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Chess July 14, 2016

Chess Sets — Everything you need to know!

Chess pieces or chessmen are made in different materials, styles, and sizes. The difference in the designs of the chess pieces do not have any impact on the game, it is just that the different shapes, sizes, and materials are made to meet the different tastes of the players or chess collectors. In a standard game, each of the chess players starts a game with 16 chess pieces – 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights and 8 pawns. Different techniques and materials are used to make chess sets that give these chess pieces a unique look.

Materials used for making chess sets – Chess pieces are made from a wide variety of materials like plastic, stone, glass, metal, ivory, bone and wood. These materials greatly decide the price of the chess pieces. Plastic chess sets are available at very low prices in the market, whereas a hand carved wooden chess set will be costlier.

Wood has been the most important material for making chess pieces for generations. Sheesham wood, rose wood, bud rosewood. ebony wood and box wood are the most famous woods used for making chess sets. Bud rosewood and ebony wood are the luxury woods and are used to carve high-end chess pieces. Wooden chess pieces are also recommended by FIDE. The quality of our wooden chess pieces is being appreciated by great chess players and chess collectors in the whole world.

A technique used in making chess sets – Chess pieces are either hand carved or machine made and the technique depends very much on the material used. Metal and plastic chess pieces are made by melting them and then putting them in moulds of the desired designs. Chess pieces made from bone and stone are hand carved by skilled artisans.

Handcrafted wooden chess pieces are turned on a lathe. The craftsmanship on the wooden chess pieces is done by experienced artisans. The knight being the most beautiful piece in the set carries enormous importance. The beauty of the chess set lies in the knight of the chess set. Our well-crafted knights represent the highest grade of knight carving skills.

Design of the chess pieces – Chess is a very old game and infinite designs have been originated till now. But the most famous one is Staunton. Staunton is also the officially recommended design by FIDE. Staunton chess pieces appear to be same but the designs have many variations. Chessbazaar offers a wide range of Staunton chess pieces, you will be amazed to see the variations in the designs of the chess sets. There are many other historical designs which are collected by chess collectors but they are very expensive and not everyone can afford those chess pieces. Chessbazaar has reproduced many of such historical and classical designs like 1849 chess set, 1935 Botvinnik Flohr, 1851 chess set, Dublin chess set, Piatigorsky chess set, Grand cigar chess set, and Dubrovnik chess set at very affordable prices so that every chess enthusiast can buy and admire the beauty of these chess sets.

Chessbazaar offers the most meticulously handcrafted wooden chess pieces by our skilled artisans. The expertly carved chess pieces are appropriately weighted and the thick green felt on the bases make your chess pieces walk smoother on a chess board. Explore our full range of chess pieces here >>

Chess June 22, 2016

Non-Folding and Folding Storage Chess Sets

It is probably the worst feeling in the world for a chess player, when he anticipates to settle down for a good chess game but discovers that some of the pieces are missing and the necessary number of chess pieces to play the favorite game are not available.

Getting the same chess pieces is very difficult sometimes and it is an unwanted expense for everyone. To avoid these unwanted expenses, it is important to store your chess pieces in a storage box. There are many types and shapes, qualities of chess sets but it should be always preferred to buy a chess set with a storage box.

There are two types of storage chess sets –

Non – Folding chess sets
Folding chess set

Non-Folding chess sets – Non-Folding chess sets are the chess sets in which the chess board is non-folding, but there is some space for storage either you get one storage box extra or you get in-built storage box. Chessbazaar offers you a huge range of decorative wooden chess sets with extra storage box that are just so perfect for the decorative set up in your office or home.

We also offer magnetic non-folding chess sets. Made of premium wood, these sets are classy and functional. They are equipped with a built-in storage area so you’ll never lose another chess piece again! These are travelling chess sets and you can take them along wherever you want to. Explore Now

Folding chess sets – Folding chess sets are the sets that have folding chess boards. These sets are foldable and are also magnetic. These chess sets are also equipped with built-in storage area for your chess pieces.

These sets are also portable which makes it perfect for camping trips, family game nights, picnics, and more! These chess sets have a pull drawer where you can keep your chess pieces with safety. Some sets have built-in special tray of EP foam (Expanded Polyethylene). These trays have individual space for each piece to store the chessmen.

These specially designed tray or storage space has individual chessmen inserts made according to its shape and each piece fits into its own space. The pieces fit securely with ease and there is no chance of rattling inside the chess set. Our folding chess sets are sculpted with the finest of workmanship to make it a delicate but fully functional chess box which you will be proud to show off to your competition. Explore Now

Storage boxes – Chessbazaar offers high-quality range of exclusive hand crafted wooden and leather chess storage boxes for chessmen. Wooden chess storage boxes has a green felt inside and the leather chess storage boxes has beige velvet cloth to keep your high quality and valued chessmen scratch free and safe.

