I've always liked the Isle of Lewis set, this is an image from the internet, original is in a museum, reproductions are available.
Wird and Rare Chess set
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Well, it is nice for the innocent guy to get just a tiny bit of his own back (by winning) and there is a piquancy about the fact that it is the bad guy's own actions which, indirectly, bring about his chessic defeat (the innocent guy only becoming good by reason of all the practice from having been left so little else to do) and in the fact that the special set - which otherwise gives the bad guy an edge - is nullified by the special skill the innocent guy has developed of being able to play blindfold, again a skill which the bad guy himself has indirectly created.
The point would be sharpened if the good guy's victory was made much more immediately significant - if they found themselves somehow playing for their lives or for the hand of a lady or whatever - but it does give the tale a certain amount of charm that it is just the modest pleasure that goes with winning at something usually engaged in as a pastime that is at stake.
You've got to like (and admire) the good guy's refusal to be embittered by his experience. Few of us, I imagine, would be willing to play a game of chess with someone who had incarcerated us in prison for years.
johnyoudell wrote:
Well, it is nice for the innocent guy to get just a tiny bit of his own back (by winning) and there is a piquancy about the fact that it is the bad guy's own actions which, indirectly, bring about his chessic defeat (the innocent guy only becoming good by reason of all the practice from having been left so little else to do) and in the fact that the special set - which otherwise gives the bad guy an edge - is nullified by the special skill the innocent guy has developed of being able to play blindfold, again a skill which the bad guy himself has indirectly created.
The point would be sharpened if the good guy's victory was made much more immediately significant - if they found themselves somehow playing for their lives or for the hand of a lady or whatever - but it does give the tale a certain amount of charm that it is just the modest pleasure that goes with winning at something usually engaged in as a pastime that is at stake.
You've got to like (and admire) the good guy's refusal to be embittered by his experience. Few of us, I imagine, would be willing to play a game of chess with someone who had incarcerated us in prison for years.
Beautifully stated! Thank you.
Most of the set are totally Unpractical and hard to play as is very dificult to know the diference betwen pieces,like this one not recomended for men to play.
one of my friends crafted chess pieces out of chalk using a compass but he made only 1 of each piece i tried it but the knight is crazy tough the others are somewhat easier given enough time.
Do You have an old car? take same parts out and make a chess set
psy88 wrote:
Javan64 wrote:
psy88 wrote:
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You are right about the ending. It came back to me more after I posted. And, you are right about Playboy, although I am afraid it might have been more than 40 years ago. I was recluctant to admit I read it in Playboy because I was too young to have that magazine back then. It is funny that we can remember the story but I could not tell you who was in that issue. I guess (if you will allow a terrible pun) I was more impressed by the chess than the chests in that magazine.
I'll go 45 years & not a minute more! 
Javan64 wrote:
psy88 wrote:
Javan64 wrote:
psy88 wrote:
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You are right about the ending. It came back to me more after I posted. And, you are right about Playboy, although I am afraid it might have been more than 40 years ago. I was recluctant to admit I read it in Playboy because I was too young to have that magazine back then. It is funny that we can remember the story but I could not tell you who was in that issue. I guess (if you will allow a terrible pun) I was more impressed by the chess than the chests in that magazine.
I'll go 45 years & not a minute more!
40 years ago when we had a chance to get any playboy magazine, we dont read any story on it ,even we dont know that bring stories on it
chessmanfmarshall wrote:
interesting sets, but I am in love with simple, beautiful wooden boards and well-made Staunton design wooden pieces. I have always thought there is something very elegant about wood. I love the way a nice set of well-weighted wooden pieces feel to hand an to move. guess I am just old-fashioned
Agree with You. Nothing better to play a good game of chess that a good traditional weighted wooden set. The others will be a good piece of decoration .
I remember Playboy having a humorous article on chess when I was way too young to be seeing it. I can't remember much but I remember one recommended move was 1.Qe9 mate and one game was a draw after both sides moved their knights out and then both sides moving them back to their original position.
You can't drop the King by accident
Same sports mix
Aletool wrote:
The drinking Chess ,I'm not sure about the rules but I think whoever lose a piece must drink it all, the last guy standing is the winner. no for me
I'll take that and give it to a friend of mine here on this site. He will like it. 
Nov 3, 2012
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#55
About the drinking one, I'd play so that the person who captures it has to drink it. With material advantage one loses another advantage...
Sacrifice him under the table, eh. Wouldn't be fair if it was a lady opponent though.
Hmmm come to think of it ... . :)
Nov 3, 2012
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#57
A few years ago my mom was at a garage sale and picked up a chess set that looked just like these Duncan Ceramic "Gothic Chess Set" for a few dollars. I believe this set appeared in 1965. Here is the website that gives more info about the set. http://askmisterscience.com/chess/gothic.html
I don't drink but a friend of mine does. It's a present.
Nov 3, 2012
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#59
pureredwhiteblu wrote:
A few years ago my mom was at a garage sale and picked up a chess set that looked just like these Duncan Ceramic "Gothic Chess Set" for a few dollars. I believe this set appeared in 1965. Here is the website that gives more info about the set. http://askmisterscience.com/chess/gothic.html
We found a set like that in the basement when we moved in. I think it eventually broke.
The pictures reminded me of a short story I had read a long, long, time a go. As best as I can recall: An innoncent man is framed for a crime he did not commit.He is incarcerated and learns to play chess from the fellow in the next cell. Each has his own paper board and little slips of paper with the chess pieces names on them. Each man would call out the move he wanted to make and then would move the correct piece of paper to the appropriate square. They never saw each other's boards. After years and years of play, the prisoner got so good he did not need to look at his own paper board. He could just visualize the board and the moves in his mind.
After many years of nothing but hours and hours of chess play, he becomes exceptionally good. Upon his release from prison, he runs into an old rival, perhaps the man who had framed him and caused him to be locked up. The rival challenges him to a chess game. The rival produces a chess set that has crazy types of pieces, a mixture of pink, blue, orange and black men, animals and fantastic creatures.
The hero is stumped at first, confused by the weird collection of almost random pieces. He then closes his eyes and plays the entire game with his eyes closed, simply announcing his moves and having his rival do the same. Of course, he wins easily and repeatedly.
I don't get it, what's the point?