Chess is a popular board game across the world. While many people are content to play chess on a regular board with plastic pieces, many players who truly love the game take pride in their unique chess sets.
There are many different kinds of chess sets to accommodate all chess players. Chess sets are made out of many different materials such as glass, ivory, marble, and wood. Some chess sets are especially small or have magnetic pieces, perfect for taking on trips and playing while traveling.
People have been playing chess for many centuries. No one knows for sure where or when it originated, but it is known that people in Persia, India, and China played chess in the Middle Ages. The game spread to the Middle East next, then to Spain and the rest of Europe. It is very likely that the game pieces were altered once the game spread through Europe to take on the forms that they currently have.
The different pieces in a chess set each represent parts of medieval life. The pawns represent peasants. Just as peasants were considered unimportant to people in power, pawns are the weakest pieces in the game of chess and are used primarily as sacrifices. The rooks, or castles, represent home and sanctuary. The knight represents soldiers, who, at the time, were held in high esteem, but not as much as the church or royal family. The bishops represent priests and are considered more valuable than knights. The queen is probably the most powerful piece on the board, but the king is the one that must be protected at all costs, or the game is lost.
Chess players at all skill levels marvel at the craftsmanship that goes into creating fine chess sets. It takes true artistry to create chess sets out of wood, stone and glass. Many chess sets are extremely rare and are valuable collector’s items.
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Glass Chess Sets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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The first glass chess pieces were made in the ninth century in what was then known as the Islamic Empire. The first glass chess pieces in their modern forms were made in Italy in the 19th century. It is most likely that these early glass...
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The Advantages of Travel Chess Sets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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A long car ride or airplane trip is the perfect time for a game of chess. There a variety of chess sets available for people who want to play chess on the go. Electronic chess sets and chess sets with either Velcro or magnetic pieces...
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Themed Chess Sets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Many people today choose to play with nontraditional chess sets that do not feature common chess pieces like bishops and kings, but rather, have more modern characters for the chess pieces. There are commemorative chess sets representing historical events such as the American Civil War....
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The Benefits of Magnetic Chess Sets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Magnetic chess sets are a truly innovative idea. They use magnetic fields to secure the chess pieces to the board during play, insuring that the pieces will not move. Magnetic chess sets are perfect for travelers and anyone who wants to play on the go....
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A Look at Ivory Chess Sets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Ivory chess sets have a long and distinguished history, going back nearly to the advent of the game itself. Ivory has been used for many centuries in the construction of chess sets. Some of the earliest chess pieces still in existence are made of ivory....
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Wooden Chess Sets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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In 1849, the first Staunton wooden chess pieces were made. The thing that set the Staunton apart from all other chess sets was the design of the pieces. Up until that time there was no standard design for chess pieces, and many pieces were poorly...
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Chess Sets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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The game of chess attracts attention not only for its interesting concept but also for its ability to improve the mental faculties and enhance intellectual development. Scientists have proved with conclusive research that playing this popular board game sharpens the memory, creates a logical outlook...
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Chess Games
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In general usage today, the phrase “chess games” usually refers to actual periods of play in which two chess players vie to win the game. A challenge or competition is often referred to as a “game of chess”. However, sometimes the phrase refers to the...
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A Look at Marble Chess Sets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Marble is considered to be one of the great building materials in existence. For many centuries it has been used in the construction of buildings ranging from monuments, to temples, to palaces. Marble is sturdy as well as beautiful and can be carved into nearly...
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Online Chess
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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With its origin traced in India around 1500 years back, Chess is one of the most popular and oldest board games around. You can enjoy the game with a willing opponent playing it on a 64 square checkered board .The players make their moves with...