Furthermore our storage chess sets have a variety of collection to choose to fit different sizes of chess pieces. It is always better to keep your expensive chess pieces safe when you know, you have pets or kids at your place to destroy them.

Our classic collection of folding and non-folding chess sets offers you many options according to your need and preferences. These chess sets are also perfect gifts for chess enthusiasts and also ideal for the chess beginners because of their very low prices.

Our beautiful Chess boxes or sets will keep your chess pieces stored away safely following your chess games, so you never have to worry about losing your chess pieces and you can easily locate them whenever you are ready to commence battle.

Blog on Chess March 29, 2016

Now make double chess moves with Marseillais Chess

Isn’t it interesting that you are allowed to make two moves per turn. Like in our Childhood days, we used to feel so lucky and immensely happy, if we were allowed to make two moves in a game. Chess players have a chance to re-live their childhood with the Marseillais Chess variant. Marseillais Chess is a Vintage Multi-move variant, which allows the chess players to make double moves per turn.

This Marseillais Chess variant was invented by journalist Albert Fortis who was an inhabitant of Marseilles. The Game rules were first published in the local newspaper of Marseillais ‘Le Soleil’ in 1925. The Game gained a quick following in France. There are further two versions of this game:

Classical Marseillais: This is the original game as invented by the French journalist. All the players made two moves per turn from the beginning of the game.
Balanced Marseillais: This version was introduced by Robert Bruce in 1963. Robert Bruce made a simple rule change – In the balanced version, White makes only one move on the first turn. This was introduced to avoid too much advantage for white. The moves are made in the following order:White, Black, Black, White, White, Black, Black, etc. Since then the version gained a wide acceptance.

Marseillais Chess move

All rules of the normal chess game apply, but with some changes –

A player can either move one piece twice or move two different pieces on his turn. Castling counts as one move.

If a player gives check on his first move in a turn, he moves only once that turn. If a player is in check, he must move out of check in the first part of the turn. Moving the King into the check on the first move of the turn and then move out of the check on the second one is not allowed.

En passant capture is allowed even if the opponent moved the corresponding pawn on the first move of the previous turn. But en passant capture must be made on the first move of the turn. When two pawns can be captured en passant after opponents move, both of them can be captured.

Some famous chess grandmasters like Alexander Alekhine, Richard Réti, Eugene Znosko-Borovsky, and André Chéron made this Marseillais chess quite popular.

Blog on Chess March 19, 2016

Want to learn a new language called “Algebraic Chess Notation” ?

All those who are in this grand WORLD OF CHESS, it is very important to learn the language of this world. Chess notation has an important role in chess because it preserves the game’s history. All chess coaches strongly recommend the recording of one’s games so that one can look for improvements in one’s play. It allows you to record games for posterity and gives you the chance to review the history of the game’s development to date. In chess competitions, all players are required to record all the moves of both players in order to resolve disputes about whether a player has made an illegal move and what the position should now be. The most simple and universally understandable chess notation is called “ Algebraic notation ”. It allows the chess players to overcome language barrier to communicate with each other. Algebraic notation is also the official notation of FIDE which must be used in all recognized international competition.

Understanding Algebraic notation –

Naming the chess squares : There are 64 chess squares on a chess board. The rows of squares on the chessboard are called ranks and the columns of squares are called files.

The vertical files (columns) are labeled a through h, starting from left to right on White’s side;
The horizontal ranks (rows) are numbered 1 through 8, starting from bottom to top on White’s side.

Naming the chess pieces : Each chess piece is denoted by the first letter of its name in uppercase, except for the knight (N) and the pawn (nothing).

King = K
Queen = Q
Rook = R
Bishop = B
Knight = N (since K is already taken by a more important piece)
Pawn = (no letter) — pawns are denoted by the absence of a letter.

Learning the chess Punctuation – Punctuation is commonly used to comment on the effectiveness of moves, usually relative to the skill of the player. It is placed after the move.

