very flat, designed to fit in your shirt pocket.
Travel chess sets are perfect for business trips or vacation with 5-12” chessboards can easily be
carried, fit inside luggage, and played while traveling. The Drueke 8x8" shown is a popular one.
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Folding chess sets from 5-20” store pieces inside the board and are easier to play with larger
pieces than some travel size sets and still don’t take up much space. This CHW10 is one of our
most popular stylish and folding sets at 10.5 inches square.
Analysis chess sets from 8-14” are most often a miniature club style chess set excellent for
analyzing, studying, and reviewing games when you don’t need or have space for a full size set.
This 14" set fits on smaller surfaces.
Club chess sets are mostly 20” square, comfortably sized for movement and visibility for most
games and hours of concentration. These club chess sets are a starting point for any new chess
player, club, or training purpose.
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Giant chess sets with 12-25” King and a 9 ft chessboard are the best way to create an outdoor
play space for friends or clientele. They are perfect for events, attractions, parks, and wherever
you can imagine people joining in.
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T RAVEL
Playing chess during travel means your game can be interrupted at any time. Most of us like to
finish our chess games. A set with strong magnets and a case that can close for storage while
saving your chess position will let you continue playing where you left off.
You can pack travel sets in a shirt pocket, purse, backpack, or alongside your laptop.
3D pieces look better than 2D printed pieces and are easier to grasp as well to make moves, but
flat magnetic pieces have the added benefit of being ultra-thin or low profile.
The advantage to the “gold and silver” Plastic Magnetic Travel Chess Set with Case shown
below is that the pieces are easy to grasp, the magnets hold well, and it’s light weight. Plus I had
this set when I met Joanna in 2006, so it’s a favorite. The only disadvantage may be that the
pieces have to be removed from the board surface for storage.
If your game is frequently interrupted you can drop the lid on and save the position at any time
with the 8” x 8” Gift Drueke Travel Chess Set. Strong magnets keep the pieces in place so you
can continue a game. It’s also lightweight and portable, ideal for travel. The surface is
somewhat prone to scratching so you’ll need to be careful, and occasionally a magnet has
needed to be reattached with glue.
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A pocket size set for personal use or gift to a class, is the “Checkbook" size magnetic set. The
pieces are flat magnets and overall it is a clever tri-fold design.
F OR BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

There is a wonderful full size chess set made for players who are blind or visually impaired. The
dark and light pieces are differentiated with pegs a top the dark side, and the half the squares
are raised and half are lowered. Each piece has a peg to fit in each square’s hole, keeping
them in place between moves. One of the best designs available is the 3.75” tall wooden chess
set for the blind.
G IANT O UTDOOR Y ARD C HESS

