01/03/2015 | Posted in: Chess Boards, Chess Pieces
Chess for the Holidays!
Many of you are like me. When asked which is your favorite chess set, the reply is, “The next one I get!” This was a great holiday season for me. I received not just one, not two, but three chess-related gifts from my family! Nothing says “love” like the gift of chess!
I want to take a few minutes and show you what I got. Since my family is on a budget, these are not the $1,000 sets we all drool over, but they are great gifts just the same.
Here they are, in no particular order:
Pavilion Chess & Checkers
This is a great set for introducing a new generation of chess-thusiasts. It includes hand-carved hardwood pieces in the Staunton style, with an 11″ hardwood board. It is never too early to teach the newbies about quality! The pieces are well made and almost indestructible, in case you are playing someone who is still learning fine motor skills. The set even comes in a stainless steel box. We all remember that old cardboard chess box that disintegrated over the years. Not to worry about that here. Finally, the set includes a full set of checkers, which are good for setting under the board to keep it off of the fine wood tabletop. You can also use them demonstrate the difference between toys and the “real” game. Rudimentary instructions are included for both games – English and Spanish.
Solitaire Chess
OK, this is not really a chess game, but it uses chess pieces. It also builds brain-muscles and is a good use of time when no one in the room will play you at chess. Inside the box are 80 progressive strategy challenges using actual chess pieces. You get two each pawns, rooks, knights and bishops, plus a king and a queen. Each challenge presents you with a starting position and you have to clear the board, leaving just one piece standing. I thought this would be a quick conquest, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a great gift for those who are learning how the pieces move. The set is small enough to fit in your carry-on luggage. “Cross train your brain.”
Classic Wooden Chess Set
A few years ago, my beloved travel chess set fell apart. After so many long hours spent together, it was a tragic loss. Life just hasn’t been the same since that day and I have been searching desperately for a new set to brighten my life. I think I have found it. This is a basic, no frills, hardwood folding chess box with carved Staunton-style pieces. The 15″ board is maple and rosewood veneer with brass hinges and clasps. The interior is velvet lined with velvet drawstring bags for the pieces. I will admit that the carving could have been better, but my expectations were not very high for an inexpensive travel set. Basic game instructions – on a single 5 x 11 folded sheet – are included.
I hope you had the joy of receiving chess gifts for your holiday. Feel free to share with us.
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awesome site
07/08/2018
I completely agree