+ or ch	Check
0-0	Kingside Castling
1-0	White won the game
½ -½	Game drawn
e.p.	en passant move
!	Good move
?	Bad move
+/=	Slight advantage for white
+/-	Advantage for white
+-	White decisive advantage
=	Even position or draw

Wooden Chess Boards with Algebraic Chess Notation

# or ++	Checkmate
0-0-0	Queenside Castling
0-1	Black won the game
*	Game in progress
x or :	Capture
!!	Very good move
??	Very bad move
=/+	Slight advantage for black
-/+	Advantage for black
-+	Black decisive advantage

How to write the game in algebraic notation – By using the algebraic naming of chess pieces, chess boards and punctuations, players can note down their game with the help of following examples –

· f4 e5	The White pawn moves to f4 and the Black pawn to e5.
· fxe5 d6	The White pawn on the f file takes the pawn on e5. The Black pawn moves to d6.
· exd6· Bxd6	The White pawn on the e file takes the pawn on d6. The Black Bishop takes the pawn on d6.
· g3 Qg5	The White pawn moves to g3. The Black Queen moves to g5.
· Nf3· Qxg3+	The White Knight moves to f3. The Black Queen takes the pawn on g3 and checks the White King.
· hxg3 Bxg3#	The White pawn on the h file takes the Queen on g3. The Black Bishop takes the pawn on g3 and delivers checkmate.

Congratulations you have learnt the chess language!! Enjoy playing chess and keep a record of your moves by noting it down on the “scoresheet” with the help of chess notation. Wish you – Happy Chess playing!!

Take a look of our amazing collection of handmade wooden chess pieces and chess boards.

Chess February 1, 2016

How to find the right size chessboard for your wooden chess pieces

The pleasure and excitement of a chess game increases many fold when you lay the pieces on a beautiful wooden chessboard and that too of perfect size. Like the chess pieces, chessboard is equally important as the game moves around on the chess board. It is of utmost importance that the size of chess pieces and the size of chessboard should be appropriate and perfectly matching. To make your game much more interesting and professional, chessbazaar brings you a very simple way to calculate chessboard size and piece size –

For calculating the chess board size, you just need to know the base size of your chess piece i.e the diameter of the chess pieces. So, the simple formula is:

Chess board size: 4/3 of king’s base.

CB Trends

To find out a perfect chessboard size for your chess pieces, multiply the base of the piece with 4/3 and you will get the size of the chess square. For example: For a set with king’s diameter 2’’ will be perfectly suitable with chessboard of size: 2’’ x 4/3 = 2.66″.

And vice-versa to find out the size of the perfect chess pieces, if you already possess a chess board. For this you need to know the size of the square.

Chess piece size: 3/4 of chess board’s square size.

CBboard

Multiply the size of the chess square with 3/4 and you will get the size of the piece. For example: For a chess board with size 2.66’’, a perfectly suitable King’s size would be: 2.66’’ x 3/4 = 2’’.

Dubrovnik_cropped

So, enjoy your favourite game this winter season on a beautiful wooden chess board with the most beautifully handcarved chess pieces perfectly matching to each other. Take a look of our amazing collection of handmade wooden chess pieces and chess boards.

Chess Woods Guide October 27, 2015

Understanding Types of Chess Woods

Sheesham wood

Sheesham wood is the most popular Indian wood across the globe known for its durability, natural rich grains, and longevity. The heartwood of sheesham ranges from golden brown to a darker reddish brown .Being hard wood, it copes with the stresses and strains of everyday use. Sheesham has a straight grain though it can be interlocked and wood has a good natural luster.The solid wood has natural grains which varies from piece to piece, thus making each and every chess piece unique. Wood comes directly from the source, treated for termite-resistance, seasoned and put to use to make awesome chess sets which lasts and just lasts with all its grace and lusture.

Boxwood

Boxwood has a fine, even texture with a natural luster. Color of the boxwood tends to be a light cream to yellow, which tends to darken slightly with prolonged exposure to light. The grain tends to be straight or slightly irregular. It is superbly suited for turning. Boxwood is also easily available and hence the chess pieces made from boxwood are cheaper than other woods. But the beautifully carved chess pieces look as attractive as the expensive woods.

Ebonized boxwood

Boxwood is sometimes substituted for Ebony because it is much easier to find and is available at reasonable prices. Regular boxwood is light in color and usually used for the white pieces and it is ebonized for use as black pieces because it’s cheaper than real ebony. At www.chessbazaar.com you can find number of reasonable chess sets made from ebonized boxwood, that are very much like the real ebony chess pieces.

Ebony wood

Ebony is a dense black wood. Black Ebony is one of the most valuable and expensive types of wood in the world. Black Ebony is prized for the black color of its wood that grows denser and blacker the older the tree. Heartwood is usually jet-black, with little to no variation or visible grain. It has fine even texture with very high natural luster. It is finely-textured and has a very smooth finish when polished, making ebony a valuable beautiful chess wood.