25 inches tall, there’s nothing quite like giant chess to entertain your guests at a backyard party
or reception, or to entertain clients at any recreational spot. Giant chess is perfect for almost any
environment, backyards, resorts, campgrounds, schools, and even cruise ships.
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You can create your own chess board or buy a ready to go chess board such as the quick fold
nylon or semi-permanent all weather plastic boards.
You could even give your chess set a stone look as this example by Hamanassett B&B shows
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E LECTRONIC C HESS S ETS
When you want to play chess and there’s no human there to play, an electronic chess set is a
fantastic answer. Thought by some to be an obsolete concept, it is far from that. They are
fantastic for practicing chess moves and enjoying the game alone.
Playing chess with real pieces, on a real chessboard, with an opponent that never tires or argues
with a move, and in fact lets you take back a move if you wish… well that’s amazing isn’t it?
Plus you can tell the opponent to play at a level you can win against.
A computer will ensure legal moves are made, provide hints, and have not complaint if you
decide to start a new game when you’ve reached a losing position.
There are computers suitable for beginners as well as Master level players. Remember, you can
always set an easier level than its highest if you want to have a better chance at winning.
Pressure sensitive squares let you make the move input right on the chessboard. See the
Electronic Chess Sets page for the various models available.
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U NIQUE C HESS S ETS
Among the many unique chess sets crafted worldwide, some in particular are most fascinating,
aesthetic and ingenious.
In this example by Naef in Switzerland this game of chess with its clean lines of Bauhaus style.
Josef Hartwig’s chessmen, designed in 1923, have characteristically reduced forms which, in
contrast to commonly used figures, are symbols based purely on the function and form of the
maneuver of each piece.
Cubes, cylinders and spheres lead you move by move to checkmate.
In our next example, the Man Ray chess set is by Philadelphia born artist Man Ray who created
sets from 1920 until 1976. Very few of the original sets are still available for purchase. He is hailed
as one of the 20th centuries most innovative artists. His artwork was far ahead of its time so he
lived a modest life. His vision was to design a simple, straightforward, modern chess set.
Man Ray’s original design was the first modern set comprised of all abstract geometric forms.
Today’s Man Ray sets are perfectly reproduced by craftsman both from Germany and Italy, a
wonderful way to be re-introduced to the game of chess.
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W OODEN C HESS S ETS
The variety of wooden chess sets on the market is astounding. Here are a few starting points, all
of them great for frequent games of chess at home.
 Starter
 Unique, decorative
 Heirloom
 Luxury
S TARTER SETS
For those just starting out or keeping the initial investment low while still having a large, playable,
and very functional chess set, I created the economical Classic Chess Set. The pieces do not
have sharp points, and the chessboard is a comfortable 19” square with the coordinates on the
borders that help new players with replaying games. Any time replacement pieces are needed,
once again, they are super easy to source.
This next one is the Club Chess Set Combo with club style Staunton pieces in boxwood and
black ebonized wood.
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U NIQUE AND DECORATIVE
Break outside the mold with a unique and stylish chess set with a loved who likes the exotic.
In an extensive range of unique wood chess sets, the large, ornate and stylish 21 inch
Ambassador Chess Set is an impressive, affordable gift for anyone that loves chess and will
appreciate a decorative flair. It is made from birch wood, relatively lightweight, with an
emphasis on style. The perimeter features coordinates and the entire board folds to store the
pieces inside.
For a smaller design similar to this, see the 16 inch Junior Chess Set.
H EIRLOOM C OLLECTION
These sets are stunning on display and ready for a game of chess any time. They’re my favorite
in that they combine our own US made solid hardwood chess board with its amazing furniture
finish, along with a selected set of quality chessmen. The Heirloom Collection Sets are perfect for
the home or upscale business settings. The set featured here pairs our beautiful board with
French Staunton pieces.
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L UXURY S ETS
When it comes to luxury, there are many high end chess sets to choose from. For example, this
featured genuine ebony 21” Staunton Chess Set with amazing looks, perfectly balanced, heavy
pieces, and a matching Ebony chessboard brings the richness and appeal of exotic and rare
ebony wood to both the chess pieces and board.
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H OW ARE WOOD CHESS SETS MADE ?
Depending on style of chess pieces, boards, or the combination of the two, there are quite a
variety of methods used to create chess sets.
In this example, an Ambassador chess set is hand finished in Poland. The process starts with initial
cutting and drying of birch and maple, and continues with stages including gluing, etching, and
finally painting.
Drying, or curing wood is very important to the stability of the finished product. Here, birch wood
trees are dried, turned on a lathe to make pieces, and then stained to color.
With chessboards, veneers are used in almost all cases for a low cost, yet great looking finish.
Today’s technology in veneer wood finishing makes it a more than acceptable means of
lowering the overall cost of production.
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P AIRING C HESS P IECES AND B OARDS
Many chess sets are already paired as a set of pieces and a board. You will find, however, that
chess pieces and boards are very often available on their own giving you the choice of pairing
up your favorites.
With hundreds of choices it could be overwhelming, so here are some ideas to get you started
on pairing your own chess sets.
Club style with vinyl roll Players plastic pieces

