Wow chess project: How to make a rolled paper chess set!

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011

Hi everyone,

It's amazing what chess lovers can do. We were truly stumped by this project and wondered how creative and hard work it must be - creating a full chess set with rolled paper!!!

We found this DIY project at this link.

Rolled paper chess set

The paper used was tightly rolled strips in black and cream, a paper monogram, sealant and lacquer. If any of you make this project do let us know with photographs.




The pieces range from 3/4″ to 2″ in height. The board squares are 3/4″. The box is a portable 6-3/4″ square. I began each piece with the strip for the shaft, and moved outwards at the base and at the top. For glue, very light cardstock — 65 lb stock is sufficient, any thicker would not roll well, and any thinner would take an eternity to build up. Do not forget to apply a sealant.

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From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com

Fischer-Spassky chess set auctioned for $67,000, Fischer letters for $10,000

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011

Boris Spassky vs Bobby Fischer chess set from 1972 Game 3. Photo ©http://weissauctions.auctionflex.com.

Auction house Weiss Auctions has sold the chess set used in Game 3 of the World Chess Championship Match of 1972 between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky for $67,500. The game was the first ever win by Fischer over Spassky and followed a game 2 default by Fischer. The win allowed Fischer to settle down to play chess and he came back from 2-0 down to score 6.5 points from the next 8 games. There were only two chess sets used in the match, this and the one used for the rest of the match. This one was presented to Gudmundur G. Thorarinsson. In a different sale some very personal Fischer letters sold for almost $10,000.

According to the auction site:

There were two chess sets used at the 1972 World Chess Championship: this set for the 3rd game only, and another set for all the other games which is now in possession of The Chess Memorial Museum in Reykjavik. This chess set was given to Guomundur Thorarinsson, the President of the Icelandic Chess Federation as a birthday present in 1972. Comes with a letter of authenticity which is signed by Guomundur Thorarinsson (President), and Hilmar Viggosson (Treasurer). Also included is a photocopy of the minutes from a board meeting dated November 18, 1972 written in Icelandic. Item number 13 states that the chess set was presented to Mr. Thorarinsson as a gift. A translation of item 13 is "Agreed to present to Gudmundur G. Thorarinsson as a gift a chess board and chessmen used in the match". Incredible piece with provenance!!

The estimate was $30,000 - $50,000 but the final price exceeded this with a final bid of $67,500 plus 13% buyers premium of $8775 for a total of $76,275. In addition some extremely personal letters with Fischer apologising to girl-friend Zita sold for $9887.50 including buyers premium.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com

London's Bonhams to auction rare chess sets this Monday

Chess blog for latest news and trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011

Hello Everybody,

We are giving you the perfect excuse to be in London even in this 'frozen' weather. Nothing would hold you back if you read this Wall Street Journal article.

Bonhams auction house in London is going to auction rare chess sets Africa, Asia, America and Europe dating from the 18th to the 20th century this Monday.

At Christie's South Kensington in December, a souvenir chess piece made to commemorate the historic match between the British House of Commons and the U.S. House of Representatives in 1897 was sold for £4,375. The match was played over two days by cable transmission and resulted in a draw.

Chess prices at auction have risen steadily over the past 10 years, with particular demand coming from "well-heeled businessmen," Bonhams specialist Luke Honey says. The exquisitely sculptured figures usually aren't bought for playing but for the joy of owning them, he adds.
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(Left A 19th-century whaler's maritime traveling chess set is estimated at £900-1,200.)

A major highlight will be an ivory and ebony figural chess set from southern Germany from circa 1700. Crowned kings and queens are dressed in regal medieval fashion and pawns wear baggy breeches and flared-bottomed coats. The set is expected to fetch £15,000-£20,000. "It is very rare to have a complete set from so far back," Mr. Honey says.

From circa 1780 comes a French ivory bust set that plays Europeans against the Moors. The European side is left in natural ivory, while the Moorish side is dyed red. There are charming details such as the Moorish queen wearing dangling earrings and the European king with his hair tied with a ribbon underneath his crown (estimate: £7,000-£9,000).

Another 18th-century set comes from Russia. Carved from mammoth ivory, it is valued at £2,000-£3,000. And a 19th-century English whaler's maritime traveling set will be offered in its original mahogany box, engraved with the name of the whaling ship's captain (estimate: £900-£1,200).

East meets West in a decorative Chinese set that was made for the export market in circa 1820. One side depicts the king and queen of England, with bishops as clergy and knights as horsemen; and the other, the Chinese emperor and empress as king and queen, bishops as mandarins and rooks as elephants with flags (estimate: £3,000-£5,000).

A fun item comes from 20th-century Africa. A 1950s hardwood tribal set shows queens bearing pots on their heads, bishops as witch doctors, knights as giraffes and pawns as tribesman (estimate: £200-£300).

There are a number of game boards that provide for both chess and backgammon. An Indian ivory, sandalwood and metal-inlaid board from circa 1900, the outside for chess and the interior for backgammon, is decorated with inlaid geometric medallions (estimate: £600-£800). The sale includes games other than chess. You can read further here.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal blog at

www.chessqueen.com