Rosewood

Rosewood is a classic wood, also known as Indian Rosewood. The wood of these trees is prized and in high demand throughout the world due to its excellent qualities of having a long straight bore, its strength, remarkable coloration and its high density, which makes it another luxury chess wood with ebony. Very hard and has a dark reddish brown color. Rosewoods also exhibit very dark streaks along their growth rings, creating striking patterns. The wood is also extremely resistant to rot and water damage. It is hard to work with rosewood and takes high polish, but after all the difficulties, chess sets and chess boards made from rosewood are grand feast for the eyes.

Bud rosewood

Bud rosewood is again a type of rosewood. Its source is rosewood but the quality of the bud rosewood is much higher than the ordinary rosewood. Rosewood is reddish brown in color but bud rosewood is more on reddish tone. The very superior quality wood makes it an expensive and luxury chess wood.

Palisander wood

Palisander wood is a part of rosewood family. Palisander wood has a great beauty and high value. The wood has dense close grains and the tone is slightly lighter than the Indian Rosewood. The wood comes in various tones and the rate of the chess sets and board depend upon the quality of these tones.

Walnut

Walnut is strong, hard and durable, without being excessively heavy. It has excellent woodworking qualities, and takes finishes well. The wood is light to dark chocolate brown in color and is straight-grained. Wavy grain is present toward the roots, and walnut stumps are often dug out and widely used as a source of highly figured veneer chess boards.

Ash Burl

Burl ash wood is generally darker than regular ash and is noted for its rich pattern of swirls, twists and turns. The abnormality of burl, combined with the availability of ash, make this wood especially popular among chess board manufacturers. The wayward grains of burl ash wood give it a unique beauty that is fitting for the world’s most exquisite decor. Ash burl is widely used for structural frames and highly durable and even veneer chess boards are made out of it.

Maple

Maple is a pale cream color when first cut, but will darken to light yellow or pale reddish brown with exposure to sunlight. Maple is easy to cut and shape, and sands to a smooth, even surface. Maple may be common, but it can look uncommonly beautiful when treated correctly. Maple is hard and resistant. Its diffused evenly sized pores give the wood a fine texture and even grain. With these qualities Maple is extensively used for making very durable and quality veneer chess boards.

Chessbazaar.com offers a largest variety of chess sets and chess boards at the most reasonable prices made from these high quality and exclusive woods available in the world.

Chess July 10, 2015

Evolution of Chess Sets

Chess has been one of the oldest games played in the civilized world. The nobility and upper classes of the society found the other popular games at that time like wrestling, animal fighting and other form of physical activities below their dignity to indulge in and this led to chess becoming popular in upper echelons of society far and wide.

chess sets, chess pieces, chess evolution

As the game of chess got popular all over the world, the chess pieces also underwent a lot of changes in design and material. The chess sets were made in different designs and materials depending upon the social, economic and political situation of the region it was played in.

Reproduced Antique Circa 1800 Series Handcarved Chess Pieces in Bud Rose & Box Wood - 4.6" King — Reproduced Antique Circa 1800 Series Handcarved Chess Pieces in Bud Rose & Box Wood – 4.6″ King

This led to different variants of chess design being used all over the world. In India and China where dexterous artisans and elephant ivory was available in abundance, the chess pieces were made in ivory. The kings, princes and nawabs took pride in getting made the chess pieces in ivory procured from the elephants hunted down by them.

Reproduced 1849 Staunton Pattern Chess Set in Ebony / Antiqued Box wood with King Side Stamping - 4.4" King — Reproduced 1849 Staunton Pattern Chess Set in Ebony / Antiqued Box wood with King Side Stamping – 4.4″ King

In Europe and Middle East, wooden sets were made which was then decorated with fine carvings. In Africa, where ebony wood was easily available, chess sets were made in ebony wood. Industrialization in mid 19th century led to bulk production of wooden chess sets in United Kingdom which could be standardized unlike chess pieces carved by hand.

https://www.chessbazaar.com/chess-pieces/reproduced-antique-chess-sets.html — The Reproduction 1950 Dubrovnik Bobby Fischer Chess Set in Stained Crimson / Box Wood – 3.6″ King

The advent of standard Staunton chess sets in middle of nineteenth century in UK led to the popular designs of chess sets slowly being replaced with Staunton pattern chess sets. The Staunton pattern chess sets became popular with players and soon all major tournaments and competitions were only played with this design of chess sets only. This practice of using Staunton Pattern Chess Sets at all major tournaments has continued since then and this design will keep dominating the chess equipment scene till some radically better design replaces this.