The 10 Weirdest Chess Sets
The last two weeks, we looked at the chess pieces most and least likely to survive the game.
Most of the time, those chess pieces will be the normal Staunton tournament set we all know so well.
When playing online, though, you can choose from a wide variety of chess sets on Chess.com.
The same is true in real life. While most of us play on vinyl or wooden boards with normal pieces, there is a dizzying array of weird chess sets available.
This topic was previously discussed in the Chess.com forums, but here are the 10 weirdest real-life chess sets.
Let us know your favorite strange chess sets in the comments or on Facebook.
10. Glow in the Dark
Want to play a game in the dark? All you need are 40 LEDs, copper wire, and some know-how, and you can make your own light-up chess set.
The whole set is powered by an old mobile phone charger.
9. For the Birds
Birds are among the most intelligent non-human animals, and now you can feel smart playing with this beautiful chess set.
Just don't fall into the trap of "parroting" your opponent's moves.
8. Want a Cookie?
The key to winning on this chess set might be resisting the temptation to devour your own pieces.
Chess beginners sometimes call the act of capturing "eating," and that's exactly what you'll be doing on this set.
7. Put a Cork In It
This is a minimalist chess set you can make with what would otherwise be discarded corks.
Just don't "wine" about your losses.
6. Another Spirited Set
You can play with the liquor bottles intact, like above, or you can play a livelier version where you drink the captured pieces, as below:
Just don't play and drive. (And set up the board the right way next time.)
6. Oh My God, They Sac'd Kenny
It's appropriate that the often-killed Kenny is the pawn in this South Park chess set.
Chef has been promoted from his job as elementary-school-cafeteria cook to king.
5. Planting the Seed
This elegant chess set might be more beautiful to look at than to play with, but it certainly couldn't be called "garden-variety."
4. Vertical Integration
Have you ever played with a chess set hanging on your wall?
This vertical set might take some getting used to, but it does save a lot of space.
3. Talking Baseball
The Red Sox and the Yankees may have missed the playoffs this year, but you can play with them any time on this set.
2. Nuts and Bolts
You've heard of chess software, but what about chess hardware?
1. Nested Chess
No wonder the Russians are so good at chess.
There might be extra pawns and pieces hidden inside those matryoshka dolls.
What's your favorite non-traditional chess set? Let us know in the comments.
GET THE MOST OUT OF CHESS.COM
- Read Pete's previous article: The 10 Chess Pieces Most Likely to Survive a Game
- Watch GM Josh Friedel's video on pawn sacrifices.
- Check out some of our fun video lectures: IM Rensch and GM Finegold are two of our most popular authors.
- Have fun and learn at the same time with the Tactics Trainer.
- Looking for articles with deeper analysis? Try our magazine: The Master's Bulletin.
