subject: Staunton And Other Chess Sets [print this page] Chess is a game that's enjoyed by millions all over the world and has been for generations. One of the very first board games to be invented the game was played as far back as Roman times. It takes practice, study, and skill to play and these days it can be seen enjoyed everywhere you go. Although it may seem that kids are into electronic games and more interested in social network sites like facebook, there is still plenty of room for the traditional board games of our youth.
One of the most popular types of sets is magnetic as they make the perfect companion for those who travel a lot. They can be extremely affordable and lightweight making them easy to carry in an overnight bag or daypack. They ensure the pieces remain firmly on the board even if the ride is bumpy or you have to move around from place to place to continue a particular game.
Once you have learned all the rules of the game and feel that you are now a skilled player then it's time to invest in something a little more substantial. Chess boards aren't expensive by any means, but paying a bit more for a quality set will ensure your board lasts you for a very long time. There's no reason why a strong and sturdy set shouldn't last a lifetime, and be passed down to the next generation.
Clubs are a great way to make new friends, get lots of practice and improve your game by picking up strategies and techniques. Magnetic boards are popular with club players as they like to have their board with them at all times, they can then challenge anyone to a game whilst on their travels.
What you pay for a board obviously depends on the material it's made from and the amount of work that has gone into producing it. Marble and leather, or woods like ebony and walnut are the most expensive, particularly if the pieces are handmade, but if you don't have a high budget then plastic or wood can be of a durable quality and although probably machine-made look good.
Staunton chess sets are well-known and used in the majority of tournaments. The name derives from a Victorian writer, Howard Staunton, who was said to be the Kasparov of his generation and the first grandmaster of chess. The Staunton was designed to avoid confusion as originally some of the pieces were difficult to distinguish from each other. This standardized the pieces making play easier and more convenient.
Staunton chessmen are used for tournaments and competitions as standards set by chess federations as the designs are practical, stylish, durable and usable. The classic designs mean that the players aren't distracted from the game by the pieces and can concentrate on the actual game whilst having no trouble distinguishing between the pieces.
When we talk about Staunton, we are only talking about the pieces, as there is no Staunton designed board, but they are sold in sets or separately. Pieces are generally of an elegant, simple design using traditional woods such as rosewood, ebonised wood, sandalwood, sheesham, real ebony and boxwood although these days you can commonly find them made in marble, glass and metals.
The Staunton travel chess and magnetic sets are a stunning example of ingenuity that use extra strong magnets discreetly inserted into the bottoms of the pieces so a game can never be compromised. A specific kind of green felt and EP foam is used inside the box and drawers to protect the pieces from getting scratched or marked in any way.
Other than the classic Staunton pieces are sets with a particular theme, like the Lord of the Rings chess sets for schools, these can be designed as historical or fantasy figures, or animals, The Alice in Wonderland chess set is a prime example of a fantasy theme where all the pieces are based on the various characters including Alice, the Mad Hatter, The Cheshire Cat and The Queen of Hearts!