Theme pieces with
up with premium rollup
deluxe walnut maple
Unique, decorative Players wood pieces Luxury with elegant

with storage with premium wood board
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W HAT MAKES A GOOD FIT ?
As a general rule the King piece base diameter of a Staunton design chess piece is about 3/4 of
the square size. Yes, it's really that easy!
For non-regulation play you can of course deviate from this as you wish, yet the guideline is
useful. A smaller square size relative to the pieces will create a denser or crowded feel, while a
larger square size will create the opposite effect, a more open playing field.
The U.S. Chess Federation's Rules of Chess, 5th edition, says, regarding board size, (41C page
227): "The guideline for determining the proper square size for a Staunton chess set is that the
King should occupy around 78% of the square.(Dividing the base diameter of the King by 0.78
will yield the proper square size). An acceptable square size may be up to 1/8 inch larger than
this number, but not smaller."
Therefore, a chessboard with 2" Squares will fit well with a King's base of near 1.5" (75% of 2"). For
a 1.75" King base, divide by .78 which is approximately 2.25", the recommended square size.
(67%) Regulation Chess Set with 1 1/2” King

base and Vinyl board 20” Square and 2 1/4” (84%) Club Chess Pieces with 1 1/2" King base
squares. and 17” Vinyl board with 1 7/8” square. The
same club pieces can be played on a smaller
playing surface.
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(73%) Timeless pieces with 1 7/16" King base (72%) Timeless pieces with 1 7/16" King base
on 18” US Made wood chess board with 1 on 21” USA Solid Hardwood Walnut and
15/16” squares. Maple Chess board with 2” squares.
For unique or theme chess pieces other than

Staunton style, such as a civil war chess set,
these are still good guidelines, but the piece
shape can affect the ideal size. A full body
horse with a mounted solider may reach
beyond the square. In this example, the king’s
base size is actually 58% of the square.
(58%) Civil War Chess Set with 1” King base

and 1 5/8” Square. The knight piece balances
extra square size.
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W OOD CHESS PIECES
Chess pieces made from wood have, for many centuries, originated in India, where today the
world’s best craftsmen continue to manufacturer both classic and imaginative designs.
Here are six of the most common wood materials used, range from dark to light wood.
Each of the darker woods shown above is paired with a boxwood to create a chess set with
variation.
Ebonized pieces are made of boxwood that has been stained black.
Ebony is a very dark, dense, and expensive black wood. Like any wood, there are variations of
colors from tree to tree and Ebony sometime has more of a dark brown tinge rather than
completely black. Ebony chess sets are sought after by collectors. But they do demand a
premium price. (ebenaceae diospyros melanoxylon1)
Red Sandalwood (not shown) has a wonderfully red appearance, sometimes called blood
rosewood. Native to mountain ranges in South India, it is a more expensive wood also sought
after by collectors for its brilliance. (pterocarpus santalinus 2)
Padauk (now shown) is an exotic wood that starts almost crimson and oxidizes to a dark, rich,
purple-brown over time. It stays redder than Rosewood and is slightly harder and heavier.
(pterocarpus3).
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diospyros_melanoxylon
2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterocarpus_santalinus
3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterocarpus
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Rosewood is a dark brown, usually reddish brown wood that provides the richer tones sought
after by collectors. (dalbergia latifolia4)
Shishamwood ranges from light to medium brown in color. The wood shown is on the darker side
of most shishamwood sets. It is also easy to source and therefore relatively inexpensive.
(Sometimes spelled Sheeshamwood). (dalbergia sissoo5)
Golden Rosewood is a relatively easy to source light rosewood wood abundant in India. It
comes in a variety of shades and offers one of the lightest parings with boxwood.
Boxwood is an inexpensive, light wood. The light pieces of most sets of wood chess pieces are
boxwood, selected for its hardness and light color. (buxus semperverens 6)
Ebonized sets are black stained boxwood, the most economical way to create that dark
contrast with natural boxwood color.
W OOD C HESS B OARDS
Wood chess boards are predominantly either solid wood or veneer with MDF core.
Solid wood or hardwood chess boards are more costly to manufacturer well. For this reason
there are very few designs made and available to purchase.
We have developed a relationship with skilled craftsmen in the US to produce a line of

