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Monthly Round-up - May 2015

Monthly Round-up - May 2015

by saurabh in Chess

Another busy month has gone by and once again, we attempt to sum up the most exciting announcements took place in May 15. The season for major offers and deals has passed, so now it's time for some exciting new flagships which we have announced last month. We have introduced one of the affordable yet elegant luxury chess set which made the biggest splash in our chess pieces category. The Nathaniel Cooke 1849 Staunton chess set lived up to its name and shot up to second place in our weekly Top 10 best sellers with only the Dragon Series staying on top. If you somehow missed the commotion, here what the big deal is – the Nathaniel Cooke Staunton chess set is hand crafted in antique wood & ebony wood with a 4.5" King, comes with hand-selected thick green felt. Interestingly the knight design look more like a rehash of 1849 Jaques chess set. Nathaniel Staunton series chess set is available for just $486.20 yes, Free Shipping! Moving on to new announcements, we are very close to release a new flagship with rumours that it can give a strong competition to the 1849 Staunton chess set and 1950 Dubrovnik series. This hand crafted super luxurious chess set will be a true flagship, dressed in ebony and box wood, boasting the same impressive specs as we have seen earlier in 1849 Staunton chess set. So, this is the chess set you might have look forward to. Some new chess sets did get announced during the month and if you think you might have missed something from the busy month, here is a list of what you.The Nathaniel Cooke 1849 Staunton Series Antonio Fabiano Botvinnik Style Weighted Chess Pieces The Indian Chetak series in new avatar The Nathaniel Staunton series chess set is hand crafted in ebony & antique wood with the king height of 4.5" King. All chess pieces are triple weighted by adding a stud of iron within the base. Each of the chess piece has thick green felt on their base. The Nathaniel Staunton Series Chess Set in Ebony & antique wood This complete package is amazingly priced at just $486.20 Antonio Fabiano Botvinnik Style Weighted Chess Pieces is hand carved in Antique Wood & Ebony Wood King is 3.8" high with a base of diameter 1.58". The set includes a complete set of 34 pieces with extra queens, all chess pieces are triple weighted and have thick green felt on their base.

 1933 Antonio Fabiano Botvinnik Style Weighted Chess Pieces in Antique & Ebonywood 3.8"- King We have introduced new wood on one of our best chess set - The Indian Chetak chess set is now available in ebony and box wood. This designer chess set is favourite among many chess enthusiasts.

 The Indian Chetak Series Staunton Luxury Chess Pieces in Ebony Wood & Box Wood - 4.6" King The Indian Chetak chess set is now available in two different woods. Ebony and bud rose wood with the combination of box wood. The design of this set remains unchanged. Last but not least we are going to launch our next major flagship very soon; pre-bookings for this chess set will start soon on chessbazaar.com! Though there is no official word on pricing for this chess set yet, you’re strongly advised to stay tuned for an update. Happy Chess Playing!!


That's all for now, Follow us on Twitter & Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest releases, offers & promotions. We'd glad to know your views and experiences of the chess sets which you have purchased from us.

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Best Chess Openings for Modern Play

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Explore our wooden Staunton chess sets The Italian Game (Modern Approach) Moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 The Italian Game has made a strong comeback at all levels due to its strategic depth and flexible nature. Modern plans focus on: Quiet development with c3 and d3 Strong piece coordination Long-term kingside pressure This opening is ideal for club players who prefer classical development with modern positional ideas. Explore our tournament-size chess boards (50–55 mm squares) for serious study. Queen’s Gambit (Modern Club Repertoire) Moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 The Queen’s Gambit remains one of the most reliable ways to control the center and steer the game into rich middlegames. Modern club players often favor: Queen’s Gambit Declined structures Solid development over risky gambits Clear strategic plans This opening suits players who enjoy positional chess and strong endgame foundations. The English Opening Move: 1.c4 The English Opening controls the center indirectly and often transposes into familiar pawn structures. Advantages for club players: Flexible move orders Less forced theory Strong positional foundations It is an excellent choice for players who enjoy adaptable and strategic play. Reliable Modern Defenses for Black Best Defenses Against 1.e4 Caro-Kann Defense Moves: 1.e4 c6 The Caro-Kann is one of the most trusted modern defenses at club and professional levels. Key strengths: Solid pawn structure Clear development plans Excellent endgame prospects It is ideal for players who value structure and consistency. Scandinavian Defense (Modern Lines) Moves: 1.e4 d5 The Scandinavian Defense immediately challenges White’s center and leads to practical positions. Modern ideas emphasize: Safe queen placement Quick development Active piece play This defense is well suited for club players seeking straightforward and aggressive play. 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Common Opening Mistakes Club Players Should Avoid Memorizing moves without understanding ideas Playing too many openings at once Ignoring development for early attacks Relying on traps instead of solid positions Modern chess rewards clarity, structure, and long-term planning. Practical Tips for Studying Chess Openings Study openings on a physical chess board to improve visualization Replay model games by strong players in your chosen openings Analyze your own games to identify recurring opening problems Focus on typical plans rather than engine evaluations Explore our premium wooden chess sets designed for training and analysis. Final Thoughts Modern chess openings are not about memorization—they are about understanding. For club players, the best opening is one that leads to positions you enjoy and understand deeply. Build a small, reliable repertoire, focus on ideas instead of moves, and let your middlegame skills decide the game.

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