What aspects of a chess set matter most to you?
Sort:
Jul 17, 2023
0
#22
I think it is wonderful that people are continuing to design chess pieces. Who knows the motivation? Perhaps a love of design, a university project, learning CAD, a want to create one’s own design, commercial gain, a side hustle to keep the mind active … I am reminded of Khopablanca and his recent and original Australis design - beautiful, new, modern yet classic … in my eyes … and ugly in the view of others. I hope the OP continues to get feedback and follows his passion for whatever reason that may be.
What about old fashioned sketches on a paper. That sure would look more artistic in nature.
Powderdigit wrote:
I think it is wonderful that people are continuing to design chess pieces. Who knows the motivation? Perhaps a love of design, a university project, learning CAD, a want to create one’s own design, commercial gain, a side hustle to keep the mind active … I am reminded of Khopablanca and his recent and original Australis design - beautiful, new, modern yet classic … in my eyes … and ugly in the view of others. I hope the OP continues to get feedback and follows his passion for whatever reason that may be.
And people are still writing new songs, new poems and books and painting new pictures...
At a farmers' market during the summer, one of the local woodworkers in my area had a really nice set he was "testing," i.e. showing to people, letting folks play with them on the boards he was selling (quite nice), and getting feedback. It was basically a lightly-modified Dubrovnik with the knights represented as a stylized red-tailed hawk, which is the most common raptor around here -- well, technically I think turkey vultures are more common, but I think the red-tail was a better choice. The hawk was really easy to identify as the knight, really quite close to the same shape, so no confusion there. He had a couple of non-playable oversize mock-up tester knights that were supposed to be a Cooper's and a sharp-shin, kinda "what do you think of the differences" sorta thing, really leaning into the local feel of the set. He said he made the knights in one piece. I thought it was a really neat idea. That was the only time I saw him at the market, so I hope I see him again in the spring. It would be nice to see what he comes up with or improves over the winter. I'm with @Powderdigit; I hope OP keeps plugging away and makes something cool.
Some people are artists and do it purely for the love of the game!
@OP But why reinvent the wheel? The Staunton design (BCSE or HoS Collectors Series and similar pieces) is an ideal form. Of course one can discuss how heavy the pieces should be and other cosmetic matters.