hardwood chess boards that have proven very popular among customers and are being
played in events by Magnus Carlsen from time to time.
Each board is substantially hand-made yet very consistent. You can view these boards here
4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosewood
5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalbergia_sissoo
6 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buxus_sempervirens
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On the other hand, MDF (medium density fiberboard) with a veneer finish chess boards bring
down the cost substantially and still have a wonderful appearance. In fact, manufacturers using
the latest technology in veneer finishing in addition to high quality control standards are
producing some wonderful chess boards as shown here, a Ferrer board made in Spain, Deluxe
Santos Chess Board
Not all veneer chessboards are made the same, however, so be on the lookout for something
that will meet your expectations adequately.
This next chess board, a 17” Burl Wood Board is an example of one that is not nearly as well
finished, but is a fraction of the cost of others.
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C OORDINATES
Letters and numbers along the margin of many chessboards are the coordinate system for
naming the squares, sometimes referred to as “algebraic notation”.
Chessboards for learning or competition often have letters and numbers along each side with 1-
8 horizontal ranks and A-H vertical files creating a coordinate system for recording a chess game
on paper or electronically. The lower left square is A1 and the upper right square is H8, with all
the squares having their own coordinate name.
Nearly all standard vinyl roll-up chessboards will have this algebraic coordinates.
The coordinate system is best for beginners since it helps in writing down or replaying moves.
With experience, players learn the names of all 64 squares and don’t depend on the
coordinates much if at all.
These coordinates help players record their games move by move on a game recording sheet
often called a “scoresheet”. Many chess rules for competitive chess depend on an accurately
recorded chess game. That’s just one reason to have good chess game notation habits.
Here are some reasons to record a chess game in notation.
 Replay the moves and review a game later with a coach and save a personal library of
your games in a scorebook
 Know when a specific number of moves is reached, such as the 40th move, often used for
a time control where a predetermined 2 hours is allowed for the first 40 moves and 1 hour
is remaining for the rest of the game.
 If a game is disrupted the position can be reset.
Here’s an article that explains How to Read and Write Chess Notation
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I DEAS FOR P ARENTS
S CHOOL AND LEARNING
Chess is fun and sharpens young minds. Parents can encourage their children to study chess,
thereby experiencing the active, transforming benefits chess has on the mind.
Effective learning involves stimulating more senses simultaneously. In addition to sight and sound,
touching and moving the pieces reinforces learning. That’s why a real chessboard along with
suitable training aids is encouraged over solely on screen visuals.
Several chess learning kits are available that combine the ideal chess set and training resource.
K ID ' S CHESS SET

The club chess set is ideal for class, practicing with fellow students, and competing at the club
and scholastic tournament. They’ll become familiar with their set, so it’s a good idea to
introduce them to a set they can take to a scholastic event.
Even if you do not have plans for chess class, this set is what we recommend for the home.
Essentially indestructible, if you need an extra piece, just ask and we’ll replace it at no charge.
A carrying case will help keep all 32 pieces together, along with a rolled up board.
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I DEAS FOR P LAYERS
T OURNAMENT CHESS SETS
The club chess set is the most common for clubs and tournament play.
Most events will have chess sets ready to play. After you complete your match, you will put the
pieces back in place for the next round,
It’s a good idea to bring your chess set for practice or review between matches. Clubs usually
have chess sets provided, but not always.
ALWAYS use a standard design chess set usually known as Staunton. No themed pieces, red or
black pieces, or anything out of the ordinary. Players expect the standard set and you’ll stand
out as a newbie if you bring something weird or unusual.
You MAY, however, bring a set of correctly sized (3 ¾” or 4”) wood chessmen and offer to play
with wood instead and others may welcome the chance to play your set.
Just keep in mind, that in real competition, a chess game may become fast and furious near the
end if players times are running low so your set may take the heat of battle!
U PGRADING YOUR SET

