My new chess set

Here's a place that you may want to display your new chess set.

I've had this marble board for...oh, 30 or 35 years. I really like the board. To me, it is a "humdinger".

The pieces that came with it. Well, they were carved stone. But they looked like the Easter Island statues. They topple over easily. The bishop and pawn are hard to differentiate.

Nicely crafted in a crude sort of way...well here...I'm gonna stop and take a photo:

I just bought these wooden Staunton pieces. Nicely weighted wood, ivory and ebony laquered . Kings are 3-1/2 inches high. Nice contrast.

Not bragging or showing off here. These are not very expensive pieces. But, now I am happy. Here is a photo. It is currently my new avatar.

Yep.  Those are chess peicers.

Never been a fan of those bizarro pieces, or those medieval warrior sets. Give me Staunton or a reasonable facsimile any day.

Yes...I must have Staunton to be happy.

But, I have played a few whimsical chess sets and had some enjoyment.

However, chess is difficult enough without having to say: "Is that a bishop or a pawn?" Or..."I'm not so sure from the lack of contrast if that is his piece or mine?"

I have a nice tournament set...plastic pieces...for "knocking around". But, IMO...a nicely weighted wooden set makes my kinestheic/tactile senses appreciate life a little bit more.

I know you've been dying to see this...lol...so here is the catalog photo of my new pieces:

Q: What to do with those stone pieces?

a. garbage can

b. use in an art project

c. 32 nice gifts

d. other

e. use them as fairy pieces for Chess variants.

roflmao...

You should know that I wouldn't give them as gifts. Although, several hundred years ago...I probably could have bought Manhattan Island with them.

I have one neighbor who is really nasty. I'm toying around with the idea of throwing one at him each time I see him. lol

Well, that glare is artistically pleasing...at least in a photograph. It is a marble board, so there can be light reflection. But, not under normal circumstances.

That board is quite heavy. And, I have to place a cloth under it so as not to scratch a table top while placing or removing it (drag factor).

The felt bottomed pieces just glide over the board. That also helps make life a little more bearable. lol

Thanks for the suggestion, though. I wouldn't like to see a glare either. However, it could become a home advantage in case I were to ever lose and request a rematch.

But you'd run out of ammo after a month & a day!

I have old shoes.

That stone set reminds me of the numerous chess sets I've seen for sale in various shops while on vacation in Progreso, Mexico, on the Yucatan penninsula.  They have some sets with weird pieces like that.  I opted for a set with semi-standard Staunton pieces.  I'd preferred one with actual Staunton pieces, but they didn't seem to be available anywhere.  You can see the set in my avatar.

That is a beautiful brown.  Mine was not that dark of brown. I had a set like that once that was made in Omar.  

I had a chess set collection once, but I had to sell most of the sets because we downsized and that was one I did not keep.  I still have about fifteen sets. 

Yes, N2...I bought the set about 30-35 years ago. It also included a hand-carved table (long gone).  It could be from Mexico, because I bought it at a store adjacent to a Mexican restaurant. But, that doesn't necessarily mean it came from Mexico...coulda been made in Taiwan (lots of stuff used to be made out of there).

xxx--looks to me that whoever made your board also made mine (of cvourse, there could also have been two or more manufacturers craking them out). My board looks identical to your but in blue and white.

I really like this "board" (of course, it is quite heavy and you could break a metatarsal bone if it were dropped on the foot). Your pieces look quite playable, too...which is a plus.

My "Easter Island" pieces didn't have felt bases, either. So, about 20 years or more ago, I got a sheet of felt and cut/glued them to the bases.

Yes, they are subject to breakage. Seems to me that one (mayber two) of the pieces did get broken along the way (maybe from moving several times) and I glued it/them back together.

I did use my set for play on several occasions. But mostly over the years it sat on a living room table as a room decoration.

I still have to figure out what to do with the pieces. Just recently put them in a credenza drawer. Hard to think about chucking them out. But...maybe, if I move again.

Hey...maybe you'd want to do what I did. The board is great. Get some new pieces that you really like and would play with. Take the old pieces and stuff 'em in a drawer or throw them at someone who greatly displeases you. Or, another great idea...hand therm out to Halloweeners as a trick or treat gift item. lol

d. sell for a couple bucks

Donate them.

Why keep something you do not use or ever see?  I had a show cabinet made to display my sets, but when we moved I had to sell it.  I figured if I couldn't see them what was the use in keeping them.  Those sets I now have I use and revolve displaying them.

Well, some people collect stuff. That's OK.

I'm in the middle...collect stuff but eventually have to sell, give away or discard stuff. If I never did that, I'd have over 50 years worth of "stuff".

Anyway, being retired and all, I have far too much free time these days. So, I thought I'd treat you guys to a "look see" of my new chess box (no...it didn't come with the pieces -- it was an additional line item).

The pieces look happy, cushioned and with plenty of room to spare. Other chess sets I have, the pieces get all squished together and are not so happy.

P.S.: I'll bet some of you guys who are really very OCD are wondering: "How come the pieces are all in a mish-mash, instead of being lined up in an orderly fashion?!"

Yes..yes...guilty as charged. Sometimes I do that, too. Order. But, not today. lol

Here...now there is a bit more order in the universe. I aim to please everyone (and usually fail miserably).