Many chess players like to upgrade the club chess set to a heavier or more stylish variety.
Several interesting possibilities exist. Here are a few and the reasons to consider each one. These
chess sets fit the same chessboard as the club chess set.
Heavy Tournament Chess Pieces – the club chess pieces with extra weight. Lowest cost
upgrade, easy way to increase the weight and feel of your chessmen. It comes with two extra
queens. View
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Hastings – High detail, full of character, stylish yet traditional, and heavy weight. A wild upgrade
and great looking chessmen with two extra queens. View
Executive Staunton – mid-grade quality, large, heavy, and robust. Heavy weighted, massive set
for low cost – fun for blitz chess. Two extra queens. View
Emisario – stylish, ultra-heavy pieces, with a low center of gravity. It comes in a variety of color
combinations. View
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Keep in mind that plastic “mold lines” are normal and exist on every set of pieces.
If you love fast chess (Blitz chess) or 5 0, the Heavy Club Pieces or the Emisario Pieces are my set
of choice. With lower center of gravity your pieces are more stable during fast moves.
To compare pieces and specs in detail, see the Plastic Chess Pieces Comparison page.
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I DEAS FOR H OME
When selecting a chess set for the home, consider
- Who will play and how often the chess set will be played
- Aesthetics and fitting with the décor
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A marble or alabaster chess set looks amazing in many different settings and is ideal for casual
and occasional games.
An Heirloom set not only looks stunning, it’s ideal for frequent games.
You might also consider a leatherette board with metal chess pieces like this one which is 11”
square with 2” tall King.
One of the most exciting ways to express some creativity is in combining chess with a theme of
interest with one of the many theme chess sets available.
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T HEME CHESS SETS
Theme chess sets are fun and interesting and can make exciting birthday gifts, anniversary gifts,
and Christmas presents, allowing you to cater to specific appreciation of a loved one.
Most theme sets are polystone, a compound made largely of polyurethane resin mixed with
powdered stone additives that give it added weight and the porcelain or "stone-like" feel. It is a
durable material and highly effective at maintaining a sharp paint finish. Unlike porcelain which
is fired in an oven, Polystone is a cold-cast material in which no heat is used, resulting in much
greater variations of paint finish. It lends to a cleaner, more detailed set of chess pieces.
Studio Anne Carlton, a manufacturer in the United Kingdom, makes some of the most beautiful
and highly detailed themed sets.
Encouraging a child's interest or even teaching a history lesson is possible with so many unique,
clever, and sometimes bizarre chess set themes.
How about this Police and Fireman chess set?
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Or this Teddy Bear Chess Set?
The theme chess set ideas are quite varied …
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A NSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
Why extra queens?
Extra Queens are not necessary but have been popularized by the special move “pawn
promotion” in which you promote the pawn that makes it across the chessboard without being
captured – into a Queen, Rook, Knight, or Bishop. A Queen is usually chosen she is powerful and
that’s why extra queens are often included.
What is “Staunton”? I see it everywhere.
Staunton is the visual design of the most familiar chess

pieces in our era. If it’s not something thematic or artistic,
it’s likely Staunton in design. Howard Staunton was an
English chess master who lived from 1810 to 1874, and was
in fact nearly the best player between 1843 and 1851. He
promoted a chess set of clearly distinguishable pieces of
standardized shape that is still the style used for competitions. He was also the principal organizer
of the first international chess tournament in 1851 in England.7
Is my chess set rare or valuable?
Many chess sets are rare and may indeed be valuable IF it comes with a good story, is sought
after by others, has aesthetic appeal, superior craftsmanship, or any combination of these
factors. Finding the value of your set can be time consuming. We don’t give appraisals,
however you’re welcome to email a photo and description of your set if you’re seeking
information. Frequently we won’t have any information because there are tens of thousands of
designs, and we are only familiar with some of them, but we are happy to comment anyway.
One way to check is searching the web for any key words or markings on your set. Next check
auctions, in particular completed auctions in case similar items have sold before. If you believe
you have something of significant value and want to get an appraisal, you can try
http://www.valuemystuff.com/us/home
Why Coordinates?
If you plan to study the game of chess, use a board with letter and number Notation
Coordinates, A-H and 1-8, to help you record moves or play recorded chess moves on the
chessboard. Experienced players can actually visualize and instantly know the square names as
7Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Staunton
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e7, f3, e8, and so on, not needing the visual assistance of the coordinates. However, when
you’re starting out it’s best to have a board with coordinates.
Go GREEN?
97% of chess players prefer green/white as a chessboard color. Why is this? It's much easier to
concentrate for hours looking at green, then red or blue! The brain finds it a much more calming
color.
Which way should a vinyl roll-up board be rolled?
A quality vinyl will lay quite flat after months of storage. Regardless, it’s best to roll up the board
with the squares outward. This will cause it to lay flatter when it is unrolled next time, rather than
curling up on the edges and disrupting the pieces.
What’s the ideal chess board size for my pieces?
When choosing a chessboard for your chess pieces, the general rule is to make sure the base
diameter of the King (or largest piece) is no more than 75% of a chessboard’s single square size.
Start with the King base diameter and multiply by 1.3 or more.
Why weighted?
Many players prefer chess pieces with extra weight. Steel is secured inside the chess piece base
to add various amounts of weight. This brings the center of gravity lower, adding stability. That’s
helpful in tournament or rapid games.
Start with a theme set?
Theme chess sets are fun, decorative and great for less rigorous or at least less frequent games.
On the other hand, they are not so good for piece recognition and learning the game.
How much should I spend on a first wood chess set?
There's no need to overspend on a first wood chess set. You can get an amazing chess set for a
one to two hundred dollars and enjoy it for years.
What do I need for club or competition?
When choosing a chess set for club or competition, make sure the pieces are 3 ¾” or at most 4”
tall and Staunton style. The pieces should be paired with an appropriately sized chessboard with
squares around 2 to 2 ¼”. (Most plastic club chess sets are a good representation of traditional
Staunton style)
How do I teach a whole classroom?
35
If you’re planning to teach a class, there are chess boards that fit on desks, hanging
chessboards visible to the entire classroom, and other teaching aids. This School page will help
you explore and starting a chess instruction program.
What if space is limited or we have smaller desks?
If you need to fit a set on a smaller surface (classroom desk), pair the club chess set with a 17"
vinyl board instead of the standard 20". An analysis set may work great for smaller spaces as
well.
36
Y OUR TURN !
I hope you enjoyed this guide and choosing the perfect chess set is clearer now that you are
armed with these insights.
I also want your experience to be pleasant and hassle-free from shopping ChessHouse.com, to
receiving your chess set, and through the years you enjoy it.
If anything comes up or a piece is lost or broken, be sure to let us help.
Do let me know if you still have unanswered questions you’d like answered.
Raphael Neff
CEO and co-founder of Chess House
1-800-348-4749 xt 115
raphael@chesshouse.com
37

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1

Chess House 2007-2015

In making a concerted effort to rid the marketplace of shabby products, we deepen

Raphael Neff, co-founder

A FIRST CHESS SET

F OR BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

G IANT O UTDOOR Y ARD C HESS

Cubes, cylinders and spheres lead you move by move to checkmate.

Club style with vinyl roll Players plastic pieces

Unique, decorative Players wood pieces Luxury with elegant

(67%) Regulation Chess Set with 1 1/2” King

For unique or theme chess pieces other than

(58%) Civil War Chess Set with 1” King base

W OOD C HESS B OARDS

We have developed a relationship with skilled craftsmen in the US to produce a line of

Here are some reasons to record a chess game in notation.

K ID ' S CHESS SET

U PGRADING YOUR SET

How about this Police and Fireman chess set?

The theme chess set ideas are quite varied …

What is “Staunton”? I see it everywhere.

Staunton is the visual design of the most familiar chess

Is my chess set rare or valuable?

Which way should a vinyl roll-up board be rolled?

What’s the ideal chess board size for my pieces?

Start with a theme set?

How much should I spend on a first wood chess set?

What do I need for club or competition?

How do I teach a whole classroom?

What if space is limited or we have smaller desks?

If anything comes up or a piece is lost or broken, be sure to let us help.

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